RELI: 1002 the Religions of India, China and Japan

Course Policies-Fall Semester 2008

M, W, F: 219A Peabody Hall

Instructor: Michael Ward

Office: 2 Peabody Hall

E-mail: kakugari@uga.edu

Phone: 706-583-8093

Office Hours: T and Thr 11:00-12:00 and by apt.

Required Texts:

Oxtoby, Willard G. World Religions: Eastern Traditions. (2^nd Ed.) Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002.

Course Description:

In this modern age in which one can travel to the other side of the world in a few hours and is able to make contact with someone electronically almost instantaneously, boundaries such as oceans, mountains, and fire-breathing monkeys no longer act as boundaries to individuals coming in contact with each other. Along with history, politics, and literature, religion is a subject that must be studied in order for one to try to understand and reach common ground with those of another culture. In this class we are going to cover some of the religions of three select Asian countries: India, (Hinduism and Buddhism), China (Daoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism), and Japan, (Shinto, Buddhism, and New Religions. With our study of the religious traditions of these three countries hopefully we can understand a little about these three fascinating countries and their cultures.

Course Requirements:

Class Attendance and Participation (10% of final grade)

As we all know coming to class is quite important for the well being of a student’s grade. You will be allowed two unexcused absences after the drop/add period has come to an end, but after that point, ONE final grade point will be removed from the final grade. It is also important to actively participate in classroom discussions on questions asked from the class readings, films viewed, and other random questions asked in class.

Quizzes (15% of final grade)

The class will be divided into three sections: India, China, and Japan and at the mid part of each section there will be a small quiz that covers the material that we have gone over so far. The quizzes will be a great resource in studying for the tests.

Tests (75% of final grade)

There will be a test given at the end of each section, so at the end of the India section there will be a test, at the end of the China section … Everything covered in class could appear on the tests, so both class discussions and films viewed are fair game. There is a not a cumulative exam at the end of the semester. The test on Japan will be the final exam. Each test will count 25% of the final grade.

Make Up Policy:

If you are going to have to miss an exam or a quiz you must let me know in advance, because there will be no make up exams or quizzes for unexcused absences.

Honor Code, Access/Accommodations, Disclaimers, Etc.

Students are expected to abide by both the University Honor Code and Academic Honesty Policy. All academic work must meet the standards contained in “A Culture of Honesty.” Students are responsible for informing themselves about those standards before performing any work. More information on academic honesty can be found at:

http://www.uga.edu/ovpi/honesty/acadhon.htm

Students requiring alternative accommodations for notes, test-taking, or other circumstances should inform the instructor as early in the semester as possible so other plans can be made. Students who withdraw before the midpoint withdrawal deadline will receive a “W” for the course. Those withdrawing after the midpoint will receive a “WF”.

Students with Disabilities:

If you have a learning disability, please let me know as soon as possible, so we can work out something to fit your situation.

Course Outline:

**This course syllabus is a general plan for the course; deviations announced to the class by the instructor may be necessary.

Week Of:

August 21: Introduction to the Study of Religion:

Reading: Oxtoby, 1-21

India

August 28: Introduction to Hinduism and the Ancient Origins of Hinduism

Reading: Oxtoby, 21-38

September 4: Central Beliefs in Hinduism: Karma and Samsara, Dharma, and Moksha;

The Hindu Pantheon, The Triad, and the Caste System

Reading: Oxtoby, 38-62

September 11: Film: Deepa Mehta’s Water

September 18: Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism

September 25: Buddhism wrap-up and First Test

Reading: Oxtoby: 317-38

China

October 2: Early Religions of China

Reading: Reading: 352-68

October 9: Confucianism (Confucius, Mencius, and Xun Zi)

October 16: Moism and Legalism

Reading: 382-98

October 23: Daoism

October 30: Film: Zhang Yimou’s Raise the Red Lantern

November 6: Buddhism Second Test

Japan

November 13: Early Japan

Reading: Oxtoby: 342-52

November 20: Shinto

November 27: THANKSGIVING

December 4: State Shinto and Mishima Yukio’s Patriotism

Reading: Oxtoby, 280-86.

December 11: Japan Wrap-up

December 16: Final exam 12:00-3:00