Women in the Eastern Religious Traditions

Women in the Eastern Religious Traditions

Women in the Eastern Religious Traditions

Essays must be between 7- 10 pages in length, with a minimum of three reference sources – they are to be books and journal articles only. All papers must be carefully documented with precise references for all quotations (direct and indirect), paraphrases, and derived ideas, information and interpretations. You are reminded that it is essential that you give credit to all authors for all ideas and phrasing not originating with you. Failure to document and/or to place quotation marks around all direct quotations is plagiarism and will be dealt with in accordance with university disciplinary regulations. Plagiarism can result in a zero grade on the essay. Do not hesitate to consult with the instructor if doubts should arise.
Final Research Essay Topic
The final research paper (7-10 pages) will be based on a woman who has had a direct impact on one of the religions we will discuss in class. The purpose of the essay is to write about the role these women have played within their religious tradition, their impact, the changes they may have made and the challenges they faced.

Explain how these women are written about in primary texts (scripture) if they are from that time period, as well as what secondary sources say about these women. How do feminist interpretations change the way these women are understood within their faiths? Write about the traditional and modern understandings of these women in order to better explain their impact on the faiths today.

Essay Topics: Maha Pajapati (Maya’s sister and first Buddhist nun)