REL 30700 - Buddhism

Examination of the history of Buddhism from its beginnings in India through its diffusion across Central, East, and Southeast Asia, and eventually the West. Topics covered include the historical diversity of Buddhist belief and practice, literary production, philosophical discourse, and the varied articulations of the tradition in different social and cultural settings, including contemporary Europe and North America.

Cr. 3.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Understand the basic development of Buddhist traditions from their inception in India to the present day.
2. Become conversant with emic concepts essential to the understanding of “religion” in Asia.
3. Compare philosophical, ritual, contemplative, monastic, and popular traditions in different geographical, cultural, and historical contexts.
4. Challenge commonly held assumptions about Buddhist traditions by integrating the study of living traditions of practice with the study of primary texts.