Joel Brereton

This course offers a survey of the major religious traditions of Asia (Hinduism, Buddhism in South and East Asia, Confucianism, Daoism, and Shinto). It focuses on the historical development of their beliefs, practices, rituals, and customs in social context. The course will combine lectures with class discussions on readings.

Text:Theodore M. Ludwig, The Sacred Paths of the East, 3rd ed. The Mahabharata, retold by R.K. Narayan Zhuangzi: Basic Writings, translated by Burton Watson

Grading:Attendance/participation 20% 2 quizzes 20% (10% each) 2 short essays 20% (10% each) Midterm exam 20% Final exam 20%

This course examines the principal themes of traditional Hinduism, the dominant religion of the Indian subcontinent.  It gives special attention to the historical development of the tradition and its relation to social and cultural life in India.  To the extent possible, the course will examine different forms of religious expression created within India.  These include written texts which have been significant in the Hindu tradition, but they also comprise rituals that have been central to religious life, patterns of social action that embody Hindu values, and images and architecture that display the form and powers of the world.

This course surveys the central beliefs and patterns of life of living religious traditions of Asia.  It will focus particularly on the basic texts or narratives of these traditions, on their essential histories, and on the concepts of humanity, the world, and the divine that are distinctive of each.  In addition, the course will explore not only what people believe religiously but also what they do religiously.  Part of the course, therefore, will consider the ways of life, forms of social action, and rituals practiced by different communities.  Not all Asian traditions can be included in a one-semester survey.  The traditions chosen have large numbers of adherents, have particular historical significance, and represent different cultural areas.

This course offers a survey of the major religious traditions of Asia (Hinduism, Buddhism in South and East Asia, Confucianism, Daoism, and Shinto). It focuses on the historical development of their beliefs, practices, rituals, and customs in social context. The course will combine lectures with class discussions on readings.

This course will survey the central beliefs and patterns of life of living religious traditions of Asia.  It will focus particularly on the essential texts or narratives of these traditions, on the periods of their origins, and on the concepts of humanity, the world, and the divine that are distinctive of each.  In addition, the course will explore not only what people believe religiously but also what they do religiously.  Part of the course, therefore, will consider the ways of life, patterns of social action, and rituals practiced by different communities.  Not all Asian traditions can be included in a one-semester survey.  The traditions chosen have large numbers of adherents, or have particular historical significance, or represent different cultural areas.

TEXTS:

John L. Esposito et al., The Religions of Asia Today  
Burton Watson, tr., Zhuangzi:  Basic Writings
R. K. Narayan, tr., The Ramayana
Hiroaki Sato, tr., Basho's Narrow Road

GRADING:

Three quizzes            35%
Four essays            40%
Final                25%
Regrettably, excessive unexcused absences and persistent failure to prepare the assignments on time have deleterious effects on final grades for the class.  On the other hand, vigorous and informed participation in class discussions can help a grade.  Other factors, such as a student's progress or effort in the course, may also affect final grades for the class.