Lucas Bender

Associate Professor of East Asian Languages and Literatures; DUS, East Asian Studies

Council on East Asian Studies , Buddhist Studies Initiative

Research Interests:

Early and Medieval Chinese Literature; Chinese Intellectual and Religious Life

Humanities Quadrangle, Room 111

Phone: +1 203-432-5823

lucas.bender@yale.edu

Website

Courses

Ancient and Medieval Chinese Poetry

EALL 3010

Readings in ancient and middle-period Chinese poetry, from the beginnings of the tradition through the Song dynasty.

Prerequisite: one year of classical/literary Chinese or equivalent, or permission of the instructor.

Seminar

Spring 2027

Th 1:30 PM - 3:25 PM

Ancient and Medieval Chinese Poetry

EALL 6010

Readings in ancient and middle-period Chinese poetry, from the beginnings of the tradition through the Song dynasty.

Prerequisite: one year of classical/literary Chinese or equivalent, or permission of the instructor.

Seminar

Spring 2027

Th 1:30 PM - 3:25 PM

Introduction to Chinese Philosophy

EALL 2190, EAST 2201, HUMS 2140, PHIL 1119, RLST 1710

This course represents an introduction to the most important philosophical thinkers and texts in Chinese history, ranging from roughly 500 BC–1500 AD. Topics include ethics, political philosophy, epistemology, and ontology. We discuss the basic works of Confucian and Daoist philosophers during the Warring States and early imperial eras, the continuation of these traditions in early medieval “dark learning,” Buddhist philosophy (in its original Indian context, the early period of its spread to China, and in mature Chinese Buddhist schools such as Chan/Zen), and Neo-Confucian philosophy. The course emphasizes readings in the original texts of the thinkers and traditions in question (all in English translation).

No knowledge of Chinese or previous contact with Chinese philosophy required.

Lecture

Spring 2027

MW 10:30 AM - 11:20 AM

The Chinese Tradition

EALL 2000, CHNS 2000, EAST 2202, HUMS 4527

An introduction to the literature, culture, and thought of premodern China, from the beginnings of the written record to the turn of the twentieth century. Close study of textual and visual primary sources, with attention to their historical and cultural backdrops.

Students enrolled in CHNS 2000 join a weekly Mandarin-language discussion section. No knowledge of Chinese required for students enrolled in EALL 2000. Students enrolled in CHNS 2000 must have L5 proficiency in Mandarin or permission of the course instructor.

Lecture

Fall 2026

M,W 10:30 AM - 11:20 AM