Undergraduate Course: Japanese Buddhist Writers from the Early Heian Period to the Late Edo Period (ASST10116)
Course Outline
| School | School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Asian Studies |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | The course examines the literary, i.e. non-scholastic output of representative Buddhist writers in pre-modern Japan (roughly understood as the period from late-Nara/early Heian through to the middle of the nineteeenth century). Writers such as the scholar-monk Kukai, the poet Saigyo, and the traveller Basho are read in translation, with constant reference to the Japanese originals. Great care is taken to analyse the writings in their respective historical, political, social and doctrinal contexts where appropriate. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Equivalent of U01730 or successful completion of a second- or third-year level course in Japanese literature or culture. |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
| Students will learn to read pre-modern texts by Japanese Buddhist writers through a close analysis of selected texts and to identify in those texts the pertinent historical, political, social and doctrinal background. They will also gain an appreciation of the variety, complexity, and expressive power of the pre-modern forms of the Japanese language, although this course is not intended as a systematic introduction to the syntax of any of the forms of Classical Japanese. They will also acquire facility in relevant bibliographical tasks (using both conventional and electronic sources) and in the written and oral presentation of their studies. |
Assessment Information
| Presentation on an approved topic (25%); one essay (3,500 words; 75%). |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | japan, buddhism, classical literature, kukai, saigyo, ikkyu, gozan, basho, hakuin, jiun sonja |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Ian Astley
Tel: (0131 6)51 1358
Email: |
Course secretary | Mr David Horn
Tel: (0131 6)50 4227
Email: |
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