RS 1J03.pdf - Department of Religious Studies - McMaster University

Great Books in Asian Religions 

Religious Studies, 1J03 

Department of Religious Studies, 

McMaster University 

Term Dates: Term 2, January 3rd – April 4th, 2012 

Exam Period: April 7th – April 25th, 2012 

Instructor: Fei Lan, Ph. D. 

Office Hours: Tuesdays and Fridays: 13:30-14:30 PM 

Phone #: 416-519-8294 

Email: fei.lan@utoronto.ca 

TAs: 

Jessica Fish 

Daniel Friedrich 

Chris Handy 

Dr. David Penner 

Lectures: Tuesday & Friday, 15:30-16:20 PM 

Location: Burke Science Building, Room B135 (in Basement) 

Tutorials: 

** T01 Th 15:30 16:20 term 2 KTH/B107 

** T02 We 14:30 15:20 term 2 KTH/B107 

** T03 Th 14:30 15:20 term 2 BSB/122 

** T04 Fr 12:30 13:20 term 2 TSH/B107 

** T05 Th 15:30 16:20 term 2 TSH/B107 

** T06 Th 10:30 11:20 term 2 UH/101 

** T07 We 15:30 16:20 term 2 TSH/B107 

** T08 We 10:30 11:20 term 2 UH/103 

Course Description 

This course introduces foundational books of the major religious traditions of Asia, including Buddhism, 

Hinduism, Daoism, Confucianism and Shinto, in their historical and cultural contexts. 

Through the study of selected primary religious texts supported by relevant secondary readings, videos, and 

films, students are expected to both obtain a critical understanding of the main themes and key concepts of 

each religious tradition and develop their research skills and academic writing competence in the study of 

religion. The class comprises weekly lectures and tutorials. All readings are in English translation. There are 

no prerequisites. 

Grading 

Preparation, Attendance, and Participation 15% 

a. 3% earned from three random checks at lectures. Students may be asked to identify a historical or 

literary figure, or to identify a passage from the reading assignments. 

b. 12% given at the TA’s discretion based on the student’s tutorial attendance (6%) and the student’s 

contributions to the sectional discussions. Some students may speak more and some may less, but 

what matters is that everyone should participate to present their ideas and raise questions (6%). 

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Two reflection papers, double-spaced, 4-5 pages maximum (10% each) 20% 

(Or ONE 15 page long essay instead, with the approval of the instructor, 20%) 

Three tests (10% each) 30% 

Final exam 35% 

Course Requirements 

1. It is mandatory to attend both lectures and tutorials and participate actively in class meetings; 

2. Complete the reading assignments prior to coming to each class; prepare two questions or make two points 

about the reading materials for discussion at each weekly tutorial; 

3. Submit on time two 4-5 page double-spaced typed (12 point maximum) reflection papers (or ONE 15 page 

long essay instead). No late work will be accepted without a documented medical excuse. The paper 

assignments which involve close reading, textual analysis, and critical reflection are meant to develop 

students’ critical thinking and writing skills. Each reflection paper is expected to (1) provide a concise 

discussion of the target passage(s) in the reading assignments and (b) develop a critical reflection on the topic 

at hand. Creativity is greatly encouraged. The long essay is expected to demonstrate the ability to define a 

topic, to compare a topic statement, and to make an argument with sufficient support of the primary readings 

and appropriate use of the secondary sources. 

4. The THREE tests and the final exam will cover both reading and lecture materials. Please note that NO test 

or exam will be rescheduled without a documented medical excuse. 

Required Course Texts (The texts that are not available online in the McMaster University library will be 

available for purchase at the McMaster University bookstore.) 

1. Easwaran, Eknath (trans. with introduction), The Bhagavad Gita, (Nilgiri Press, c1985, 2007). 

1 copy available ONLINE 

http://libaccess.mcmaster.ca/login?url=http://www.MCMU.eblib.com/EBLWeb/patron?target=patron&ext 

endedid=P_478541_0& 

2. Watson, Burton (trans.) The Lotus Sutra, (New York: Columbia University Press, 1993) 

(Amazon.com $11.92-$15.54). 

3. Slingerland, Edward, Essential Analects : Selected Passages with Traditional Commentary 

(Hackett Publishing Company, Inc., 2009) 


http://mcmaster.sirsidynix.net/uhtbin/cgisirsi/?ps=LEv3MBDQbY/MILLS/114830043/123# 

4. Lau, D. C. (trans.) Mencius (London: Penguin Classics, 1970) 

(Amazon.com $8-$16). 

5. Watson, Burton (trans.) Hsun Tzu (New York: Columbia University Press, 1967). 

Also, available in the e-book Basic Writings of Mo Tzu, Hsun Tzu, and Han Fei Tzu, translated by 

Burton Watson, (New York: Columbia University Press, 1967). 


http://libaccess.mcmaster.ca/login?url=http://hdl.handle.net/2027/heb.06027 

6. Graham, A.C. (trans.) Chuang- tzu: the Inner Chapters (Indianapolis: Hackett Pub. Co., 2001) 

7. Basil Hall Chamberlain (trans.) The Kojiki: Records of Ancient Matters (Tuttle Publishing, c 1982, 

2005) 

Also available at Sacred-Texts Shinto online 

http://www.sacred-texts.com/shi/kojiki.htm 

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Suggested Readings 

1. Knott, Kim. Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 1998) 


http://mcmaster.sirsidynix.net/uhtbin/cgisirsi/?ps=TG6xzHYnAF/MILLS/125900022/123# 

2. Keown, Damien. Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 1996) 


http://mcmaster.sirsidynix.net/uhtbin/cgisirsi/?ps=w6ecXy1H7G/MILLS/125900022/9# 

3. Taylor, Rodney. Confucianism (Infobase Publishing, 2004) 


http://mcmaster.sirsidynix.net/uhtbin/cgisirsi/?ps=ogCNYECoa4/MILLS/125900022/9# 

4. Fingarette, Herbert. Confucius: The Secular as Sacred (Illinois: Waveland Press, 1998). 

1 copy available MILLS LIBRARY (call # B 128 .C8 F48) 

5. Hartz, Paula. Daoism. 


http://mcmaster.sirsidynix.net/uhtbin/cgisirsi/?ps=vQIAg2aJNr/MILLS/125900022/9# 

Recommended Videos and Film 

1. “Religions of the World - Hinduism” at Google Videos (47 minutes) 

(http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6016765754275133214#) 

2. “Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism in China” at Google Videos (17 minutes) 

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gZY4i4Kg3s) or 

(http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2173173691246135944#) 

3. “Shinto: Nature, Gods and Man in Japan” by Peter Grilli and David Westphal, Videocassette (45 

minutes). 

Academic Integrity 

You are expected to exhibit honesty and use ethical behaviour in all aspects of the learning process. 

Academic credentials you earn are rooted in principles of honesty and academic integrity. Academic 

dishonesty is to knowingly act or fail to act in a way that results or could result in unearned academic credit or 

advantage. This behaviour can result in serious consequences, e.g. the grade of zero on an assignment, loss of 

credit with a notation on the transcript (notation reads: “Grade of F assigned for academic dishonesty”), and/or 

suspension or expulsion from the university. It is your responsibility to understand what constitutes academic 

dishonesty. For information on the various types of academic dishonesty please refer to the Academic 

Integrity Policy, located at www.mcmaster.ca/academicintegrity 

The following illustrates only three forms of academic dishonesty: 

1. Plagiarism, e.g. the submission of work that is not one’s own or for which other credit has been obtained. 

2. Improper collaboration in group work. 

3. Copying or using unauthorized aids in tests and examinations. 

Turnin.com 

In this course we will be using a web-based service (Turnitin.com) to reveal plagiarism. Students will be 

expected to submit their work electronically to Turnitin.com and in hard copy so that it can be checked for 

academic dishonesty. Students who do not wish to submit their work to Turnitin.com must still submit a copy 

to the instructor. No penalty will be assigned to a student who does not submit work to Turnitin.com. All 

submitted work is subject to normal verification that standards of academic integrity have been upheld (e.g., 

on-line search, etc.). To see the Turnitin.com Policy, please go to www.mcmaster.ca/academicintegrity 

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E-mail Communication Policy 

Effective September 1, 2010, it is the policy of the Faculty of Social Sciences that all email 

communication sent from students to instructors (including TAs), and from students to staff, must 

originate from the student’s own McMaster University e-mail account. 

This policy protects confidentiality and confirms the identity of the student. It is the 

student’s responsibility to ensure that communication is sent to the university from a 

McMaster account. If an instructor becomes aware that a communication has come from an alternate 

address, the instructor may not reply at his or her discretion. Email 

Forwarding in MUGSI: http://www.mcmaster.ca/uts/support/email/emailforward.html 

*Forwarding will take effect 24-hours after students complete the process at the above 

link. 

Department Policy 

Staff in the office of the Department of Religious Studies will not date-stamp or receive papers and other 

assignments. 

Course Schedule 

Week 1 

Jan. 3 

Jan. 6 

Week 2 

Jan. 9 

Jan.13 

Week 3 

Jan. 16 

Jan. 20 

Hindu Religious Traditions 

Course Introduction 

The Ancient Indian World View: Hindu, Buddhist, & Jain 

Vedic Piety and Brahmanical Sacrificial Ritualism 

Cosmic and ritual order in Vedic Literature 

The Ultimate Reality in the Upanishads 

Two Great Epics of India 

The Ramayana; The Bhagavad Gita 

The Bhagavad Gita cont. 

Week 4 The Bhagavad Gita Cont. 

Jan. 23 Wrap up the Bhagavad Gita 

Jan. 27 Test 1 

Video clip 1: “The Origins of Theravada Buddhism: the Historic Town of Sukhotai 

and associated towns,” (about 3 minutes) 

http://mediateca.educa.madrid.org/reproducir.php?id_video=24n18tu759p2s8qf 

Video clip 2: “What is Theravada Buddhism?” (about 4 minutes) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fe-pf5P9R4E&feature=related 

Week 5 

Jan. 31 

Feb. 3 

Week 6 

Feb. 6 

Feb. 10 

Buddhism: A Brief Introduction 

Theravada Buddhism 

Mahayana Buddhism 

The Lotus Sutra 

Mahayana Buddhism in China 

The Lotus Sutra 

4

Week 7 

Feb. 13 

Feb. 17 

Week 8 

The Lotus Sutra Cont. 

The 1 st paper due 

The Lotus Sutra cont. 

Chinese Religious Traditions: Three Teachings 

Mid-term Recess: No Class 

Week 9 Confucianism and Confucius 

Feb. 28 Test 2 

Brief Introduction: Confucianism in Its Historical Development 

MV clip: Virtue of Orchid 幽蘭操 (adapted from Confucius’s poem), theme 

song of the Movie “Confucius” (about 4 minutes) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsmLaMShfV4&feature=autoplay&list=PL44797F8BE7 

BBEC56&lf=results_main&playnext=2 

Mar. 2 The Analects of Confucius 

Week 10 

Mar. 6 

Mar. 9 

Week 11 

Mar, 13 

Mar. 16 

Confucius and Mencius 

The Analects cont. 

The Mencius (Selections) 

Mencius and Xunzi 

The Mencius (Selections) cont. 

Hsun Tzu (Selections) 

Week 12 Daoism 

Mar. 20 Test 3 

Brief introduction: Daoist philosophy and religious Daoism 

Video clip: “Alan Watts - What is Tao?” (about 9 minutes) 

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seMgEls_slw&feature=related) 

Mar. 23 Chuang- tzu: the Inner Chapters 

Week 13 Daoism Cont. and Shinto 

Mar. 2 The 2 nd paper due 

The long essay due 

Chuang- tzu: the Inner Chapters cont. 

Mar. 30 Kojiki, Book 1 

Week 14 

Apr. 3 

Final Exam Review 

Final Exam Review 

(Film: “Shinto: Nature, Gods and Man in Japan”) 

Final Exam: TBA 

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RS 1J03.pdf - Department of Religious Studies - McMaster University

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