REL4046S/REL5114S: Buddhism in Contemporary Society

REL4046S / REL5114S    BUDDHISM IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
REL4046S: 24 NQF credits at NQF level 8
REL5114S: 24 NQF credits at NQF level 9

Convener: Associate Professor E Porcu

Course entry requirements:
REL4046S: Acceptance for an honours programme.
REL5114S: Acceptance for a master’s programme.

Course outline: 
This course will examine Buddhism as a living tradition in its relation to society and culture. Students will be exposed to different Buddhist traditions both in their historical and contemporary developments, their teachings and practices. We will, for example, explore issues of orientalism and hegemonic power in the construction of Buddhism, Buddhism and gender, Buddhism and popular culture, Buddhism, art and the media, and the transmission of Buddhism to the West and Africa, as well as Buddhism-based new religious movements. Particular emphasis will be placed on East Asian Buddhism.

Lecture Times: Wednesdays

DP requirements: Submission of all prescribed assignments by due dates. Regular attendance and participation in class.

Assessment:

• REL4046S: Class presentations (10%). 4 weekly response papers (40%). A final essay of 4000 words (50%).
• REL5114S: Class presentations (10%). 4 weekly response papers (40%). A final essay of 6000 words (50%).