Buddhism and Film

This course, which fulfills the RTC 2 requirement for the core curriculum, will explore the contemporary portrayal of Buddhism in global cinema. Through careful viewing, discussion, and analysis of a series of ten films that focus upon the Buddhist religion, we will seek to better understand the roles played by Buddhism in the contemporary imagination, and its status in a rapidly changing, globalized world. We will engage in this study employing the methodologies of the fields of religious studies and film studies. That is, students will be expected to gain a basic understanding of key Buddhist teachings and practices, and also to demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate the films that we will view