2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

EAST3015 Religion in China

20 Credits Class Size: 35

Module manager: Dr Caroline Fielder
Email: c.l.fielder@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Module replaces

EAST3561

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module covers China's indigenous religious traditions and folk beliefs, as well as religions introduced to China from elsewhere (including Buddhism, Islam and Christianity), with a particular focus on the function and practise of religion in society and how non-Chinese religions have been adapted to fulfil Chinese needs. We will look particularly at the role of religion, including popular cults, in contemporary Chinese society, and the different ways in which the state has handled matters of religion.

Objectives

Understand the main strands within the Chinese religious tradition; understand how religion is practised in contemporary China; be aware of the diversity of religious expression; analyse how religion functions in Chinese society, and its relationship to the state.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge of the 'five official religions' and folk religion in contemporary China; basic understanding of how religion functions in Chinese society; knowledge of relationship between religion and the state in contemporary China.

Syllabus

The module will explore various themes including historical and contemporary religious practices in China, and the intersection of religion with modern society.

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
Lecture 10 1 10
Seminar 10 1 10
Private study hours 180
Total Contact hours 20
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 200

Private study

Preparatory reading for lectures 30 hours
Preparatory reading for seminars 30 hours
Preparation for non-assessed in-class presentation 30 hours
Additional reading for essay preparation, essay-planning and writing up 50 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress will be monitored in the following ways:
- Formative feedback:
Student participation and feedback will be encouraged through active questioning, peer discussion facilitation, and individual and personalised group feedback on non-assessed presentations.

- Summative feedback:
Students will be formally assessed through an annotated bibliography and an essay. Individualised feedback will be provided for each of these assessments.

In addition to the above students will be encouraged to monitor their own progress and will be encouraged to use office hours to follow up their own personal development issues.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework
Assessment type Notes % of formal assessment
Assignment Annotated bibliography (1750 words) 40
Essay 3,000 words 60
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) 100

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading List

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 5/3/2024

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team