WGST 275 Gender, Sexuality, and Religion in the U.S. [GEUS or GEKH]

This course examines interactions among gender, sexuality, and religion in the U.S. by exploring primary and secondary sources from a variety of religious traditions including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Native traditions, and neo-pagan practices.

Often cross-listed with RLST 275

Credit 3 hrs May not be repeated for additional credit
Grade Mode Normal (A-F) Course Rotation Offered irregularly (in-person or online)

Prerequisites -
Restriction by Major -
Restriction by Class - Undergraduate standing

Rationale for Perspectives on a Diverse World - This course examines the ways that religions in the U.S. address gender and sexuality. As such, it not only addresses religious diversity, it also explicitly examines how women and LGBT people interact with religious doctrine and communities. In the process, students will examine ways that women and LGBT people are oppressed, excluded, tolerated, included, and celebrated in a variety of religious traditions. Gender, sexuality, and religion are all key aspects of US diversity. In order to effectively address the complexity of US cultural identities, students must understand how the diversity of ways that religious traditions approach to gender and sexuality. Religious justifications for how gender and sexuality are addressed not only support some forms of social intolerance, they also provide avenues to resist that intolerance. As such, students will benefit from developing a deeper understanding of the dynamics addressed in this course. Course texts include religious writings, fiction, and scholarly research. Assignments ask students to analyze these texts and demonstrate an understanding of the ideas presented in them.

Rationale for Knowledge of the Disciplines - This course examines the ways that religions in the U.S. address gender and sexuality. As such, it not only addresses religious diversity, it also explicitly examines how women and LGBT people interact with religious beliefs and practices. Students will examine primary and secondary sources about a variety of religious traditions and feminist and LGBT responses to religious doctrine. Assignments ask students to analyze these texts and demonstrate an understanding of the religious and gendered ideas presented in them. They will focus on the empathic understanding of other people’s beliefs and practices through the exploration of their experiences of discrimination, struggle, and celebration within religious communities.

Equivalent Course(s) - RLST 275
Course History -
Approved for GEUS and GEKH 10/2017, effective Fall 2018; New Course 3/2017, effective Fall 2017

religion, gender, Knowledge of the Disciplines - Humanities (GEKH), U.S. Diversity (GEUS)

Winter 2025 Course Sections

Fall 2024 Course Sections