PHIL 172 Religions of the East

Overview of Course

This course introduces students to the major thought pathways of Asia, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Confucianism, and Taoism, while also exploring their intersections with other traditions such as Islam and Catholicism. Through a multidisciplinary approach—drawing from history, philosophy, literature, art, ritual, and lived experience—students will examine the origins, core beliefs, practices, and sacred texts of these traditions.
Special attention will be given to how these religions are practiced and expressed in diverse cultural settings, both in their historical homelands and in global and diasporic contexts, including the United States. Designed in conjunction with the Semester at Sea voyage, the course provides opportunities for students to engage directly with religious sites, symbols, and practices in locations such as Thailand, India, South Africa, and beyond. Classroom discussions will provide historical and philosophical frameworks, while site visits will offer immersive encounters with living religious communities.
By reading primary sources in translation, analyzing religious texts, viewing documentaries, and engaging with personal narratives and popular practices, students will develop a nuanced understanding of how religious identity is shaped by both personal and socio-political forces. Topics include meditation, devotion, ethics, aesthetics, and conceptions of human nature and the afterlife.
Ultimately, this course fosters religious literacy and critical cross-cultural insight. Students will cultivate philosophical understanding, cultural awareness, and interpretive skills that enable them to engage with alternate worldviews and reflect more deeply on their own beliefs in the context of a shared global humanity.