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Unit information: Buddhism: The Foundations in 2022/23

Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.

Unit name Buddhism: The Foundations
Unit code THRSM0015
Credit points 20
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director Dr. Shiri
Open unit status Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)

None

Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)

None

Units you may not take alongside this one
School/department Department of Religion and Theology
Faculty Faculty of Arts

Unit Information

The aim of this unit is to develop an understanding of the fundamental ideas and practices shared in common by ancient Indian Buddhism and which form something of a common heritage for Buddhism in East Asia, Tibet and South and South East Asia. The emphasis is on reading selected primary sources in translation that illustrate and exemplify certain fundamental themes: the Buddha, the development of Buddhist scriptures and schools, the Buddhist monasticism, karma and rebirth, the teaching of not-self (anatt) and dependent arising (icca-samuppda pat), theories of meditation, and nibbna.

Your learning on this unit

aims:

  • to develop an understanding of the fundamental ideas and practices of Buddhism with particular reference to selected primary source material in translation;
  • to develop an appreciation of the issues involved in the scholarly study of early Buddhist sources.

objectives:

by the end of the unit students should have:

  • an understanding of how the fundamental ideas and practices of Buddhism are represented in early Buddhist textual sources;
  • an appreciation of the issues involved in the scholarly study of early Buddhist sources.

How you will learn

Classes will involve a combination of long- and short-form lectures, class discussion, investigative activities, and practical activities. Students will be expected to engage with readings and participate on a weekly basis. This will be further supported with drop-in sessions and self-directed exercises with tutor and peer feedback.

How you will be assessed

1 essay of 5000 words

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. THRSM0015).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.

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