2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

EAST1550 Introduction to East Asian Religions

20 creditsClass Size: 50

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

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

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
- to gain an understanding of the historical development and basic teachings of the major religions and philosophical traditions of East Asia
- to gain an understanding of the problems and shortcomings in Western studies of East Asian religions

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	15	1.00	15.00
Seminar	5	1.00	5.00
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:
EXAM PREPARATION: 30 HOURS
SEMINAR PREPARATION: 20 HOURS
SEMINAR REVISION: 20 HOURS
READING/RESEARCH FOR MINI-ASSIGNMENTS 20 HOURS
WRITING OF ESSAY: 10 HOURS
REVISION AND PREPARATION FOR LECTURES 30 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

2000 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;

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	2000 word essay; questions will be posted on VLE; submission on VLE; feedback via VLE	30.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		30.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr	70.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		70.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 08/05/2017

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