Itinerary/Syllabus

Itinerary

Approximate dates: September 7-23, 2010

Week 1:

• Kyoto, Japan
• Orientation, lecture on Japanese religions and Shinto, visit to Shinto shrine, and visit to Gion district
• Lecture on Hinduism, Southern Higashiyama walking tour and lunch, visit to Chawan-zaka (Teapot) Lane
• Lecture on Buddhism, lecture and tour of Urasenke Tea Foundation, Northern Higashiyama Walking Tour (The Philosopher’s Walk)
• Lecture on Chinese religions, travel to Hiei-san (Mt. Hiei)
• Travel to Nara

Week 2:

• Lecture and discussion on Christianity in Japan, worship, travel to Koya-san (Mt. Koya), dinner at Rengejoin
• Prayer, breakfast at Rengejoin, lecture on Judaism, Koya-san (Shingon Buddhism), dinner at Rengejoin
• Travel to Kyoto, visit Toji Temple, Nijo Castle, Nishi Hongan-ji; lecture on Islam
• Lecture and Zen meditation practice with Masunami-sensei at Ryosen-an, lunch

Syllabus

Assignments (percentage of final grade as shown):

Active participation in daily lecture and discussion meetings exhibiting pre-reading knowledge of topic discussed. 10%

Five quizzes corresponding to each of the major religious traditions addressed (Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Chinese religions – including Confucianism and Daoism – and Buddhism). Quiz schedule to be provided but all quizzes will be administered through Blackboard upon completion of travel portion of the course. 25%

Daily reflection/reaction journal entries for travel portion of course (topics and reflection guide to be provided). 30%

A five-page essay addressing a specific question provided by instructor. You will need to cite a minimum of three texts outside the required reading bibliography. 35%

Reading:

Required:
Willard Oxtoby and Alan F. Segal (Editors) A Concise Introduction to World Religion, Oxford: OUP 2007
Robert Ellwood Introducing Japanese Religion, New York/London: Routledge 2008
Shusaku Endo Silence, Marlboro NJ: Taplinger Publishing Co., 1969/1980