History 349B:
East Asian Popular Religion
Whitman College Spring 2003
M W 2:30 – 3:50 Maxey 202
Dr. Brian Dott
|
OFFICE: 225 Maxey |
Office Hours: MTTh 1-2 ; MT 4-5 |
|
PHONE: 527-5776 |
also available by
appointment |
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
In this seminar we
will examine various East Asian popular religious practices in their religious,
economic and historical contexts. We will
begin with some theoretical works and introductory lectures on pilgrimage,
sacred space, ritual and various East Asian philosophical and religious
traditions, including Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, and Shinto. For the majority of the course we will be
examining both primary and secondary materials about specific East Asian
pilgrimages, sacred sites, rituals and myths, progressing from ancient to
contemporary periods. Readings will
include the accounts of a Chinese Buddhist monk’s journey to India, Mulian’s journey to the underworld to save his mother’s
soul, excerpts from the Chinese folk novel Monkey or Journey to the
West, a monograph on women and ritual in Korea, Confessions of Lady Nijō (an account of a 13th-14th c.
Japanese court lady who takes to the road in disgrace as a penitent), a work
about Japanese shamans, and one boy’s Cultural Revolution pilgrimage to Beijing
to see Chairman Mao. We will be
comparing and contrasting popular practices both across time and across East
Asian space. In addition to examining
the religious motivations behind these practices we will also study economic
and social impacts as well as the ways in which different governments have
attempted to alter or manipulate pilgrimages for their own interests. This course will primarily be discussion
based, but will be supplemented with documentary films and occasional lectures.
BOOKS: available for purchase at the bookstore
Waley, Arthur, translator. Monkey:
Folk Novel of China.
Blacker, Carmen. The Catalpa
Bow: A Study of Shamanistic Practices in
Japan.
Kendall, Laurel. Shamans,
Housewives and Other Restless Spirits: Women in Korean Ritual...
Reserve Readings: Many of the readings for this
course are available on reserve in the library.
I tried to make them more accessible through a coursepack,
but costs were prohibitively expensive (over $200) . . .
Criteria for evaluation
Short Writing Assignment: 5%
This
assignment builds upon the theoretical readings from the beginning of the
semester. You will apply one or more
ideas from the theoretical articles by Eliade,
Turner, Morinis and Preston to a specific aspect of Xuanzang’s journey.
It should be 2-3 typed pages. Due
on 2/19.
Short papers:
30%
Two
papers based on the readings, typewritten and double-spaced. Your essays must articulate a thesis or
argument (i.e., take a position on an issue or point), and not be merely
descriptive. Papers must have a
title and properly cite all sources.
Sample citations will be linked to the course web-page. The papers should be 4-6 pages long and are
both worth 15%. Late papers will be
marked down. If the
paper is turned in anytime within 24 hours of when it was due it will be marked
down one grade level (e.g. from B+ to B). After that the grade will be lowered one
level for each additional day which the paper is late.
The
first paper is an analytical comparison of the historic Xuanzang’s
journey with the folk-novel Monkey.
It is due on 3/12.
The second
paper is an analytical comparison of shamanism in Japan and Korea through the
books by Blacker and Kendall. It is due
on 5/7.
I
will provide more details about each paper as we are reading the pertinent
books.
Individual presentations on additional readings: 15%
Each
student will sign up to give 2 presentations on articles not assigned to the
class. These will be scholarly articles
pertinent to the topic we are discussing that day. The presentations will be limited to 8
minutes. In that time you should give an
overview of the subject of the article, describe the author’s main points,
discuss the strength of the evidence and sources, and assess the validity of
the conclusions. You might make
comparisons with previous readings, including whether or not the author refers
to any major theories. In addition, the
presenter will help to lead that day’s discussion (this is after the 8 minute
presentation). Come up with questions
which tie your reading to the class readings for that day. As you are preparing your presentation, think
about how the article relates to the other readings. What information do you need to give the
other students in your presentation so that they can discuss your questions. I will
pass around a sign-up sheet with a list of possible readings. The first presentation is worth 5%, the
second is 10%.
Research paper, including proposal, bibliography &
outline: 35%
The
research paper will be on a topic of your choosing related to East Asian
popular religion. Again you need an
argument or thesis, title and you must give citations and a bibliography. The paper should be 18-20 pages long. It will be due Wednesday 5/21 at Noon. As a means to help structure research and
writing, as well as to allow students to discuss their research with one
another, there will be several small assignments related to the research paper
due at various points during the semester:
Topic
proposal: 1
paragraph describing your topic due
4/2
Preliminary
bibliography: minimum 5 relevant
sources due 4/16
(allows time for inter-library loan)
Thesis,
Outline & annotated bibliography due
5/5
These preliminary assignments together are worth 5% of
the course grade, the paper itself is worth 30%. I encourage you to come and talk with me
about this paper at any stage in the research and writing process.
Participation:
15%
This course will be primarily conducted as a
discussion-based seminar. Students must
complete all assigned readings by class time and must be prepared to discuss
those readings. Energetic, frequent, and
thoughtful participation in discussion is a vital element of this course and
constitutes a significant portion of your grade. In emergencies (sickness, accident, family or
personal crises), please notify me promptly. Except on days when writing assignments are
due, each student will be responsible for preparing 2-3 discussions questions
on each of the assigned readings for that day, to both structure and stimulate
discussion. This will also get everyone
to reflect about the readings prior to coming to class. The questions should help create
conversations about the readings and connections with previous readings and
discussions. If a question can be
answered in a phrase or just one sentence then re-work it so that it can lead
to a conversation. Also think about
possible, divergent answers, and perhaps include a follow-up question for each
of them to draw out the differences in the responses.
Wed 1/22: Introductions
Mon 1/27: Reading: Eliade, Mircea. selections from The
Sacred and the Profane
Wed 1/29: Reading: Turner, Victor. “The
Center Out There: Pilgrims’ Goal.” History of Religions 12.3 (1973):
191-230.
Я
= library reserve
** Sunday
2/2: "Sacrifice to the Mountain Spirits" (See Ggv), will be performed at 2:00pm in the grotto (Narnia) just SE of Maxey Hall. The Sacrifice is a
traditional ritual to balance humankind's relationship to nature. Everyone is strongly encouraged, but not
required to attend.
Mon 2/3: Readings: Morinis, Alan. “Introduction: The Territory of the
Anthropology of the Pilgrimage,”
in Morinis, ed. Sacred Journeys
Preston,
James. “Spiritual Magnetism: An
Organizing Principle for
the Study of Pilgrimage,” in Morinis,
ed. Sacred Journeys
Wolf,
Arthur. “Gods, Ghosts & Ancestors,”
in Wolf, ed., Religion
and Ritual in Chinese Society. Я
Mon 2/10: Readings McMullin, Neil.
“Historic & Historiographic Issues in the
Study of Premodern Japanese Religions” Я
Introduction to
Shamanism: Blacker. Catalpa Bow. pp. 19-33
Xuanzang: A Chinese Monk’s Journey to India in search of
Buddhist Sūtras
Wed 2/12: Readings: Si-Yu-Ki. Buddhist Records of the
Western World. Pgs 119-147. Я
Hwui
Li. The Life of Hiuen-Tsiang.
Pgs 1-23; 73-75; 97-113 Я
Mon 2/17: No Class Presidents’
Day
Wed 2/19: Reading: Wriggins, Sally. Xuanzang: A Buddhist Pilgrim on the Silk Road.
pgs. xi-xx; 3-18 93-111 Я
Short
Writing Assignment Due
Mon 2/24: Reading: Naquin & Yü. “Introduction: Pilgrimage in China,” in
Naquin
& Yü, Pilgrims and Sacred Sites in
Sangren, Steven.
“Female Gender in Chinese Religious Symbols”
Wed 2/26: Readings: Excerpts
from Anthony Yu’s “Introduction”
On-line: Hanuman in Ramayana
Mon 3/3: Readings: Monkey. Chapts. 13-20
Wed 3/5: Reading: Monkey. Chapts. 21;
25-30
Mulian’s Journey to the
Underworld to Save his Mother
Mon 3/10: Reading: “Transformation Text” [Mulian
story]
Я
also in Columbia Anthology of Traditional Chinese Literature
and the Shorter
under title “Transformation Text
on Mahamaudgalyayana…”
both
should be in the stacks
Pilgrimages
in Honor of Guanyin
Wed 3/12: Reading: Yü. “P’u-t’o Shan:
Pilgrimage and the Creation of the Chinese
Potalaka,” in Naquin & Yü, Pilgrims &
Sacred Sites in
book is also on reserve
Paper due comparing the historic Xuanzang and the novel Monkey
SPRING BREAK
Introduction
to Japanese Popular Religion
Mon 3/31: Reading: Kitagawa, Joseph. “Three Types of Pilgrimage
in
Grapard. “Flying Mountains and Walkers of Emptiness:
Towards a
Definition of Sacred Space in Japanese Religion.” Я
library also has journal in
compact shelving:
History of Religions 21.3 (1982)
Wed 4/2: Readings: The Confessions of Lady Nijō: Intro. & Book 4
Research
Paper Topic Due
Mon 4/7: Reading: The
Confessions of Lady Nijō: Book 5
Wed 4/9: Reading: Selections
from Statler, Oliver. Japanese
Pilgrimage. Я
both a photocopy of the selected chapts. and
the whole book
are on reserve. If
you are use the book read Chapts. 1-4
Mon 4/14: Readings:
Blacker, Carmen. The Catalpa
Bow: Chapts.
1-5
Wed 4/16: Reading:
Blacker, Carmen. The Catalpa
Bow: Chapts.
6-8
Research Paper Preliminary
Bibliography Due
Mon 4/21: Reading:
Blacker, Carmen. The Catalpa
Bow: Chapts.
9-12
Wed 4/23: Reading:
Blacker, Carmen. The Catalpa
Bow: Chapts.
13-16
Mon 4/28: Reading:
Kendall. Shamans, Housewives
& Other Restless Spirits: Pref.,
ch. 1-3
Wed 4/30: Reading: Kendall.
Shamans, Housewives & Other Restless Spirits: Chapts. 4-5
Mon 5/5: Reading: Kendall.
Shamans, Housewives & Other Restless Spirits: Chapts. 6-8
Research
Paper Thesis & Outline Due
Japan: Mount Hiei &
Mount Fuji
Wed 5/7: Readings:
Selections from Stevens. The
Earhart, H. Byron. “
A Communist Pilgrimage in China
Mon 5/12: Reading:
Selections from Liang Heng
& Judith Shapiro. Son of the Revolution.
RESEARCH PAPER DUE BY NOON ON
WEDNESDAY MAY 21
CLASS POLICIES
Attendance: Students are expected to regularly attend class,
to arrive on time, and to respect the professor and their fellow students. Repeated absences, tardiness and disruptions
will result in a drop in the participation portion of the grade. If you know you will late or absent on a
particular day please inform me beforehand.
Late work: Late papers will be marked down a third of a grade for each day late. I will consider accommodations for special circumstances if informed beforehand, but I am unlikely to do so after-the-fact unless it is a verified, legitimate emergency.
Academic dishonesty: This course operates in
accordance with the College’s policies on “Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism”
(see 2002-03 Whitman College Student Handbook pages 40-42). All work you turn in is expected to be your
own, created specifically for this class.
Material taken from other sources must be clearly acknowledged. Plagiarism or other forms of cheating are
very serious offenses that will result in failure of this course and can lead
to academic suspension or dismissal by the college. This also applies to a person who knowingly
aids another in attempting to gain credit for work not mostly of his or her own
intellectual effort. All cases will be referred to the Office of the Dean of
Students.
Disabilities:
Any student who has a learning or other disability
should notify me as soon as possible before taking any exams or turning in
assignments. I will make every effort to
accommodate verified disabilities so that you may do your best work in this course. Please contact the Director of Academic
Resources to validate a request for accommodation (205 Memorial; 527-5213).
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