BSTD 307: Buddhism and Development

This course considers “development” as it has been historically practiced in developing countries, the philosophy behind it, and recent critiques. It examines the juxtaposition of the Buddhist emphasis on internal development with the post-1950’s emphasis on economic and social development. Classroom lectures introduce the theory of development studies and its relation to Buddhist notions of internal development, with emphasis put on group discussion during class time. In addition to class meetings, students interview representatives of existing service organizations to understand their goals and development approaches.

Prerequisites

None.