2020/21 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

EAST3015 Religion in China

20 creditsClass Size: 35

Module manager: Dr Caroline Fielder
Email: c.l.fielder@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2020/21

Module replaces

EAST3561

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module covers China's indigenous religious traditions and folk beliefs, as well as religions introduced to China from elsewhere (including Buddhism, Islam and Christianity), with a particular focus on the function and practise of religion in society and how non-Chinese religions have been adapted to fulfil Chinese needs. We will look particularly at the role of religion, including popular cults, in contemporary Chinese society, and the different ways in which the state has handled matters of religion.

Objectives

Understand the main strands within the Chinese religious tradition; understand how religion is practised in contemporary China; be aware of the diversity of religious expression; analyse how religion functions in Chinese society, and its relationship to the state.

Learning outcomes
Knowledge of the 'five official religions' and folk religion in contemporary China; basic understanding of how religion functions in Chinese society; knowledge of relationship between religion and the state in contemporary China.

Syllabus

The module will cover the following topics:
- Indigenous religious tradition - origins & popular religion;
- Religion & the family - gods & ancestors, Confucian ethics;
- Religious manifestations of Daoism;
- Buddhism - origins, beliefs & practices;
- Nestorianism, Judaism, & Islam;
- Religion & the modern state;
- Catholic Christianity;
- Protestant Christianity;
- Popular cults & social change;
- Religion in contemporary China.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			180.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Preparatory reading for lectures 30 hours
Preparatory reading for seminars 30 hours
Preparation for non-assessed in-class presentation 30 hours
Additional reading for essay preparation, essay-planning and writing up 50 hours
Revision for 2-hour exam 40 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress will be monitored in the following ways:

- Formative feedback:
On-going monitoring in lectures and seminars (through, for example, questioning to check student understanding; paying close attention to who is answering questions during classroom discussions and calling on non-volunteers; asking students to elaborate on one another’s answers; engaging in 1-1 contacts with students about their work; and conducting periodic reviews to confirm students' grasp of material and identifying gaps in their knowledge etc). Students will also be given feedback for non-assessed group presentations.

- Summative feedback:
Students will be formally assessed through an essay and through an exam. Feedback on these will be returned to the student.

In addition to the above students will be encouraged to monitor their own progress and will be encouraged to use office hours to follow up their own personal development issues.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	Annotated bibliography (1750 words)	40.00
Essay	3,000 words	60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

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: 10/08/2020 08:35:13

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