Intellectual Inquiry 270
Gods, Ghosts, and Monsters in Asian Literature
Dr. Marwood Larson-Harris
Office: West 318
Phone: 375-2411
Email: mdharris@roanoke.edu
Office Hours: M/T/W/Th: 2–3:00pm
and by appointment
Course Description
Asian literature abounds with supernatural beings of all sorts—gods who hold grudges, monsters
with 12 heads, hungry ghosts that wander the earth, and spiritual masters who can conquer all of them.
These tales offer an excellent window into Asian religion and literature, because while they are fantastic (and
fun to read), they make sense when read in the context of Asian belief systems. Hence, reading religious
literature and literature that is shaped by religious ideas are mutually supportive undertakings.
This class will first survey Indian, Chinese, and Japanese religious world views as a foundation for
reading Asian literature. We will explore the Indian epic Mahabharata, the Chinese novel Monkey, Chinese
ghost stories, and the Japanese film Spirited Away. To gain a perspective on Asian world views and their
gods, ghosts, and monsters we will first research classic western supernatural creatures such as zombies and
vampires. This experience with more familiar material will aid us as we experience radically different
conceptions of the world in Asian religion and literature.
The class will ponder the following questions: What ethical and religious beliefs explain the nature
of these gods and monsters? Why are people, gods, and monsters punished under these belief systems?
What do the human protagonists learn about themselves? What do the supernatural characters teach us
about the human condition?
Learning Outcomes for INQ 270
1. Students will be able to apply humanities methodologies appropriate for the course’s discipline and
topic.
2. Students will be able to articulate how the course’s perspective (Western, Global, or Natural World)
was reflected in the course content.
3. Students will be able to write about course topics clearly and effectively.
4. Students will be able to communicate effectively about the course topic in an oral format.
Grades
Short research paper: 3 pages (5%)
Presentation on a reading (10%);
Quizzes and Weekly Jottings—short response papers totaling roughly 10 pages (10%);
Two 5 page essays (20% each);
Midterm (15%);
Final (20%);
The grading scale is as follows: A (93–100), A- (90–92), B+ (87–89), B (83–86), B- (80–82), etc. An F is 59
or below. Late papers will be lowered one notch for every class day they are late (a B becomes a B-).
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How to Succeed in this Course: Participate!
Participation is essential to the life of this class. Participation means more than simply showing up
for class! You will need to arrive with an open and active mind. You will need to show up having read the
material carefully, taken notes on it, and be ready to voice your opinion. To participate you should above
all come to class with your own reactions to and opinions about our reading assignments. Think about how
the texts connect with things in our own world. To do these things you will need a few hours to prepare for
each class period. The class can only thrive with your individual help.
Writing
One of the primary purposes of this course is to develop your writing. We will focus on the writing
process as a tool for critical thinking. We will write in a variety of ways—from informal jottings, which will
help you brainstorm reactions to readings and contribute to class discussions, to more deliberate essays,
which we will rethink and revise together in class and in one-on-one conversations.
Jottings
Every week you will be writing at least one jotting. Jottings are for you to reflect on a reading and then
focus your thoughts about it; they are sometimes in response to a specific question (given on the schedule)
but sometimes are an open-ended opportunity for you to identify what most grabs you about a text. These
1-page papers should be printed, a full page long, double spaced, with only your name and INQ270 on one
line at the top. They must also contain at least one short quotation (but not lengthy block
quotations).
Where can I get additional help on my writing?
Roanoke College’s Writing Center, located on the lower level of Fintel Library, is a place where
writers working in any academic discipline, at any level of competence, at any stage of the writing process
meet with trained peer writing tutors in informal, one-on-one tutoring sessions focused on writing. Tutoring
is free. The Writing Center is open Sunday through Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m. starting Monday, September
3rd.You may simply stop in or schedule an appointment ahead of time by going to the Center for Learning
and Teaching→WritingCenter and looking for the Tutoring Schedule link. Email questions to the Writing
Center at writingcenter@roanoke.edu or call 375-4949.Also, be on the lookout for Writing Workshops,
Creative Writing Playshops, and Grammar Crammers.
Presentation
In addition to writing projects, you will also be giving a presentation, in groups of two, about one of
the readings. I will discuss this assignment in class. These will take place once a week to lead off discussion.
Attendance
You may miss TWO classes: any absences beyond this will lower your COURSE grade by one
notch. In other words, 3 absences will lower your final grade by one notch (a B+ becomes a B), and 4
absences will lower your final grade one full letter (a B becomes a C). 6 absences will result in a failing grade
(F) for the course. Please come see me if you have a difficulty.
There are no excused absences. (If you are sick or must miss school for an athletic match, make
sure you have no other absences.) There will be no make-up quizzes. Make-up exams will be given for
serious, legitimate reasons. If you miss class it is essential that you get the notes from another
student.
Religious Holidays
Students who miss a class for a religious holiday may make up the class without penalty, but you
must write me a note before that date. I will arrange the make-up work with you.
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Electronic Devices and Laptops
Please turn off your cell phone when you enter the classroom. You may not use any electronic
device during class, including a laptop. The use of any electronic device during an exam is strictly
prohibited.
Special Accommodations
If you are on record with the College’s Office of Disability Support Services as having academic or
physical needs requiring accommodations, please meet with me during my regular office hours or schedule
an appointment as soon as possible. We need to discuss your accommodations before they can be
implemented. Also, please note that arrangements for extended time on exams and testing in a semi-private
setting must be made at least one week before every exam.
If you believe you are eligible for accommodations but have not yet formally contacted Disability
Support Services, please contact Ms. Barbara Awbrey, the Coordinator for Disability Support Services, at
375-2247 or drop by the Center for Learning & Teaching in Fintel Library.
Academic Integrity
As members of a learning community, we enjoy important intellectual freedoms and are answerable
to equally important academic responsibilities. Doing our own work and properly acknowledging the work
of others are bedrock values in a community of scholars. When you arrived at Roanoke College you
pledged to uphold these values and to abide by the practices and policies described in the brochure
“Academic Integrity at Roanoke College.” It is your responsibility to read this brochure carefully and to
understand it well.
In a course such as this one, which involves independent scholarship and writing, it is especially
important to cite and discuss your sources as a part of our intellectual exchange. And, as a matter of
honesty, it is imperative that you understand what plagiarism is and avoid even unintended violations.
Review carefully the section on plagiarism in the academic integrity brochure. If you have any questions,
speak with me or bring up your questions in class.
Required Texts
Living Religions East, Mary Pat Fisher (Prentice Hall, 2010);
Mahabharata, R. K. Narayan, trans. (U. of Chicago, 2000);
Monkey: A Journey to the West, David Kherdian, trans. (Shambhala, 2005);
Diana Hacker, The Writer’s Reference (Roanoke College edition).
Other readings will be distributed in class or posted on Inquire as noted in the schedule.
Inquire Postings
In addition to the books listed above, you will be reading articles posted on Inquire. Think of these
as an alternative textbook: print each file well in advance of class so you are certain your computer and
printer are working properly. Read these selections carefully, take notes on them, and bring them to class.
NOTE: Failure to bring the textbook (or Inquire reading) to class will result in a halfabsence.
ALL PAPERS MUST BE PRINTED (NOT HAND-WRITTEN).
ALL PAPERS MUST BE STAPLED.
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SCHEDULE
READINGS AND JOTTINGS LISTED FOR A PARTICULAR DAY ARE DUE ON THAT DAY.
COME PREPARED TO ANSWER THE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS LISTED AFTER EACH TEXTBOOK READING
(THERE MAY BE QUIZZES).
Aug 29/31 Introduction: Fantasy literature and religious literature
W: Introduction to the class: taking fairy tales seriously
Assignment: research supernatural creatures (due next Monday and Wednesday)
F: library time to work on research
Sept 3/5/7 The supernatural
M: creature presentations
W: creature presentations
F: View: Hinduism video
Part I: How do karma and dharma influence Hindu men and monsters?
Sept 10/12/14
Gods and Monsters in India: introduction
M: Read Fisher, World Religions East, ch. 2 pgs. 41–57
1. Vedic Religion: what are the Vedas?
a. what kind of religion was practiced during this period?
2. Philosophy of the Upanishads: what are some of the main beliefs found in the Upanishads?
a. Be able to identify some of the key terms in this section.
3. Castes and Social Duties: what are the four castes, and what are their duties?
4. Bhakti in the epics: What are the two epics?
W: Read Fisher ch. 2 pgs. 57–71, 73–89
1. Spiritual Discipline: What are the four periods of life of a Hindu male?
a. What is a guru, and why is he or she important?
2. Yogic practices: What are the four types of yoga?
3. Major theistic cults: Who are the three main deities worshipped by Hindus, and how are
they worshipped?
4. Devotions and rituals: What are some of the ways Hindus express their devotion?
5. Festivals: What are some of the most important Hindu festivals?
F: In-class ritual: Agni-chayana; Slide show: Hinduism
Sept 17/19/21
Gods and Monsters in India: the Mahabharata
M: Read Mahabharata—the Introduction and chapters 1–2
Special Jotting (due Sept 28): type out the wise speeches (2–3 pages worth) that various
people (mostly sages) impart to the Pandavas—especially Yudisthira—throughout the book. This
will provide us with a summary of the highest values in Hinduism.
W: Read Mahabharata chs. 3–5
Paper 1 Assigned
Jotting: Who is ultimately responsible for the conflict between the 2 families,
Duryodhana or Dhritarashtra? Make an argument for both cases.
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F: Read Mahabharata chs. 6–8
Jotting: How are the Pandavas the epitome (highest manifestation) of Hinduism?
What qualities do they manifest and what actions do they perform that are exemplary?
Sept 24/26/28
Gods and Monsters in India: the Mahabharata
M: Read Mahabharata chs. 9–11
W: Read Mahabharata chs. 12–14 and Bhagavad Gita excerpts (Inquire);
Jotting: Do you think war was avoidable? Why or why not?
F: Read Mahabharata chs. 15–16 and Epilogue;
SPECIAL JOTTING DUE
Part II: How do Taoist ideas shape Chinese fantasy?
Oct 1/3/5 Introduction to Chinese Religion
M: Read Fisher ch. 6 pgs. 171–98 (Daoism and Confucianism)
PAPER 1 DUE
1. pgs 173: what are the core beliefs of Chinese people?
2. pgs. 177–8: what are some of the values Taoist rely on when trying to follow the Tao?
3. pgs. 178–9: what is “wu wei”? How does one act according to wu wei?
4. pgs 181–3: How do Taoists pursue “longevity” practices? Describe some of the Daoist
techniques for extending the life span.
5. pgs 188–90: What are the main Confucian virtues?
W: View: Taoist Funeral video
F: Midterm review and practice
Oct 8/10/12
Review and Midterm
(Dr. Harris gone Oct 12–16)
M: Midterm on Hinduism, Mahabharata, and Chinese Religions
Fall Break: Oct 15–19
Oct 22/24/26
Chinese Ghost Stories
M: Review: Confucianism and Taoism
W: Read: Pu Song-ling ghost stories (Inquire) and “Underworld Justice” (Inquire)
Jotting: Chose one story and then answer the question: what does this story teach us
about ghosts in China?
F: Read Fisher ch. 4 pgs. 103–16 (Intro to Buddhism)
1. The Life of the Buddha: Be prepared to give an outline of the Buddha's life, according to the
legends.
2. The basic facts of existence: Explain the “4 Noble Truths.”
3. The Eightfold Path of Liberation: Be prepared to explain the parts of the 8-fold Path.
4. pg. 114: What is nirvana?
Part III: How do Buddhist ideas of “emptiness” shape Chinese fantasy?
Oct 29/31 / Nov 2 Introduction to Buddhism
M: Read Fisher ch. 4 pgs. 125–9, 132–8, and 140–7 see additional questions on next page
1. Bodhisattvas: Who or what are bodhisattvas?
2. Emptiness: Try to summarize in your own words what Buddhists mean by “emptiness.”
3. Zen—pgs. 134–6: Why do Zen practitioners sit? What are they trying to accomplish?
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4. Pure Land: What is Pure Land Buddhism, and what role does Amida play?
5. What is “Socially Engaged Buddhism” (pgs. 144–7)?
W: View: Chinese Ghost Festival video
F: Read “Maudgalyayana” (Inquire)
Jotting: What Buddhist ideas do you see in this story?
Nov 5/7/9
Buddhist Fantasy in China: Monkey
M: Read Monkey chs. 1–5
Paper 2 Assigned
W: Read Monkey chs. 6–9
Jotting: choose an idea in either Buddhism, Confucianism, or Taoism and
demonstrate how the novel uses, expresses, or tries to teach that idea.
F: Read Monkey chs. 10–13
Nov 12/14/16
Buddhist Fantasy in China: Monkey
M: Read Monkey chs. 16–20 (skip chs. 14–15)
W: Read Monkey chs. 21–23
F: Read: modern Monkey adaptations
PAPER 2 DUE
Nov 19
M: TBA
Thanksgiving
Part IV: How do Shinto ideas of sincerity shape Japanese fantasy?
Nov 26/28/30
Shinto Fantasy
M: Read Fisher ch. 7 pgs. 200–14
1. Who are the Kami?
2. How do the Shinto practitioners honor the Kami?
3. What role does purification play in Shintoism?
W: View: Spirited Away
Special Jotting (due Dec 3rd): make a list of some of the important creatures in the film
and describe their qualities.
F: View: Spirited Away
Dec 3/5/7 Shinto Fantasy: Spirited Away
M: Read Article on Spirited Away (Inquire);
SPECIAL JOTTING DUE
W: comparing western and Asian supernatural creatures
F: review for final
FINAL: Dec 14, Wednesday
8:30 – 11:30am
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