Master Program for Religious Studies in English Fudan University (Shanghai, China) 1. Overview China has been called land of gods since ancient times. people have unique religious experience as well as practice. Other than Abrahamic or Hindu religion, religions form a distinctive system. In recent decades, discussion in public sphere and academic research about religions is becoming a cross-cultural phenomenon, in the tide of globalization and revitalization of faith. For the purpose of training experts in the future and promising young scholars in the field of religions, School of philosophy Fudan University resolves to launch a master program for religious studies in English, starting in fall semester 2015, which is open for global application. Unique features First and so far the only master program for religious studies (in English) in mainland China; Comprehensive and systematic academic training about religions; Unique location and irreplaceable resources of field research; 1 / 9
Direct access to local religious communities and venues, and personal contacts with prominent religious leaders; Possibilities of scholarship application; Master degree issued by Fudan University (acknowledged by ministry of education), after obtained the required credits and passed thesis defense. Fudan University locates in Shanghai, the most dynamic and international mega-metropolis of China. Besides the cultural diversity and vital economic life, this city and surrounding area are also known for her abundant resources of all religions, both in history and at present. School of Philosophy Fudan University has long-year corporation and friendship with all religious communities in Shanghai as well as in mainland China. This program plans to organize regular visits for all students, and provides sites for field research, so that students are able to have direct encounter with living religions, besides the understanding of theory and classical texts. Based in Shanghai, this program gives also the opportunities for excursion to adjacent provinces, such as Jiangsu and Zhejiang. In the near future, this program will co-ordinate intensive courses and exchange semester with the leading universities and research institutes in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and South-East Asia. 2. The department, the School, and the University Fudan University was founded in 1905. It is one of the top universities in mainland China. The school of philosophy ranked 17 (the highest in Asia) in QS World University Rankings (2013). The affiliated department of religious studies is well-known for her tradition and academic reputation. It is among the very few institutes that have undergraduates majored in religious studies in Great China. Some famous professors are teaching in the department, among them more than 20 give lecture in English. Their research area covers Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, popular religion, and new religious movement. The department is undisputedly one of the best institutes for religious studies in Great China. Professors 2 / 9
from other department (such as literature, history, historical geography, sociology and international relationship) in Fudan University, in Shanghai, as well as from all over China, will be integrated in this program too, in order to build up a cross-disciplinary teaching team. Faculty members and their research field (incomplete, for your reference only): - Prof. Zhang Qingxiong (Ph.D. of Fribourg University, Switzerland): Philosophy of Vijnanavada, Phenomenology, Christian theology; - Prof. Xu Yihua (Ph.D. of Princeton University): Religion and international politics, religious policy; - Prof. Li Tiangang (Ph.D. of Fudan University, Director of department for religious studies): church history, popular religion, study of Confucian classics and Confucianism; - Prof. Wang Xinsheng (Ph.D. of Fudan University): Catholic theology, Islam; - Prof. Benoit Vermander (Ph.D. of Sciences Politique de Paris, French): Anthropology of religion, spirituality; - Prof. Wang Gang (Ph.D. of Chicago University): Taoism, Taoist literature; - Prof. Bai Tongdong (Ph.D. of Boston University): Pre-Qin philosophers, political philosophy; - Prof. Lin Zichun (Ph.D. of Oxford University): Sino-Christian theology, Christian 3 / 9
thought; - Prof. Milton W. Y. Wan (Ph.D. of Oxford University): Culture and Christianity, Philosophy, Spirituality; - Associated Prof. Liu Ping (Ph.D. of Fudan University): Christianity, biblical study; - Associated Prof. Zhu Xiaohong (Ph.D. of Fudan University): Catholicism, feminist theology; - Associated Prof. Eberhardt Guhe (Ph.D. of Mainz University, German): Buddhist philosophy and logic, Sanskrit; - Associated Prof. Lawrence Y.K. LAU (Ph.D. of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology): Buddhist philosophy, relationship of religion and politics, Theravada Buddhism; - Associated Prof. Liu Zhen (Ph.D. of Munich University): Buddhist history, Sanskrit; - Associated Prof. Zhang Shuangli (Ph.D. of Fudan University): Western Marxism and religion; - Associated Prof. Cai Qinghua (Ph.D. of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology): Taoism - Assistant Prof. Yu Zhejun (Ph. D. of Leipzig University, Program coordinator): Sociology of religion, popular religion. Partner: Institute of Sino-Christian Studies (Hong Kong): established in 1995, it aims to promote Christian studies, construct Sino-Christian theology, and enrich culture. 3. Credit system: Duration of every individual student is normally two years. Accordingly, we have a flexible credit system, which balances compulsory and elective courses. Total required credit: 30. All courses are delivered in English. In addition, this program provides course of 4 / 9
language, to improve the language skill of students in listening, reading and writing. Three Modules of credit: - Courses of language: 6 credit (2 X 3 courses, compulsory); - Practical courses (field research and visit): 4 credit (2 X 2 courses, compulsory); - Major courses: 20 credit (6-7courses, elective). Requirements of granting degree: - get the prescribed credit (normally within two years); - Write an academic thesis under the supervision of a mentor, and pass the defense. All graduates will be conferred with a master-diploma and graduation certificate by Fudan University. 4. Courses The courses of this program cover a wide scope of almost all religious traditions in China, including Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Christianity and popular religion. They also aim to provide interdisciplinary understanding of religions from multiple approaches, such as history, classical studies, philosophy, theology, 5 / 9
ritual, psychology, anthropology and sociology etc.. Some subjects are listed as below (incomplete, for your reference only): History of Buddhism and Sutra-reading; Study of Confucian Classics and rites; Muslim ethnical groups in China, Islam-Confucian dialogue, Menhuan system; Contemporary urban religion and field research; Festival and ritual of popular religion; History and future of Sino-Christian theology; translation of Bible, indigenization of Christian theology in China; Christianity and Judaism in context; Relationship between religion and politics, religious policy in China; Faith and ritual of ethnical groups in south-western China; Sociological study of religions; Hermeneutics of classical text of religion The courses are divided into three levels, namely basic, intermediate and advanced, so that student can choose different ones according to his/her own pre-knowledge in the area (see the diagram below, incomplete, for your reference only). 6 / 9
Confucianism, Buddhism Christianity Taoism and popular Islam Methodology religion Basic Buddhism Christianity traditional religion Islam sociology of Selected religion; Selected reading of Intermediate reading of Taoist and Islam anthropology Buddhist Sutras Christianity popular (I) of religion; religious texts Text-criticism and hermeneutics Advanced Buddhism Sino-Christian theology; Translation of Bible Intensive reading of traditional religious texts Islam (II) sociology of religion; anthropology of religion 5. Application and Admission Number of global enrollment (fall semester, 2015): 50 students. Basic requirement: applicant must have an acknowledged bachelor degree. Application documents: - Copy of passport - CV - Document of diploma - Notarized copy of academic records - Two letters of recommendation - Personal statement 7 / 9
- Research project Application fee: 500 RMB (non-refundable!). Deadline: Application documents of fall semester 2015 must be sent to the following address before March 15 th, 2015: Master Program for Religious Studies Guanghua Tower (west) 23 rd Floor School of Philosophy, Fudan University Shanghai, China Zip: 200433 Admission list will be announced on the website (http://philosophy.fudan.edu.cn/p6981c8529/list.htm) of the program before June 15 th, 2015. The official (printed) admission notification will be sent by post afterwards. 6. Tuition and Scholarship The tuition fee is 50,000 RMB/year. If student is not able to obtain the credits or pass the thesis-defense within two years, he/she CAN postpone graduation. But one must pay 25,000 RMB fee for every extended term. All students can apply for scholarship from China Scholarship Council (CSC) and 8 / 9
Shanghai City Government. 7. Accommodation Students can apply for the dormitory for international students of Fudan University, which costs 55-80 RMB/day in Handan Rd. campus. It s also easy to find private apartment for students near the campus. For more information pleases contact: yuzhejun@fudan.edu.cn 9 / 9