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EAST 432: Zen
This course considers the history and philosophy of Zen Buddhism. Our approach will be at once historical — examining how the institutions, practices, and doctrines of the Zen tradition developed in China and Japan — and interpretive — exploring how Zen thinkers understood the meaning of human existence. No prior knowledge of Buddhism or East Asian religions will be assumed. We will proceed in three units: the first introduces students to the basic concepts and terminology of the religio-philosophical traditions upon which Zen was founded, Buddhism and Daoism; the second investigates the historical development of Zen (or “Chan” as it is known in Chinese) in China; and the third examines canonical primary texts in the Zen tradition, from sutras to kōan and philosophical essays. Through course readings, class discussion, written assignments, and a research paper, students will develop a historically nuanced, sociological understanding of a major tradition of religious thought central to East Asian culture.
Not offered in the listed terms.
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Prerequisites
((EAST 201 or HIST 280) and (EAST 202 or HIST 281)) or (HUMA 275 or REL 375 or REL 382)
Prerequisite tree
Each course's own prerequisites, down to the first courses in the chain.
- EAST 201 Introduction to East Asian Civilizations
- HIST 280 Introduction to East Asian Civilizations
- EAST 202 East Asian History in the Early-Modern and Modern Eras
- HIST 281 East Asian History in the Early-Modern and Modern Eras
- HUMA 275 Humanities of Japan
- REL 375 Buddhism
- REL 382 Religion and Society in Japan
From Banner's catalog for Spring 2027. Banner lists only the requisites it enforces, so check the catalog entry too.
Required by (0)
No course lists it as a prerequisite.
Syllabi and course websites
None listed yet.