HISTORY OF BUDDHISM

Academic year
2024/2025 Syllabus of previous years
Official course title
STORIA DEL BUDDHISMO
Course code
LT2950 (AF:369381 AR:251956)
Modality
On campus classes
ECTS credits
6
Degree level
Bachelor's Degree Programme
Educational sector code
L-OR/20
Period
1st Semester
Course year
3
Where
VENEZIA
Moodle
Go to Moodle page
"Base" course for the B.A. program in Languages, Cultures and Societies of Asia and North Africa with India and Southeast Asia.

Learning goals within the disciplines of history, geography, sociology and anthropology.
Knowledge and understanding:

- The relationship between Buddhism, culture and society in Asia
- Key approaches to the anthropological study of Buddhism

Applying knowledge and understanding:

- Enhance one’s knowledge of the history, the societies and cultures of Asia and especially Southeast Asia via the study of Buddhism
- Improve one’s analytical and logical skills via the study of Buddhism
- Familiarize with the conventions and methodologies of academic debating and writing
- Articulate one’s opinions critically and with reference to the relevant scholarship
An interest in the religions, the history, the societies and the cultures of Asia and in particular Southeast Asia.

Good knowledge of English, both spoken and written.
This course introduces students to Buddhism, primarily via the disciplinary prism of anthropology. It presents Buddhism as a dynamic religion, which changes in time in order to respond to the needs and sensitivities of new generations. The course explores assorted Buddhist traditions, paying particular attention to Southeast Asia.

The course is mainly based on academic essays, complemented by multimedia materials. It covers topics including the relationship between scriptures and practice, Buddhism and politics, as well as meditation and cosmology.
The teacher will provide all readings (academic articles and chapters from edited volumes) on a weekly basis via Moodle.
In-class written exam. The exam, which lasts one hour, consists in a multiple choice test followed by some open questions.

The same kind of exam applies to students who attend as well as to students who do not attend classes.
Frontal teaching and debates.
English
written
Definitive programme.
Last update of the programme: 16/06/2024