Cross Listing Course Form (4/9/14)
I: Criteria
To qualify for consideration for cross listing, all courses must:
- be requested by both departments or programs;
- count as credit toward an existing major, minor, or certificate program;
- not be experimental or have a reserved variable content course number (x90-X99)
- carry the same title (both parent and sibling courses) and, if possible, carry the same course
number;
- be implemented within comparable course levels, e.g., (U), (UG), or (G);
- be offered under an existing rubric.
Under no circumstances will a course have more than three crosslistings.
II: Summary of courses requested for crosslisting
Requesting Dept / Program (must be
Liberal Studies
department of parent course)
Parent Course Prefix and Number
RLST 366
Sibling Course(s) Prefix (Pre CCN) and
SSEA 366
Number
Course Title
Tibetan Civilization
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Date
Requestor:
Bradley Clough
9/26/14
Phone/ email :
Ext 2837
Parent Program
Stewart Justman
Chair/Director:
Sibling Program Chair(s) Ruth Vanita
/ Director(s)
Dean(s):
Chris Comer
Approve *
 Yes  No
 Yes  No
 Yes  No
 Yes  No
 Yes  No
*Signatory Comments (required for disapproval):
IV. Rationale
Do these courses need to be cross listed to fill an external requirement?
If YES, define external requirement and attach
documentation.
If NO, complete narrative: In 500 words or less explain why only cross-listing this course serves
the need for delivering academic content. You must identify how both the parent and sibling
units contribute to the cross-listed course’s content and how cross listing contributes to the
respective units’ missions of serving students. The narrative must also identify additional
reasons for cross listing such as a specialized need for advertising to prospective students,
sharing resources across departments (equipment, space, instructors, etc.), or mutual contribution
to course content.
The course is listed as a Liberal Studies course because this Program houses most courses required for a
Religious Studies (RLST) option. The course content covers geography, ethnicity, political history, social
life and customs, and arts and literature, but over 50% of it is devoted to the religions of Tibet, primarily
Buddhism. It has been and should continue to be cross-listed with the minor in South and Southeastern
Asian Studies (SSEA) because Tibetan civilization is one of the most fascinating yet most understudied
and misunderstood cultures in South Asia. Students are thus exposed to both religious dimensions of this
civilization as well as other aspects of a country’s culture that has enormously influenced the entirety of
South Asia’s Himalayan region (Tibet, northern India, Nepal, Sikkim, and Bhutan).
V. Syllabus

TIBETAN CIVILIZATION
RELS 366
TR 2:10-3:30
LA 303
Dr. Brad Clough
Office: Liberal Arts 158
Office Hours: TR 4-6PM
Office Phone: ext. 2837
bradley.clough@mso.umt.edu
Home Phone: 493-1894
Course Description:
This course aims to provide an historical introduction to the civilization of the greater
Tibetan cultural region of Central Asia, tracing its evolution from its origins to Tibet’s
annexation by China in the 1950s and the subsequent relocation of many Tibetans in exile
communities. The major subject matters will be Tibet’s religious traditions, geography and
ethnicity, political history, social life and customs, and arts and literature.
Books to Obtain:
Goldstein, Melvyn. The Snow Lion and the Dragon: China, Tibet, and the Dalai Lama
Heruka, Tsangnyon. The Life of Milarepa
Powers, John. Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism
Requirements:
1. Class preparation, regular attendance, and consistent participation in class
discussions. This aspect of the course cannot be emphasized enough. Because this
is a discussion-oriented course, each class is a true joint-learning venture, the success
of which depends on every member not only having completed the assigned reading
for the day, but also having digested and reflected on it, and being prepared for
discussion. To facilitate this, for each class each student will prepare a typed list of
at least three questions or topics for discussion, which will be handed in, after being
used in class. Finally, it should go without saying that you cannot be considered a
participant in class if you do not actually attend class! The choice to attend class is
of course yours, but missing more than two classes without an excuse will seriously
affect your final grade. Any excused absence requires written authorization for
Health Services, a doctor, an advisor, a counselor, or administrator. Class
participation will count for 20% of your final grade.
2. Exams. There will be a mid-term exam and a final exam. Each counts for 20% of the
final grade.
3. A course research paper (12-15 pages). You may choose from a list of suggested
topics, or you may develop a topic of your own, in consultation with the professor.
Please note that a proposal and bibliography for this paper are due on 10/28, and
that a final version is due on 12/5.
Class Schedule and Assignments:
Tues. 8/26
Introduction to the Course
Discussion: Constructions of Imagined Tibets
Documentary: “Tibet: On the Edge of Change”
I.
Thurs. 8/28
The Land and Peoples of Tibet
The Geography and Ethnic Cultures of Greater Tibet
“(Western) China: Tibet Autonomous Region,” pp. 206-08
R.A. Stein: “Habitants and Inhabitants” (Tibetan Civilization)
Selections from the Yeshe De Project’s Ancient Tibet
Tues. 9/2
The Social Life and Customs of Tibetans: The Rong-pa (Settled
Farmers and Town-Dwellers)
“(Western) China: Tibet Autonomous Region,” pp. 208-09
Stein: “Society”
Mary McGinn, “The Domestic Life of a Town Dweller
Thurs. 9/4
The Social Life and Customs of Tibetans: The Drog-pa (Nomads)
Gary Wintz, “The Domestic Life of the Nomads”
Documentary: “The Saltmen of Tibetan”
Tues 9/9
The Social Life and Customs of the Drog-pa (cont.)
Documentary: “The Saltmen of Tibet” (cont.)
II. The Contested History of Tibet
Thurs 9/11
Competing Versions of Tibet’s History
selections of writings by Robert A.F. Thurman
Tues. 9/16
Competing Versions of Tibet’s History
selections of writings by Donald S. Lopez
Thurs 9/18
Competing Versions of Tibet’s History
A. Tom Grunfeld, “Tibet as It Used to Be” (The Making of
Modern Tibet)
Tues. 9/23
The Early History of Tibet: The Period of the Ancient Kings
Hugh Richardson and David Snellgrove: chapter 1 (A Cultural
History of Tibet)
Christopher Beckwith, chapters 1 & 2 and Appendix A (The
Tibetan Empire in Central Asia)
Thurs 9/25
The Early History of Tibet: The Period of the Ancient Kings
selections from the tradition Tibetan history, The Clear Mirror: pp.
27-27, 52-67, 75-79, 93-162
Tues. 9/30
The Early History of Tibet: The Period of the Ancient Kings
The Clear Mirror: pp. 175-217, 230-249, 254-266
III. Tibetan Religious History and the Religious Thought and Practice of Tibetans
Thurs 10/2 Pre-Buddhist Animism and the Bon-po Religion
Stein: “Tradition—The Nameless Religion
Richardson and Snellgrove: pp. 55-65, 99-111, 172-173
Geoffrey Samuels: “The Folk Religion and the Pragmatic
Orientation (Civilized Shamans)
Tues. 10/7
The Sacred (and Demonic) Landscape of Tibet
Keith Dowman, “Visionary Tibet” (The Sacred Life of Tibet)
Thurs. 10/9
Important Precedents in Indian Buddhism
Powers: chapters 1 & 2
Tues. 10/14
Important Precedents in Indian Buddhism (cont.)
Powers: chapters 3 & 4
Thurs. 10/16
The Buddhist Revival and the Rise of the “Great Adept” and
Monastic Traditions
Powers: pp. 155-159
Richardson and Snellgrove: pp. 111-118, 129-131, and 138-143
Hubert Decleer: “Atisa’s Journey to Tibet” (Donald Lopez, ed.,
Religions of Tibet in Practice)
Stephen Batchelor: “Essential Advice of the Kadampa Masters”
(The Jewel in the Lotus)
**Mon. 10/20 Mid-Term Exam Due**
Tues. 10/21
The Rise of Buddhism: The Nyingma-pa Tradition
Powers: chapters 11 & 12
Batchelor: “The Four-Themed Precious Garland”
Thurs 10/23
The Rise Of Buddhism: The Karma-pa Tradition
Powers: Chapter 13
The Life of Milarepa: Prologue, Introduction, and pp. 1-74
Tues. 10/28
The Life of Milarepa: pp. 75-197
**Term Paper Proposal and Bibliography Due**
Thurs. 10/30
The Rise of Buddhism: The Sakya-pa Tradition
Powers: Chapter 14
Batchelor: “The Parting from the Four Attachments”
Tues. 11/4
No class: Election Day
Thurs. 11/6
The Gelug-pa Tradition and the Ruling Lineage of Dalai Lamas
Powers: pp. 163-174 and Chapter 15
Batchelor” “A Brief Exposition of the Stages of the Path to
Enlightenment”
Lopez: “A Prayer for the Long Life of the Dalai Lama”
Tues. 11/11
No class: Veterans’ Day
Thurs. 11/13
Advanced Practice in Tibetan Tantric Buddhism: “Deity Yoga”
Powers: pp. 249-279
Tues. 11/18
Advanced “Deity Yoga” (cont.)
Powers: pp. 279-319
selections from primary sources on Deity Yoga practice
Thurs. 11/20
Advanced Practice in Tibetan Tantric Buddhism: The Art and
Practice of the Mandala
Daniel Cozort: “The Sand Mandala of Vajrabhairava”
Documentary: “Mandala: The Sacred Circle of Vajrabhairava”
Tues. 11/25
The Feminine in Tibetan Buddhist Culture: From the Center to the
Margins
Rita Gross: “Yeshe Tsogyel: Enlightened Consort, Great Teacher,
and Female Role Model”
Karma Lekshe Tsomo, “Women’s Religious Identity in Himalayan
Buddhist Cultures”
Thurs. 11/27
No class: Thanksgiving Day
IV. The Contested History of Tibet (Part II): The Chinese Annexation of Tibet and
the Life of Tibetan Communities in Exile
Tues. 12/2
Goldstein: Preface and pp. 1-60
Thurs. 12/4
Goldstein: pp. 61-131
Evening Documentary: Tibet In Exile
**Fri. 12/5 Research Papers Due**
**Final Exam Place and Time TBA**
VI. Justification for third crosslisting:
In 500 words or less describe the extenuating circumstances making a third course necessary.
VII Copies and Electronic Submission. After approval, submit signed original, and electronic
file to the Faculty Senate Office, UH 221, camie.foos@mso.umt.edu.