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Religion still remains an important cornerstone of Chinese society today. This course offers you a unique hands-on exploration of religion in contemporary Chinese society, emphasizing its presence and influence in everyday life. The course goes beyond religious texts to immerse you in the richness of Chinese spiritual life, demonstrating how religious traditions are not merely philosophical concepts, but living practices that shape the everyday experiences of individuals and communities.

A special feature of this course is that you will visit a variety of religious sites in Hong Kong to experience firsthand the diversity and vibrancy of everyday Chinese religious life. This includes participating in meditation sessions, attending religious festivals, and learning the intricacies of the tea ceremony in a Buddhist setting. These hands-on experiences are designed to give you a holistic view of religion in Chinese society and deepen your understanding and appreciation of local religious traditions.

In addition to these immersive activities, the course will discuss the broader role of religion in shaping contemporary Chinese society. It will explore how religious beliefs and practices intersect with important social issues, such as economics, the environment, gender, sexuality, and politics. This holistic approach will enable you to understand the multifaceted impact of religion on both the individual and society. In short, this course offers a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, and is ideal if you are interested in understanding the dynamic role of religion in Chinese society and its manifestations in daily life.

WEEK 1

Mon 2 Sep: Introduction — China as a Religious Society

Wed 4 Sep: Tutorial

WEEK 2

Mon 9 Sep: Spirituality in Modern Chinese Life

Wed 11 Sep: Tutorial

WEEK 3

Mon 16 Sep: Visit 1 — The Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance 大坑舞火龍

Wed 18 Sep: NO TUTORIAL (the day following the Mid-Autumn Festival)

WEEK 4

Mon 23 Sep: Modalities of Doing Religion

Wed 25 Sep: Tutorial

WEEK 5

Mon 30 Sep: Visit 2 — Wong Tai Sin Temple 黃大仙祠

Wed 2 Oct: Tutorial

WEEK 6

Mon 7 Oct: The Body — Health, Nation, and Transcendence

Wed 9 Oct: Tutorial

WEEK 7

Mon 14 Oct: Visit 3 — Tsz Shan Monastery 慈山寺

Wed 16 Oct: Tutorial

WEEK 8

Mon 21 Oct: Cosmology and the Environment

Wed 23 Oct: Tutorial

WEEK 9

Mon 28 Oct: Visit 4 — Chi Lin Nunnery 志蓮淨苑

Wed 30 Oct: Tutorial

WEEK 10

Mon 4 Nov: Religion in Chinese Social and Political History

Wed 6 Nov: Tutorial

WEEK 11

Mon 11 Nov: Market Economy and the Revival of Religions

Wed 13 Nov: Tutorial

WEEK 12

Mon 18 Nov: Visit 5 — St. John’s Cathedral 聖約翰座堂

Wed 20 Nov: Tutorial

WEEK 13

Mon 25 Nov: The Religious Life of Ethnic Minority Communities

Wed 27 Nov: Tutorial

WEEK 14

Mon 2 Dec: FINAL EXAMINATION, 2:30–5:15 P.M.

Participation (25%)

Field Report and Presentation (25%)

Quizzes (20%)

Final Examination (30%)

Attention is drawn to University policy and regulations on honesty in academic work, and to the disciplinary guidelines and procedures applicable to breaches of such policy and regulations. Details may be found at http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/policy/academichonesty/.