Prof. Ph.D. Philip Clart

Prof. Ph.D. Philip Clart

Professor

Geschichte und Kultur Chinas
Institutsgebäude
Schillerstraße 6, Room S 303
04109 Leipzig

Phone: +49 341 97 - 37151
Fax: +49 341 97 - 37159

Prof. Ph.D. Philip Clart

Prof. Ph.D. Philip Clart

Institute Head

Institute of East Asian Studies
Institutsgebäude
Schillerstraße 6
04109 Leipzig

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.).

  • Clart, P.; Jones, A. (Eds.)
    Transnational Religious Spaces: Religious Organizations and Interactions in Africa, East Asia, and Beyond
    Berlin: De Gruyter. 2020.
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  • Clart, P.; Wang, C.-c.; Ownby, D. (Eds.)
    Text and Context in the Modern History of Chinese Religions: Redemptive Societies and Their Sacred Texts
    Leiden: Brill. 2020.
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  • Clart, 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 Paradigms
    Taipei: Center for Chinese Studies, National Central Library. 2020.
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  • Ming-Qing yilai shanshu congbian (xuji) 明清以來善書叢編 續輯
    Taipei: Xinwenfeng 新文豐. 2021.
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  • Clart, P.
    Popular Religion and Prognostication
    In: 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.
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more publications

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.