ASR205 - Buddhism: Religion and Philosophy
Unit details
| Year | 2018 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit chair: | Leesa Davis |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | Nil |
| Contact hours: | Campus: 1 x 2 hour Seminar per week Cloud (online): Learning experiences via CloudDeakin |
Content
Buddhism is often referred to as a philosophy or a way of life rather than a religion. In reality it is both. Although the Buddha was not a philosopher in the way the term is commonly understood, a Buddhist philosophy developed from his teachings that is profound, elusive, and subtle. Buddhism is also a complex, and multi-dimensional religious tradition that is far more diverse in traditions, practices, and doctrines than is generally realized. This unit introduces students to the rich tapestry of traditions, doctrines and practices that are found throughout the Buddhist world: both in their various traditional and modern contexts. In the traditional context we look at the history and practices of the major Buddhist schools and consider the claim of Buddhism being the first "world religion". In the modern context we look at how adaptions of ancient Buddhist practices such as "mindfulness" and "engaged Buddhism" are impacting on contemporary worldviews. The unit also includes key approaches to the study of Buddhism.
Assessment
Short Essay, 25%, 1000 words
Online exercise, 25%
Major Essay, 50%, 2000 words
Unit Fee Information
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