REL 101 -- World Relig: Asian

Shinto Priest (ca. 1906) [link]

Expanded course description

Introduction to selected religious traditions of Asia. This course examines various Asian religious traditions including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Rather than provide a comprehensive survey of all of the Asian religions (which is impractical in a ten-week quarter), this course emphasizes in-depth understanding of selected traditions through the study of primary religious texts supported by secondary readings in the relevant scholarly literature. The focus of our examination will be on the philosophical understanding of religious ideas supported by a critical examination of historical context. We will study key ideas of religious thought, symbolism, ritual, myth, individual and institutional practices within the critical context of various cultural and historical issues such as gender, class, and sexuality. Course assignments include short, in-class exams, shorter one- to two-page papers, and a final, medium-length paper. Mandatory discussion sections offer students an interactive learning component in addition to regular lectures that incorporate question-and-answer segments.

Group: A&L

Offered 200601.

Syllabus

Although syllabi can change from term to term, a syllabus may provide further information about typical instances of this course.