ASIAN RELIGIONS                                                                 Prof. Kelleher

Manhattanville College                                                    Spring 2006

 

 

This course provides an introduction to the major religions of India, China, and Japan, that is,

Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism and Shinto.  The main focus will be on the sacred

scriptures of these traditions.  Since class discussion is one of the most important parts of the class, please bring your text to class each day, ready to discuss the assigned reading.

 

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: 2 in-class exams (each worth 26% of grade)

                                                 final exam  (38% of grade)

                                                 attendance and class participation  (10%)

                                                 (you are allowed no more than 3 absences. Also,.if you are late

                                                 for class on a regular basis, you will be marked absent)

 

OFFICE: Founders first floor, across from Rm 59

OFFICE PHONE: 323-5152            e-mail address: kellehert@mville.edu

OFFICE HOURS: M Th 10:35-12:05, W 8:30-9:30, and by appointment

 

REQUIRED TEXTS: Barbara Miller, tr., The Bhagavad Gita, Bantam.

                                   W. Rahula, What the Buddha Taught, Grove Press

                                   D.C. Lau, tr, Confucius, The Analects, Oxford UP.

.                                  Stephen Addiss, tr., Tao-te-ching.

                                   Ian Reader,  A Simple Guide to Shinto, Paul Norbury Press.

 

PLEASE NOTE:

This course is geared toward the close reading and analysis of basic scriptures of these religions.  You must bring the appropriate book to class or I will assume that you did not do the reading.  You may share books or get library copies, but you MUST bring some copy to class with you.

 

 

CLASS READING ASSIGNMENTS:

 

Jan. 23        Introduction to the study of World Religions.  Three Major Categories.

                      

Jan. 27       Introduction to early culture of India.   Aryans & the Vedas.  Early Hinduism.

                       handout

                        

Jan. 30      The Upanishads and new concepts of karma, reincarnation, & liberation. Intro.

                       to Hindu classic, The Bhagavad Gita

                         

Feb. 3, 6,   The Bhagavad Gita

10                discussion questions - handout sheet

 

Feb. 13      Review of Hinduism and Video           Feb. 17   TEST ON HINDUISM

 

Feb. 19     Introduction to Buddhism - Life of the Buddha

                      handout

 

Feb. 20       Basic Teachings of Buddhism: the Four Noble Truths

                    What the Buddha Taught  (hereafter WTBT)- chs. 1-3

 

Feb. 24     Buddhist Ethics -  WTBT chs. 4-5         

 

Febr. 27    Buddhist Meditation - WTBT ch. 6-7     

 

Mar.  3   Review of Buddhism & video                       

 

Mar. 6    TEST ON BUDDHISM

 

SPRING BREAK

 

Mar. 17   Introduction to China and Confucianism

                      The Analects of Confucius  “Introduction”

 

Mar. 20    Analects chs. 1-5                     Mar. 24  Analects  chs. 6-11

 

Mar. 27   Analects chs. 12-18                 

 

Mar. 31   Introduction to Taoism: the Tao-te-ching

                  

April 3    The Tao-te-ching   - first half

 

April 7      “           “               “  - second half

 

April 10  The Other Taoist - Chuang Tzu            xeroxed handouts           

 

April 14  Class Debate: Confucianism vs Taoism

 

 

April 17    Introduction to Japanese culture, Shinto and its early myths

                     Ian Reader, Simple Guide to Shinto pp. 9-54

 

April 21    Shinto Shrine Architecture      Simple Guide  pp. 55-81

 

April 24, 28  Shinto Feasts and Worship -      Simple Guide pp. 82-121

        

May 1   Summing Up the Course and Review for Final Exam