REL4054S/REL5018S: Religion, Gender and Sexuality: Exploring Contested Territories

REL4054S / REL5018S        RELIGION, GENDER AND SEXUALITY: EXPLORING CONTESTED TERRITORIES
REL4054S: 24 NQF credits at NQF level 8
REL5018S: 24 NQF credits at NQF level 9

Convener: Professor S Shaikh

Course entry requirements:
REL4054S: Acceptance for an honours programme.
REL5018S: Acceptance for a master’s programme.

Course outline: 
This course explores the dynamic interplay between gender, sexuality and religion. Using diverse feminist theoretical lenses, we examine how social norms, ethics, and symbols intertwine with sexuality and gender across different religious landscapes. With sensitivity, we navigate through the evolving landscapes of contemporary religious practices, laws, spirituality, texts, and interpretations. The course investigates the rich tapestry of gender theorizations, the evolving concept of personhood and subjectivities, ethics and social dynamics, across selected religious landscapes. Immersing ourselves in vibrant and shifting religious imaginaries, the course invites us to be both critical and constructive in thinking through the boundaries and transformations of gender and sexuality perspectives emerging in the contemporary period.

Lecture Times: Wednesdays

DP requirements: Regular participation in weekly seminars; submission of all prescribed assignments by due dates.

Assessment:

• REL4054S: Response papers/short essays (40%), oral presentation (10%), and final research essay, 3500 words (50%).
• REL5018S: Response papers/short essays (40%), oral presentation (10%), and final research essay, 5000 words (50%).