Postgraduate Course: Buddhist Literature (PG) (DIVI11030)
Course Outline
| School | School of Divinity |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | On this course we will read a range of Buddhist literature from different historical and geographical contexts, and use this literature to explore key Buddhist ideas, themes, and literary forms. |
| Course description |
Academic Description:
On this course we will read a range of Buddhist literature from different historical and geographical contexts, and use this literature to explore key Buddhist ideas, themes, and literary forms.
Syllabus/Outline Content:
The course begins with an introductory discussion of Buddhism and Buddhist literature. Works of literature are then explored in turn, working from earliest poetry to modern western Buddhist-inspired literature, crossing a range of genres and contexts, and exploring important concepts, themes and literary forms as we proceed.
Student Learning Experience Information:
The course will be delivered through a weekly two-hour class. One hour will normally be student-led discussion of readings from primary texts (in translation). The other hour will usually be a discussion, led by the lecturer, of key themes, concepts and contextual information that will enable full comprehension of the following week's readings. Students should expect to read a substantial piece of literature each week in preparation for class.
The first assessment is 2 x 500-word close analyses of primary texts. A final essay (3,000 words) will require students to draw on several of the readings in order to address a thematic question. Formative feedback will be provided on the analyses and essay plans, and the final class of the semester will be given over to discussion of thematic links and plans for the essay.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | There are no pre-requisites for visiting students, but some prior study of Buddhism would be beneficial. |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2026/27, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 6 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 22,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
174 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
2 x 500-word close analyses of primary texts (1,000 words) 40%
End of course essay exploring a key theme from the course (3,000 words) 60% |
| Feedback |
Students will receive formative feedback on their analysis pieces and on essay plans. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Outline the key literary forms, themes and concerns of a range of Buddhist texts.
- Assess how works of Buddhist literature are situated in their historical and literary context.
- Identify and evaluate thematic connections between different works of Buddhist literature.
- Produce a concise critical analysis of extracts from individual works of Buddhist literature.
- Provide a clearly structured, properly presented and well-evidenced argument in essay form.
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Reading List
Primary readings:
The key texts for discussion will differ each year. See the ResourceList for details or contact the CO for further information. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
- Research and enquiry, in engaging with course readings and themes
- Intellectual autonomy, in pursuing deeper engagement with selected topics
- Personal effectiveness, especially in adapting to new situations with sensitivity and integrity
- Communication, oral and written |
| Keywords | Buddhism,literature |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Naomi Appleton
Tel: (0131 6)50 8976
Email: Naomi.Appleton@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Miley Parsley
Tel:
Email: yparsley@ed.ac.uk |
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