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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2013/2014 -
- ARCHIVE as at 1 September 2013 for reference only
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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures : Asian Studies

Postgraduate Course: The Origins of Buddhism in India (ASST11079)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Literatures, Languages and Cultures CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Science
Course typeStandard AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) Credits20
Home subject areaAsian Studies Other subject areaNone
Course website None Taught in Gaelic?No
Course descriptionThis course is intended to introduce students thematically to some of the main factors (cultural, historical, intellectual and religious) involved in the creation and maintenance of Buddhist civilisation in the course of its early history in South Asia. It will involve an
investigation of the Buddhism of the Pali Canon (i.e. the oldest complete textual account of the tradition preserved in an Indian language) and will provide an overall understanding, based as much as possible on primary texts, of the teachings and civilisation of early
Buddhist tradition.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs None
Course Delivery Information
Delivery period: 2013/14 Semester 1, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Learn enabled:  Yes Quota:  None
Web Timetable Web Timetable
Course Start Date 16/09/2013
Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Seminar/Tutorial Hours 20, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 176 )
Additional Notes
Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
No Exam Information
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
The purposes of the course are:
( 1 ) to enable students to form a mature understanding of South Asian Buddhism in its early history and to appreciate how its cultural and religious insights can interact with the modern world;
( 2 ) to foster an appreciation of Buddhism as a unique human endeavour which at the same time overlaps with other religions and cultures;
( 3 ) to examine critically basic assumptions of the discipline of Religious Studies.
( 4 ) to strengthen skills in analysing and assessing primary and secondary sources
( 5 ) to develop the ability to apply and test theories in specific case studies.
Assessment Information
One 4000 word essay (100%)
Special Arrangements
None
Additional Information
Academic description Not entered
Syllabus 1. A introductory critical analysis of some approaches to the study of Buddhism.
2. A introduction to the early narrative tradition relating to the life of the Buddha and the background from which he emerged.
3. An introduction to early Buddhist teachings as they relate to self, causation, moral action, meditation and nirvana.
4. An introduction to the development of early Buddhist monastic institutions.

With the exception of week I the course will be taught by reference to Buddhist texts (sutta) supported by critical assessment of relevant secondary literature.
Transferable skills Not entered
Reading list Not entered
Study Abroad Not entered
Study Pattern Not entered
KeywordsOoBiI
Contacts
Course organiserMr Paul Dundas
Tel: (0131 6)50 4175
Email: P.Dundas@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Sarah Harvey
Tel: (0131 6)51 1822
Email: Sarah.Harvey@ed.ac.uk
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