HUMN 2001 A History of Modern Global Buddhism

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Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 101882

Coordinator Brett Bennett Opens in new window

Description A history of Buddhism and its spread through Asian and more recently to the West, introducing its principal beliefs and practices, the diversity of its manifestations, its political, cultural, and social impact. This unit is a history of this current global religion in its social, cultural and political context.

School Humanities & Comm Arts

Discipline History

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

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Level Undergraduate Level 2 subject

Equivalent Subjects LGYB 0084 - Communication and Culture in Asia 2 Performing Asian Cultures and Identities

Incompatible Subjects HUMN 2013 - Buddhism in the Contemporary World

Restrictions Successful completion of 40 credit points of study in currently enrolled program.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
  1. understand this major world cultural system and the diversity of its manifestations in the world, past and present;
  2. be aware of the cultural diversity of Asia;
  3. understand the political and social manifestations of Buddism in various Asian societies;
  4. recognise cultural difference and significance in Asian art traditions;
  5. reflect meaningfully on the processes of cultural spread and cultural change through globalisation;
  6. appreciate different problems and approaches to understanding cultures other than one's own, as a basis for increased intercultural understanding.
  7. discuss Buddhism as a major world cultural system and the diversity of its manifestations past and present;
  8. explain the cultural diversity of Asia;
  9. analyse the political and social manifestations of Buddhism in various Asian societies;
  10. identify cultural difference and significance in Asian art traditions;
  11. analyse the processes of cultural spread and cultural change through globalisation.

Subject Content

Historical overview of the origin and spread of Buddhism
Asoka and Buddhist polity, past and present (Buddhist basis of Asian state and social organisation)
Studies of selected Buddhist cultures (chosen to achieve the learning outcomes)
Buddhist art, archaeology, gardens, literature, heritage
Buddhism in Asian practices past and present
Buddhism and Asian modernity and Asian nationalism
Buddhism in Australia
Global Buddhism

Prescribed Texts

  • Subject Reader

Teaching Periods

Structures that include subject