Constructions and Re-Constructions of Buddhism
RELI 483
Spring 2018 not offered
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| Crosslisting:
CEAS 245 |
Is Buddhism a philosophy? A mind science? An ancient mystical path? A modern construct? This seminar will evaluate a variety of answers to these questions by exploring how Buddhism has been understood in colonial and postcolonial periods. Our primary-source materials include Orientalist poetry, Zen essays, Insight Meditation manuals, 21st-century films, and contemporary academic critiques. We will examine the shape Buddhism takes in these works and turn to recent scholarship to discuss how romantic, imperialist, anti-modern, nationalist, therapeutic, and scientific frames depict one of today's most popular religions. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS RELI |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (CEAS-MN)(RELI-MN)(RELI) |
Major Readings:
D.T. Suzuki, ESSAYS IN ZEN BUDDHISM (1927); Jack Kerouac, ON THE ROAD (1957); Donald Lopez, PRISONERS OF SHANGRI-LA (1998); Judith Snodgrass, PRESENTING JAPANESE BUDDHISM TO THE WEST (2003); Ajaan Chah, A STILL FOREST POOL (2004); David McMahan, THE MAKING OF BUDDHISM MODERNISM (2008).
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Examinations and Assignments:
Weekly discussion questions posted to course blog; 2 short book/film reviews; 1 in-class presentation; final research paper. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
This course fulfills the Religion Department "Historical Traditions" major requirement. |
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