JAP327 Themes in the Religions of Japan

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2011
Extent and Intensity
0/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Bc. Mgr. Jakub Havlíček, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. RNDr. Václav Blažek, CSc.
Japanese Studies Centre – Department of Linguistics and Baltic Languages – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Mon 14:10–15:45 zruseno D22
Prerequisites (in Czech)
JAP216 Religions in Japan
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 69 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/69, only registered: 0/69, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/69
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course aims to develop the understanding of religious traditions in Japan. It offers the introduction to the selected topics in religious traditions of Japan. At the end of the course students will be able to define the main characteristics of religious traditions in Japan; locate the main characteristics of religious traditions in Japan to the broader social, social and historical context; interpret religious traditions of Japan according to theoretical and methodological approaches of the Study of religions; distinguish the principal stages in historical development of religious traditions in Japan; formulate the cardinal principles of „lived religion“ or practical religious life in history and present times.
Syllabus
  • 1) Classifying religion in Japan;
  • 2) Interpreting myths in Japanese religious traditions;
  • 3) Women in Japanese religious traditions;
  • 4) Rituals in shugendo and in buddhism;
  • 5) Confucianism in Japan;
  • 6) Sacred places and religious festivals;
  • 7) Religion and secular power in Japan;
  • 8) New religions in Japan;
  • 9) Shamans, divinators, exorcists in Japanese religions;
  • 10) Ascetic practices in Japanese religions;
  • 11) Death, afterlife, ancestor worship;
  • 12) "Christianity made in Japan";
  • 13) Summary, final discussion, presentations of final essays.
Literature
  • BOWRING, Richard John. The religious traditions of Japan, 500-1600. 1st pub. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005, xvi, 485. ISBN 052185119X. info
  • BLACKER, Carmen. The catalpa bow : a study of Shamanistic practices in Japan. London: Routledge, 1999, 384 s. ISBN 1873410859. info
  • MULLINS, Mark R. Christianity made in Japan : a study of indigenous movements. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press, 1998, x, 277. ISBN 0824821327. info
  • TANABE, George Joji. Practically religious : worldly benefits and the common religion of Japan. Edited by Ian Reader. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press, 1998, xii, 303. ISBN 0824820908. info
  • ANDREASEN, Esben and Finn STEFÁNSSON. Japanese religions : past and present. Edited by Ian Reader. Repr. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1995, 189 s. ISBN 0824815467. info
  • Religion and society in modern Japan : selected readings. Edited by Mark R. Mullins - Shimazono Susumu - Paul L. Swanson. Berkeley, Calif.: Asian Humanities Press, 1993, x, 310. ISBN 0895819368. info
  • READER, Ian. Religion in contemporary Japan. 1st publ. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Macmillan, 1991, xv, 277 s. ISBN 0-333-52322-9. info
Teaching methods
Lecture, study projection with commentary, discussion.
Assessment methods
Final written test (70% in minimum), final essay, class participation.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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