Department of Cultural and Religious Studies The Chinese University of Hong Kong CURE1110 Religion and Contemporary Life 宗教與當代生活 1 st Term 2017-2018 Mo 10:30AM - 1:15PM Wen Lan Tang LG204 Teacher: TA: Prof. YEUNG Kwok Keung (kkyeunghk@gmail.com) Ms Leong Fong I Ms Li Kit Ting Ms Li Cong 1. Course Description Despite their long histories, the dominant world religions continue to exert their influence on our contemporary world. This course is designed to introduce students to this religious presence in some prominent aspects of our contemporary life. Putting religion back in the context of global processes, it will focus on important issues, such as the influence of religious beliefs and practices on social conflict and peace, the transformation of traditional religious practices, the religious and spiritual quests in a world of consumption, and the representations of religion in films. The exploration of such issues will furnish students a platform for understanding how religions transform and are transformed by our present world. This course is an introductory course and expects no prerequisite knowledge from students. 2. Content Week Content Key Concepts 1 4/9 Inauguration Ceremony for Undergraduates No Class 2 Course Introduction 11/9 3 18/9 Studying Religion *Mary Pat Fisher (2002) The religious response, in Religions today: An introduction. London: Routledge, 16-24. Mary Pat Fisher (1999) Global processes, in Religion in the twentyfirst century. London: Routledge, 10-28 ( 中文版 : 瑪麗 派待 費 雪, 全球性發展, 21 世紀宗教,25-49) Definitions of religion, ultimate reality, fulfillment of needs 4 25/9 Critical and Pragmatist Views *Michael Argyle (2000) Happiness and the other benefits and costs of religion, Psychology and religion: an introduction, London; New York: Routledge, 109-119. Costs and benefits, solidarity, ideology, alienation 5 2/10 * 陳慎慶 (2002) 宗教, 諸神嘉年華 : 香港宗教硏究 香港 : 牛津大學出版社,5-27 ( 第一至三 五部分 ) Public holiday The day following National Day 1
6 9/10 Issues of Gender and Sexuality *Kapinus, Carolyn A., Rachel Kraus, and Daniel R. Flowers, Excluding inclusivity: Protestant framing of homosexuality, Interdisciplinary Journal of Research on Religion 2010, 6 (Article 4). Available at http://www.religjournal.com/pdf/ ijrr06004.pdf Subordination of women, sexual identities, procreative sex, natural law theory, social constructionism # Mary Pat Fisher (2002) Christianity, in Religions today: An introduction. London: Routledge, 172-222. Documentary: A History of Christianity, Episode 5 Protestantism & Episode 6 God in the Dock (https://goo.gl/camkkj; https://goo.gl/zc9xju ) 7 16/10 Megachurches: Religion in the Market *Joy K. C. Tong (2008) McDonaldization and the Megachurches: A Case study of City Harvest Church, Singapore, in Religious Commodifications in Asia: Marketing Gods, ed. Pattana Kitiarsa. London; New York: Routledge, 186-204. Religious commodification, megachurch, charismatic experience 8 23/10 Socially Engaged Buddhism * 張維安 (1996) 佛教慈濟與資源回收 : 生活世界觀點的社會學 分析, 佛教與社會關懷學術研討會 : 生命 生態 環境關懷 論文集, 65-97,http://buddhism.lib.ntu.edu.tw/FULLTEXT/JR- AN/an018_04.htm Socially engaged Buddhism, humanistic Buddhism, lifeworld reform # Mary Pat Fisher (2002) Buddhism, in Religions today: An introduction. London: Routledge, 75-102. 9 30/10 <Tutorial #1> Buddhism, Modernity and Science (Guest Lecturer: Ms LAU Ngar Sze Elsa) *David L. McMahan (2009) Chapter 4 Modernity and the Discourse of Scientific Buddhism. In The Making of Buddhist Modernism, ed. David L. McMahan. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 89-116. Mindfulnessbased therapy, scientific and therapeutic culture Jeff Wilson (2014) Chapter 3. Medicalizing mindfulness: How is mindfulness modified to fit a scientific and therapeutic culture? In Mindful America: Meditation and the Mutual Transformation of Buddhism and American Culture. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 10 6/11 <Tutorial #2> Islam and Western Values * 三井美奈 : 查理週刊槍擊案, 伊斯蘭化的歐洲 新北市 : Pictorial depictions of Prophet Muhammad, 2
光現出版,2017. 頁 169-207. freedom of speech 11 13/11 12 20/11 13 27/11 14 4/12 # Mary Pat Fisher (2002) Islam, in Religions today: An introduction. London: Routledge, 223-255. Documentary: Inside Islam (National Geographic) (https://goo.gl/3kt362) <Tutorial #3> Jihad: Muslims Justification of Violence? *John L Esposito (2015) Islam and political violence, Religions, 6(3), 1067-1081. <Tutorial #4> Religion in films: Jesus Movies *Adele Reinhartz (2009) Jesus movies, The Continuum companion to religion and film, edited by W. L. Blizek, London; New York: Continuum, 211-221. <Tutorial #5> Contemporary myth-making in films *Ford, J. L., Buddhism, Christianity, and The Matrix: The Dialectic of Myth-Making in Contemporary Cinema, The Journal of Religion and Film, 2000, 4, 2 (http://www.unomaha.edu/jrf/thematrix.htm) <Tutorial #6> Conclusion Legitimate and illegitimate violence, jihad, religious terrorism Historicity, authenticity and fidelity to the Bible, reflecting the concerns of the times Religious ideas, symbols, and myths apocalypse, naturalized viewing habit 3. Learning Outcomes 3.1 Knowledge outcomes Understanding of the basic concepts and themes of religious studies. Understanding of the key moral, social and cultural issues in the contemporary life, globally and locally. Understanding of the relationship between religion and the human condition in the contemporary life. 3.2 Skill outcomes Ability to engage in analysis of religious phenomena in local and global contexts historically, sociologically and philosophically. Ability to articulate and critically examine one s position on moral, social and cultural issues in a pluralistic society. 3.3 Attitude outcomes Awareness of plurality and complexity within religious traditions in understanding doctrinal and moral issues arising in the contemporary world. Critical and sympathetic attitude in understanding religious phenomena. 3
4. Learning Activities Lecture Tutorial Reading response Final Paper 2 3 1 2 2 2 M M M M NA M NA M M: Mandatory activity O: Optional activity NA: Not applicable 5. Assessment Scheme Task Percentage Attendance 10% Reading feedback 20% Tutorial Presentation and Discussion 30% Final Reflection Paper 40% 5.1. Attendance (10%) The success of this course depends on the participation of all of us. You will be permitted 2 unexcused absences during the course. Students are encouraged to actively participate in discussions both in lectures and tutorials. 5.2. Reading feedback (20%) You will post on Blackboard Learn a feedback to the required readings (marked with an *) of each lecture by 11.55 pm the day before the lecture (i.e. Sunday mid-night). Each feedback should be around 200 words and focus on the follow two parts: (1) One or two arguments that have very much impressed or inspired you, and (2) One or two arguments that you do not understand or agree or that you want the author to elaborate. 5.3. Tutorial Presentation and Discussion (30%) You will work in a group of 5 to 6 students for a tutorial presentation. Starting from week 8, in each week, a group will give a presentation on the designated topic listed below. The presentation will use a case to clarify, illustrate and further explore the issues raised in the lectures or readings. Each presentation will also include a session for Q&A and discussion. Assessment will be based on presentation and participation in discussion. A. Gender, sexuality and religious morality (Week 8) B. Religion and the market (Week 9) C. Religion and social engagement (Week 10) D. Religious rituals and practices for modern people (Week 11) E. Religious values in secular society (Week 12) F. Religion and violence (Week 13) 5.4. Final Reflection Paper (40%) You will submit a final reflection paper on one of the topics provided by the instructor. The length of the paper should be around 2,000 to 2,500 words. Topics and writing guidelines will be given later. A soft copy of the paper should be submitted by 11.55 pm on 11/12 (Mon) to Blackboard Learn and VeriGuide (See point #9 below). Late submission will be penalized: 10 marks will be deducted for each day of late submission. 6. Learning resources for students The basic readings for the course are stated above. Other suggested readings, if any, will be given in class and through Blackboard Learn. 4
7. Feedback for evaluation Students are welcome to give comments and feedback on the course through emails in Blackboard Learn or personal exchanges with instructor and/or tutors. An end-of-term university wide course evaluation will be conducted in class. 8. A facility for posting course announcements Course announcements, assignment, and feedback will be given through Blackboard Learn. All questions with regard to the course could be posted on the discussion forum or via e-mails within the Blackboard Learn. 9. Academic honesty and plagiarism Each student must upload a soft copy of the completed final paper to the plagiarism detection engine VeriGuide, at the URL: https://academic.veriguide.org/academic/login_cuhk.jspx. The system will issue a receipt which also contains a declaration of honesty, which should be signed and put at the end of the paper before handed in. 5