Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2018 - HUM 331 D100

Special Topics in Asian Religious Traditions (4)

Zen Culture: East and West

Class Number: 10599

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 10, 2018: Mon, 9:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 13, 2018
    Fri, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    45 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Studies a specific Asian religious tradition through the cultural and historical contexts that structure religious meaning. This course may be repeated once for credit. Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:


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Zen Culture: East and West

Zen Buddhism is a religious tradition that claims to have inherited, in an unbroken historical transmission, the experience of the Buddha's enlightenment. Yet, in North America the word Zen is attached to everything from perfume to computer repair manuals. What is Zen? In the first half of the course we will introduce the basic teachings and practices of Zen Buddhism and consider how Zen shaped and was shaped by Chinese and Japanese culture. In the second part we will turn our attention to the way in which Zen has been presented to “the West”. While the Zen tradition has influenced Western culture in many ways it has also been significantly altered by contact with Western society. Our study will examine ways Zen thought has affected the arts and popular culture in the West and the ways the Zen tradition is adapting to a largely secular society.  

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

At the end of this course students should:

1. Develop a basic sense of the elements of Zen practice and their purpose and methods
2. Understand the basics of Zen doctrine and practice and their historical development
3. Be able to analyze key ideas from the Zen Buddhist literature from Asian and understand their relationship to practice
4. Be able to respond critically to major issues the contemporary practice of Zen in the West

Grading

  • Exams 35%
  • Small group presentations 10%
  • Reflection paper 15%
  • Major Essay 32%
  • Leading a discussion 5%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Kenneth Kraft, ed., Zen: Tradition and Transition

Gary Snyder, The Practice of the Wild

Damien Keown, Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction

Handouts & Reading on Canvas


Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS