Buddhism and Modern Society
| Subject code | ABS922 |
| Lecturer | Venerable Dr Juewei |
| Delivery mode | Online, live On campus, live |
| Duration | Ten weeks |
| Next start date | Visit timetable |
Subject Overview
This subject explores how Buddhism interacts with and responds to contemporary global and local forces, including modernity, globalisation, postmodern and neoliberal critiques, examining diverse manifestations in various cultural contexts. To this end, students will enhance their scholarly communication skills, use advanced tools for research, and apply critical theories to understand the impact of cultural, historical and societal factors on contemporary Buddhist practices.
Learning Outcomes
- Synthetise complex ideas on global and modern dynamics that influence and are influenced by Buddhist thought and practice, and effectively communicate these insights in a structured academic presentation.
- Critically engage with postmodern and neoliberal critiques, using advanced research tools, e.g. generative AI, to assess the validity and limitations of such tools.
- Reflexively evaluate and reflect on the influence of cultural, historical and societal factors on contemporary Buddhist practices and teachings.
Assessments
- Assessment 1: Individual presentation on Buddhism’s adaptation in global and modern contexts (20%, due week 4)
- Assessment 2: Critical review of a prescribed reading together with a report on the use of generative AI (40%, due week 7)
- Assessment 3: A reflective essay that critically analyses the influence of cultural, historical and societal factors on a Buddhist organisation (40%, due week 10)