Religion 225SA - Gend./Sexuality S.Asian Relig

From the erotic asceticism of the god Siva to the spiritual power of an auspicious married woman, to the spiritual power of an auspicious married woman, the nexus of gender and sexuality has broadly shaped the practices and philosophies of South Asia's many religious traditions. The central questions guiding this course are: How do Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam incorporate sexual practice and/or restraint into a vision of ethical life? When does one's sexuality or gender become dangerous or unethical? In pursuing these questions, students will gain a deep familiarity with South Asian asceticism, the place of erotics within religious discourse, new perspectives on queer and transgender theories, emic feminisms, and sexual ethics.