Postgraduate Course: Chinese Religions: Confucianism, Daoism and "Popular Religion" (ASST11076)
Course Outline
| School | School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Asian Studies |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | The aim of this course is twofold. On the one hand it aims at introducing students into the basic historical facts, philosophical and religious presuppositions, linguistic structure, terminological concepts and the political, economical and cultural context of traditional Chinese Religions with a focus on the so called ¿indigenous¿ religions Confucianism, Daoism and ¿Popular Religion¿.
On the other hand the course will use the Chinese case to also critically reflect on the application of Western Religious Studies analytical terms and concepts such as syncretism,
secularism, person, biography, body, ritual, text, god, religion etc. to the realm of Chinese religions. It will therefore also be a critical introduction into or re-examination of Western Religious Study theory. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will have achieved:
1) a basic knowledge of the cultural horizon and historical development as well as the main contents and practices of the Chinese traditions of Confucianism, Daoism and ¿popular¿ religion;
2) the ability to critically examine basic assumptions of Western Religious Studies;
3) an awareness of European historical perception and transformation of Chinese Religions and the capacity to critically review Western prejudices, stereotypes and presumptions regarding Chinese (and Other) Religions;
4) skills in integrating approaches to the study of other religious traditions comprising their degree course;
5) the ability to apply and test theories in specific case studies. |
Assessment Information
Student Presentation and Seminar Participation (10%)
Essay of 4000 Words (90%) |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
The course will consist of four parts:
1) a critical analysis of the way Chinese Religions have been perceived and studied in the West;
2) an introduction into Confucianism;
3) an introduction into Daoism;
4) an introduction into Chinese ¿Popular Religion¿. |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | CR:CD |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Joachim Gentz
Tel: 0131 22909024
Email: joachim.gentz@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Olivia Little
Tel:
Email: olivia.little@ed.ac.uk |
|
|
University Homepage