EAST4504 ¨C Religious Traditions in East Asia

Course content

The aim of this course is to give students an in-depth understanding of East Asia¡¯s religious traditions, which are analysed in their social, political, and economic context, historically and today. Students read a variety of primary and secondary sources that discuss Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism, Shinto, Christianity, and "folk religion". The course has a regional and transnational focus, considering cases from China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, and beyond. This is a research-based course: through readings and classroom discussions, students will become familiar with theoretical, conceptual, and methodological debates and issues in the study of (East Asian) religion. These include secularisation theory, theory on gender and religion, religious environmentalism, postcolonial perspectives, and debates about academic classification models (e.g., "folk" vs. "World" religions).

In spring 2024, the course will focus primarily on lived religion - popular devotion, home rituals, festivals, religious institutions, sacred objects, and gendered practices.The main overarching theme is transnational goddess worship. We will study the history and present-day meanings of a number of female deities that are central to the religious lives of hundreds of million people: Guanyin (Kannon), Mazu, Mary, Benzaiten, Amaterasu, and others. This approach allows us to consider commonalities and interactions between different traditions, and to challenge or reconsider problematic category boundaries between so-called world religions and between nation-states.

All obligatory readings will be provided in English. As this an interactive, seminar-based course, weekly preparation and active participation in discussions is required. At the end of the term, students write a term paper in which they focus on one or several cases that are related to the overall course theme. Those who can read one or more Asian languages are encouraged to use primary sources in the original language(s).

Learning outcome

• You will develop a comprehensive, transnational understanding of East Asian religious traditions, not merely as philosophical teachings but also as lived religion.
• You will develop your ability to analyse and contextualise a variety of primary and secondary sources, representing different academic approaches (historical, philosophical, anthropological, and sociological).
• You will become familiar with state-of-the-art research and with various theoretical and methodological issues that are relevant to the study of East Asian religion.
• You will develop your academic presentation and writing skills.

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 course requires good knowledge of English. Prior knowledge of East Asian religion and/or Buddhism is an advantage. This course is intended primarily for MA students in Japanese studies, Chinese studies, and religious studies. Students from other programs can also apply for permission to take this course.

Overlapping courses

• 10 credits overlap with EAST1504 ¨C East Asia: Great traditions (discontinued).
• 10 credits overlap with EAST2504 ¨C East Asia: Great Traditions (discontinued).

Teaching

The course consists of 12 seminars of 2 hours each. Active participation in class is required.

Obligatory activities:

The following obligatory activities must be approved by the teacher in order to take the exam:

• Reading the assigned texts and participate actively in classroom discussions
• Attendance (at least 80%)
• One or several presentations throughout the semester
• Submit a term paper proposal (1-2 pages) in Canvas within a given deadline
• Submit a draft paper (5-10 pages) in Canvas within a given deadline

Students will receive feedback on their term paper proposal and on their draft paper, and are expected to use this feedback to improve their final paper.

Approved obligatory activities are only valid for one semester.

Guidelines?for compulsory tuition activities at the Faculty of Humanities.

Examination

The exam is an essay (term paper) with a list of references. The essay should be ca. 10 pages (2300 characters per page, not including spaces), not including the front page and the list of references.

The topic of the essay should be approved by the teacher in the beginning of the semester, and a draft version of the essay must be submitted for preliminary evaluation in order to take the exam (see "Teaching" for more information).

The term paper is to be submitted in Inspera within the given deadline.

Information about writing and submitting assignments at IKOS.

Grading guidelines

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in 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.