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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPHR-106Departmental Policy Syllabus 2/8/06; revised, 11/19/13; updated, 1/18/14, 2/6/14 1 Bergen Community College Division of Arts & Humanities Department of Philosophy & Religion Course Syllabus PHR-106 Eastern Philosophy Basic Information about Course and Instructor Semester and year: Course and Section Number: Meeting Times and Locations: Instructor: Office Location: Phone: Departmental Secretary: [optional] Office Hours: Email Address: Course Description PHR-106 Eastern Philosophy is an introduction to the major philosophical traditions of China and India, concentrating on the work of such major thinkers as Lao Tzu, Confucius, Nagarjuna, Vasubandhu, Shankara, and Ramanuja. Topics of discussion include the nature, problems, and methods of Eastern philosophy; the nature of ultimate reality; the nature of the self; the nature and existence of God; the nature and limits of human knowledge; human nature and the human condition; the meaning and value of life and death; the nature of the good life; and the search for enlightenment. 3 lectures, 3 credits General Education Course – Humanities Elective – Diversity Course Student Learning Goals: As a result of meeting the requirements in this course, students will be able to 1. identify the major periods and the major figures in the history of philosophy (East and West); 2. identify and analyze the basic problems of Eastern philosophy in the fields of metaphysics, axiology, and epistemology; 3. interpret, summarize, and paraphrase, both orally and in writing, the views of philosophers as expressed in philosophical texts; 4. use the logical and critical thinking methods of philosophy to analyze and evaluate the ways in which Eastern philosophers attempt to solve the problems of philosophy; 5. locate, evaluate, and use effectively information from a variety of relevant sources; 6. state and support in clear, logical, and concise writing your own views on philosophical issues; and 7. participate actively in discussions of philosophical ideas and issues (re: SLOs 1-4). Departmental Policy Syllabus 2/8/06; revised, 11/19/13; updated, 1/18/14, 2/6/14 2 In pursuit of the foregoing objectives, the course is based on the reading and discussion of philosophical writings of leading Chinese and Indian thinkers (i.e., on primary sources, not text books); the basic principles and methods of logical reasoning are introduced; the techniques of philosophical research and writing are reviewed; students are given the opportunity and are encouraged to participate actively in class discussions; and students are required to do a substantial amount of expository and critical writing in response to the material presented in the course. Learning Assessment The Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) in this course are intended to be aligned with as many of the college's General Education Goals as possible. They are also correlated with the overall Learning Goals of the Philosophy Program. In addition, student progress in reaching the course's SLOs is to be assessed through various means of assessment, such as the "Suggested Means of Assessment" listed below. Student Learning Objective Suggested Means of Assessment 1. identify the major periods and the major figures in the history of philosophy (East and West); • Essay examinations • Quizzes and objective tests • Writing assignments 2. identify and analyze the basic problems of Eastern philosophy in the fields of metaphysics, axiology, and epistemology; • Essay examinations • Quizzes and objective tests • Writing assignments • Graded class presentations 3. interpret, summarize, and paraphrase, both orally and in writing, the views of philosophers as expressed in philosophical texts; • Essay examinations • Quizzes and objective tests • Writing assignments • Graded class presentations 4. use the logical and critical thinking methods of philosophy to analyze and evaluate the ways in which Eastern philosophers attempt to solve the problems of philosophy; • Essay examinations • Quizzes and objective tests • Writing assignments • Graded class presentations 5. locate, evaluate, and use effectively information from a variety of relevant sources; • Writing assignments* • Graded class presentations 6. state and support in clear, logical, and concise writing your own views on philosophical issues; and • Essay examinations • Writing assignments 7. participate actively in discussions of philosophical ideas and issues (re: SLOs 1-4). • Graded class discussions *Writing assignments for the purpose of assessing student success on SLO 6 will include research and writing projects, possibly including term papers, in which a student identifies an information need, accesses and evaluates appropriate resources, and uses the information effectively and ethically for a specific purpose. Course Content The course is intended to introduce students to the (at least general) history of philosophy (East and West), to the basic problems and methods of Chinese and Indian philosophy, and to the leading figures in the major philosophical traditions of China and India. Therefore, the course includes the following (mandatory) components: 1. A review of the (at least general) history of philosophy (East and West). 2. A discussion of the major problems and methods of Chinese and Indian philosophy. 3. The study of the work of at least one major philosopher from each of the following traditions: Taoism, Confucianism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Departmental Policy Syllabus 2/8/06; revised, 11/19/13; updated, 1/18/14, 2/6/14 3 In addition to the foregoing mandatory components, the course may include (in the discretion of the instructor) the study of Eastern philosophical traditions other than the ones specified above and of modern Chinese and/or Indian philosophers (e.g., Fung Yu-lan, Hsiung Shih-li, Aurobindo Ghose, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan). The course may be presented as an historically-ordered study of the writings of major Eastern philosophers, or as a topically-ordered study of the ways in which Eastern philosophers have approached the major problems of philosophy. Special Features of the Course (if any) [to be designated by the instructor] E.g., the use of learning technologies in the course (Internet, PowerPoint, web enhancement via a parallel course website, etc.); the inclusion of technological literacy learning in the course; etc. Course Texts and/or Other Study Materials The text for this course is Readings in Philosophy: Eastern & Western Sources. Ed. George Cronk, Tobyn De Marco, Peter Dlugos, and Paul Eckstein. Plymouth, MI: Hayden-McNeil Publishing, Inc., 2nd ed., 2004. ISBN 0-7380-0781-1. Recommended Supplementary Sources Primary Sources Bonevac, Daniel, and Stephen Phillips (eds.). Understanding Non-Western Philosophy. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield Publishing Company, 1993. Chan, Wing-Tsit (ed.). A Sourcebook in Chinese Philosophy. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1963. Confucius. Analects. Trans. D.C. Lau. New York: Penguin Books, 1979. Lao Tzu. Tao Te Ching. Trans. and ed. Stephen Mitchell. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1988. [There are many other English versions of this classic.] Nagarjuna. The Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way: Nagarjuna’s Mulamadhyamakakarika. Trans. and Commentary Jay L. Garfield. New York: Oxford University Press, 1995. Radhakrishnan, Sarvepalli, and Charles A. Moore (eds.). A Sourcebook in Indian Philosophy. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1957. Ramanuja. The Vedanta-Sutras with the Commentary of Ramanuja. Trans. George Thibaut. Volume 48 of The Sacred Books of the East, ed. F. Max Müller. Delhi, India: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, 1989. Shamkara. The Vedanta-Sutras with the Commentary of Śankaracarya. Trans. George Thibaut. Volumes 34 and 38 of The Sacred Books of the East, ed. F. Max Müller. Delhi, India: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, 1988. Vasubandhu. Seven Works of Vasubandhu. Trans. and ed. Stefan Anacker. Delhi, India: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, 1984. Secondary Sources Hackett, Stuart C. Oriental Philosophy. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1979. Koller, John M. Oriental Philosophies. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 2nd ed., 1985. Phillips, Stephen H. Classical Indian Metaphysics. Chicago: Open Court, 1995. Radhakrishnan, Sarvepalli. Indian Philosophy. 2 vols. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997. Zimmer, Heinrich. Philosophies of India. Ed. Joseph Campbell. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1971. Departmental Policy Syllabus 2/8/06; revised, 11/19/13; updated, 1/18/14, 2/6/14 4 Reference Works The Encyclopedia of Eastern Philosophy and Religion. Ed. Ingrid Fischer-Schreiber et al. Boston: Shambala Publications, Inc., 1994. Reese, William L. (ed.). Dictionary of Philosophy and Religion: Eastern and Western Thought. Atlantic Highlands, NJ: Humanities Press, 2nd ed., 1996. Writing and Critical Thinking Requirement(s) Because PHR-106 is a General Education course, it requires students to complete a variety of critical thinking and writing assignments. These assignments may include class discussions and debates requiring the application of critical thinking skills, short in-class essays, out-of-class writing projects (journals, research papers, argument-analysis papers, book reviews, etc.), tests and examinations containing essay components, and so forth. Instructors will respond to and comment on students' writing in detail. Grading Policy A student's final grade for the course is based primarily on his or her performance on the required work for the course (writing assignments, examinations, class presentations, etc.) and on his or her overall mastery of the material covered in the course. A student's class participation may also be evaluated, and the grade thereon may be used as a factor in determining the student's final grade for the course; but a class participation grade will count for no more than twenty percent (20%) of the final grade. A student's research and writing work will count at least fifty percent (50%) of the final grade. Attendance Policy BCC Attendance Policy: All students are expected to attend punctually every scheduled meeting of each course in which they are registered. Attendance and lateness policies and sanctions are to be determined by the instructor for each section of each course. These will be established in writing on the individual course outline. Attendance will be kept by the instructor for administrative and counseling purposes. Philosophy and Religion Departmental Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend class regularly and punctually. Attendance will be taken at each class session. It is expected that class will be conducted such that students will benefit in their written work by the lectures and class discussion. If students occasionally arrive late, they should be encouraged to enter quietly, not disturbing the class. If students miss class, they should be encouraged to use the course calendar to stay abreast of material. It is probably a good idea for students to find study partners and to exchange telephone numbers. Make-ups for examinations should be allowed by the instructor if, in the instructor's judgment, the student has presented a good excuse for missing the work. Instructors may penalize work which is late; however, the instructor's policies for make-ups and late work must be clearly specified on the student guide. Attendance Policy in this Course: [To be designated by the instructor] Departmental Policy Syllabus 2/8/06; revised, 11/19/13; updated, 1/18/14, 2/6/14 5 Other College, Divisional, and/or Departmental Policy Statements [optional but recommended] Examples: Statement on plagiarism and/or academic dishonesty. ADA statement. Sexual Harassment statement. Statement on acceptable use of BCC technology. Statement on the purpose and value of faculty office hours. Student and Faculty Support Services [optional but recommended] List support services, e.g., the Writing Center, the Math Lab, the Tutorial Center, Online Writing Lab (OWL), Office of Specialized Services, etc. Include information on the BCC Library. Example: Student and Faculty Support Services The Distance Learning Office – for any problems you may have accessing your online courses Room C-334 201-612-5581 psimms@bergen.edu Smarthinking Tutorial Service On Line at: http://www.bergen.edu/pages1/Pages/4787.aspx The Tutoring Center Room L-125 201-447-7908 http://www.bergen.edu/pages1/pages/2192.aspx The Writing Center Room L-125 201-447-7908 http://www.bergen.edu/pages1/Pages/1795.aspx The Office of Specialized Services (for Students with Disabilities) Room S-131 201-612-5270 http://www.bergen.edu/oss BCC Library – Reference Desk Room L-226 201-447-7436 Special Note on the Tutoring Center The Henry and Edith Cerullo Learning Assistance Center encompasses the Tutoring Center, the English Language Resource Center, and the Writing Center. The website of the Learning Assistance Center is located at www.bergen.edu/pages/2192.asp. Tutoring services are available for this course in the Tutoring Center. I strongly recommend that you make use of those services as we progress through the course. As listed above, the Tutoring Center is located in Room L-125, and its phone number is 201- 447-7908. Include the following statement on Logos – The BCC Philosophy & Religion Club Logos – The BCC Philosophy & Religion Club Logos usually meets on Tuesdays during the Activities Period, 12:30-1:25 PM, but sometimes also on different days and at different times. I encourage you to join the club. Since you are interested in the study of philosophy, you should find the meetings and other activities of the Philosophy & Religion club very interesting. For further information, check the Philosophy & Religion bulletin board adjacent to Room L-325A or contact LOGOS Advisor, Professor Jennifer Lyden (L-326, 201-493-3540, jlyden@bergen.edu). (LOGOS does not hold regular meetings during the summer.) Departmental Policy Syllabus 2/8/06; revised, 11/19/13; updated, 1/18/14, 2/6/14 6 Include a Course Outline and Calendar [can be combined in a single syllabus section] The Course Outline and Calendar must include all of the following elements: • A daily or (at least) weekly schedule of topics to be covered. • Dates for exams, quizzes, or other means of assessment. (This does not mean that all evaluation of students must be in groups and at the same time. Exams and other means of assessment can be listed as "to be scheduled individually.") • Due dates for major assignments – e.g., when is a paper due; if the topic has to be approved, when; if an outline or draft is an interim step, when it is due. • Any required special events must be included in the outline/calendar, e.g., a lecture by a visiting speaker, a dramatic or musical performance, a field trip. • Designation of Student Learning Objectives – by number – for each topic (see sample below). • A note to students stating that the course outline and calendar is tentative and subject to change, depending upon the progress of the class. Sample Format for Course Outline and Calendar Note to Students: The following Course Outline and Calendar is tentative and subject to change, depending upon the progress of the class. Week(s) Date(s) Topics & Assignments Learning Objectives 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 See the Sample Course Outline and Calendar below. Departmental Policy Syllabus 2/8/06; revised, 11/19/13; updated, 1/18/14, 2/6/14 7 SAMPLE COURSE OUTLINE AND CALENDAR [with designation of Student Learning Objectives – by number – for each topic] Note to Students: The following Course Outline and Calendar is tentative and subject to change, depending upon the progress of the class. Week(s) Date(s) Topic/Activity/Assignments Student Learning Objectives 1-2 Sep 6, 8, 13, 15 The Nature of Philosophy – Eastern and Western Perspectives Read "Notes on the Nature of Philosophy" (handout) 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 3-4 Sep 20, 22, 27, 29 Sep 20 Sep 27 Sep 29 Confucian Philosophy – How to Build and Maintain a Civilization Read Confucius* Confucius/Lao Tzu Research Paper assigned (due by 10/17) Short Essay on the Nature of Philosophy due Midnight deadline for completing Student Information & Syllabus Comprehension Surveys 1-7 5-6 Oct 4, 6, 11, 13 Oct 13 Taoist Philosophy – Finding "The Way" Read Lao Tzu* Short Essay on Confucius due 1-7 7-8 Oct 18, 20, 25, 27 Oct 18 Oct 25 Oct 27 Philosophy and Logic (preparation for classical Indian philosophy) Read "Philosophy & Logic" article Argument Analysis Paper assigned (due by 11/17) Confucius/Lao Tzu Research Paper due Short Essay on Lao Tzu due 4-7 9-11 Nov 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17 Nov 17 Mahayana Buddhist Philosophy – Voidism vs. Idealism Read Early Buddhist Texts, Nagarjuna, & Vasubandhu (in that order)* Argument Analysis Paper due 1-7 12-14 Nov 22, 24, 29, Dec 1, 6, 8 Nov 22 Nov 25-28 Dec 8 Dec 13 Vedanta Philosophy – Non-Dualism vs. Qualified Non- Dualism Read Upanishads selections, Shankara, & Ramanuja (in that order)* Short Essay on Buddhist Philosophy due Thanksgiving Weekend Final deadline for late work – no late work accepted after this date Short Essay on Vedanta Philosophy due 1-7 15 Dec 13, 15 Final Review 2-7 *In Readings in Philosophy: Eastern & Western Sources. Ed. George Cronk, Tobyn De Marco, Peter Dlugos, and Paul Eckstein. Plymouth, MI: Hayden-McNeil Publishing, Inc., 2nd ed., 2004. ISBN-13: 978- 0738007816.