ANU - STUDYAT - Buddhist Thought

Offered By:

School of Culture, History and Language

Academic Career:

Undergraduate

Course Subject:

Asian Studies

Offered in:

First Semester, 2012 and First Semester, 2013

Unit Value:

6 units

Course Description:

The course will be concerned mainly with a history of ideas in Asian Buddhism, and its aim is to give students a conceptual grasp of important Buddhist ideas, myths and symbols. In addition to these theoretical concerns, we will examine the connection between theory and practice and the cross-cultural ramifications of Buddhist thought.

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the course students should have a solid background in the history and basic doctrines of Buddhism and its current place in the world. In addition, they will be familiar with some of the conceptual tensions faced by Buddhists seeking to adapt their tradition to current issues such as abortion, euthanasia, climate change, and maintaining the environment.

Indicative Assessment:

Two exams or essays of 3,000 words (totalling 70%), Tutorial work (30%).

Workload:

33 contact hours for the semester.

Areas of Interest:

Non Language Asian Studies

Requisite Statement:

6 university courses (36 units).

Incompatibility:

AREL2251 and ASIA6051

Preliminary Reading:

Kasulis, T., Zen Action - Zen Person, State University New York Press, 1981; Powers, J., Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism, Snow Lion, 1995

Majors/Specialisations:

Indonesian Studies, Japanese Studies, South Asian Studies, Southeast Asian Studies, Chinese Studies, and Northeast Asian Studies

Academic Contact:

Paul Brownell

Buddhist Thought ASIA2251 - Details