HTIB00011U Buddhism in the modern world

Volume 2015/2016
Education

Asienstudier på BA-niveau med specialisering i de centrale fag Indologi, Japanstudier, Kinastudier, Koreastudier, Sydøstasienstudier og Tibetologi, 2010 eller

Studieordning for tilvalgsstudiet på BA-niveau i Kinastudier 2007-ordningen eller

Studieordning for tilvalgsstudiet på BA-niveau i Tibetologi 2007-ordningen

Content

This course enquires into contemporary Buddhism as an interdisciplinary topic of investigation through bridging language-based area studies, religious studies, and anthropology. Building upon an introduction to some key concepts of Buddhism, we explore how ‘Buddhism’ is employed within various contexts in Asia and beyond, while paying attention to possible contradictions, contentions and contentment with contemporary issues, which include:

  • Buddhist modernity and secularism,
  • commodification of Buddhism and the spiritual marketplace,
  • entanglements of Buddhism with politics,
  • changing roles of women in Buddhism,
  • Buddhism and new media, and
  • travels and cultural translations.

 

Through the topic of Contemporary Buddhism, this course also aims at helping students develop general competences. Hence we consciously seek to integrate in the classroom activities (1) conducting analysis, (2) handling theory, and (3) reading critically.

Learning Outcome

BA 2010 - Asienstudier
Kinesisk Realia 1 (fagelementkode HKIB00731E)
Kinesisk Realia 2 (fagelementkode HKIB00761E)
Tibetologisk Realia 1 (fagelemenkode HTIB00671E)
Tibetologisk Realia 2 (fagelementkode HTIB00731E)
Tibetologisk Realia 3 (fagelementkode HTIB00761E)

BA tilvalg 2007 - Kinastudier
Kinesisk Realia D (fagelementkode HKIB10041E)
Kinesisk Realia E (fagelementkode HKIB10051E)
Kinesisk Realia F (fagelementkode HKIB10061E)

BA tilvalg 2007 - Tibetologi
Tibetologisk Realia A (fagelementkode HTIB10041E)
Tibetologisk Realia B (fagelementkode HTIB10061E)

A detailed list of readings for each class can be found in Absalon well ahead of semester start. Although prior knowledge of Buddhism is not required, some familiarity with the basics of Buddhism is an advantage. Students attending this course will benefit from reading introductions to Buddhism before attending the class. Suggested books available in our library are:

Harvery, Peter 2013. An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History and Practices. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press. (521 pages)

Kapstein, Matthew T. 2014. Tibetan Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press. (130 pages)

Keown, Damien 2013. Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford, Oxford University Press. (158 pages)

Lectures, discussions, group activities, student presentations, guest lecturers
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 56
  • Preparation
  • 356,5
  • Total
  • 412,5
Credit
15 ECTS
Type of assessment
Other
Criteria for exam assesment
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Other