BUS 120 The Study of Buddhism (1 Credit)

This course introduces students to the academic study of Buddhism through readings, lectures, and discussions. Students explore the ways that Buddhism is analyzed and interpreted through the perspectives of different academic disciplines, including anthropology, art, environmental humanities, gender studies, government, literature, philosophy, and religion. Each week features a different methodological approach. Materials to be considered include discourses of the Buddha, meditation manuals, painting, poetry, philosophical treatises, and more. This course meets during the first half of the semester only. S/U only. {H}

Fall

BUS 253 Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Philosophy and Hermeneutics (4 Credits)

This intensive course is taught at the Central University of Tibetan Studies in Sarnath, India, as part of the Hampshire/Five College in India program. Students take daily classes, taught by eminent Tibetan scholars, in Buddhist philosophy, Indo-Tibetan hermeneutics and Tibetan history and culture, and they attend regular discussion sessions as well as incidental lectures on topics including Tibetan art history and iconography, Tibetan astrology and medicine and Tibetan politics. Students also visit important Buddhist historical sites and explore Varanasi, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Each student is paired with a Tibetan student "buddy" to get an inside view of Tibetan culture. No prerequisites. Enrollment limited to 15. Application and H/5CIP permission required. {H}{N}{S}

Interterm, Variable

BUS 400 Special Studies in Buddhist Studies (1-4 Credits)

Normally, Buddhist studies minors only. Instructor permission required.

Fall, Spring