RLB62 Religions in Japan

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2011
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Bc. Mgr. Jakub Havlíček, 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
RLB62/P: Wed 7:30–9:05 zruseno D22, J. Havlíček
RLB62/K: Fri 18. 3. 15:50–17:25 J21, Fri 15. 4. 15:50–17:25 J21, Fri 13. 5. 15:50–17:25 J21, J. Havlíček
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
Course objectives
The course aims to develop the understanding of religious traditions in Japan. It offers introduction to the topic of contemporary religious life together with the basic survey of historical development of Japanese religious traditions. The classes are aimed to give the outline of social and cultural contexts of Shinto, Buddhism, Christianity, new religious movements and so called popular religious traditions. The original audio-visual documentation and other fieldwork material constitute the essential element of the lectures.
At the end of the course students will be able to
define the main characteristics of religious traditions in Japan;
locate the main characteristics of religious traditions in Japan to the broader social, social and historical context;
interpret religious traditions of Japan according to theoretical and methodological approaches of the Study of religions;
distinguish the principal stages in historical development of religious traditions in Japan;
formulate the cardinal principles of „lived religion“ or practical religious life in history and present times.
Syllabus
  • 0. Introductory information to the course;
  • 1. History, geography of Japan. Studying religions in Japan – introduction;
  • 2. „Normative“ and „lived“ religion in Japane. Classifying religions in Japan, relationship of Shinto and Buddhism - mutual influence, religions in everyday life. Ancestor worship;
  • 3. Shinto - mythology, deities - kami, rituals, Shinto and the concepts of Japanese nation;
  • 4. Buddhism in Japan – introduction;
  • 5. Buddhism in Japan – iconography, rituals, kuyo rites;
  • 6. Shugendo;
  • 7. "Christianity made in Japan" - past and present;
  • 8. New and "new new" religions I;
  • 9. New and "new new" religions II;
  • 10. Religious festivals and ceremonies;
  • 11. Film and religions in Japan;
  • 12. Final review, discussion.
Literature
    required literature
  • ELLWOOD, Robert S. Introducing Japanese religion. 1st pub. New York: Routledge, 2008, xiv, 269. ISBN 9780415774260. info
    not specified
  • A history of Japanese religion. Edited by Kazuo Kasahara, Translated by Paul McCarthy - Gaynor Sekimori. 1st English ed. Tokyo: Kosei Publishing, 2001, 648 s. ISBN 4333019176. info
  • CRAIG, Albert M. Dějiny Japonska. Edited by Edwin O. Reischauer, Translated by David Labus - Jan Sýkora. Vyd. 2., dopl. Praha: Lidové noviny, 2006, 476 s. ISBN 9788071065135. info
  • Nanzan guide to Japanese religions. Edited by Paul L. Swanson - Clark Chilson. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press, 2006, xii, 466. ISBN 0824830024. info
  • NELSON, John K. A year in the life of a Shinto Shrine. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1996, viii, 286. ISBN 0295975008. info
  • READER, Ian. Religion in contemporary Japan. 1st publ. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Macmillan, 1991, xv, 277 s. ISBN 0-333-52322-9. info
  • TANABE, George Joji. Practically religious : worldly benefits and the common religion of Japan. Edited by Ian Reader. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press, 1998, xii, 303. ISBN 0824820908. info
Teaching methods
Lecture, study projection with commentary, discussion.
Assessment methods
Requirements for the colloquium:
Final written test (score 80% or higher on the final exam). Students are expected and required to attend seminar classes of this course.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2005, Autumn 2006, Spring 2008, Spring 2009, Spring 2010, Spring 2012, Spring 2013, Spring 2014.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2011, recent)
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