Course title
現代宗教論   [Religion Stuides]
Course category Liberal Arts and Fundamental Studies  Requirement   Credit 2 
Department   Year 14  Semester 3rd 
Course type 3rd  Course code 020016
Instructor(s)
春近 敬   [HARUCHIKA Takashi]
Facility affiliation Graduate School of Agriculture Office afjgxte/L1151  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.

Competency development:
Autonomy, Intercultural Understanding, Global Awareness, Ability to Explore Knowledge, Academic Ethics, Knowledge on Science and Technology
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 terms “Secularization” , “Protestant Reformation”, and “Protestantism” in a dictionary.
(Review) Organize your notes.

Week 4: Changes in the relationship between Shinto and Buddhism in 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.

Week 5: Modernization and Internationalization of Buddhism
Homework:
(Preparation) Look up the terms “Buddhism,” “Jodo (浄土)”, “Shinran (親鸞)”, and “Zen (禅)” in the dictionary.
(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.

Week 7: Separation of Religion and State II―Japan
Homework:
(Preparation) Review and remember the contents of Week 4.
(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: Islam and Modern Society
Homework:
(Preparation) Look up some basic information about Islam in a dictionary.
(Review) Organize your notes.

Week 12: Globalization and Religion
Homework:
(Preparation) Look up the word “Globalization” 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: Recapitulation & Final Exam
(Preparation) Organize your notes.



Prerequisites
This course carries 2 credits and is included in Humanities and Socical Sciences of the Global Liberal Arts Studies. In addition to 30 hours you spend in the class, you are recommended to prepare for, and review, the classes spending the standard amount of time as specified by the University for each class.
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) If a final exam is cancelled due to COVID-19, it will be replaced with reports and quizzes.
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
If this class is offered online, some of the course schedule will be changed. Please be aware of this in advance.
Remarks 2
Related URL
Lecture Language
Japanese
Language Subject
Last update
7/30/2020 11:12:29 AM