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RELIGIOUS STUDIES (L23)  (Dept. Info)Arts & Sciences  (Policies)FL2014

L23 Re St 4811Chinese Religion through Songs, Stories and Plays3.0 Units
Description:In the class, we will explore some of the ways in which the Chinese traditionally sought to answer fundamental religious questions regarding the ultimate meaning and significance of human life and death. However, we will do so not by studying canonical religious scriptures or philosophical treatises, but rather by looking at the expression of religious and philosophical ideas in texts designed as much for entertainment as for instruction: tales, stories, ballads, songs and plays. It is in this more popular religious literature that we can find valuable clues as to how ordinary people (including quite educated ordinary people) interpreted, understood - and sometimes ridiculed--what could sometimes seem like very abstruse religious and philosophical doctrines. In this course, we will explore a range of different sorts of texts, some primarily Buddhist, Daoist or Confucian, others representing a creative mix of all three. We will also read a certain amount of secondary scholarship both about individual texts as well as the larger theoretical questions regarding the use of literature to convey religious ideas. All assigned articles and primary readings will be in English or (good) English translation, although those able to do so will be encouraged to read the original Chinese versions as well, and to make use of primary sources for their final papers. Prerequisite: This course is intended primarily for upper-level undergraduates (PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR REQUIRED) as well as graduate students. Some background in Chinese religions/literature highly recommended.
Attributes:A&S IQHUM, LCDArchHUMArtHUMBUETHENH
Instruction Type:Classroom instruction Grade Options:CPA Fees:
Course Type:IdentSame As:L04 481  L03 4811  L97 481Frequency:None / History
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