Course title
現代宗教論   [Religion Studies]
Course category general education courses  Requirement   Credit 2 
Department   Year 14  Semester Fall 
Course type Fall  Course code 020052
Instructor(s)
春近 敬   [HARUCHIKA Takashi]
Facility affiliation Graduate School of Agriculture Office   Email address

Course description
Religion was born along with human existence and it has existed in different forms in all eras and regions. It does not simply reside in an individual heart but has also influenced all social situations. Moreover, societal changes through the generations have also substantially influenced religion. In this lecture, the lecturer takes up core themes of religion in modern society and students obtain basic knowledge regarding religion and its history.
Expected Learning
Learners who successfully complete this course will be able to
(1) Obtain basic knowledge about the relation between religion and modern society.
(2) Understand the mutual influence of people's culture, values, and religion.
(3) Have an interest in religions, cultures, and customs different from their own and recognize and understand them sincerely.
Course schedule
I Introduction

Week 1: Orientation
Homework:
(Review) Organize your notes regarding your viewpoint on religious studies.
Week 2: What is “Religion?”
Homework:
(Preparation) Think about the question “What is religion?”
(Review) Organize your notes on the various definitions of religion.

II Historical development of Religion

Week 3: Modernization and Religion
Homework:
(Preparation) Look up the word “Secularization” in a dictionary.
(Review) Organize your notes.
Week 4: Modernization of Buddhism I―Conversion of Shinran thought
Homework:
(Preparation) Look up the words “Buddhism,” “Shinran (親鸞),” and “Jodo (浄土)” in a dictionary.
(Review) Organize your notes.
Week 5: Modernization of Buddhism II―Internationalization of Zen
Homework:
(Preparation) Look up the words “Zen (禅)” and “D. T. Suzuki (鈴木大拙).”
(Review) Organize your notes.
Week 6: Separation of Religion and State I―France and the United States
Homework:
(Preparation) Read recent news articles on the separation of religion and state in France.
(Review) Organize your notes on laicite and civil religion.
Week 7: Separation of Religion and State II―Japan
Homework:
(Preparation) Look up the terms “syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism (神仏習合)” and “separation of Shinto and Buddhism (神仏分離)” in the dictionary.
(Review) Organize your notes.

III Aspects of Modern Religion

Week 8: Cult
Homework:
(Preparation) Look up the word “Cult” in a dictionary.
(Review) Organize your notes.
Week 9: Spirituality
Homework:
(Preparation) Make notes on the type of spirituality that is independent of the tradition or religious community around you.
(Review) Organize your notes.
Week 10: Visiting Sacred Places
Homework:
(Preparation) Think about the phrase “visiting sacred places.”
(Review) Organize your notes about privatization.

IV Globalization of Society and Religion

Week 11: Globalization and Religion
Homework:
(Preparation) Look up the word “Globalization” in a dictionary.
(Review) Organize your notes.
Week 12: Islam and Modern Society
Homework:
(Preparation) Look up some basic information about Islam in a dictionary.
(Review) Organize your notes.
Week 13: Fundamentalism
Homework:
(Preparation) Look up the word “Fundamentalism” in a dictionary.
(Review) Organize your notes.
Week 14: Religious Nationalism
Homework:
(Preparation) Look up the word “Nationalism” in a dictionary.
(Review) Organize your notes.

Week 15: Final Exam

Prerequisites
None
Required Text(s) and Materials
Distributed handout
References
They are presented to students in class as and when required.
Assessment/Grading
60% Final exam, 40% Learning attitude (ex. Reaction papers)
Message from instructor(s)
What is the impression you get when you hear the word “religion”? Some people think that it is a concept that is unapproachable or unrelated to the individual. However, we cannot say anything about the present world without taking account of religion, irrespective of our interest in the same. If you are interested in the various religious elements around you, your understanding will deepen when you attend this lecture.
Course keywords
Religious studies, Sociology of religion, The concept of religion, Modernization, Secularization
Office hours
After class
Remarks 1
Remarks 2
Related URL
Lecture Language
Language Subject
Last update
9/25/2017 8:58:21 AM