Content

Course summary

This course introduces religious practices in East Asia and explores forms and expressions of religiosity in East Asia, past and present. We will start with an overview of the main religious traditions in the region and look at how they interacted and continue to interact with religious practices that entered the countries of East Asia at some point in their history. Attention will also be paid to how both the indigenous and adopted religious practices have influenced and been influenced by historical and political developments in these respective countries. Next, using English-language scholarship, we will trace and critically analyse such developments through the study of topics that include social, cultural, historical, textual, doctrinal, and theoretical issues. Although it will be impossible to cover all these issues in depth, through its thematic and geographical approach this course is aimed at helping students deepen their understanding of the religious traditions of East Asia while also stimulating them at further developing their research skills.

Course goals

By the end of this course, successful students will be able to

• demonstrate basic knowledge of the history, doctrines, beliefs and practices of the religious traditions of East Asia.
• understand how the religious traditions of East Asia continue to influence the individual, the family and the state.
• explore religion against a variety of backgrounds, including social, political and economic contexts.
• critically engage with secondary sources that pertain to the study of the religious traditions of East Asia.
• demonstrate the ability to plan and develop a short research project and to present it in oral form.

Course structure

The first three weeks will be dedicated to a brief introduction to both the study of religion and to the history, thought and practice of the various religious traditions of East Asia. This will be followed by ten weeks of lectures, student-led presentations (group work) and discussions on specific issues in East Asian religions (from a list of subjects provided by the lecturer).

Course material

Course material

The readings for this course will be provided on Toledo in PDF form.

Format: more information

Group assignment - Presentation

• Students attend the lectures and participate actively by taking notes and asking critical questions.
• Students prepare for class by doing the reading assignments.
• Students commit to their assignment (group or individual assignment depending on numbers of students - explanations will be given in the first class).