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Lecturer(s)
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Course content
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The course is aimed at providing an understanding of the basic ideas of Taoism and Confucianism. Concepts such as tao, wu-wei, and the ideas of the proper behavior and character of a venerable person will be introduced and discussed. The main sources will be Tao-te ting and Lun-ju, the ground texts of these two traditions. The lectures will be enriched with the materials that document the life and rituals of contemporary Chinese communities in California. TAO TE CHING of LAO TZU. lecture 1: on the theme of "Tao" (the "Way"). lecture 2: on the theme of "te" or "wu wei" (the "power" of the tao, "actionless activity"). lecture 3: on the theme of the "sheng" (the "sage"). lecture 4: connecting the themes and investigating their religious and philosophical implications. lecture 5: powerpoint, continued textual analysis, and final discussion. LUN YU (ANALECTS) of CONFUCIUS. lecture 1: on the theme of "li" ("ritual propriety"). lecture 2: on the theme of "ren" ("benevolence"). lecture 3: on the theme of the "chun tzu" ("gentleman" or "morally superior person"). lecture 4: connecting the themes and investigating their religious and philosophical implications. lecture 5: powerpoint, continued textual analysis, and final discussion.
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Methods of individual activities
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Learning outcomes
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The purpose of the course is aimed at providing an understanding of the basic ideas of Taoism and Confucianism. Concepts such as tao, wu-wei, and the ideas of the proper behavior and character of a venerable person will be introduced and discussed. The main sources will be Tao-te ting and Lun-ju, the ground texts of these two traditions. The lectures will be enriched with the materials that document the life and rituals of contemporary Chinese communities in California.
Students will get basic knowledge about cathegories and terms in Daoist and Konfucian thought. Important skill will be the development of understanding and communication in scholarly English, as this course is taught by a professor from the U.S.
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Prerequisites
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unspecified
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Discussion
REQUIREMENTS ON STUDENTS: reading, attendance, and class participation are required for credit - no credit grade.
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Recommended literature
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LUN YU. "The Analects" of Confucius.
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TAO TE CHING. "The Way and It's Power" by Lao Tzu.
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