Section E

• be aware of the roles of women and men from the perspective of a variety of religious traditions and the connection between images of God and understandings of these roles.

• have an understanding of the significance of gender for personal, social, and religious experience in contemporary society
• have an understanding of the dynamic nature of gender roles.

• trace the development of the role and understanding of gender in religious traditions, in particular the Christian traditions, through the ages
• recognise links between the roles of women and men in society and their roles in religious traditions.

This section should contributeto the development of

• critical awareness of the differences in practice between some religious traditions in relation to gender roles.

• the meanings of gender: biology, sociology and psychology
• a comparative analysis of the changing roles of men and women
• philosophical, sociological, biological and psychological perspectives in such analysis.

As a result of studying this section, students should be able to

• discuss the meanings of gender
• give an informed account of the changing roles of men and women in contemporary society and inform that account with perspectives from two of
  • philosophy
  • sociology
  • biology
  • psychology.

• a comparative overview of the roles of men and women within two different major world religions (Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism Judaism)
• links between the images of God in these religions and the place of women and men in their traditions and worship.

As a result of studying this section, students should be able to

• present a comparison of gender roles in two different named world religions
• make a connection between gender roles and images of God/the transcendent associated with each world religion and give one example of this relationship in each.

• be aware of the roles of women and men from the perspective of a variety of religious traditions, and the connection between images of God and understandings of these roles
• be familiar with the accounts in the Christian scriptures of the encounters between Jesus and women, and the place of women in the early Christian communities.

• have an understanding of the significance of gender for personal, social and religious experience in contemporary society
• be aware of the place of men and women in the Hebrew and Christian scriptures
• understand the implications of sex stereotyping for full human and social development.

• trace the development of the role and understanding of gender in religious traditions, in particular the Christian traditions, through the ages
• recognise links between the roles of women and men in society and their roles in religious traditions
• analyse these roles using the visions outlined in scripture and concepts of equality and justice.

This section should contribute to the development of

• critical awareness of the differences in practice between some religious traditions in relation to gender roles
• appreciation of the challenge to move beyond stereotypes.

• the role of men and the role of women in the Hebrew scriptures
• gendered images of God in the Hebrew scriptures
• the role of women and men in the salvation history expressed in these scriptures.

As a result of studying this section, students should be able to

• provide a profile of two women in the Hebrew scriptures in terms of their
  • biography
  • characteristics
  • place in faith or salvation history
• provide a profile of two men in the Hebrew scriptures in terms of their
  • biography
  • characteristics
  • place in faith or salvation history
• make a comparison between the two groups
• give an account of two gendered images of God in the Hebrew scriptures
• discuss possible relationships between gender roles in images of God and in the women and men presented in the scriptures.

• the encounters between Jesus and women in the gospels
• the significance of these encounters at the time and for the Christian traditions today
• the presentation of women and men in Acts or in the letters of Paul.

As a result of studying this section, students should be able to

• describe two encounters between Jesus and women in the gospels. In the case of each one
  • re-tell the story
  • explain the significance of the encounter at the time
  • discuss the relevance of the story today for gender debates
• give an account of the roles assigned to women and men in one of the early Christian communities presented in Acts or in the letters of St. Paul.

• the portrayal of Mary in the gospels
• the portrayal of Mary in a Christian tradition and its influence on the role of men and women in that tradition.

As a result of studying this section, students should be able to

• profile Mary as presented in the gospels
• give an overview of how Mary is portrayed in one Christian tradition and suggest one way in which that view of Mary is reflected in the role of men and women in that tradition.

• experiences of exclusion and oppression in religion associated with gender
• experiences of empowerment and freedom in religion associated with gender.

As a result of studying this section, students should be able to

• present an account of a person or group that has experienced exclusion or oppression in religion because of gender
• present an account of a person or group that has experienced empowerment or freedom in religion because of gender.

• describe the contributions of some women to the development of religious and spiritual traditions.

• understand the particular perspectives of feminist theologies and spiritualities.

• identify emerging roles for women and men within religious traditions.

This section should contribute to the development of

• appreciation of the particular contribution of women and men to religious and spiritual traditions
• appreciation of issues of gender equality.

At ordinary level students should study one woman from any of the four categories. At higher level, one woman from any two categories must be studied.

• characteristics of feminist theologies
• the relationship between feminist theologies and the Christian traditions

OR

• feminist spiritualities: development and characteristics.

As a result of studying this section, students should be able to

• give three characteristics of theologies generally described as `feminist'
• give an account of the relationship between these forms of theology and the Christian traditions

OR

• give three characteristics of spiritualities generally described as `feminist' and outline the origins of these forms of spirituality.

• a. Women in the spiritual tradition: the contribution of women thinkers and writers.
• b. Women and leadership: founders and reformers of religious orders and communities.
• c. Women as social reformers, with particular attention to the relationship between personal faith and social commitment.
• d. Women religious writers today.

Students undertake a study of the impact and contribution of women to their religious traditions under the following headings:

• biography, key insights/actions, faith vision/commitment
• relationship of the woman to the culture of her day
• contribution of the woman to the cultural context, church/religious tradition
• continuing impact of the woman's insights, life and work
• questions raised by her life and work for contemporary society and religion.

• present a detailed profile of one woman (OL) /two women (HL) including
  • biography, key insights/actions, faith vision/commitment
  • relationship of the woman to the culture of her day
  • contribution of the woman to the cultural context, church/religious tradition
  • continuing impact of the woman's insights, life and work
  • questions raised by her life and work for contemporary society and religion
• give an account of the similarities and differences between the two women and offer possible explanations for these.