B8630 - Introduction to the Religions in East and South-East Asia (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course students will have an in-depth knowledge of the cultural-historical matrix and of the main texts, doctrines and practices of religious traditions in East and South-East Asia. They will be familiar with the history of studies and with the historiographical debate on the main themes, problems and methods of research applied to contexts characterised by cultural, linguistic and religious pluralism. They will be able to present their knowledge effectively in oral and/or written form, using the appropriate terminology and with reference to the specialised bibliography. They will also be able to use the appropriate registers of communication for contexts characterised by cultural, linguistic and religious pluralism taking into account the target audience and critically promoting the value of religious differences.

Course contents

The course aims to present key aspects of Hindu-Buddhist religiosity that permeate the culture, art, and architecture of the Indian subcontinent and to trace its spread and development in Southeast Asia, with particular attention to the permeability between the two religious traditions, their coexistence, and the different functions exercised within the societies of South and Southeast Asia in ancient times.
The first part of the course will offer an overview of the historical development of Hindu and Buddhist traditions, examining in particular their cosmology, interaction with figures of popular religiosity, the main deities of the Hindu pantheon, key figures in Buddhism and ritual practices. The second part will focus on the spread and formation of Hindu-Buddhist cultural centres in Southeast Asia, with particular reference to the areas of present-day Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

The course will include an introductory lecture on the methods and approach of the discipline, while the final lecture will summarize the main themes and problems discussed during the course and prepare students for the final examination. The syllabus will be provided at the first lecture and will be included among the material available on the 'Virtuale' platform.

From Monday 10th November 2025.

Readings/Bibliography

Bibliography for students attending:

1. Upinder Singh, A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India, capitoli 1, 6-10. (Details of the individual chapters will be provided in the specific bibliography available on Virtuale).

2. John N. Miksic and Geok Yian Goh, Ancient Southeast Asia, Routledge, 2017, capitoli 1, 4-6. (Details of the individual chapters will be provided in the specific bibliography available on Virtuale).
3. The PDF course tools made available to students are required reading for the exam.They will be put on the 'Virtuale' platform at the beginning of each week (every three lessons).

Bibliography for students NOT attending:

1. Upinder Singh, A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India, capitoli 1, 6-10.

2. John N. Miksic and Geok Yian Goh, Ancient Southeast Asia, Routledge, 2017, capitoli 1, 4-6.
3. The PDF course tools made available to students are required reading for the exam.They will be put on the 'Virtuale' platform at the beginning of each week (every three lessons).

Teaching methods

Frontal lesson

Assessment methods

The exam will take the form of an oral discussion and the student will be assessed according to the knowledge he has acquired, his ability to provide a clear summary of the topics covered and his critical handling of the material. He will be expected to refer to both the exam bibliography and the texts read and discussed during the lectures.

The assessment will concentrate particularly on the skill displayed by the student in handling the sources and material in the exam bibliography and his ability to find and use information and examples to illustrate and correlate the various themes and problems addressed in the course.

The assessment will thus examine the student's:

- factual knowledge of the subject;
- ability to summarise and analyse themes and concepts;
- familiarity with the terminology associated with the subject and his ability to use it effectively.

Top marks will be awarded to a student displaying an overall understanding of the topics discussed during the lectures, combined with a critical approach to the material and a confident and effective use of the appropriate terminology.
Average marks will be awarded to a student who has memorized the main points of the material and is able to summarise them satisfactorily and provide an effective critical commentary, while failing to display a complete command of the appropriate terminology.
A student will be deemed to have failed the exam if he displays significant errors in his understanding and failure to grasp the overall outlines of the subject, together with a poor command of the appropriate terminology.

There are 6 exam sessions per year, in principle distributed as follows:
- 2 between September and November
- 2 between January and March
- 2 between May and early July

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Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

Power point presentations available to students on the 'Virtuale' platform.

Office hours

See the website of Nicoletta Celli