Description and Objectives.  This course has two objectives.  The
first is to explore the range of popular religions that   are found
in contemporary China, Japan, and Korea.  Topics include: Korean
shamanism, Japanese Shintô rituals, and Chinese deities. As  part  of
a liberal arts curriculum, the course has  a  second objective  of
helping students  to  enhance  their  skills   in interpreting
cultures   and  thereby  develop

more   informed understandings  of the various ways of life found
throughout  the world.
The   two  objectives  are  pursued  through assigned  readings,
lectures,  videos,  slides,
class  discussions,  and  individual reflection.  The topics of the
readings and audiovisual material are varied and deal with diverse
topics, but all are devoted to understanding     popular
religion's relationships     to local conditions.
Prerequisites.  The course is available for undergraduate credit
only.   Since it is a 300-level course, students are expected to have
completed their second year of coursework.
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 10 one-page, double-spaced
(i.e.,  about  250-300  word) synopsis  of  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 and based on the readings.
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
computerprinted.  Each review should be approximately five pages in
length and points will be graded according to the following scale: 3-
very good, 2-average, 1weak, 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, audiovisual material, and
discussions.

Caution:  Not every book that deals with East Asian popular 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.
Required Readings.  Three books are available for purchase at the
Indiana Memorial Union, Aristotle's, and TIS.  One copy of each is
also available in the Library in the Media/Reserves Room:
Laurel Kendall, The Life and Hard Times of a Korean Shaman: Of Tales
and the Telling of Tales.
Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press, 1988. Paperback: ISBN 08248-
1145-3
John K. Nelson, A Year in the Life of a Shinto Shrine.  Seattle:
University of Washington, 1996.  Paperback ISBN: 0-295-075008
Meir Shahar and Robert P. Weller, eds., Unruly Gods: Divinity and
Society in China.  Honolulu: University of Hawai'i, 1996. ISBN: 0-
8248-17249.
Two articles are also part of the required readings for the course.
Multiple photocopies of each have been placed on reserve in File A
and File B of the Media/Reserves Room.
Fulfills a COAS Arts and Humanities, Traditions and Ideas
distribution requirement and is on List A of the COAS Culture Studies
requirement.