Professor Mary I. Bockover
BSS 558
Office Hours: T and TR 11:00-12:30
Phone: 707-826-5752

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PHIL 104: ASIAN PHILOSOPHY

SYLLABUS

This lower division GE Diversity and Common Ground course in Asian Philosophy will examine the Chinese philosophies of Taoism and Confucianism, and the East Indian philosophies of Hinduism and Buddhism.  The main goal is to provide students with an understanding of the significance of these philosophies in their own right, as well as a comparative understanding of them.  This comparison will involve an analysis of the similarities and differences between these Asian philosophies, as well as an analysis of how they stand in relation to some traditional Western views.  We begin with another comparison though, for all of these philosophies are also traditional religions in China and India.  So we must first distinguish philosophy from religion and religious studies to understand the principles of perspectives that may be vastly different from one’s own.  Paradoxically, achieving this goal can lead to an even fuller understanding of what it means to be a human being, in spite of our differences.  The method for accomplishing this goal is philosophical -- achieved through the rational analysis of the main principles of these philosophies (a) in themselves, (b) in contrast with each other, and (c) in contrast with some mainstream Western philosophical and religious traditions.  It is primarily the multicultural content of this course that allows it to fulfill a DCG requirement.

TEXTS

1) Tao Te Ching, translated by D. C. Lau for Taoism
2) The Analects of Confucius, translated by Ames & Rosemont for Confucianism
3) Confucius--the Secular As Sacred, by Herbert Fingarette for Confucianism
4) The Bhagavad Gita and Its Message, edition and commentary by Sri Aurobindo for Hinduism
5) Buddhism by Huston Smith for Buddhism
6) Asian Philosophy, by Koller for all the philosophies we cover in this class

HANDOUTS

Taoism

Themes in the Daodejing

Actionless Action

The Sage

The Tao Waley

The Tao Wu

Confucianism

Confucian Themes

Confucian Morality

Hinduism

Hindu Themes

Doctrines and Paradoxes

Buddhism

Buddhist Themes

The Life and Teachings of the Buddh

CALENDAR

REQUIREMENTS

1. WRITING REQUIREMENTS

(1) Two MIDTERM PHILOSOPHY ESSAYS on Taoism and Confucianism, respectively.  These papers are to be approximately 4 pages in length each, double-spaced and typed (each is worth 30% of your written grade).
Note about the writing requirement for this class: You must be sure to revise each paper several (at least 3) times on your own before handing it in, otherwise you submit what amounts to a draft and not a polished paper.  Time and effort must be put into writing – and rewriting – your papers to get a decent grade.

(2) FINAL EXAM on Hinduism and Buddhism (40% of your written grade).

Class attendance and participation is also a basic requirement, and you must read the material assigned (readings are assigned in class).  Quizzes may be given.

3. PRACTICAL LEARNING REQUIREMENT (PLR): SEE PLR LINK

• Media Option: of at least 5 hours of contact with outside media sources, e.g., movies, videos, CD ROMs, Internet sites, pod-casts, newspaper or magazine articles, books, etc. that are connected with Asian thought.
• Community Involvement Option: of observing at least 5 hours of religious or philosophical activities in the community of Asian origin or of comparative philosophical significance, or bear a close relation to Asian thought.
• Humboldt State University Ethics Forum: which meets twice a semester for 1 1/2 hours each forum and requires additional readings, Internet searches, and/or video viewings (approximately 5 hours).  This forum involves topics that are connected to Asian thought, or that can be connected in a comparative manner.  Sign up for this course for an additional unit, and see the HSU Ethics Forum link on my website for its flyer and syllabus.

The above options, or combination thereof, will require at least 5 hours of contact or involvement with outside sources.  You will also write an essay(s), discussing the philosophical relevance you found to be connected with your practical learning.  Your essay is to be approximately 4 pages, double-spaced and typed (not including pictures), due anytime during finals week.  Your essay(s), along with any other supporting material or documentation used to fulfill this requirement is referred to as a PLR portfolio in the Calendar section of this syllabus.  It will be graded credit/no credit.

Note: HSU Area C Objectives

1.  To understand human experience through the development of the ability to recognize and test relationships between particular instances and facts, and general principles and concepts. 
2.  To develop and/or increase one’s subjective responses to humanistic and/or artistic works, including analysis of disciplinary standards of judgment (contemporary and/or historically) in humanistic and artistic areas. 
3. To highlight varied factors in the personal nature of human beings’ production and response to artistic and humanistic works including (but not limited to) gender, culture or ethnicity.
4.  To provide an understanding of the nature and scope of perspectives and scholarship within the arts/humanities and to appreciate the importance of these perspectives and scholarship toward understanding of human experience.

FALL 2009

Internet Resources for Readings in Asian and Comparative Philosophy

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Last Updated:08/25/09