Rel 230. Topics in East Asian Religions: Confucianism in the Modern Era
Fall 2008—Blix
Once on the wane (in the twentieth century), Confucianism has recently undergone a major renaissance in both mainland China and the United States. Hence this course. We’ll start with classical Confucianism, and do a close reading of the Analects and the Mencius in English translation. We’ll analyze the “logic” of each work, and the issues raised by the tensions between a “logical” reading of a text and an “historical” one. We’ll then turn to contemporary Confucianism, looking at its recent revival (e.g. the so-called “New Confucians” and the “Boston Confucians”), and at its role in current debates about bioethics, ecology, and social and political reform. We’ll also examine Confucianism in contemporary Chinese literature (novels, plays, etc.). Part of the course work will be devoted to learning a core set of Chinese characters, and a few rudiments of Classical Chinese, although absolutely no prior knowledge of Chinese will be presupposed in any way, shape, or form whatsoever.
One course credit. Prerequisite: Religion 104, or the consent of the instructor.
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Rel 230. Topics in East Asian Religions: Daoism
Fall 2007—Blix
In this course we'll begin with the texts of classical Daoism (or Taoism): the Dao De Jing [Tao Te Ching] and the Zhuangzi [Chuang Tzu]. Reading them closely, we will focus on problems involved in their translation and interpretation, especially in light of hermeneutical theory, the secondary literature on Daoism, and recent archaeological discoveries of alternate versions of the Dao De Jing. We will then turn to the "religious Daoism" that emerged in the post-Han era. Here we will look at Daoist symbolism and practice, including art, ritual, poetry, alchemy, and later texts like Seven Taoist Masters. In so doing, we will test the common Western idea that "religious" and "classical" Daoism are radically different. We will conclude by looking at the nature and status of Daoism in contemporary Chinese-speaking communities, whether the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, or the United States. No prior knowledge of Chinese is required, although part of the course work will be devoted to learning some basic Chinese characters.
One course credit. Prerequisite: Religion 104, or the consent of the instructor.
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Rel 230. Topics in East Asian Religions: Globalization, Human Rights, and Asian Values
Spring 2007—Chen
Does the claim to the universality of human rights offer a groundwork for cross-cultural human values or is it itself an integral part of “global capitalism” or “Western hegemony”? What is the place of human rights in a society shaped by a non-Western frame of mind, for instance, by Confucian principles? What has been the political impact of recent human rights campaigns on non-Western societies? In this course we will seek to address these timely questions by focusing on the contemporary clash of Western notions of human rights with the cultural orientations of Asian societies, especially Confucianism. Substantial issues to be covered throughout the course include: universalism and multiculturalism, justice and virtue, the core/periphery distinction and globalization, cultural identity and class differentiation, religion and modes of modernity.
One course credit. Prerequisite: Religion 104, or permission of the instructor.
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Rel 230. Topics in East Asian Religions: Asian Americans-Religion and Ethnic Identity
Fall 2006—Chen
Surveys the history of Asian American ethnic institutions and beliefs from the 19th century to the present. Positions the diversity of Asian American religious expression within the broad context of social, economic, and political life in North America. Topics include: how the religious life of Asian immigrants are related to religious traditions of Asia; how acculturation, diaspora experience, and cultural conflict have shaped their identities, and how their traditions interact with Western cultural values. An underlying theme is the implication of the emerging multi-religious landscape for American society in general and American democracy in particular. The experience of Asian immigrants to the United States is examined from a comparative perspective. Readings include materials from both North America and East Asia.
One course credit. Prerequisite: Religion 104 or permission of the instructor.
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Rel 230. Topics in East Asian Religions: Zen Buddhism
Fall 2005—Blix
In this course we will try to understand Zen Buddhism by looking at its principal beliefs and practices in their historical context. We will pay special attention to the way in which Zen transformed the very questions Buddhists thought it was important to ask, and the way that transformation subsequently influenced the culture, art, and religion of East Asia and America. Discussions will be based on readings from the classical texts of the Theravada, Mahayana, and Zen traditions, as well as from more recent literature.
One course credit. Prerequisite: Religion 104 or permission of the instructor.
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Rel 230. Topics in East Asian Religions: Taoism
Fall 2004—Blix
In this course we will start with the "founding texts" of classical Taoism, the Tao Te Ching and the Chuang Tzu. We will then turn to the "religious Taoism" that emerged in the post-Han era, and look closely at religious Taoist symbolism and practice, including art, ritual, poetry, Chinese medicine, diet, and alchemy, and later Taoist texts like Seven Taoist Masters. In so doing, we will also test the common Western idea that "religious" and "classical" Taoism are somehow radically different. We will conclude by looking at the nature and status of Taoism in contemporary Chinese-speaking communities, whether the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, or the United States.
One course credit. Prerequisite: Religion 104 or permission of the instructor.
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Rel 230. Topics in East Asian Religions: Confucianism
Fall 2003—Blix
In this course we'll start with classical Confucianism, and do a close reading of the Analects and the Mencius. We'll read them in English, but will also pay close attention to key terms in the original Chinese. Using several translations and commentaries, we'll analyze the "logic" of each work, and the issues raised by the tensions between the "logical" reading of a text and an "historical" one. In the middle part of the course, we'll read Zhu Xi and some other neo-Confucians. We'll end with contemporary Confucianism. We'll look at the revival of Confucianism in both mainland China and the United States (e.g. the so-called "Boston Confucians"), and at its role in current debates about bioethics, ecology, and social and political reform.
One course credit. Prerequisite: Religion 104 or permission of the instructor.
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Rel 230. Topics in East Asian Religions: The Silk Road
Spring 2003—Blix
To travel the Silk Road in China is to observe one of the world's great experiments in cultural and religious diversity. Originally linking China to ancient Rome, it later became the point of entry into China for Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam. Today it continues to challenge the "Middle-Kingdom" way in which the Chinese have traditionally thought of themselves. It brings together diverse and often conflicting ethnicities. It is also an archeological treasure-trove, including the buried terracotta warriors of Xi'an, the Buddhist caves of Dunhuang, and the startling new finds in the tombs of Turfan. In this course, we'll try to understand this "experiment" by looking at the history and cultures of the Silk Road, paying particular attention to Buddhism and contemporary Islam in western China. Discussions will be based on readings and art work from a variety of primary and secondary sources.
One course credit. Prerequisite: Rel 104, or the consent of the instructor. Enrollment limited to 15.
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Rel 230. Topics in East Asian Religions: Zen Buddhism
Fall 2002—Blix
In this course we will try to understand Zen Buddhism by looking at its principal beliefs and practices in their historical context. We will pay special attention to the way in which Zen transformed the very questions Buddhists thought it was important to ask, and the way that transformation subsequently influenced the culture, art, and religion of East Asia and America. Discussions will be based on readings from the classical texts of the Theravada, Mahayana, and Zen traditions, as well as from more recent literature.
One course credit. Prerequisite: Religion 104 or permission of instructor.
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Rel 230. Topics in East Asian Religions: Taoism
Fall 2001—Blix
In this course we will start with the "founding texts" of classical Taoism, the Tao Te Ching and the Chuang Tzu, as well as parts of the Han Taoist-inspired classic, the Huai-nan Tzu. We will then turn to the "religious Taoism" that emerged in the post-Han era, and look closely at religious Taoist symbolism and practice, including art, ritual, poetry, Chinese medicine, diet, and alchemy, and later Taoist texts like Seven Taoist Masters. In so doing, we will also test the common Western idea that "religious" and "classical" Taoism are somehow radically different. We will conclude by looking at the nature and status of Taoism in contemporary Chinese-speaking communities, whether the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, or the United States.
One course credit. Prerequisite: Religion 104 or permission of instructor.
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Rel 330. Seminar on Asian Religions: Confucius and Confucianism
Fall 2000—Blix
In this course we will do a close reading of the Analects and the Mencius. We will read them in English, but will also pay close attention to key terms in the original Chinese. We'll analyze the "logic" of each work, using several translations and contemporary commentaries. We'll also look at the issues raised by the tension between "logical" and "historical" readings of the texts, and try to understand how Confucianism might be re-interpreted in light of 20th century trends in philosophy and religion, as well as social, economic, and political developments in the modern world.
One course credit. Prerequisite: Religion 104 or permission of instructor.
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Rel 27. Seminar on Asian Religions: Zen and the Samurai
Spring 2000—Blix, Morillo
In this interdisciplinary course we will try to understand Zen Buddhism by looking at its principal beliefs and practices in their historical context, with particular attention to the role of Zen in the formation of the values and practices of the Japanese warrior class from the Kamakura through the Tokugawa era. We will pay special attention to the way in which Zen transformed the very questions Buddhists thought it was important to ask, and the way that transformation subsequently influenced the culture, art, and religion of the samurai, as well as how the conditions and problems facing the samurai shaped their understanding of Zen. Discussions will be based on readings from the classical texts of the Theravada, Mahayana, and Zen traditions as well as from historical chronicles and secondary sources.
One course credit. Prerequisite: Religion 4 or previous work in world history, or consent of the instructor.
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Rel 27. Confucius and Lao Tzu
Fall 1998—Blix
In this course we will do a close reading of the Analects, the Mencius, the Tao Te Ching, and the Chuang Tzu. We will read them in English, but will also pay attention to key terms in the original Chinese. We'll analyze the "logic" of each work, using several translations and contemporary commentaries. In so doing, we'll aim at two things: how to understand the possible compatibility of "Confucianism" and "Taoism," and how this understanding might be aided by recent re-interpretations of these texts by modern thinkers in light of late 20th-century trends in philosophy and religion.
One course credit. Prerequisite: Religion 4, or the consent of the instructor.
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Rel 27. Seminar on Asian Religions: Buddhist Pilgrims on the Silk Road
Spring 1998—Peebles
Buddhism reached China about 2,000 years ago by way of the caravan routes through Central Asia, and for centuries Buddhist missionaries and pilgrims traveled along the Silk Road between India and China. We will read accounts of pilgrims' journeys, and we will examine the Buddhist cave painting at Tunhuang, where the road leaves the protection of the Great Wall and heads into the desert. We will also consider the impact of the coming of Islam, and we will read "Monkey," a novel based on the journey of Hsüan-tsang, the most famous pilgrim on the Silk Road.
One course credit. Prerequisite: Religion 3 or 4 or consent of instructor.
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Rel 27. Japanese Religions
Fall 1997—Blix
The Japanese often say that, in the best of all possible worlds, there ought to be many religions, not one, and yet that in Japan the many are still one because they're all Japanese. So what does it mean to be "religious" in Japan? In this course we will try to answer this question by looking closely at the histories, beliefs, and practices of the principal religions that the Japanese have from time to time embraced: Shinto, Confucianism, several varieties of Buddhism, Christianity, and Japanese folk religion. We will pay special attention to two topics: the way these religions have influenced each other (defining each other as "other"), and the way these religions have influenced Japanese culture and art. Discussions will be based on readings from primary and secondary Japanese sources in translation, as well as recent Western texts (religious, philosophical, anthropological) that will help give us a handle on the notions of "culture," "religion," the "other," the "many," and the "one."
One course credit. Prerequisite: Religion 4, or the consent of the instructor.
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Rel 27. Seminar on Asian Religions: Zen Buddhism
Spring 1997—Blix
In this course we will try to understand Zen Buddhism by looking at its principal beliefs and practices in their historical context. We will pay special attention to the way in which zen transformed the very questions Buddhists thought it was important to ask, and the way that transformation subsequently influenced the culture, art, and religion of East Asia and America. Discussions will be based on readings from the classical texts of the Theravada, Mahayana, and Zen traditions, as well as from more recent literature.
One course credit. Prerequisite: Religion 4 or consent of instructor.
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