This course is designed as an introduction both to new religions in China, Japan and Korea as well as to the study of new religions, as such. It will address the various categories by which these movements have been analysed as well as the characteristics of some of the approaches to them ? ranging from the academic to the religiously committed. The course will be divided into three sets of four weeks, each of which will have a general lecture and seminar on the modern religious world of China (as well as Taiwan and Hong Kong), Japan and Korea, in turn, followed by three case studies (see below). The seminars for each of the weeks which focus on a particular group will directly engage with scriptural or other doctrinal material from each group as well as with critiques from other religious groups, state organs, ?anti-cult? activists, and academic works

Assessment will be based on (1) four short essays (40%, ie 10% each), (2) one major essay (40%), and (3) a final exam (20%). The four short essays will address whichever seminar the students wish and will be due at the start of the relevant seminar. If students wish to do five or more such essays, the best four will be counted. The major essay will be due at the end of semester. Satisfactory performance in the exam will require knowledge of material from the whole of the course and will be designed to avoid students solely studying the religions from a single country. Class attendance and participation will be required, though occasional absences will be allowed. Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates but may expect more rigorous assessment and additional assignment work, tailored to the graduate students? interests.

Permission of Coordinator