Admission requirements
Admission to the MA Asian Studies. Please, contact the student advisor or Prof. Dr. Silk, if you are interested in taking this course, but NOT a student admitted to the MAAS programme.
Description
Buddhist ideas and ideals have been, from the earliest days of the tradition, transmitted, orally or in writing, in the form of ‘scriptures’. Although most were originally composed in Indian languages, Pali, Sanskrit or a form of Middle Indic, these scriptures have subsequently been transmitted in a variety of languages, including Chinese and Tibetan. Since the modern study of Buddhism began about 150 years ago, some of these works have been translated into English as well. In this course, we will read some selections of Buddhist scriptures, in translation and according to student capacities in an ‘original’ form as well. We will try to understand how these works function as literature, and what we can learn by paying careful attention to them in many dimensions.
Course objectives
Students will gain an appreciation of the range of Buddhist scriptural forms of expression, familiarity with major themes and deepen their understanding of how to read literary works the conventions of which differ so much from those more familiar to us.
Timetable
See timetable of Asian Studies
Mode of instruction
Seminar
Attendance and informed participation are obligatory. Classes missed for a good reason (to the discretion of the instructor and to be discussed BEFORE the class takes place) will have to be made up with an extra assignment. Being absent without notification can result in a lower grade or exclusion from the term end paper and a failing grade for the course.
Course Load
Class meetings 2 hr x 13 weeks = 26 hrs
Individual presentation: 10 hrs
Readings: 70hrs
Paper: 34hrs TOTAL 140 hrs
Assessment method
Assessment shall be through:
In class participation: 20%
Presentation: 30%
Paper: 50%. The instructor will read and comment on 1 draft of the paper if and only if it is turned in by the deadline.
There is no ‘resit’ possible for class participation or presentation. If a resit is necessary for the paper, an entirely new topic must be approved, and there is no opportunity for feedback.
Exam Review
Students may request an oral elucidation of the assessment within 30 days after publication of the grade.
Blackboard
Reading list
TBA
Registration
Students are required to register through uSis