The socialist state of China has risen spectacularly as the world’s second economic and political superpower in the past several decade. Yet much of the news about China in the rest of the world is about religion: state suppression of the Tibetan Buddhist culture, the Uighur Islamic faith, and the Falungong meditative practice in pursuit of healing, health and spirituality. Meanwhile, we are baffled as to how and why Chinese religious traditions were able to survive and even thrive under state restrictions and even persecution in the past several decades.

Why is religion—as in many parts of the world—relevant and important to modern China? What is in store for the future of religion in China? What does the Chinese religious experience teach us about the dynamics between modern state and religion, the role of religion in modern society, and the relevance of classical Western theories of secularism?

This seminar addresses such issues by exploring the modes of practices and traditions of Chinese religions, the evolving state regulatory framework under which religion operated in China, and the roles and functions which religion played in shaping the modern Chinese state and secularizing society.

The goal of the seminar is twofold. First, to introduce to students a basic understanding of Chinese religious life and culture in the context of modernizing state, rising nationalism, gender and other social revolutions, and unfolding economic reforms and globalization in modern China from 1800 to the present. Second, to cultivate in students the ability to think critically and historically about issues related to the complex dynamic among religion, society, and state. Students are encouraged to develop research on issues or topics of their own interest related to the seminar.

Join us to go beyond the political and economic headlines and understand one of the great shaping forces in Chinese society and how it impacts the rest of the world today.