Emily Culpepper

Academic Interests and Areas of Expertise

• Women and Gender in Western Religions
• Contemporary Goddess Spiritualities
• Women's Reproductive Health and Ethical Issues
• Lesbian and Gay Issues and Religion
• Feminist Ethics
• Menstrual Attitudes
• Customs and Health Issues

Professional Background Highlights

Dr. Culpepper is the founding Director of Women's Studies at the University. She held the position of Director from 1989-2008 with a joint appointment with Religious Studies. In 2008 the WGST faculty created the “Dr. Emily Culpepper Convocation Award for Outstanding Work in Women’s and Gender Studies” to acknowledge her 20 years as founding Director of the program. She lives in Pomona, CA, with her partner Dr. Janet Lake, who is a Chiropractor. Originally from Macon, Georgia, she is proud to be an activist for social justice since attending high school there.

Selected Courses

• Women, Sexuality, and Western Religions
• Sexuality Education, Birth Control, & Abortion: Current Struggles
• Lesbians, Gays and Religious Controversies
• Reproductive Ethics
• Women, Work, and Sexual Politics
• Women and Violence

In Religious Studies

• REL 245 "Lesbians, Gays, & Religious Controversies" - taught every fall.
• REL 260 "Guided Meditations for Healing" - a new CR/NC course, taught every fall.
• REL 251 "Women, Sexuality, & Western Religions" - taught every spring.

In Women’s and Gender Studies

• WGST 130 "Sexuality Education, Birth Control, & Abortion: Current Controversies"-every Spring and other courses in rotation with WGST faculty.

Degrees Held

• Doctor of Theology, Harvard University (with distinction)
• Master of Divinity, Harvard University (cum laude)
• BA, Emory University (cum laude, honors in Philosophy)