Religions and Society in China

4.5
stars
153 ratings
•
42 reviews

Aleksey A. Maslov

10,145 already enrolled

Offered By

Religions and Society in China

HSE University

About this Course

14,032 recent views

This course provides an introduction to the study of the history, major teachings, and practices of the major Chinese religions and spiritual practices and is deigned to give conceptual tools to appreciate diverse religious practice in East. It covers the development of Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism and wide range of popular and local religions. From historical perspective we will also explore the development of key theological, religious and philosophical doctrines as well as associated practices. An effort will be made to spend time on each tradition according to its importance to Asia as a whole. 
We will explore the role of religions in politics and social relations in East and South, South East Asia and China in particular, and will analyze the origins, central teachings, divisions and branches, rituals and practices, influences on culture, and responses to modern challenges for each tradition. 

The emphasis throughout the course is on the hermeneutic difficulties attendant upon the study of religion in general, and Asian religions in particular. We will explore new Asian religions as dynamic, ongoing forces in the lives of individuals and in the collective experience of modern societies.

Do you have technical problems? Write to us: coursera@hse.ru

Learner Career Outcomes

50%

started a new career after completing these courses

50%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 17 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: French, Portuguese (European), Russian, English, Spanish, Romanian

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.37/5 (16 Ratings)

Aleksey A. Maslov

Head

School of Asian Studies

10,145 Learners

1 Course

Learner Career Outcomes

50%

started a new career after completing these courses

50%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 17 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: French, Portuguese (European), Russian, English, Spanish, Romanian

Offered by

HSE University

HSE University is one of the top research universities in Russia. Established in 1992 to promote new research and teaching in economics and related disciplines, it now offers programs at all levels of university education across an extraordinary range of fields of study including business, sociology, cultural studies, philosophy, political science, international relations, law, Asian studies, media and communicamathematics, engineering, and more.

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week

Week 1

2 hours to complete

Foundations of Religions in China

This module's content lays the foundations of understanding what is religion in China, how the Chinese perceive the very notion of religion and how this perception and this notion must not be confused with the correspondent Western notions and pereptions.

2 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 67 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

Week

Week 2

2 hours to complete

Taosim in China

This module's content describes what is Taoism, relates its history and defines its sources, shows the main paths of genesis for the Taoist cults.

2 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 79 min)

Week

Week 3

2 hours to complete

Taoism in Chinese society: main religious practises

This module's content describes the paths of development, which were taken by Taoist cults in their history, explains the ways that connected Taoist philosophy and social practice of religious cults and organisations.

2 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 67 min)

Week

Week 4

2 hours to complete

Confucianism in Chinese society: from sacrality to morality

This module's content describes the main ideas and principles of Confucianism, outlines the paths of its developments, explains the difference between what is Confucianism in its particular totality of traits and what is understood as a religion or a philosophy in the West.

2 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 68 min)

Week

Week 5

2 hours to complete

Buddhism in the Chinese Tradition

This module's content describes the basic notions of Buddhism and explains its principles. The module gives an outline of the process of Buddhism's transition to China.

2 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 82 min)

Week

Week 6

2 hours to complete

Sinified Buddhism as an almost independent tradition

This module's content outlines the main texts and doctrines of Chan Buddhism, enumerates the main schools and branches, explains the influence that Buddhism had and has on Chinese life and art.

2 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 90 min)

Week

Week 7

2 hours to complete

Chinese Mythology

This module's content is dedicated to Chinese Mythos. This Module explains how the very notion of a mythical hero in China differs greatly from the correspondent Western notion.

2 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 90 min)

Week

Week 8

2 hours to complete

Chinese folk religions: ancestor worship, temples, festivals and communal identities

This module's content describes the characteristic traits of Chinese sects and popular cults. This module introduces one of the most important notions in Chinese religious studies: Chinese synctretism.

2 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 88 min)

Week

Week 9

2 hours to complete

Modern China and its attitude to religions

This module's content is dedicated to describing the religious life in modern China, the main attitudes of officials to religion in PRC and in other places, where Chinese culture is widely spread.

2 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 74 min)

Reviews

4.5

42 reviews

5 stars
72.54%
4 stars
16.33%
3 stars
3.26%
2 stars
5.88%
1 star
1.96%

TOP REVIEWS FROM RELIGIONS AND SOCIETY IN CHINA

by AGSep 8, 2019

the course was good but the accent of the teacher was not clear and whenever there were foreign words the text also did not carry those words. Thanks to Prof. Alexey for a wonderful course.

by AZDec 28, 2019

Worthy of time. Not from a Western Ideation - nor Asian - rather presenter is one of the middle ground of most all fracas who entered into relationship with on of the Chinese religions.

by JLOct 23, 2018

This course is to really understand the details, it has in depth explanations and i consider it very well explained. A must do for anyone moving or interacting with china

by JCOct 27, 2020

Thoroughly enjoyable journey through the many different religions in China accompanied and guided by the excellent and proficient Aleksey A. Maslov .

View all reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, Coursera provides financial aid to learners who cannot afford the fee. Apply for it by clicking on the Financial Aid link beneath the "Enroll" button on the left. You’ll be prompted to complete an application and will be notified if you are approved. Learn more.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

Religions and Society in China

Religions and Society in China

About this Course

Learner Career Outcomes

50%

50%

Instructor

Aleksey A. Maslov

Learner Career Outcomes

50%

50%

Offered by

HSE University

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week 1

Foundations of Religions in China

Week 2

Taosim in China

Week 3

Taoism in Chinese society: main religious practises

Week 4

Confucianism in Chinese society: from sacrality to morality

Week 5

Buddhism in the Chinese Tradition

Week 6

Sinified Buddhism as an almost independent tradition

Week 7

Chinese Mythology

Week 8

Chinese folk religions: ancestor worship, temples, festivals and communal identities

Week 9

Modern China and its attitude to religions

Reviews

TOP REVIEWS FROM RELIGIONS AND SOCIETY IN CHINA

Frequently Asked Questions

Coursera Footer

Start or advance your career

Browse popular topics

Upskill your team

Earn a degree or certificate online

Coursera

Community

More