Religious Transformation in Early China: the Period of Division from Coursera

This sequence of four courses will propose a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of Chinese cultural history conceived of as a succession of modes of rationality (philosophical, bureaucratic, and economic). The focus will be on the moments of paradigm shift from one mode of rationality to another. For each of these moments, cultural facts and artifacts—thought, literature, ritual—will be examined in relationship to changing social, political, and economic systems.

The first two courses will cover the periods of the Warring States (481-256 BCE) and the Period of Division (220-589 CE), with a brief excursion into the Han (206 BCE-220 CE). The Warring States laid the social and cultural foundations for the emergence of the imperial mode of rationality; the Period of Division saw the Buddhist “conquest” of China and the emergence of a rationality defined by the opposition of the Three Teachings to shamanism, that is, of a clear contrast between elite and popular culture.

The third and fourth courses will focus on the emergence of modern China in the Song-Yuan (960-1368) and of today’s China 1850 to the present. We will see how the modern attack on religion, redefined as "superstition", led not only to religious reform movements but also to a society in which science and the nation became the primary value systems promoted by the state.

The courses are listed below:

A Critical Cultural History of China - Early China I: Intellectual Change in the Warring States and Han (481 BCE-220 CE)

A Critical Cultural History of China - Early China II: Religious Transformation in the Period of Division (220-589 CE)

A Critical Cultural History of China - Modern China I: Religion and Thought in the Song, Jin, and Yuan (960-1368) (To be launched in late 2018)

A Critical Cultural History of China - Modern China II: Structuring Values (1850-2015) (To be launched in late 2018)

What's inside

Syllabus

MODULE 06 Religious Transformation in the Period of Division (220-589 AD)

This module presents the relationship between the elite attack on shamanism and their promotion of a cosmology that transformed medicine and laid the foundations for both self-cultivation and a bureaucratic empire.

MODULE 07 Religious Communities

This module introduces the three kinds of new religious community that appear from the second century on: those organized around transcendents, by the Heavenly Masters, and by the Buddhists.

MODULE 08 Rituals

This module explains how Buddhist and Daoist rituals revolutionized Chinese society and individuals. It reveals the importance of orality in Buddhism, written documents in Daoism.

MODULE 09 Scriptures

This module explores how Buddhist and Daoist scriptures confirm the oral/aural bias of Buddhism, the written/visual bias of Daoism. We are going to learn the centrality of logic in Buddhism, of cosmology in Daoism.

MODULE 10 Literature

This module indicates the attractiveness of key Buddhist scriptures and how Chinese poetry was transformed by Buddhism. It also shows how the “public sermons” of Buddhism contrasted with the “private records of the imagination” of Daoism.

MODULE 11 Sacred Geography

This module is about how Daoist sacred geography is above all an exploration of the inner self and how mountains played a role both in imperial preference for Daoism and in the Buddhist “conquest” of China.

MODULE 12 Popular Religion

This module illustrates why popular religion continued to thrive in spite of elite attacks on it, and how Buddhism and Daoism dealt with widespread fear of the spirits of the dead.

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Examines cultural facts, artifacts, and paradigms in relation to changes in the social, political, and economic systems of China

Taught by John Lagerwey, a recognized scholar in Chinese cultural history

Provides a comprehensive study of Chinese cultural history from the Warring States period to the present

Covers topics such as religious transformation, ritual practices, and sacred geography, giving a nuanced understanding of Chinese culture

Requires extensive background knowledge and may be more suitable for advanced learners in Chinese history

Reviews summary

Division-era chinese religious history

Learners say this history course on early Chinese religion in the Period of Division is well-organized, interesting, and has engaging assignments. Reviewers specifically mention that the quizzes are helpful but can be arbitrary at times.

Knowledgeable and engaging instructor.

"Thank you so much, Prof Lagerwey and Coursera. The four courses on China were most amazing and academic."

Varied perspectives on quiz quality.

"The quizzes were arbitrary at times with questions on names, dates, and the fill in the blank questions required precise, exact wording to be correct."

"The course was very informative. The quizzes were arbitrary at times with questions on names, dates, and the fill in the blank questions required precise, exact wording to be correct."

Well-organized and concise course.

"Excellent, well-organized and easy to appreciated course"

"One of the most Concise MOOC courses I have done which is oriented to the history of religion."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Religious Transformation in Early China: the Period of Division with these activities:

Review previous knowledge of Chinese cultural history

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Reviewing previous knowledge before taking this course will strengthen your foundational understanding of the subject

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Go over notes from previous coursework on Chinese cultural history
Research major events and figures in Chinese cultural history
Read articles on modern Chinese culture and trends

Review a critical cultural history of China

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Reviewing a critical cultural history of China will provide you with a foundation and context for this course

View Paradigm Shifts in Early and Modern Chinese... on Amazon

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Read the introduction and first chapter of the book
Summarize the key arguments and concepts in the book
Identify the main research questions that the book addresses

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Career center

Learners who complete Religious Transformation in Early China: the Period of Division will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Religious Studies Professor

A Religious Studies Professor teaches and researches the nature, history, and impact of religion. This course would be useful for providing a foundation in the history of Chinese religion.

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Theology Professor

A Theology Professor teaches and researches the nature of God, religious beliefs, and practices. This course would be useful for providing a foundation in the history of Chinese religion.

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Tour Guide

A Tour Guide leads and informs groups of people on tours of historical sites and landmarks. This course may be useful for providing a historical perspective on Chinese culture and religion.

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Archivist

An Archivist collects, preserves, and provides access to historical documents and records. This course may be useful for providing a historical perspective on Chinese culture and religion.

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Museum curator

A Museum Curator researches, acquires, conserves, and exhibits artifacts of historical, cultural, or scientific interest. This course may be useful for providing a historical perspective on Chinese culture and religion.

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Librarian

A Librarian collects, organizes, and provides access to information resources. This course may be useful for providing a historical perspective on Chinese culture and religion.

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Archaeologist

An Archaeologist studies past peoples and cultures by excavating and examining material remains. This course may be useful for providing a historical perspective on Chinese culture and religion.

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Cultural Heritage Manager

A Cultural Heritage Manager oversees the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage sites and artifacts. This course may be useful for providing a historical perspective on Chinese culture and religion.

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Museum Educator

A Museum Educator develops and delivers educational programs and activities for museum visitors. This course may be useful for providing a historical perspective on Chinese culture and religion.

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Historian

A Historian researches and analyzes past events in human history. This course may be useful for providing a historical perspective on religious transformation in China.

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Freelance Writer

A Freelance Writer writes articles, blog posts, and other content for clients. This course may be useful for providing a historical perspective on Chinese culture and religion.

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Journalist

A Journalist gathers, analyzes, and reports on news and current events. This course may be useful for providing a historical perspective on Chinese culture and religion.

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Content Creator

A Content Creator develops and produces content for websites, social media, and other platforms. This course may be useful for providing a historical perspective on Chinese culture and religion.

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Sociologist

A Sociologist studies the behavior, origin, and development of human societies. This course may be useful for providing a historical perspective on social change in China.

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Cultural Anthropologist

A Cultural Anthropologist studies the behavior, origin, and development of human societies. This course may be useful for providing a historical perspective on cultural change in China.

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