RELI 298/A (Winter 2025): SEL TOPICS/RELIGIONS & CULTURE

RELIGION 298/4 Winter 2025

Prophets, Prostitutes and Wives: An Introduction to Women in the Hebrew Bible

Tuesday- Thursday 1:15-2:30 p.m.

CL-233 SGW

Instructor: Professor Norma Baumel Joseph (norma.joseph@concordia.ca)

Teaching Assistant: Mika Benesh (mika.benesh@gmail.com)

Office:  FA-302     2060 Mackay

Office Hours:  by appointment        

 

Description

In this introductory course we will consider the representation of women’s experiences and expressions in the narrative traditions of the Hebrew Bible. How are women presented? We find prophets, prostitutes, wives, shepherds, and sisters. All sorts of women! Readings and discussion will interrogate the plain text as we locate both feminist theory and Judaic tradition. We will discover understandings that question traditional perspectives on biblical women and their representation. A variety of popular, Jewish and feminist approaches will be discussed. We will challenge our notions of women’s place and participation both in the past and as presented even today.