Department of Religion
Assistant Professor of Religion

Tom Michael's teaching and research focus on Chinese religions, including Confucianism, Buddhism, Daoism, and popular religions. He published The Pristine Dao: Metaphysics in Early Daoist Discourse in 2005, which explores the religious dimensions of early Daoism. His current research focuses on early Chinese religion, with a particular emphasis on the place and function of shamanism, through the examination of materials from oracle bones to myth, poetry, song, and the official bureaucratic writings. His courses deal primarily with the various foundational texts of Chinese religions, philosophy, mythology, and literature.

For more information see:      http://www.bu.edu/religion/faculty/michael.html

Courses:

Undergraduate:
Chinese Religion(CAS RN 211)
Daoism (CAS RN 360)
Zen Buddhism (CAS RN 363)
Topics in Religion and Literature in East Asia (CAS RN 426)