Scribner Seminar Program
Course Description

Buddhism, Travel, and Trade on the Silk Road

Instructor(s): Ryan Overbey, Religious Studies

This course is a detailed examination of a journey by a Buddhist pilgrim. Hyecho, a Korean monk, traveled the Buddhist worlds of Asia from 724–727 CE. Hyecho’s journey survives in the form of a travel diary, a record of what he saw as he sailed the oceans and crossed the great deserts, mountains, forests, and cities of South, Central, and East Asia.

Not only does Hyecho’s journey give us important facts about the worlds of medieval Asia; it allows us to think more broadly about Buddhism, about sacred journeys and pilgrimage, about place, space, and history. In this course we will use the journey of Hyecho as a window into the history, archaeology, art, literature, and religions of Asia. As a virtual journey alongside Hyecho, we will not only learn about the rich interdisciplinary worlds of Asian Studies; we will also develop critical tools for envisioning and enduring through our own intellectual and personal journeys through Skidmore College.

 

Course Offered:

• Fall 2019