Introductory Topics in Asian Languages and Cultures (290-0-21)

Topic

Tibetan Religion and Culture

Instructors

Tsering Samdrup
847/467-4419
1880 Campus Drive, Kresge Hall 4-437
Office Hours: varies by quarter, please contact instructor

Meeting Info

Parkes Hall 212: Tues, Thurs 11:00AM - 12:20PM

Overview of class

AY26 What is Tibet and what are the major features of Tibetan religions? What distinguishes the Tibetan cultural region from its neighbors? How have images of Tibet come to encompass everything from a peaceful Shangri-La on the roof of the world to a superstitious backwater in need of liberation? What does liberation mean in the case of Tibet—both as a religious and a political concept? What are the distinctive features of Buddhism as practiced in Tibet? What are the roots of the "Tibet question," or the conflict over the political status of Tibet vis-à-vis China? Who is the Dalai Lama and how has he come to be regarded as a god-king for many Tibetans and a splittist aiming to divide the motherland according to the People's Republic of China?
This course will examine the religions of Tibet, primarily Buddhism, with a focus on their significance within Tibetan culture, society, and politics in Tibetan history from the time of Tibet's Imperial Dynasty (7-9th centuries) to the present day. Topics the course will explore include Western imaginations of Tibet, Tibetan religious and political history, Sino-Tibetan conflicts, the Tibetan Diaspora, the post-Cultural Revolution cycle of the revival and restriction of religion in Tibet, and issues pertaining to development in Tibet.
Course materials include English translations of major Tibetan historical and religious texts, secondary source analyses of these materials, and Tibet-related films, documentaries, and Websites.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand central features of the historical development and present status of Tibet as a geographic, cultural, religious, and political region
2. Gain familiarity with the key philosophical doctrines and ritual practices of Tibetan religions
3. Develop an informed understanding of the historical roots and current stakes of the Sino-Tibetan conflict from multiple perspectives
4. Analyze the life, religion, and politics of the key figures of Tibet
5. Cultivate analytical, critical, and interpretive skills vital to the pursuit of liberal arts studies and professional development

Teaching Method

Lecture and discussion

Evaluation Method

Mid-term paper
Final paper
Weekly responses
Participation

Class Materials (Required)

1. Matthew T. Kapstein, The Tibetans (Blackwell, 2006) ISBN: 0631225749
2. Tenzin Chögyel, The Life of the Buddha (Penguin Books, 2015) ISBN: 9780143107200

Class Attributes

Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline
Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Reserved for students majoring or minoring in Asian Languages & Cultures or International Studies until the end of preregistration, after which time enrollment will be open to everyone who has taken the prerequisites, if applicable.