Admission requirements
Admission to the MA Asian Studies (research) or another relevant Research MA. Students from other programmes are kindly referred to the course description of the regular MA course.
This course presupposes a decent general understanding of Chinese philosophy. Students who have not completed relevant undergraduate coursework are required to contact the instructor prior to enrollment.
MA Asian Studies students (60 EC, 120 EC or research) will be given priority in enrollment if demand exceeds the available places.
Description
Confucianism is one of the most influential intellectual and cultural traditions in East Asia and beyond.
This course provides an in-depth exploration of Confucian thought across different historical and cultural contexts, examining its philosophical, religious, and political dimensions. We will analyze classical texts (in translation), visual and material culture, and modern applications of Confucianism. Key themes include
ethics, governance, ritual, and the evolving role of Confucian thought in ontemporary society. Questions we will address include: Are the Analects authentic records of Confucius's words? What is the relevance of Confucian Constitutionalism today? How does Confucian ethics shape modern leadership and business practices? Through a multidisciplinary approach, students will engage with Confucianism not only as a historical tradition but also as a living intellectual force that continues to shape societies today.
Course objectives
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
understand the history and development of Confucianism;
recognize the diversity and complexity of Confucianism;
demonstrate knowledge of key concepts, terminology, and approaches relevant to Confucianism;
understand and apply major research methods and techniques from the humanities and social
sciences in the study of Confucianism;critically assess the applicability of research methods and techniques;
design, conduct, and complete original research on Confucianism independently;
locate, evaluate, and use primary sources and specialist secondary literature for research purposes;
plan and implement effective strategies to address specific research questions;
interpret and communicate ideas about Confucianism to both specialist and non-specialist audiences;
report, debate, and discuss academic ideas professionally, both orally and in writing;
engage actively and constructively with peers in collaborative settings;
contribute ideas and input to achieve shared goals in group work.
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
Seminar
Assessment method
Assessment and weighing
| Partial Assessment | Weight |
|---|---|
| class participation | 20% |
| oral presentation | 20% |
| written assignments | 20% |
| written term paper | 40% |
The final course grade is calculated as the weighted average of all assessment components. To pass the course, students must achieve a passing grade (i.e., 5.5 or higher) on both the term paper and the overall course grade. A failed term paper may only be revised if the original submission demonstrates a genuine
and serious effort.
Note 1: The term paper deadline listed in uSis is for dministrative purposes only; the actual submission deadline will be communicated by the instructor.
Note 2: All assessment components must be completed within the same academic year. Partial grades cannot be carried over to subsequent years.
Attendance
Attendance and active participation are mandatory in this seminar. The instructor will monitor attendance throughout the course. Student who are unable to attend a session must inform the instructor promptly.
Students who miss more than two sessions without an excuse may be excluded from further participation in the course. Exceptions are at the discretion of the Board of Examiners.
Deadlines
Deadlines for papers and assignments will be communicated via Brightspace. All submissions must becompleted and submitted on time; late submissions will automatically receive a failing grade.
Word Limits
Word limits for papers and other assignments will be communicated via Brightspace. Failure to observe the word limits may result in a failing grade.
Resit
The term paper may be revised only if (a) the initial submission receives a grade of 5.49 or lower, and (b) the original submission demonstrates a genuine and serious effort. Re-sits for other course components are not permitted.
Inspection and feedback
Feedback will be supplied primarily through Brightspace. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the assessment results, a review will be organized.
Reading list
Reading materials will be announced on Brightspace. Students without prior training in Chinese philosophy are required to contact the instructor before participating in the course and may be asked to read additional literature.
For the Research MA students additional readings will be determined by the convener at a later stage taking into account the students’ fields of interest. Extra sessions will be used to discuss the additional literature.
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the
website.
Registration À la carte education, Contract teaching and Exchange
For the registration of exchange students contact Humanities International
Office.
Registration À la carte education and Contract teaching not applicable.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the information bar on the right.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Herta Mohr
Remarks
N/A