M.A. Curriculum

(All courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.)

Core Courses (28 units)

PARW 6500 Contemporary Women’s Spirituality
OR PARW 6786-70 Embodying the Present: Women’s Spirituality (online)

PARW 7585-70 Spirit, Compassion, and Community Activism (1 unit)

Three courses from within the Philosophy and Religion Program (9 units):

• a course from the Asian and Comparative Studies concentration
• a course from the Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness concentration
• a course in Feminist Philosophy and/or Religion

A choice of courses from the following:
Women’s Cultural History (survey) (3 units)
PARW 6630-60 Feminist Perspectives on Western Culture
PARW 7050-70 Goddesses of Prehistory, an Archaeomythology
PARW new Women in World Religions, Historical Perspectives
PARW 7586 African Black Mother and Black Madonnas
PARW 7595 Sacred Women of Africa and the African Diaspora
PARW 7532 Subaltern Cultures: Cosmology, Icons, and Rituals

Women’s Mysteries, Sacred Arts and Healing (3 units)
PARW 6785 Women’s Embodiment, Sexuality, and Healing
PARW 7200 Coming Alive! Rosen Movement and Bodywork
PARW 7420 The Healing Ecstasy of Sound
PARW 7610 The Greater Mysteries: Birth, Sexuality, Death, Rebirth
PARW 7635-60 The Eleusinian Mysteries of Demeter and Persephone

A choice of courses from the following areas of emphasis (6 units):
1. Women in World Religions
2. Feminist and Ecofeminist Philosophy
3. Women’s Mysteries and Sacred Arts
4. Body Wisdom / Women and Healing
5. Archaeomythology and EcoSocial Anthropology
6. Peace and Partnership Studies / Justice, Community, Sustainability

A choice of Womanist/Feminist Research Methodologies courses (3 units)
PARW 7380-70 Womanist and Feminist Worldviews and Methodologies
PARW 7425 Art as Sacred Process
PARW 7532 Subaltern Cultures: Cosmology, Icons, and Rituals
PARW 7640 Goddess and God Civilization of Ancient Crete

Electives (5 units)
(courses from programs other than Women’s Spirituality)

Culminating Coursework (3 units)
The choice of a thesis, publishable article, or portfolio project.

PARW 6800-70 Integrative Seminar/Proposal Writing (3 units)
Thesis/Publishable Article/Portfolio Project

PARW 7900-70 Thesis/Dissertation Seminar (research and writing of a thesis or publishable article, in consultation with one’s mentor or thesis committee: the Chair and committee member).

Total units: 36

Ph.D. Curriculum

(All courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.)

Core Courses (19 units)

PARW 6500 Contemporary Women’s Spirituality (3 units)
OR PARW 6786-70 Embodying the Present: Women’s Spirituality (online)
PARW 7585-70 Spirit, Compassion, and Community Activism (1 unit)

A choice of courses from:
Women’s Cultural History (Advanced) (3 units)
PARW 6630-60 Feminist Perspectives on Western Culture
PARW 7390 Heresies, Folklore, and other Submerged Beliefs
PARW 7640 Goddess and God Civilization of Ancient Crete
PARW 7666-70 Feminist Philosophy and Religious Thought
PARW new The Future has an Ancient Heart

Womanist/Feminist Research Methodologies (3 units)
PARW 7380 Womanist-Feminist Worldviews and Methodologies
PARW 7390 Heresies, Folklore, and other Submerged Beliefs
PARW 7640-60 Religion and Culture of Ancient Crete

A choice of courses from one or two selected areas of emphasis (9 units):
1. Women in World Religions
2. Feminist and Ecofeminist Philosophy
3. Women’s Mysteries and Sacred Arts
4. Body Wisdom / Women and Healing
5. Archaeomythology / EcoSocial Anthropology
6. Peace and Partnership Studies / Justice, Community, Sustainability

Electives (8 units)

Culminating Coursework (9 units)
PARW 9100-70 Advanced Research Colloquium/ Comprehensive Exams
A choice of Methodology course pertinent to Dissertation
PARW 6800-70 Integrative Seminar/Proposal Writing
PARW 6900-70 Thesis/Dissertation Proposal Completion (0 units)

Language Proficiency (non-credit)
Proficiency in a foreign language may be demonstrated by having passed two years of college coursework, or by achieving a satisfactory score on the ETS Foreign Language Reading exam. Additional language study may be required depending on chosen dissertation topic.

Dissertation (0 units, flat fee)
PARW 7900 Thesis/Dissertation Seminar (research and writing of a dissertation, in
consultation with one’s dissertation committee: the Chair and members).

Total units: 36*

*Students admitted with an M.A. in a field other than Humanities, Philosophy, Religion, Women’s Studies, or Women’s Spirituality may need to take up to 18 supplemental units from the Women’s Spirituality M.A. curriculum, minus equivalent courses taken elsewhere.