Introduction
Course Focus. This course is designed as
an introduction to Taoism and Confucianism, the two dominant religious
and philosophical systems of traditional China. It assumes no prior familiarity
with either of them. To the degree that it does survey key writings within
these two traditions chronologically, the course provides something of
an historical overview. But it is not intended to be a comprehensive history
nor a complete survey of all their many rituals and practices. Focus is
upon the classics works of both traditions and the ways of thinking upon
which they are based.
Format. The course is blocked into a number
of different chronological segments. Each begins with introductory remarks
by the instructor designed to provide a broad interpretive framework.Students
then consider a range of narrower issues that fit within this context through
discussions focused on the works assigned. The attached schedule lists
these segments and indicates when works will be discussed. Student will
be assigned to prepare a list of typed questions ahead of time to structure
the class discussions on some of these days.
For more detail see:
Taoism and Confucianism