ASN 258 Spirituality, Aesthetics, and the Environment in Japan
In this course, students will explore the interconnection between spiritual and physical worlds in Japan focusing on concepts such as enlightenment, human and environmental deification, respect, awareness, beauty, and sustainability. Students will learn basic tenets of Japanese Buddhism as well as Shinto, a spiritual belief system unique to Japan. At the same time, they will focus on Japanese ideals of beauty and nature and how these ideals and spirituality converge and diverge in satoyama, a traditional and sustainable lifestyle, and current environmental issues in Japan. Short and extended walks at nearby natural reserves will help us explore and contextualize the concepts studied.
Cross Listed Courses
ENS 258