Overview
The role of Buddhism in politics, law, social movements, war and peace-making. Students will examine case studies, original Buddhist texts and latest trends in research.
Often imagined as a peaceful, other-worldly religion, Buddhism has for a long time been involved in politics, law, statecraft and social movements throughout Asia. This paper considers Buddhist political philosophy and statecraft, Buddhist law and nationalist movements, and a variety of other topics. Although background lectures will be given on some materials, the class will mostly be run as a seminar, with students discussing key issues and analysing texts directly in class.
About this paper
Paper title | Buddhism, State and Society |
---|---|
Subject | Religious Studies |
EFTS | 0.1500 |
Points | 18 points |
Teaching period(s) | Semester 1
(Distance learning)
Semester 1 (On campus) |
Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $981.75 |
International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- 36 points
- Restriction
- RELS 336, RELS 436
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music, Theology
- Contact
- More information link
View more information on the Religion website: www.otago.ac.nz/religion
- Teaching staff
- Paper Structure
Topics covered include:
- Buddhist kingship.
- Buddhist political philosophy.
- Buddhist secularism.
- Buddhism and law.
- Buddhism, race and nationalism.
- Buddhist perspectives on war and peace.
- Buddhist protest movements.
- Buddhism and violence.
- Buddhism, democracy and globalisation.
Assignment:
- Class prep, peer engagement & online discussion 20%
- Essay (incl. outline) 40%
- Final exam (2 hours) 40%
- Teaching Arrangements
One 2-hour lecture per week, plus fortnightly tutorials.
- Textbooks
All readings will be made available electronically.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Communication, Critical thinking, Ethics, Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Scholarship, Self-motivation, Research
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.- Learning Outcomes
By taking this course students will gain:
- A deep awareness of the differing ways in which Buddhists have imagined the ideal relationships between religion, politics, law and statecraft.
- A strong understanding of how Buddhism has been interwoven in Asian society and politics in South, Southeast, East and Himalayan Asia. This includes a better understanding of Asian history and culture more generally.
- A sophisticated knowledge of Buddhist approaches to important legal-political concepts such as democracy, secularism, justice, and law.
- Awareness of the complex ways in which Buddhism has intersected with race, violence, nationalism, politics and other topics.
- Direct experience in reading and analysing Buddhist texts in translation.