Religion 43 - Confucianism, Taoism, and Shintoism

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course introduces the historical, textual, and doctrinal foundations of Confucianism, Taoism, and Shintoism; it examines the way these religious traditions are interwoven with each other as well as their intellectual and cultural influence on China and Japan. Particular emphasis will be given on their conceptions of religion and society.

COURSE PHILOSOPHY:

It is the underlying philosophy of this course that learning is a dialogical process. In this sense, the course will combine lectures, group work, class discussions and individual projects to examine the basic scriptures, concepts, and practices of Confucianism, Taoism, and Shintoism. Students will actively participate in the investigation of these traditions and apply the material and skills presented in this course to their academic interests and to contemporary issues. Students will thus not only contribute to the course but also shape it through active participation in the classroom, questions, and their research projects. While the course does not presuppose any prior knowledge in the intellectual heritage, history, and languages of India, it will demand a certain commitment, openness, and mental effort to explore "new" ideas and to think through a variety of world views and responses to existential questions.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

• Students will exhibit an appreciation of the diversity, wealth, and profundity of the religious traditions of Confucianism, Taoism, and Shintoism.

• Students will exhibit a familiarity with the fundamental texts, concepts, beliefs, practices, and controversial topics of Confucianism, Taoism, and Shintoism.

• Students will discern and appreciate the intellectual and ethical achievements of Confucianism, Taoism, and Shintoism.

• Students will actively and critically engage with the religious heritage of Confucianism, Taoism, and Shintoism in projects, group work, and class discussions.

• Students will exhibit a fundamental knowledge of the methodologies and difficulties involved in the study of Confucianism, Taoism, and Shintoism.

• The students will improve their skills in critical thinking and communicating ideas.

REQUIRED TEXTS:
 

Wangs-Tsit Chang:	Chinese Philosopy
Yu Lun Fung:	A Short History of Chinese Philosophy
Lawrence Thompson:	The Chinese Way in Religion
Byron Earhart:	The Japanese Way in Religion

RECOMMENDED TEXTS:
 

The Secret of the Golden Flower

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Attendance, participation (in the classroom and the discussion group alike), reading, portfolio, and quizzes	20% of the grade
4 Short exams (20 minutes each)	30% of the grade
Research project (8 pages each)	40% of course grade
Daily Homework Assignments	10% of course grade

HONOR CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS:

Attendance, participation (in the classroom and the discussion group alike), reading, portfolio, daily homework assignments, and presentations	20% of the grade
4 Short exams (20 minutes each)	25% of the grade
Research project (8 pages each)	30% of course grade
3 Response papers	25% of course grade

1. Attendance and Participation:
    

    

   This course will not only cover a variety of different schools of Confucianism, Taoism, and Shintoism, scriptures, and topics, it will also introduce the students to new world views. In addition, the course cannot but refer to at least 5000 years history, which, for the most part, is not taught in the standard curricula of the U.S. Therefore, it is pivotal that students do the reading as well as attend class discussions and lectures. If necessary, unannounced quizzes will test reading assignments and prepare for the exams.

   If a student misses a class session, it is the student's responsibility to collect all relevant information and material of this particular class session. In general, the students are encouraged to inform the instructor if they expect to miss a class session and to discuss with the instructor ways to make up for it. A total of more than two absences will reflect negatively on the final grade. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of the class.

   Deadlines are binding. If a student would like an extension on a deadline, s/he is expected to contact the instructor prior to the respective day and time. In cases of unforeseen events such as emergencies official documentation is required.

   As mentioned above, it is the philosophy of the course that learning is a dialogical process. Thus, active participation of the individual students is pivotal.

   Finally, the students are required to participate in the discussion group on the website of the class.
    

2. Presentations:
    

    

   To reduce the reading load for the individual student, groups or individuals will present selected sections from the textbooks. The presentations are expected to address the content, context, and concepts of the readings in question. (Grading: one out of three C, two out of three: B, three out of three: A)
    

3. Research Paper:
    

    

   Students will research explore a contemporary phenomenon of or a contemporary issue within Confucianism, Taoism, and Shintoism on 4-5 pages. Examples: Taoism in the media; American portrayal of Confucianism or Shintoism.
    

   • step 1: submit a written proposal by e-mail.
   • step 2: submit tentative bibliography by e-mail
   • step 3: first draft of the project is due. It is the goal of the first draft to develop the main points and to crystallize the thesis statement. Try to include following elements: bibliography; citation in the body of the text; introduction; organization; conclusion; clear argument; contains thesis; thesis is well supported; application of class discussion; quotes are used as support while the main argument is developed in the author's own language.
   • step 4: Final draft: attach first and possible second draft.

   A successful paper is expected to exhibit following criteria: formal requirements of academic work, summary of the sources, presentation of an idea/concept or historical event/persons; development of an idea or insight from your research. Grading: four out of four: A; three out of four: B; two out of four: C; one out of four: D.
    

   
                                  
                                  
                                  
   

4. Exams:

Historical background and data necessary to contextualize course readings will be tested in four short exams:
 
1. Classical Chinese Thought 1
2. Classical Chinese Thought 2
3. Modern Chinese Philosophy
4. Classical and Contemporary Shintoism


Background will be provided by lectures, reference books on reserve, and the webpage for religion 40.
 

1. Response Papers:
    

    

   Students are expected to write a three page paper in response to the readings on classical Confucianism, popular and religious Taoism, and Shinto mythology and Shamanism.
   The Topics are:

       1.Is Confucianism a religion or philosophy ?
       2.How does popular and religious Taoism reflect the writings of Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu?
       3.What is the religious world view of Shintoism?

   Grading: Assuming that the reflection paper fulfills the formal requirements of academic work, following criteria apply:

   summary of the sources: C
   presentation of an idea/concept or historical event/persons: B
   development of an idea or insight from your research: A

   Students are encouraged to discuss their grade with the instructor within one week of the return of individual assignments.

   COURSE OUTLINE:

   Key to the schedule: home reading assignments , texts for class discussions, exams, papers, presentations, HC: for Honor contracts only.
   

   Click HERE for a detailed copy of the course outline.
   

   
   

   UNIT	TITLE	READINGS	ACTIVITIES
   1	introduction What is Confucianism	Fung chapters 1,2, & 3 sourcebook: chapter 1	Film 1
   2	classical Confucianism and Mohism	Fung chapters 4,5,7,11, & 13 sourcebook: chapters 2,3,6, & 9	HC: response paper 1 presentation 1: visions of human nature and religion
   3	Ming Chia	Fung chapters 8 sourcebook: chapters 10	_
   4	classical Taoism	Fung chapters 6,8, & 10 sourcebook: chapters 7, & 8	_
   5	Yin-Yang Chia	Fung chapter 12 Thompson pp.12-3 sourcebook: chapter 13	Exam I: Classical Chinese thought Film 2
   6	popular religion	Thompson chapters 3, & 4	_
   7	Taoist meditation	Thompson chapter 6 Excerpts from "Secret of the Golden Flower"	HC: response paper 2
   8	religious Confucianism	Thompson chapter 7	Exam 2: Chinese religious practices
   9	Neo-Taoism	Fung chapters 19, & 21 sourcebook: chapters 17-19	Film 3
   10	Neo-Confucianism	Fung chapters 23,24,25, & 26 sourcebook: chapters 31,32,34, & 35	presentation 2: the Confucian world view
   12	modern challenges	Fung chapters 27, & 28 sourcebook: chapter 44 Thompson chapters 9, & 12 Excerpts from "The Sage and the Second Sex"	presentation 3: challenges to Taoism and Confucianism Exam 3: The philosophical systems
   13	Foundations of Shintoism	Earhart pp. 6-28	Film 4
   14	State Shintoism	Earhart pp. 38-45,234-244,251-255	HC: response paper 3
   15	Shinto practice	Earhart sections 38,42,44-46	_
   16	Japanese religions today	Earhart sections 7,43,59,62,63,64,66-68 Sources: to be distributed	presentations: issues in contemporary Japanese religions Exam 4: Shintoism