Description.  One objective of this course is to acquaint students with
popular religions in Korea, China, and Japan.  This semester's topics
include beliefs and rites related to death and the afterlife, popular
religion and the state, and constructing social reality through popular
religion.  A second objective of the course is to contribute to a liberal
arts education by helping each member of the class to enhance skills in
cultural understanding and thereby develop a more informed understanding of
the various religious actions and ideas found elsewhere in the world.

Prerequisites.  The course carries undergraduate credit only.  Since it is a
300_level course, students are expected to have completed their second year
of course work.

Grading Policies.  Grades are determined as follows:  (a) Three examinations
each contribute 25% of the grade for the course. (b) Students are asked to
prepare before several classes a one_page, double_spaced (i.e., about
250_300 word) synopsis of the week's reading assignments, including the
reading assigned for the day the synopsis is due, and one question for class
discussion.  The question should be suitable for class discussion on the
basis of the reading assignments.  These synopses are to be typed or
computer_printed and submitted at the beginning of class.  They will be
graded and will contribute 20% of the semester's grade. (c) The remaining 5%
of each person's grade is determined by oral contributions to class
discussions. (d) Points may be added to the semester's average for optional
book reviews (see below).
Optional Book Reviews.  Each student has the option of writing one, two, or
three book reviews to earn points that can be added to her/his semester
average.  All reviews must be submitted by the last class of the semester.
They are to be typewritten or computer_printed.  Each review should be
approximately five pages in length and points will be graded according to
the following scale: 3_very good, 2_average, 1_weak, 0_inadequate.
	
A book review should not only describe the contents of a book but also
identify the author's main points and show how well the information
presented in the book support these points.  It should also discuss the
relationship between the book to the topics and issues pursued in the class
readings, lectures, audio_visual material, and discussions.
	
Caution: Not every book that deals with East Asian religion is suitable for
review.   Some are collections of disparate articles; others are written for
children or lack adequate information.  Books should be chosen in
consultation with the instructor, preferably by mid_semester and during
office hours.  Such consultation will help to ensure that the effort
expended to prepare the book review brings the most benefit.

Fulfills a COAS Arts and Humanities, Traditions and Ideas distribution
requirement and is on List A of the COAS Culture Studies requirement.