Instructor Class Description

Time Schedule:

• Winter Quarter 2013

Heidi R. Pauwels
RELIG 202
Seattle Campus

Introduction to World Religions: Eastern Traditions

History of religions, concentrating on religions that have developed in South Asia and East Asia. Primary attention to Hinduism and Buddhism; other important Asian religions are discussed in relation to them, with emphasis on basic conceptual and symbolic structures.

Class description

This course will survey the major Eastern-originated religions, including Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Buddhism (Theravada, Vajrayana, Mahayana), Daoism, Confucianism, and Shinto. It will introduce some of the most influential cults, ideals, praxes and institutions, with emphasis on those aspects that are directly relevant to to current attitudes and practices.

Student learning goals

General method of instruction

4 lectures and 1 small group discussion weekly

Recommended preparation

Class assignments and grading

Participants are expected to prepare the readings assigned to each lecture, to answer near-weekly question sheets in preparation for the mid-term and final exams, and to carry out one task, which will be presented in the smaller sessions and written up in a short paper.

mid-term 20% final 30% task 30% participation 20%

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Modified:January 16, 2013