REL 290 - Kyoto:Center of Japan's Religion and Culture

Institution:

Wellesley College

Subject:

Description:

Kodera NOT OFFERED IN 2009-10. Hands-on observation and critical analyses of religion and culture in Kyoto, Japan's capital for over a millen-nium. Topics include: Shinto and Buddhism in traditional Japanese art and culture, such as ?tea ceremony,? calligraphy, poetry, theater and martial arts; Shinto and Japan's appreciation of nature; Japan's selective memory of the Pacific War and Japan's growing nationalism; today's Buddhist clergy as specialists of the world of the dead, in sharp contrast to the earlier (pre-seventeenth century) focus on medita-tion and acts of mercy for the living; ?new religions? in contemporary Japanese society and politics; Japan's assimilation of Western reli-gions, as manifested in youth culture; the complicity of religion in the resurgence of nationalism and xenophobia; the contemporary Japa-nese fascination with the ?other world.? Kyoto will be the center of operation with possible side trips to Nara, Hiroshima, and perhaps Tokyo. Length: Two and a half weeks in Japan, with three days of orientation on campus prior t o departure. Not offered every year. Sub-ject to Dean's Off ice approval. Prerequisite: At least one unit in Asian religion; though not required, preference given to students of Asian religions and of East Asian Studies. Application required. Enrollment limited to 10 and with written permission of the instructor. Distribution: Religion, Ethics, and Moral Philosophy Semester: N/

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.wellesley.edu

Phone Number:

(781) 283-1000

Regional Accreditation:

New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Calendar System:

Semester

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