RS4D01 - Buddhist Traditions 08 Jan 2020 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 1
Associated Module Information
| Module Code: | RS4D01 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Module Title: | Buddhist Traditions | ||
| Faculty: | Faculty of Business and Creative Industries | ||
| Faculty Group: | Culture and Animation | ||
| Faculty Sub Group: | Culture | ||
| Module Leader: | Nick Swann | ||
| Module Team: | Warren Todd | ||
| First Intended Intake: | FEB 2020 | Final Year of Intake: | 2025 |
| Date Closed: | |||
| Credit Value: | 40 | Credit Level: | 7 |
| Language: | English | ||
| Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: | 0 | ||
| Equivalent Module: | |||
| HECOS codes: | 100798 - buddhism | ||
| HECOS Code Weighting: | 100 | ||
Document Version Information
| Version | 1 |
|---|---|
| Valid From | 08 Jan 2020 |
| Valid To | 31 Aug 2026 |
Module Aims
1. To engage students with the methodologies relevant to specialist study at postgraduate level within an area of Religious Studies.
2. To engage students with critical understanding of key issues in Buddhist thought, history and practice.
3. To meet the needs of students who wish to develop an in-depth understanding of Buddhism, building on their existing knowledge and successful undergraduate study.
Content Summary
1) Key Buddhist concepts and practices.
2) Misconceptions in the study of Buddhism.
3) The history of the development of Buddhism and its main sub-traditions.
4) Comparative issues across Buddhist traditions.
Introduction; Buddhist languages and scriptures; The Indian context; The story of the Buddha; Rebirth, other worlds and gods; Rebirth according to karma; The Ennobling Truths: dukkha and its origins; The Third Ennobling Truth: Nirva?a; Fourth Ennobling Truth: the Ennobling Eightfold; Noble persons; Monastic and disciples and their precepts; The nature of the Buddha; Early symbols and images of the Buddha; Early Abhidhamma, schisms and schools; The history and practice of Southern Buddhism; The origin and nature of the Mahayana; The Perfection of Wisdom Sutras; The path of the Bodhisattva; Buddha Lands and heavenly Buddhas and Bodhisattvas; Mahayana perspectives on Buddhahood: the 'Three body' doctrine; The Tathagata-garbha (Buddha-nature) and the Avatamsaka Sutra; Tantric Buddhism; The history and practice of Northern (Tibetan) Buddhism; The history and practice of Eastern Buddhism; Ch'an/Zen Buddhism; Devotional ways: Pure Land and Nichiren schools; Overview: self-power and other-power.
Learning and Teaching Methods
| Activity Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Independent Study | 200 |
| Directed Study | 120 |
| Active/Simulation Based | 80 |
| Total Hours Selected | 400 |
Learning Outcomes
| # | Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| LO1 | Critically evaluate the main Buddhist traditions with regards historical development and interaction, similarities and differences. |
| LO2 | Analyse the content and nature of debates and divergent perceptions within Buddhist traditions. |
Module Requisites
N/A
Assessment Criteria
| Assessment Category | Assessment Type | Description | Duration | Word Count | Weight (%) | Best of? | Pass Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asynchronous Assessment | Self Reflective Assessment 1 | A reflection on two seminars involving the student. | 0 | 1000 | 10 | No | 40 |
| Asynchronous Assessment | Project Output 1 | An audio presentation reflecting on three out of five creative activities detailed by tutors. | 15 | N/A | 40 | No | 40 |
| Asynchronous Assessment | Essay 1 | An essay chosen from a range of titles or negotiated with a tutor. | 0 | 5000 | 50 | No | 40 |
Assessment Matrix
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| LO1 | LO2 | ||
| Self Reflective Assessment 1 | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Project Output 1 | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Essay 1 | ✔ | ✔ | |