Universität Wien

010078 VU Buddhism and the West (2018S)

3.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 1 - Theologien und Religionswiss.
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Monday 14.05. 09:00 - 13:00 Seminarraum 4 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Tuesday 15.05. 09:00 - 14:45 Seminarraum 4 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 16.05. 09:00 - 13:00 Seminarraum 4 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 16.05. 13:15 - 14:45 Seminarraum 4 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Thursday 17.05. 09:00 - 11:15 Seminarraum 4 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Friday 18.05. 09:00 - 13:00 Seminarraum 4 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

The course offers an insight into the encounter between Buddhism and Western cultures. Its aims are multiple: to explore the history of Western encounters with Buddhism; to reflect the impacts that this interaction left in various aspects of Western, mainly European, cultures; to briefly outline the issues connected to the development of Western and global Buddhism. Finally, the course also explores the historical context of the development of Western Buddhist studies as an academic discipline. During the course the student will have the opportunity to explore a large variety of written as well as visual material, including films.

After completing the course, the student will be able:
• To outline key milestones in the history of Western encounters with Buddhism
• To understand main discourses of Western representation of Buddhism
• To outline key milestones in the history of the development of Buddhism in the West
• To understand the entanglements of Western Buddhist studies, its aims and discourses in the past
• To orientate oneself in scholarly literature on the topic

Assessment and permitted materials

Assessment and permitted materials
Presentation: 30%
The topic of presentation will be selected during the first meeting, student will present at the end of the course. Sources will be suggested by the teacher.
Interaction/class participation 20%
Final essay (2500 words) 50%
Student may suggest their own topic of essay, or choose from a list.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria
Basic knowledge of the history of Western encounter and study of Buddhism.
Ability to orientate oneself in scholarly literature on the topic and to sum up discussions on the subject.
Basic knowledge of requirements for designing and conducting research in this field of study.

Examination topics

Examination topics
Presentations by teacher create an outline for selected readings and presentations of students. Presentations, as well as a selection of study literature will be provided to the students electronically.

Reading list

Reading list (selection)

Stephen Batchelor, The Awakening of the West: The Encounter of Buddhism and Western Culture, Berkeley, Cal.: Parallax Press and London: Aquarian, Harper & Collins 1994.
Martin Baumann, „Global Buddhism: Developmental Periods, Regional Histories, and a New Analytical Perspective“, Journal of Global Buddhism 2/2001, 1-43.
Martin Brauen, Traumwelt Tibet. Westliche Trugbilder, Bern-Stuttgart-Wien: Haupt 2002.
Rick Field, How the Swans came to the Lake, Boston: Shambhala 1992.
Thierry Dodin, Heinz Räther (hrsg.), Mythos Tibet. Wahrnehmungen, Projektionen, Phantasien, Köln: DuMont 1997.
Donald Lopez, Prisoners of Shangri-la, London & Chicago: The University of Chicago Press 1998.
Donald Lopez (ed.), Curators of the Buddha. The Study of Buddhism under Colonialism, Chicago: University of Chicago Press 1995.
Charles S. Prebish – Martin Baumann (eds.), Westward Dharma: Buddhism Beyond Asia, Berkeley: University of California Press 2002.

Association in the course directory

033 195 (17W) BRP 17rwb, 066 800 M2

Last modified: Sa 01.03.2025 00:07