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Course Info for RELG - 323 - 01, Spring 2024
Class number: 2993 Title: Buddhist Economics Department: Religious Studies
Career: Undergraduate Component: Seminar Session: Regular
Instructor's Permission Required: No Grading Basis: Regular Units: 1.00
Enrollment limited to 19 Current enrollment: 13 Available seats: 6
Start date: Monday, January 22, 2024 End date: Friday, May 10, 2024 Mode of Instruction: In Person
Schedule: MW: 11:30AM-12:45PM, HL - 123 Instructor(s): Kerekes, Susanne
Prerequisite(s): None
Distribution Requirement: Meets Humanities & Wellness Requirements
Note: Seat Reservations: 4-first years; 5-sophomores
Course Description:
Television shows like "Shark Tank", featuring a panel of investors (a.k.a., sharks) who consider propositions from aspiring entrepreneurs, evinces that popular culture values only the making of profit. Beyond profits and intended consumer benefits, what are the repercussions of commercial products and services? How does it contribute to structural violence? What is the Buddhist response to commerce and its effects on individuals, society, and ecology? Is B-econ an alternative to capitalism? We review case studies of Bhutan's "Gross Domestic Happiness" and Thailand's "Sufficiency Economy". Students will devise resolutions for real-world issues, employing Buddhist concepts (e.g., non-self, interconnectedness), and participate in extensive meditation and a social-media cleanse. No prior knowledge of Buddhism necessary.