Profile
Abstract
Philip Clart is Professor of Chinese Culture and History at Leipzig University, Germany. He received his Ph.D. in Asian Studies from the University of British Columbia, Canada, in 1997; prior to coming to Leipzig, he taught at the University of British Columbia (1996-1998) and at the University of Missouri-Columbia (USA, 1998-2008). He is the editor of the Journal of Chinese Religions and co-editor (with Elisabeth Kaske) of the monograph series Leipziger Sinologische Studien. His main research areas are popular religion and new religious movements in Taiwan, religious change and state/religion relations in China, as well as literature and religions of the late imperial period (10th-19th c.). His monographs include Han Xiangzi: The Alchemical Adventures of a Daoist Immortal (University of Washington Press, 2007) and Die Religionen Chinas (Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2009). He has edited or co-edited twelve books and collections (in 2003, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2021).
Professional career
- 08/1996 - 06/1998
Sessional lecturer, Dept. of Asian Studies, University of British Columbia. - 08/1998 - 07/2005
Assistant professor (tenure-track), Dept. of Religious Studies, University of Missouri-Columbia - 08/2005 - 07/2008
Associate professor (tenured), Dept. of Religious Studies, University of Missouri-Columbia - 08/2007 - 07/2008
Chair, Department of Religious Studies, University of Missouri-Columbia - since 08/2008
Professor, Chinese Culture & History, Department of East Asian Studies, Leipzig University
Education
- 10/1984 - 10/1989
University of Bonn, Germany. Major: Chinese Studies. Minors: Cultural Anthropology, International LawDegree: M.A. in Chinese Studies, October 1989. MA thesis: „Ritual und Familie bei Sima Guang 司馬光 (1019-1086)” - 08/1991 - 05/1997
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Ph.D. programme in Asian Studies. Thesis: "The Ritual Context of Morality Books: A Case-Study of a Taiwanese Spirit-Writing Cult”
Philip Clart's main research areas are popular religion and new religious movements in Taiwan, religious change and state/religion relations in China, as well as literature and religions of the late imperial period (10th-19th c.).
- show detailsClart, P.; Jones, A. (Eds.)Transnational Religious Spaces: Religious Organizations and Interactions in Africa, East Asia, and BeyondBerlin: De Gruyter. 2020.ISBN: 978-3-11-068995-2
- show detailsClart, P.; Wang, C.-c.; Ownby, D. (Eds.)Text and Context in the Modern History of Chinese Religions: Redemptive Societies and Their Sacred TextsLeiden: Brill. 2020.ISBN: 978-90-04-42413-5
- show detailsClart, P.; Goossaert, V.; Hsieh, S.-w. (Eds.)Daojiao yu difang zongjiao: dianfan de chongsi guoji yantaohui lunwenji 道教與地方宗教─ 典範的重思國際研討會論文集 Daoism and Local Cults: Rethinking the ParadigmsTaipei: Center for Chinese Studies, National Central Library. 2020.ISBN: 978-957-678-691-4
- show detailsMing-Qing yilai shanshu congbian (xuji) 明清以來善書叢編 續輯Taipei: Xinwenfeng 新文豐. 2021.ISBN: 978-957-17-3318-0
- show detailsClart, P.Popular Religion and PrognosticationIn: Lackner, M.; Zhao, L. (Eds.)Handbook of Divination and Prognostication in China. Part 1: Introduction to the Field of Chinese Prognostication. Leiden: E.J. Brill. 2022. pp. 345–363.ISBN: 978-90-04-51127-9
Philip Clart teaches undergraduate and graduate classes in Chinese religions, history, and literature, as well as language courses in Literary Chinese.
-
Classical Literary Chinese I
BA Chinese Studies
This course offers a systematic introduction to the classical Chinese written language and is intended to enable students to read pre-modern texts independently.
-
Classical Literary Chinese II
BA Chinese Studies
This course offers a systematic introduction to the classical Chinese written language and is intended to enable students to read pre-modern texts independently. It further develops the knowledge and skills taught in the module "Literary Chinese I".
-
The Religions of China
MA Chinese Studies
Selected areas of Chinese religious history are examined in a critical analysis of the relevant primary sources and current research literature. The focus is on a critical examination of sinological research as well as comparative and theoretical perspectives from other, i.e. non-Chinese, areas of religious research.
-
Chinese Cultural History
MA Chinese Studies
Selected areas of Chinese cultural history are examined in a critical analysis of the relevant primary sources and current research literature. The focus is on a critical examination of sinological research as well as comparative and theoretical perspectives from other, i.e. non-Chinese, areas of cultural, historical, and social scientific research.
-
Applied Research Methodology II
MA Chinese Studies
The seminar deepens students' theoretical and methodological competence by learning and applying strategies of critical reading of specialist texts and constructive mutual criticism of research achievements. By giving and accepting criticism, students develop the ability to argue and defend their own points of view, to take responsibility in a team, and to motivate others and themselves.