PPR240:Contemporary Issues in Asian Religions

Tutors: Hiroko Kawanami (Michaelmas) and Brian Black (Lent)
Terms: Michaelmas and Lent

Course Description

This course looks at current debates and controversies in the religious traditions of Asia. The course will focus on Hinduism and Buddhism, but will also touch upon issues that impact on other religions in their South, East, and South East Asian contexts, such as Islam, Sikhism, Jainism, Judaism, Christianity, Confucianism, Daoism, and Shinto. Some of the issues covered include religious conflict, caste, gender, the environment, religious identity, nationalism and globalization. The course is designed for students entering Part Two and it parallels and complements PPR 241. However, it is also free-standing and may be taken as an independent unit.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

• Make informed judgements and present their own views on certain key concepts in the past and present of selected Asian religions.
• Articulate the differences and describe critically the current issues and debates taking place in these religious traditions regarding issues such as modernity, authority, gender, development, and power.
• Demonstrate a developed awareness of the variety that exist in Asian religions as well as the problems and potential of imposing Western categories in the study of these traditions.
• Have acquired a foundation for advanced study of Asian religions.

Assessment

40% coursework and 60% exam.
Coursework: 2 essays of 2500 words each. Exam: 3 hours.

Teaching Method

Lecture (2 hours) weekly, and seminar (1 hour) fortnightly.

Introductory Reading

S Berkwitz (ed) Buddhism in World Cultures

E Bloch et al (eds) Rethinking Religion in India

G Larson India's Agony Over Religion

I Reader Religion in Contemporary Japan

D Swearer The Buddhist World of Southeast Asia

L Woodhead et al (eds) Religions in the Modern World, (2nd edition)

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