(Infused) Introduction to East Asian Religions

(300 Level)

Mihwa ChoiDept. of Religious StudiesSan Diego State University

Why Infused Teaching in SDSU?

• General Education Course• Enrolled students have diverse backgrounds• To meet students’ interests and needs Interested in learning about the culture and society via studying religions• Reading primary texts only are too daunting

for most students

How to be infused?• Revising my existing syllabus A. Focusing on China and Japan only B. Incorporating material culture C. More actively incorporating visual materials D. Incorporating thematic studies F. Keeping balance between textual studies (learning concepts) and studying religious practices G. Incorporating more narrative writings

Added Learning Outcomes

1. To challenge students’ preconceptions of culture of East Asia

2. To acquire practical knowledge on East Asian societies

3. To cultivate adaptability and mindsets for global leadership

(Infused) Introduction of the Course

1. Who were/are Chinese? 2. Where was/is China?3. What do you know about East Asians and

East Asian culture? (discussion)

Existing Syllabus on China Covered • The Early Chinese Religious Practices • Confucius and His Time• Classical Daoism: Laozi & Zhuangzi • Religious Daoism • Introduction of Buddhism • Popular Buddhism • Neo-Confucianism • Christianity and Encounter with the West • Religion and State in Contemporary China

Examples of Infused Teaching

Confucius

Existing TeachingReading the Analects

Infused Teaching

• Rituals and music of the Confucian tradition

Religious Daoism: Search for Immortality

Existing Teaching X Reading (boring canonical) hagiography

Infused Teaching• Reading more interesting

narrative hagiographies of immortals

The Silk Road and Introduction of Buddhism

Existing Teaching• Focused on Chinese

cultural context of adopting Buddhism

Infused Teaching• Showing material culture of

the Silk Road• History of the Silk Road

Newly Added Sections

• Islam in China • Women and Religion in Chinese History

Religions in Japan (Existing Syllabus Covered)

• Shinto • Introduction of Buddhism • Development of Japanese Buddhism

(Pureland Buddhism and Nichiren) • Zen and Its Culture • Japanese Nationalism and Religion • Popular Religious Movements • Religion in Contemporary Japan

Infused Teaching

• Problematizing the category of religion applied to Asian religions

• Problematizing official historiography and mythology of Japan

• Incorporating the architecture and landscape of temples in Japan

• Narratives and poetries of Zen

Exit of the Course Discussion

• How did the course change your preconception of East Asian culture and its people?

• How did the course assist you to gain knowledge and to develop mindsets for cultivating global leadership?