2021/22 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

EAST1550 Introduction to East Asian Religions

20 creditsClass Size: 40

Module manager: Martin Seeger
Email: m.seeger@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2021/22

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module offers an introduction to the historical development, major doctrines and socio-cultural practices of the major religions and philosophical traditions of East Asia. It will also include a critical investigation of how Western scholarship has constructed and deconstructed these religions. This will enable students to develop skills of cultural awareness and develop an awareness of the limitations of nomenclature used in the Western study of East Asian religions.

Objectives

This module offers an introduction to major religions and philosophical traditions of East Asia. Another major objective is to problematize the ways in which East Asian religions have been represented and discussed within Western scholarship. The module will enable students to develop skills of cultural awareness and critical analysis by reflecting on the nature of religious and East Asian studies. It will look into various conceptual, textual and anthropological approaches in the study of East Asian religions.

Learning outcomes
(1) demonstrate an understanding of the historical development and basic teachings of some of the major religions and philosophical traditions of East Asia;
(2) demonstrate an understanding of the problems and shortcomings in Western studies of East Asian religions;
(3) demonstrate knowledge of Western constructions of East Asian religions;
(4) demonstrate the skills to analyse critically a range of visual and literary materials

Skills outcomes
Students will be expected to
- have gained knowledge of Western constructions of East Asian religions;
- have developed knowledge of historical development, major doctrines and social practices of Buddhism, Islam, Shinto, Christianity, Confucianism and Daoism in East Asia.
- have developed the skills to analyse critically a range of visual and literary materials;

Syllabus

- critical discussion of major concepts used in the (Western) study of East Asian religions (keywords: Orientalism, scriptualism, Protestantism)
- discussion of textual and anthropological approaches to the study of East Asian religions
- presentation and discussions of historical development, major doctrines and social practices of Buddhism, Islam, Shinto, Christianity, Confucianism and Daoism in East Asia.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Independent online learning hours			50.00
Private study hours			130.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

A BREAK DOWN OF HOURS:
SEMINAR PREPARATION: 20 HOURS
SEMINAR REVISION: 20 HOURS
WRITING OF REFLECTIVE ESSAY 20 HOURS
READING/RESEARCH AND WRITING OF 1,500 WORD ESSAY: 20 HOURS
REVISION AND PREPARATION FOR LECTURES 50 HOURS
ONLINE LEARNING 50 HOURS (Students will be required to identify and analyse relevant online sources, such as online dictionaries, newspaper articles, JSTOR, etc; in addition, VLE will be used for online discussions of themes, concepts and questions that were introduced in the seminars and lectures)

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

1,500 word essay submitted on VLE (students will receive formative feedback on these assignments), in-class discussions at the end of the lectures and during the seminars; students are invited to visit the lecturers during their office hours in order to discuss their understanding of the contents of this module; discussion on chat rooms on VLE will also allow to monitor students' understanding and progress;

The 1,500 word reflective essay is to be submitted on VLE and students will receive detailed feedback on this essay. At the beginning of the semester, we will encourage students to write a reflective journal on a weekly basis throughout the semester; based on this journal students will then write their reflective essay which should consider the module’s classroom discussions, major themes and required reading texts. During the first session of the module we will offer a workshop on how to write a reflective essay.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1,500 word essay; questions will be posted on VLE; submission on VLE; feed	50.00
Reflective log	1,500word reflective essay; during the first session there will be a workshop on how to write a reflective essay that considers the classroom discussions, the major themes of the module and required reading texts	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Students who fail the module over-all will resit the component of assessment (essay or reflective essay) which they failed. If they fail both components they will retake both.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 30/06/2021 16:21:23

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