BUDDHISM: CULTURE AND SOCIETY

Mandatory 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 area of culture and humanities.

Knowledge and understanding:

- The relationship between Buddhism, culture and society in Asia
- Key approaches to the 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. It presents Buddhism as a dynamic religion, which changes in time in order to respond to the 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 economy, 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.

Frontal teaching and debates.

English

written