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    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

    ben.schonthal@otago.ac.nz

    Teaching staff

    Professor Ben Schonthal

    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.

    Timetable

    Semester 1

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught through Distance Learning
    Learning management system
    Blackboard

    Semester 1

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught On Campus
    Learning management system
    Blackboard

    Lecture

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Tuesday 15:00-16:50 9-13, 15-22

    Tutorial

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Thursday 15:00-15:50 9-13, 15-16, 18-22
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