Asian Religions (PAR 232): This course provides a historical and thematic overview of major religious traditions of Asia, including Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Daoist, Confucian and Shinto religions. We consider ways in which Asian religious practitioners have attempted to understand the nature of the world, human society, and a person’s place within them. In examining religious traditions that in many ways seem wholly foreign or “other” in comparison to Western religions, our emphasis is on the internal logic of each, on the resources that each provides for the construction of meaning, value, and moral vision.

Buddhism (PAR 371): This course examines essential elements in Buddhism – including ethics, meditation, ritual, philosophy, and art – through the lens of karma, which lies at the heart of Buddhist thought and practice. What is karma? How does it work? How does one live in a karmic cosmos? This seminar focuses on these and related questions through readings in ancient and modern Buddhist texts as well as scholarly literature in Buddhist Studies.

Indian Religions (PAR 372):This course examines of the philosophy, ritual and meditation practices of Indian Religious traditions including Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism.

Chinese Religions (PAR 373): This course examines the history, philosophies, practices, and institutions of Chinese Religions through both primary texts and secondary scholarship. Although Chinese Buddhism will be included in our discussion, we will focus mainly on the indigenous religions of China — Confucianism, “popular” traditions, and Daoism. The course will also make use of films, online resources, and images.

Japanese Religions (PAR 374): This course assumes that religion has played and still plays a major role in Japanese culture, but we may need to rethink what “ religion” is, especially in the case of Japan. So we will read not only about Zen and Shinto, but also about baseball and tea, and we will work with a variety of materials including literature, film, and comics. When examining the diverse religious cultures of Japan, we will explore different assumptions about humans, the world, and how one should act in the world.

American Buddhism Online (PAR 400): This course explores the intersection of religion, media, and culture by examining American Buddhism through the Internet. It begins with a history of American Buddhism, considers theoretical issues in the field of religion and media, and finally examines how specific media (blogs, podcasts, social networks, etc.) convey, constrain, or enhance Buddhist ideas and practices.