| Course title | |||||
| 現代宗教論 [Religion Studies] | |||||
| Course category | general education courses | Requirement | Credit | 2 | |
| Department | Year | 1～4 | 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. 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 |
| 9/18/2018 9:45:39 AM |