Courses of Study for Asian and Comparative Studies
This graduate program is distinctive in its recognition that spiritual discovery and practice can contribute to academic rigor in the study of Asian religious and philosophical traditions. In today's multicultural and interrelated society, it is crucial that we find ways to foster knowledge of and respect for diverse worldviews of religion and culture. In the program, students study several of the world's major religious traditions.
Students choose one of four areas of emphasis: Buddhist Studies, Chinese, Hindu Religion and Philosophy, or Comparative Studies (at the doctoral level). They examine sacred texts and writings, practices and disciplines, historical contexts, and sociocultural issues. Research methodology and language study are included in the curriculum.
At the doctoral level, two years of language study are required in one of the following languages: Classical Chinese, Sanskrit, Tibetan, or Pali. Resources for Asian studies students include the CIIS Laurance S. Rockefeller Library and the University of California, Berkeley's premier East Asian and South Asian collections.
Students also benefit from an academic environment that includes guest lecturers, public programs, and workshops that feature topics such as Creativity in Tibetan Buddhism, Sanskrit Mantra, and Mindfulness Meditation. Students develop academic credentials for traditional teaching positions and are also encouraged to envision creative applications of philosophy that may provide employment in areas outside academia.
The curriculum strives to strengthen practical skills in research, teaching, language, translation, and cross-cultural communication. Graduates pursue employment in research and teaching in comparative philosophy and religious studies, as well as in organizational consulting, writing, translating, and working in overseas cultural programs and nonprofit organizations.
MA Curriculum Overview
The master’s program requires two years of full-time coursework for the 36-unit curriculum. Students choose one of the following three areas of emphasis. A thesis or comprehensive exam constitutes the capstone project.
1. Buddhist Studies
Buddhist Studies offers a rare opportunity for the cognitive and experiential study of the three major traditions of Buddhism: Theravada (South and Southeast Asia); Mahayana (India, China, Tibet); and Tantra (India, Tibet). Students may study the classical languages of Buddhism: Pali, Sanskrit, Chinese, and Tibetan.
2. Chinese Philosophy
Chinese Philosophy provides a structure for the rigorous study of Chinese philosophies. Taoist, Confucian, and Chinese Buddhist topics are covered. Students may study Classical Chinese language.
3. Hindu Religion and Philosophy
Hindu Religion and Philosophy offers a wide ranging set of offerings that, while giving due emphasis to traditional schools and views, point toward the wide diversity of viewpoints within Hinduism over time. “Integral” aspects of Hinduism are highlighted here, particularly in regard to how Hindu practice and philosophy creatively engage modernity. Students may study Sanskrit language.
Curriculum
MA in Philosophy and Religion with a concentration in Asian and Comparative Studies—36 units
I. Core Requirements—9 units
PARA 5100 Essence and Development of Hinduism
PARA 5102 Essence and Development of Buddhism
PARA 5501 Essence and Development of Chinese Philosophy
II. Asian and Comparative Studies Electives—9 units
A. One course in Hinduism. Possibilities include the following:
PARA 7235 The Bhagavad Gita: Ancient and Modern Perspectives
PARA 7275 Orthodoxy, Heterodoxy, and Dissent in Indian Traditions
PARA 7280 The Hindu Goddess
PARA 7285 Hindu Tantrism
B. One course in Buddhist philosophy. Possibilities include the following:
PARA 7100 Buddhist Suttas
PARA 7125 Theravada Buddhism
PARA 7140 Essentials of Abhidhamma
PARA 7200 Buddhism Meets Shamanism
PARA 7213 Indian and Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism
PARA 7554 Buddhist and Western Philosophies: The Search for Meaning
PARA 7600 Ch’an Buddhism (Chinese Zen)
C. One course in Chinese philosophy. Possibilities include the following:
PARA 5501 Essence and Development of Chinese Philosophy
PARA 7344 Confucianism and Neo-Confucianism
PARA 7605 Life Wisdom of Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu
PARA 7654 The Divination and Wisdom of the I Ching
III. Philosophy and Religion Electives—6 units
3 units from the Philosophy and Religion with a concentration in Women’s Spirituality program
3 units from the Philosophy and Religion with a concentration in Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness program
IV. General Electives—12 units
12 units from any CIIS program
V. Comprehensive Exam—0 units
PARA 9600 Comprehensive Exam
VI. Thesis (optional)—0 units
PARA 6900 Thesis/Dissertation Proposal Completion
PARA 7900 Thesis/Dissertation Seminar
The Doctoral Program
The Asian and Comparative Studies doctorate offers intensive study in the spiritual and philosophical traditions of South and Southeast Asia, China, and the Himalayan regions. Areas of emphasis include Hinduism, Buddhism, Chinese philosophy, and comparative studies. Students also gain an indepth understanding of how philosophical and religious thought is deepened by experiential involvement, an important adjunct to intellectual understanding.
Of the 36 units, 12 units are to be taken in one of the following areas of specialization: Buddhist Studies, Chinese Philosophy, or Hindu Religion and Philosophy. (Students admitted to the PhD with an MA in another area may be required to take additional units.)
The study of Asian classical languages trains the student to gain direct access to the textual treasures of Asia; therefore, linguistic training in the classical languages of Sanskrit, Tibetan, Classical Chinese, or Pali is a requirement of the program. Other languages, such as Arabic or Persian, may be substituted for those whose work is with material not written in the classical Asian languages.
It is expected that the two years of language study will be taken before entering the PhD program. If the two years of language are taken after entering the PhD program, the units for this language study will not count toward the 36 units needed for graduation.
Students who have not taken any relevant language preceding entry to the PhD will therefore need 48 units to graduate. Classical Sanskrit, Chinese, Tibetan, and Pali are offered by CIIS faculty members. Training in other languages at sister institutions may be undertaken, upon approval by the program.
Curriculum
PhD in Philosophy and Religion with a concentration in Asian and Comparative Studies (without language requirement)—36 units
I. Core Requirements—15 units
A. PARA 7003 Methodologies in the Study of Spiritual Traditions
B. Area of Specialization
Select 12 units in one of these areas. Additional options may exist:
1. Buddhist Studies
PARA 61__ Pali Language
PARA 62__ Classical Tibetan Language
PARA 7100 Buddhist Suttas
PARA 7140 Essentials of Abhidhamma
PARA 7141 Mahayana Abhidharma
PARA 7151 Buddhist Ethics: The Art of Noble and Harmonious Living
PARA 7160 Tantric Buddhism
PARA 7213 Indian and Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism
PARA 7214 Mahayana Buddhism: The School of the Middle Way
PARA 7215 Mahayana Buddhism: The School of Mind Only
2. Chinese Philosophy
PARA 66__ Classical Chinese Language
PARA 7344 Confucianism and Neo-Confucianism
PARA 7570 The Life of Chinese Philosophical Terms
PARA 7600 Ch’an Buddhism (Chinese Zen)
PARA 7605 Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu
PARA 7654 The Divination and Wisdom of the I Ching (I Ching 1)
PARA 7655 Confucianism: Classic Texts and Philosophy
PARA 8030 Seminar on Chinese Philosophy
3. Hindu Religion and Philosophy
PARA 63__ Classical Sanskrit Language
PARA 7001 Integral Perspectives on Vedanta
PARA 7230 Studies in the Upanishads
PARA 7235 The Bhagavad Gita: Ancient and Modern Perspectives
PARA 7255 Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
PARA 7275 Orthodoxy, Heterodoxy, and Dissent in Indian Traditions
PARA 7280 The Hindu Goddess
PARA 7285 Hindu Tantrism
II. Electives—21 units
21 units from any CIIS program
III. Comprehensive Exam—0 units
PARA 9600 Comprehensive Exam (two exams)
IV. Dissertation—0 units
PARA 6900 Thesis/Dissertation Proposal Completion (usually takes three semesters)
PARA 7900 Thesis/Dissertation Seminar
Curriculum
PhD in Philosophy and Religion with a concentration in Asian and Comparative Studies (with language requirement)—48 units
I. Core Requirements—15 units
A. PARA 7003 Methodologies in the Study of Spiritual Traditions
B. Area of Specialization
12 units within one of these areas (course options may vary):
1. Buddhist Studies
PARA 61__ Pali Language
PARA 62__ Tibetan Language
PARA 6560 Buddhist Cosmology
PARA 7100 Buddhist Suttas
PARA 7140 Essentials of Abhidhamma
PARA 7141 Mahayana Abhidharma
PARA 7151 Buddhist Ethics: The Art of Noble and Harmonious Living
PARA 7160 Tantric Buddhism
PARA 7213 Indian and Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism
PARA 7214 Mahayana Buddhism: The School of the Middle Way
PARA 7215 Mahayana Buddhism: The School of Mind Only
2. Chinese Philosophy
PARA 66__ Classical Chinese Language
PARA 7344 Confucianism and Neo-Confucianism
PARA 7570 The Life of Chinese Philosophical Terms
PARA 7600 Ch’an Buddhism (Chinese Zen)
PARA 7605 Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu
PARA 7654 The Divination and Wisdom of the I Ching (I Ching 1)
PARA 7655 Confucianism: Classic Texts and Philosophy
PARA 8030 Seminar on Chinese Philosophy
3. Hindu Religion and Philosophy
PARA 63__ Sanskrit Language
PARA 7001 Integral Perspectives on Vedanta
PARA 7230 Studies in the Upanishads
PARA 7235 The Bhagavad Gita: Ancient and Modern Perspectives
PARA 7255 Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
PARA 7275 Orthodoxy, Heterodoxy, and Dissent in Indian Traditions
PARA 7280 The Hindu Goddess
PARA 7285 Hindu Tantrism
II. Language Courses—12 units
12 units from among the following:
PARA 6101 Beginning Pali I
PARA 6102 Beginning Pali II
PARA 6103 Intermediate Pali I
PARA 6104 Intermediate Pali II
PARA 6105 Advanced Pali I
PARA 6106 Advanced Pali II
PARA 6107 Advanced Pali III
PARA 6108 Advanced Pali IV
PARA 6201 Beginning Tibetan I
PARA 6202 Beginning Tibetan II
PARA 6203 Intermediate Tibetan I
PARA 6204 Intermediate Tibetan II
PARA 6205 Advanced Tibetan I
PARA 6206 Advanced Tibetan II
PARA 6207 Advanced Tibetan III
PARA 6208 Advanced Tibetan IV
PARA 6301 Beginning Sanskrit I
PARA 6302 Beginning Sanskrit II
PARA 6303 Intermediate Sanskrit I
PARA 6304 Intermediate Sanskrit II
PARA 6305 Advanced Sanskrit I
PARA 6306 Advanced Sanskrit II
PARA 6307 Advanced Sanskrit III
PARA 6308 Advanced Sanskrit IV
PARA 6601 Beginning Chinese I
PARA 6602 Beginning Chinese II
PARA 6603 Intermediate Chinese I
PARA 6604 Intermediate Chinese II
PARA 6605 Advanced Chinese I
PARA 6606 Advanced Chinese II
PARA 6607 Advanced Chinese III
PARA 6608 Advanced Chinese IV
III. Elective Courses—21 units
21 units from any CIIS program
IV. Comprehensive Exam—0 units
PARA 9600 (two exams)
V. Dissertation—0 units
PARA 6900 Thesis/Dissertation Proposal Completion (no more than three semesters)
PARA 7900 Thesis/Dissertation Seminar