A weekly year-long Religion workshop focusing on the research and writing of graduate students, faculty, and visitors in Islamic Studies. This workshop provides a forum for presentation of works in progress: drafts of dissertation chapters, dissertation proposals, seminar papers, conference papers, articles and book chapters. All Islamic Studies graduate students are encouraged to participate as presenters and as commentators. The workshop fosters collegiality and professional development. Note: REL 529 (fall) and REL 530 (spring) constitute this year-long workshop.

A weekly year-long Religion workshop focusing on the research and writing of graduate students, faculty, and visitors in Islamic Studies. This workshop provides a forum for presentation of works in progress: drafts of dissertation chapters, dissertation proposals, seminar papers, conference papers, articles and book chapters. All Islamic Studies graduate students are encouraged to participate as presenters and as commentators. The workshop fosters collegiality and professional development. Note: REL 529 (fall) and REL 530 (spring) constitute this year-long workshop.

A weekly year-long Religion workshop focusing on the research and writing of graduate students, faculty, and visitors in Islamic Studies. This workshop provides a forum for presentation of works in progress: drafts of dissertation chapters, dissertation proposals, seminar papers, conference papers, articles and book chapters. All Islamic Studies graduate students are encouraged to participate as presenters and as commentators. The workshop fosters collegiality and professional development. Note: REL 529 (fall) and REL 530 (spring) constitute this year-long workshop.

A weekly year-long Religion workshop focusing on the research and writing of graduate students, faculty, and visitors in Islamic Studies. This workshop provides a forum for presentation of works in progress: drafts of dissertation chapters, dissertation proposals, seminar papers, conference papers, articles and book chapters. All Islamic Studies graduate students are encouraged to participate as presenters and as commentators. The workshop fosters collegiality and professional development. Note: REL 529 (fall) and REL 530 (spring) constitute this year-long workshop. Students must take the course both semesters to receive credit/grade.

A weekly year-long Religion workshop focusing on the research and writing of graduate students, faculty, and visitors in Islamic Studies. This workshop provides a forum for presentation of works in progress: drafts of dissertation chapters, dissertation proposals, seminar papers, conference papers, articles and book chapters. All Islamic Studies graduate students are encouraged to participate as presenters and as commentators. The workshop fosters collegiality and professional development. Note: REL 529 (fall) and REL 530 (spring) constitute this year-long workshop. Students must take the course both semesters to receive credit/grade.

A weekly year-long Religion workshop focusing on the research and writing of graduate students, faculty, and visitors in Islamic Studies. This workshop provides a forum for presentation of works in progress: drafts of dissertation chapters, dissertation proposals, seminar papers, conference papers, articles and book chapters. All Islamic Studies graduate students are encouraged to participate as presenters and as commentators. The workshop fosters collegiality and professional development. Note: REL 529 (fall) and REL 530 (spring) constitute this year-long workshop. Students must take the course both semesters to receive credit/grade.

A weekly year-long Religion workshop focusing on the research and writing of graduate students, faculty, and visitors in Islamic Studies. This workshop provides a forum for presentation of works in progress: drafts of dissertation chapters, dissertation proposals, seminar papers, conference papers, articles and book chapters. All Islamic Studies graduate students are encouraged to participate as presenters and as commentators. The workshop fosters collegiality and professional development. Note: REL 529 (fall) and REL 530 (spring) constitute this year-long workshop. Students must take the course both semesters to receive credit/grade.

A weekly year-long Religion workshop focusing on the research and writing of graduate students, faculty, and visitors in Islamic Studies. This workshop provides a forum for presentation of works in progress: drafts of dissertation chapters, dissertation proposals, seminar papers, conference papers, articles and book chapters. All Islamic Studies graduate students are encouraged to participate as presenters and as commentators. The workshop fosters collegiality and professional development. Note: REL 529 (fall) and REL 530 (spring) constitute this year-long workshop. Students must take the course both semesters to receive credit/grade.

Close reading of Chinese Buddhist texts surviving among the Dunhuang manuscripts. Introduction to the Dunhuang corpus, paleography, codicology, & research tools. Survey of different genres: canonical sutras & commentaries, indigenous sutras, miracle tales, sectarian literature, ritual handbooks, documents of lay congregations, & performance literature (sutra lectures, transformation texts, etc.).

Introduction to essential genres of Chinese Buddhist writing, especially texts translated from Sanskrit into Chinese in the second through seventh centuries. Close reading of early, foundational texts in Chinese. Focus on content, genre, style, grammar, and vocabulary. Research tools, methods, some secondary sources also introduced. Reading knowledge of classical Chinese required. Students from all departments welcome.

Surveys different genres of Chinese Buddhist writing, emphasizing questions of literary style and hermeneutics. Subjects include genres translated from Indian sources (including sutra, jataka, avadana, gatha) as well as genres that developed in China and beyond (commentaries, miracle tales, etc.). Open to graduate students from all departments; others must seek permission of instructor. A separate session is held each week for those who can read classical Chinese or kanbun.

Introduction to basic Buddhist cosmology through close reading of early foundational texts in Chinese. Focus on genre, style, grammar, and vocabulary. Research tools, methods, secondary sources also introduced. Goals of the course are to expand knowledge of Buddhist cosmology, to develop the ability to read early Chinese Buddhist translations, and to increase command of reference tools. Reading knowledge of classical Chinese and at least one language of secondary scholarship (Japanese, Chinese, French) required. Students from all departments welcome.

Critical examination of enduring and recent scholarship on popular religion, ethnography, modern (20th century) religion, and modernity in China. Designed for graduate students preparing for general examinations or research in Chinese religion.

Critical examination of enduring and recent scholarship on popular religion, ethnography, modern (20th century) religion, and modernity in China. Designed for graduate students preparing for general examinations or research in Chinese religion.

This seminar offers an intensive introduction to Japanese Buddhist thought, concentrating on major schools and figures with some attention to continental antecedents. We consider Tendai, esoteric, Pure Land, Zen, and Nichiren Buddhist traditions, along with their modern reinterpretations. We also investigate trans-denominational themes, such as the decline of the Dharma, the salvation of evil persons, and the rapid realization of buddhahood. Readings are in English, with supplementary material provided in Japanese and/or kanbun for those able to read it.

This seminar introduces Buddhist texts and genres from ancient and medieval Japan (roughly eighth through twelfth centuries). We read tales, homiletic notes, and doctrinal works (Tendai and Shingon) as well as other texts in accord with student interest. Topics include narrative, cosmology, ethics, ritual, manuscript cultures, and esoteric Buddhism. Significant time is spent on research methods and tools necessary for the study of Buddhism. Readings require basic familiarity with at least one of the following languages: classical Chinese, kanbun, or classical Japanese.

This seminar explores the issue of popular or folk Buddhism (minshu Bukkyo) in premodern Japan. We read primary sources and secondary scholarship on topics such as mountain practice, pilgrimage, sacred space, and social organizations to better understand the role of Buddhism in the lives of everyday people in premodern Japan. Significant time is spent on translation, as well as research methods and tools necessary for the study of premodern Japanese Buddhism. Readings require basic familiarity with at least one of the following languages: classical Chinese, kanbun, or classical Japanese.

This seminar explores exchange between Japanese and continental (China and Korean) Buddhism. We read primary sources and secondary scholarship including transmission narratives, hagiographies, and pilgrimage records to show how Buddhism in East Asia was facilitated by exchange and to move beyond nation-centered narratives. Significant time is spent on translation, as well as research methods and tools necessary for the study of premodern Japanese Buddhism. Readings require basic familiarity with classical Chinese or kanbun.

In this seminar we read representative examples of Buddhist texts in Japanese and kanbun from the Heian through modern periods. Readings are drawn from multiple genres and may include doctrinal writings, ritual manuals, didactic tales, sermons, and personal letters. Supplementary readings in Japanese and English scholarship may be assigned. To some extent, readings may be chosen to accommodate participants' research interests. Use of bibliographic and reference sources is also introduced.

This seminar explores the issue of popular or folk Buddhism (minshu Bukkyo) in premodern Japan. We read primary sources and secondary scholarship on topics such as mountain practice, pilgrimage, sacred space, and social organizations to better understand the role of Buddhism in the lives of everyday people in premodern Japan. Significant time is spent on translation, as well as research methods and tools necessary for the study of premodern Japanese Buddhism. Readings require basic familiarity with at least one of the following languages: classical Chinese, kanbun, or classical Japanese.