R300  Body, Self, and Salvation in China, (3 cr.) MW 11:15-12:30 BH005
(Campany)

In religions, people seek to solve problems metaphysical, moral,
mental, and medical.  Religions set the terms in which fundamental
human problems are framed; they portray the ideal states that exist
when these problems are solved; and they chart ways to get from the
problems to the solutions.  Much of this setting of terms, portraying
of states, and charting of ways is accomplished by means not of
abstract reasoning but of metaphor and narrative.  And metaphor and
narrative are rooted in bodily and social experience.  This course
examines these topics in the study of religion with reference to a
body of materials from late classical and early medieval China
(roughly 300 B.C. to 800 A.D.).  Readings (translated from the
Chinese) from popular Chinese religion, "magical" and medical
traditions, Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism will be studied from
the point of view of metaphor theory, narratology, and cross-cultural
reflections on the body.  The main skills students will develop are
critical reading of religious texts in translation, analytical
writing, and classroom discussion and presentation.