THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2021/2022

Information in the Degree Programme Tables may still be subject to change in response to Covid-19

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures : Asian Studies

Postgraduate Course: Chinese Religions: Confucianism, Daoism and 'Popular Religion' (ASST11076)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Literatures, Languages and Cultures CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThe aim of this course is twofold. On the one hand it aims at introducing students into the basic historical facts, philosophical and religious presuppositions, linguistic structure, terminological concepts and the political, economical and cultural context of traditional Chinese Religions.
On the other hand the course will use the Chinese case to also critically reflect on the application of Western Religious Studies analytical terms and concepts such as syncretism, secularism, person, biography, body, ritual, text, god, religion etc. to the realm of Chinese religions. It will therefore also be a critical introduction into or re-examination of Western Religious Study theory.
Course description The course will consist of eleven sessions:

1) Introduction and Overview;
2) Chinese Religions in Western perceptions;
3) Chinese Ancient Religion;
4) Confucianism;
5) Daoism;
6) Chinese Gods;
7) Chinese Buddhism;
8) Chinese 'Popular Religion';
9) Chinese religions and the State;
10) Chinese religions in the 20th century;
11) Revision: unity and diversity in Chinese religions.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. display a basic knowledge of the cultural horizon and historical development as well as the main contents and practices of Chinese religious traditions;
  2. display the ability to critically examine basic assumptions of Western Religious Studies;
  3. show an awareness of European historical perception and transformation of Chinese Religions and the capacity to critically review Western prejudices, stereotypes and presumptions regarding Chinese (and other) Religions;
  4. display skills in integrating approaches to the study of other religious traditions comprising their degree programme;
  5. show the ability to apply and test theories in specific case studies.
Reading List
None
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
KeywordsCR:CD
Contacts
Course organiserDr Joachim Gentz
Tel: 0131 6503681
Email: joachim.gentz@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Charlotte McLean
Tel: (0131 6)50 4114
Email: cmclean9@exseed.ed.ac.uk
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