Course Description
Confucianism and its place in traditional Chinese religion, thought, and culture. Emphasis on the teachings of foundational thinkers such as Confucius, Mencius, and Hsun-tzu.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Additional readings and a research paper along with more extensive examinations to reflect the additional responsibilities.
Athena Title
CONFUCIANISM
Prerequisite
Junior or senior standing or permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered every odd-numbered year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
(1) To illumine the hermeneutic issues involved in understanding religion across cultures. (2) To introduce basic elements of the Confucian tradition. (3) To demonstrate the diverse factors that affect human life by observing the influence of social and political factors on the nature and evolution of Confucian beliefs and practices. (4) To illustrate that religious traditions evolve, and that such evolution can be understood by reference to historical, intellectual, cultural and existential phenomena. (5) To stimulate meaningful comparison, and contrast, of Confucian traditions with those more familar to students from their own cultural heritage. Communicate Effectively through Writing To strengthen skills in written composition, analysis, and presentation by means of projects such as essays, papers, reports, and examinations. Communicate Effectively through Speech To strengthen skills in oral expression, analysis, style, and interaction by means such as class reports, class discussion, and oral examinations. Computer Literacy To enhance and facilitate computer literacy by the use of word processing, the web, email, and OASIS through research, preparation, and presentation of work such as oral class reports and completion of written assignments. Critical Thinking To foster critical thinking by engaging in activities such as classroom discussion and debate, essay examinations, and oral presentations. Moral Reasoning (Ethics) To assist in the continued development of moral and ethical reasoning and reflection by encouraging creative thinking regarding individual and community concerns and needs, the challenging of prejudices and stereotypes, and examining rational and ethical bases of constructive social interactions.
Topical Outline
INTRODUCTION: The Academic Study of Religion THE RELEVANCE OF CONFUCIANISM CHINA: BEFORE CONFUCIUS THE LIFE AND TEACHINGS OF CONFUCIUS THE MOHIST CHALLENGE THE CLASSICAL DEFENDERS OF CONFUCIAN VALUES: MENCIUS THE LEGALIST CHALLENGE THE CLASSICAL DEFENDERS OF CONFUCIAN VALUES: HSÜN-TZU THE TAOIST CHALLENGE A CLASSICAL RESPONSE TO TAOISM: HEAVEN AND HUMANITY IN THE CHUNG-YUNG THE HAN TRANSFORMATION THE BUDDHIST CHALLENGE NEO-CONFUCIANISM: THE PURSUIT OF SAGEHOOD
Syllabus