EAST1000 – East Asia – Religions and Ideologies
Course content
As East Asia reclaims its position as a key economic hub, understanding the region’s political, social and religious paradigms is more crucial than ever. This course gives you a source-based understanding of East Asia’s regional traditions and ideologies, with an emphasis on the socio-political structures that shape the region.??
You’ll study both pre-modern and modern philosophical ideas and religious beliefs together. This will give you a structural understanding of the continuities and shifts between the two.?
You’ll learn both the fundamental principles of Buddhism and Confucianism, and the ways in which these beliefs and ideas are adopted and applied in East Asian societies in modern times. The course also covers a wide range of contemporary topics, including Eastern Asian:?
- nationalism.?
- revolutions.?
- party-state ideologies.?
- struggles for democracy.?
- ecological ideas.?
- feminist movements.?
Learning outcome
- you will develop a comprehensive, regional understanding of East Asian religions and ideologies, in both traditional and modern contexts.?
- you will develop the ability to analyze your sources in historical context, with use of diverse academic approaches.?
- you will familiarize yourself with cutting-edge secondary research on the history of ideas and religions in East Asia.?
- you will develop your academic presentation and writing skills, as well as your capacity for identifying the needed sources online in electronic form.?
Work-related skills?
While taking this course, you will receive training in the following skills that are potentially relevant to working life:?
- summarize large amounts of complex information and present it in an easy-to-read and concise manner.??
- participate in discussions and debates, argue for one’s viewpoints in writing and orally.?
Digital skills?
While taking this course, you will practice to:?
- use digitally based primary and secondary sources.?
- assess the use of AI in a critical way.?
- use digital databases and other digital systems.??
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for?in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about?admission requirements and procedures.
Recommended previous knowledge
The classes will be taught in English and all the readings will be in English, so proficiency in the English language is required.??
Teaching
The course consists of lectures, in total 12 classes of 2 hours each which are convened on a weekly basis.?You are expected to participate actively in the classes. It implies that you have to do the assigned readings, and actively contribute to the discussions in class.?
Compulsory activity:
- A short assignment (500 words) on a given topic, to be submitted via Canvas.?
You will find more information about the requirements for the compulsory assignment(s) and the submission deadline in Canvas.?
All compulsory activities must be approved to qualify for the exam. It is your responsibility to verify that you have obtained approval for all compulsory activities.?
Absence from compulsory activities:?
It is important that you familiarize yourself with the rules regarding absence from compulsory activities, to prevent being excluded from teaching and losing your eligibility to take the exam.?
More information on compulsory activities at the University of Oslo:?
The approved compulsory activity remains valid for the two following autumn semesters in which the course is offered. However, exceptions may arise if the course undergoes changes in its assessment format, teaching, or other significant modifications.?
Access to teaching:?
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.?
Examination
4 hours school exam.?
You must submit the exam in Inspera - see guides for digital exams.?
You are personally responsible for familiarizing yourself with the requirements and deadlines for the exam.?
All compulsory activities must be completed and approved in order to take the exam.?
You can find more information about the exam on the semester page of the course.?
Examination support material
No examination support material is allowed. If you need to use dictionary or other support materials due to problems with language proficiency, you may apply to the department at least 4 weeks before the exam date.
Language of examination
The examination questions are given in English.You may submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F?is a fail. Read more about?the grading system.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.