HM49, WOMEN AND RELIGION, F’05, EXAM II, Emmachild

NAME______________________________________________

DIRECTIONS: Answer four of the following questions.  Your answers must be clear, to the point, and must demonstrate working knowledge of technical, theoretical language.  When a question asks for a description, explanation or opinion, remember that a mere statement of the position is not sufficient.  You must clarify and defend your opinions.  Be sure to define all philosophical and theoretic terms.  Clearly label and number the questions you are answering.  ALL EXAMS MUST BE TYPED.   THIS COVER SHEET MUST BE RETURNED, STAPLED TO THE TOP OF YOUR ANSWERS.  While students are not expected to do seek outside sources (other than the text, handouts and class notes) in order to answer these questions, any such sources must be properly cited.  BE SURE TO REFER TO BOTH PEACH AND FERGUSON.  

DUE: Tuesday, November 29.  No late exams will be accepted for any reason.  Any exam which is not handed in during class time must be dated and initialed by a faculty or staff member to show that it was handed in on the due date.  If this rule is not followed, the exam will not be accepted. 

1.  HINDUISM
     a.  Julia Leslie claims that in Vedic and Classical periods, there is no formal barrier to women’s                       presence in the religion, but in fact the barriers exist.  Give six examples of these barriers and                     explain them.
     b.  How does Krishna open salvation to women?

2.  BUDDHISM
     a.  Peach claims that “in general, Buddhist cultures everywhere devalue women.”  Give four
          examples to support this.
     b.  Find four examples of positive roles/images for women in Buddhism.  Describe carefully.

3.  CONFUCIANISM
     a.  Explain how Confucianism attempts to reconcile the cosmic order with human order.
     b.  Carefully explain why this pattern “did not present women in a favorable light,” according
           to Ferguson.

4.  TAOISM
      a.  Carefully explain how Taoism claimed to be both scientific and naturalistic, showing how
           these ideas affected women.
      b.  Carefully explain the changes for women during the three periods of Taosim.

5.  SHINTOISM
     a.  Referring to the myths of Izanami/Izanagi and Amaterasu, explain the origin of the emphasis on                  external purification.
     b.  Explain how women’s role in this religion could be viewed as both positive and negative.

6.  AFRICAN RELIGION
     a.  Explain how African Traditional Religion, especially that of the Yoruba people, can be 
          seen as optimistic.  
     b.  Explain how African Traditional Religions oppress women because of their physiology.