Oriental languages and civilizations

Introduction to the Philosophic-religious Doctrines of East Asia. The course provides transversal principles and fundamental notions necessary for the knowledge of the Religions and Philosophies of East Asia with reference to Buddhism and the major autochthonous traditions, namely, Taoism, Korean Shamanism, and Shinto (Dublin Descriptor 1). The above-mentioned knowledge is aimed at the development of the management skills of users vis-à-vis the understanding of the emic and ethical components of the subject-matter as related to the socio-anthropological aspects characterizing the oriental cultures studied (DD2). The activities capable of developing critical and judgmental skills will consist of critical-analytical audio-vision of multimedia material, and meetings with experts and scholarly conferences focused on specific topics (DD3). The activities aimed at the ability to communicate and transmit the acquired knowledge will be characterized by hermeneutical exercises on the basis of the teaching and reference material provided and the tutoring of the teacher (DD4). The teaching strategies related to the course involve the transmission of methodological techniques fostering an optimized organization vis-à-vis the learning activities at stake, inspired by maieutic and heuristic principles which are in turn supported by pertinent teaching and reference material, proposed to facilitate independent perusal as well as future individual in-depth analysis of the treated subject-themes (DD5). Lessons will be focused on the presentation and analytical comment of the philosophical-religious themes contained in the course and exam texts, with particular reference to the ontological, soteriological, and eschatological aspects expressed therein, contextualized and articulated within the geo-cultural and historical macro-area of reference. The syllabus and relevant reading materials will be published on the dedicated University’s portals as soon as the teaching calendar of the Department will be finalized.

No prerequisite required.

1) Williams, Paul, Il Buddhismo Mahayana. La sapienza e la compassione, Ubaldini Editore, Roma, 1990. (from p. 49 to p. 317). Dept. of Oriental Studies shelf mark: IND 4 C 773 29; IND 6 C 752. 2) Mahayana Buddhism Handouts (DISO Orientation Center, Marco Polo Bldg, 3rd Fl.) 3) Rossi, Donatella (ed.) and Various Authors, Fili di Seta. Introduzione al pensiero filosofico-religioso dell'Asia, Astrolabio Ubaldini Editore, Roma, 2018. Dept. of Oriental Studies shelf mark: OR C 427, 427bis, 427ter. See above for specific cultural sections. 4) Notes on Korean Buddhism (DISO Orientation Center, Marco Polo Bldg, 3rd Fl.). FOR STUDENTS BELONGING TO THE CURRICULUM OF KOREAN ONLY. 5) Notes on Japanese religious traditions (DISO Orientation Center, Marco Polo Bldg, 3rd Fl.). FOR STUDENTS BELONGING TO THE CURRICULUM OF JAPANESE ONLY. 6. Power-point of the first three lessons (Ancient Buddhism) (available on classroom) NB: Text no. 1., Handouts on Mahayana Buddhism and Power-point of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd lessons must be studied by everybody, without curricula distinction, attending class or not. Students who do not study a Far Eastern language as their first (for example, students of Arabic, Hindi, etc.): 1. Williams, Paul, Il Buddhismo Mahayana. La sapienza e la compassione, Ubaldini Editore, Roma, 1990. (from p. 49 to p. 317). Dept. of Oriental Studies shelf mark: IND 4 C 773 29; IND 6 C 752; 2. Mahayana Buddhism Handouts (DISO Orientation Center, Marco Polo Bldg, 3rd Fl.) + POWER-POINT 1st, 2nd, and 3rd lessons on Ancient Buddhism (available on classroom); 3. a complete section of their choice from Fili di Seta (es. China, or Korea, or Japan [see above], or Tibet [pp. 109-274]).

Attendance is strongly recommended but it is not mandatory.

An oral test to be carried out at the end of the course. The objective of the oral exam is to ascertain the actual achievement of the expected learning outcomes by the student in reference to all the five Dublin Descriptors. It will be implemented as an open unstructured stimulus test consisting of 3 (three) main questions and, whenever deemed applicable or necessary, in further sub-questions asked by the teacher: 1 (one) question on main topics related to Indian Buddhism (ex.: the Four Truths, Buddha’s bodies, etc.); 1 (one) question on topics related to Buddhism in the culture of the main Oriental languages studied (ex.: The Chan Buddhism; Buddhism in the Silla Period; etc.); 1 (one) question on a topic pertaining to the philosophical and religious autochthonous traditions of the Oriental cultures and languages studied (ex.: the Taoist School of the Celestial Masters; the concept of purity in Shinto). The oral exam is evaluated in thirtieths and is considered passed with a grade not inferior to 18/30. The student must demonstrate that s/he has acquired solid knowledge of the cultural topics related to the subject-matter and is able to describe them in a congruous and convincing manner, using a correct Italian in the appropriate academic style. To achieve a score of 30/30 with honors the student must demonstrate that s/he has acquired excellent knowledge of all the topics covered during the course and is able to articulate their appreciation in a logical, coherent, critical, and creative way.

See above. Further bibliographical references will be provided during the course to those who show interest in deepening specific themes.

The course will take place during the first semester and will follow an interactive seminar style. The Teaching Methods adopted include: a) frontal lessons (DD1); b) sessions of comparative evaluation of cases and hypotheses analyzed (DD2); c) critical-analytical audio-vision of multimedia material as well as attendance, whenever possible, at specialized lectures and conferences (DD3); debates on specific topics presented in or connected to the reference text (DD4).

Introduction to the Philosophic-religious Doctrines of East Asia. The course provides transversal principles and fundamental notions necessary for the knowledge of the Religions and Philosophies of East Asia with reference to Buddhism and the major autochthonous traditions, namely, Taoism, Korean Shamanism, and Shinto (Dublin Descriptor 1). The above-mentioned knowledge is aimed at the development of the management skills of users vis-à-vis the understanding of the emic and ethical components of the subject-matter as related to the socio-anthropological aspects characterizing the oriental cultures studied (DD2). The activities capable of developing critical and judgmental skills will consist of critical-analytical audio-vision of multimedia material, and meetings with experts and scholarly conferences focused on specific topics (DD3). The activities aimed at the ability to communicate and transmit the acquired knowledge will be characterized by hermeneutical exercises on the basis of the teaching and reference material provided and the tutoring of the teacher (DD4). The teaching strategies related to the course involve the transmission of methodological techniques fostering an optimized organization vis-à-vis the learning activities at stake, inspired by maieutic and heuristic principles which are in turn supported by pertinent teaching and reference material, proposed to facilitate independent perusal as well as future individual in-depth analysis of the treated subject-themes (DD5). Lessons will be focused on the presentation and analytical comment of the philosophical-religious themes contained in the course and exam texts, with particular reference to the ontological, soteriological, and eschatological aspects expressed therein, contextualized and articulated within the geo-cultural and historical macro-area of reference. The syllabus and relevant reading materials will be published on the dedicated University’s portals as soon as the teaching calendar of the Department will be finalized.

No prerequisite required.

1) Williams, Paul, Il Buddhismo Mahayana. La sapienza e la compassione, Ubaldini Editore, Roma, 1990. (from p. 49 to p. 317). Dept. of Oriental Studies shelf mark: IND 4 C 773 29; IND 6 C 752. 2) Mahayana Buddhism Handouts (DISO Orientation Center, Marco Polo Bldg, 3rd Fl.) 3) Rossi, Donatella (ed.) and Various Authors, Fili di Seta. Introduzione al pensiero filosofico-religioso dell'Asia, Astrolabio Ubaldini Editore, Roma, 2018. Dept. of Oriental Studies shelf mark: OR C 427, 427bis, 427ter. See above for specific cultural sections. 4) Notes on Korean Buddhism (DISO Orientation Center, Marco Polo Bldg, 3rd Fl.). FOR STUDENTS BELONGING TO THE CURRICULUM OF KOREAN ONLY. 5) Notes on Japanese religious traditions (DISO Orientation Center, Marco Polo Bldg, 3rd Fl.). FOR STUDENTS BELONGING TO THE CURRICULUM OF JAPANESE ONLY. 6. Power-point of the first three lessons (Ancient Buddhism) (available on classroom) NB: Text no. 1., Handouts on Mahayana Buddhism and Power-point of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd lessons must be studied by everybody, without curricula distinction, attending class or not. Students who do not study a Far Eastern language as their first (for example, students of Arabic, Hindi, etc.): 1. Williams, Paul, Il Buddhismo Mahayana. La sapienza e la compassione, Ubaldini Editore, Roma, 1990. (from p. 49 to p. 317). Dept. of Oriental Studies shelf mark: IND 4 C 773 29; IND 6 C 752; 2. Mahayana Buddhism Handouts (DISO Orientation Center, Marco Polo Bldg, 3rd Fl.) + POWER-POINT 1st, 2nd, and 3rd lessons on Ancient Buddhism (available on classroom); 3. a complete section of their choice from Fili di Seta (es. China, or Korea, or Japan [see above], or Tibet [pp. 109-274]).

Attendance is strongly recommended but it is not mandatory.

An oral test to be carried out at the end of the course. The objective of the oral exam is to ascertain the actual achievement of the expected learning outcomes by the student in reference to all the five Dublin Descriptors. It will be implemented as an open unstructured stimulus test consisting of 3 (three) main questions and, whenever deemed applicable or necessary, in further sub-questions asked by the teacher: 1 (one) question on main topics related to Indian Buddhism (ex.: the Four Truths, Buddha’s bodies, etc.); 1 (one) question on topics related to Buddhism in the culture of the main Oriental languages studied (ex.: The Chan Buddhism; Buddhism in the Silla Period; etc.); 1 (one) question on a topic pertaining to the philosophical and religious autochthonous traditions of the Oriental cultures and languages studied (ex.: the Taoist School of the Celestial Masters; the concept of purity in Shinto). The oral exam is evaluated in thirtieths and is considered passed with a grade not inferior to 18/30. The student must demonstrate that s/he has acquired solid knowledge of the cultural topics related to the subject-matter and is able to describe them in a congruous and convincing manner, using a correct Italian in the appropriate academic style. To achieve a score of 30/30 with honors the student must demonstrate that s/he has acquired excellent knowledge of all the topics covered during the course and is able to articulate their appreciation in a logical, coherent, critical, and creative way.

See above. Further bibliographical references will be provided during the course to those who show interest in deepening specific themes.

The course will take place during the first semester and will follow an interactive seminar style. The Teaching Methods adopted include: a) frontal lessons (DD1); b) sessions of comparative evaluation of cases and hypotheses analyzed (DD2); c) critical-analytical audio-vision of multimedia material as well as attendance, whenever possible, at specialized lectures and conferences (DD3); debates on specific topics presented in or connected to the reference text (DD4).