RLB61 Religions in China

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2011
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. et Mgr. Dušan Vávra, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. David Václavík, Ph.D.
Department for the Study of Religions – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Lucie Čelková
Timetable of Seminar Groups
RLB61/P: each odd Monday 15:50–17:25 G22, D. Vávra
RLB61/K: Fri 4. 3. 15:50–17:25 J22, Fri 1. 4. 15:50–17:25 J22, Fri 29. 4. 15:50–17:25 J22, D. Vávra
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 50 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/50, only registered: 0/50, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/50
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 6 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The course presents an overview of the religious traditions of China from the ancient times to the present. Stress is laid on the relationship between state cults, other organized religious movements (buddhism, taoist cults), the literati (Confucian) tradition, and "popular" religiosity, as well as on the political, social, and economic context of religion in Chinese culture.
Main objectives of the course:
At the end of this course, the students should be able to:
- be familiar with the basic factual knowledge of the religion in the history of Chinese culture;
- understand, explain, and apply the basic terminology used in the study of the religion in the history Chinese culture;
- understand and explain the social, political, and economic context of religion in Chinese culture;
- make oral and written presentations on a selected topic from the history of religion in China;
- interpret basic passages of relevant Chinese texts in translation
Syllabus
  • (0) Introduction; theoretical and methodological isssues
  • (1) Shang and Western Zhou dynasties
  • (2) Eastern Zhou dynasty
  • (3) The so called "philosophical schools"; their relation to the religious cults; Confucianism
  • (4) Early taoism
  • (5) Han dynasty
  • (6) Taoism I
  • (7) Taoism II
  • (8) Chinese buddhism I
  • (9) Chinese buddhism II
  • (10) Late imperial period
  • (11) Religion in contemporary China I
  • (12) Religion in contemporary China II
Literature
  • CHENG, Anne. Dějiny čínského myšlení. Translated by Helena Beguivinová - Olga Lomová - David Sehnal - Dušan Vávra. 1. vyd. Praha: DrahmaGaia, 2006, xv, 688. ISBN 8086685527. info
  • Chinese religions in contemporary societies. Edited by James Miller. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, 2006, xvii, 317. ISBN 1851096264. info
  • KRÁL, Oldřich. Čínská filosofie : pohled z dějin. Vyd. 1. Lásenice: Maxima, 2005, 373 s. ISBN 809013338X. info
  • ADLER, Joseph A. Chinese religions. 1st pub. London: Routledge, 2002, 144 s. ISBN 0415262836. info
  • OVERMYER, Daniel L. Náboženství Číny :svět jako živý organismus. V českém jazyce vyd. 2. Praha: Prostor, 1999, 178 s. ISBN 80-85190-98-2. info
  • Religions of China in practice. Edited by Donald S. Lopez. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1996, xvi, 499 s. ISBN 0-691-02143-0. info
  • CHING, Julia. Chinese religions. 1st pub. Houndmills: Macmillan, 1993, xv, 275. ISBN 0333531744. info
  • JOCHIM, Christian. Chinese religions : a cultural perspective. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 1986, xiv, 202. ISBN 0131329944. info
Teaching methods
Contents of the semester:
Lectures, class discussions.
Assessment methods
Requirements for the colloquium:
(a) active participation in class discussions;
(b) written test (max. 100 p./min. 60 p.); content: testing of factual knowledge, abilities to identify and interpret a simple text, familiarity with relevant terminology
(c) written essay on a topic related to the course;
Language of instruction
Czech
Follow-Up Courses
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2005, Spring 2006, Spring 2007, Spring 2009, Spring 2010.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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