Introduction to Buddhism Syllabus

Introduction to Buddhism. This class will explore and engage the history, beliefs, and practices of Buddhism since its beginning over 2,500 years ago. Students will have an opportunity to survey the various ways Buddhism has manifested in different parts of the word during diverse time periods. It will cover all major forms of Buddhism, including Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana Buddhism, important historical, philosophical, and doctrinal developments of Buddhism, as well as how Buddhism was received in “the west,” meaning Europe and the Americas. The course will also challenge students to develop analytical and critical think skills. This will also allow students the opportunity to compare Buddhism to other religious traditions with which they may be familiar, and be applied to any other subject that they wish to analyze.