Course Catalogue

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This course examines the plurality of practice that constitutes religion in Japan through various media including films, comics and art forms. Most Japanese people ascribe to at least two traditions, Shinto and Buddhism, while a large part of the population professes to be non-religious. This course analyses the complexity and fluidity of this landscape through an exploration of ritual practice and representations of Japanese religious observance.

5x2hr seminar and 5x3hr session (5x2hr screening and 1hr seminar) over 10 weeks, as scheduled on MyCampus.

5x2hr seminar and 5x2hr screening may be taught concurrently with TRS4116 Religious practice in Japan (Hons).

Standard entry to Masters at College level.

TRS4116 Religious practice in Japan (Hons)

None

The standard assessments for this course are:

■ Seminar participation - 10%

■ Annotated bibliography (1000 words) - 15%

■ Essay (4000 words) - 75%

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:

■ A learning diary as an alternative to the seminar participation

■ There is no alternative to the annotated bibliography, but extensions to the deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (students should follow the usual process for extensions).

■ There is no alternative to the annotated essay, but extensions to the deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (students should follow the usual process for extensions).

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.

The course aims to: 

■ explore two main traditions in Japan (Shinto and Buddhism), as well as other traditions (e.g. Christianity, Onmyodo [Yin-Yang theory]);

■ familiarise students with a range of theoretical interpretative approaches to Japanese religion(s);

■ relate various media (e.g. films, comics, art forms) to the study of religions in Japan;

■ discuss the meaning of religion and its intersections and applications in the Japanese context;

■ survey and critique current debates about politically and historically constructed understandings of religious traditions in Japan.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ analyse and critically engage with the meaning of religion in the Japanese context;

■ assess a range of critical approaches to religious practice in Japan, and present a critically nuanced analysis of current debates about religious practice in Japan;

■ frame arguments effectively using different kinds of sources in analysis of religious landscape of Japan;

■ engage in independent study, identifying, researching and writing on Japanese religions;

■ communicate responses to the material studied on the course in written form through coherent and sustained argument.