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Class number:
3126
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Title: Brutal Buddhism |
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Department: Religious Studies |
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Career: Undergraduate |
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Component: Seminar |
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Session: Regular |
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Instructor's Permission Required: No |
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Grading Basis: Regular |
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Units: 1.00 |
| Enrollment limited to 19 |
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Current enrollment: 9 |
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Available seats: 10 |
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Start date: Wednesday, January 25, 2023 |
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End date: Friday, May 12, 2023 |
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Mode of Instruction: In Person |
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Schedule: TR: 10:50AM-12:05PM, HL - 123 |
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Instructor(s): Kerekes, Susanne |
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Prerequisite(s): None |
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Distribution Requirement: Meets Humanities and Global Requirements |
Course Description:
Buddhist-sanctioned violence is often met with incredulous reception. Why? Buddhists, including monks, are human, too. Students will research cases related to Buddhism and brutality, including the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar; the rising influence of fascists monks; Buddhist militarization during the Cold War; and monks's self-immolation, another kind of brutality. While these cases focus on Buddhist agencies of violence, war, and terror, we must also consider political, economic, and socio-cultural factors. Students will pursue original research that moves beyond limiting questions such as, "How do we reconcile Buddhism and violence?", or "What justification is given for Buddhists to condone such acts?". While we address these concerns, this course rather emphasizes considerations on how Buddhism, like any other religion (indeed, any "-ism"), can be weaponized. |