INTRODUCTION TO ASIAN PHILOSOPHY

Fall 2018 Syllabus

Section 001
CRN: 13243
MWF 12:00 — 12:50 PM
Edith Kanakaʻole Hall 128

Dr. Timothy J. Freeman
The University of Hawaii at Hilo
Edith Kanaka‘ole Hall 212
office: 932-7479; cell: 345-5231

freeman@hawaii.edu

Office Hours: MWF 12:00-12:50; 2:00-2:50 PM
and by appointment

Phil 101 Introduction to Asian Philosophy
Philosophical teachings of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Confucianism, Taoism, Neo-Confucianism, and Shintoism.

Asian Philosophies, 6th ed. John M. Koller. Pearson, 2012.

This course will provide a broad overview of Asian philosophies. The course will introduce the student to a wide range of important philosophical texts. In the first half of the course we will focus on the development of South Asian philosophies, beginning in ancient India with the origins of Hinduism through reading selections from the Rig Vedas and the Upanishads. We will briefly consider the development of Jainism, one of the reactions against the orthodox Upanishadic tradition. We will then turn our attention to the development of Buddhism, reading selections from the Buddhist Pali Canon. We will then conclude our survey of the development of Indian philosophy with an examination of the development of Mahayana Buddhism. We will read selections from the Prajnaparamita Sutras, namely the short Heart Sutra as well as a selection from the Diamond Sutra. After this we return to the further development of Hinduism with an examination of The Bhagavad Gita, as well as further philosophical and theistic developments. Part Two of the course focuses on the development of East Asian Philosophies. We journey first to ancient China and study the development of the classical Chinese philosophies of Confucianism and Daoism. We will read selections from the Analects of Confucius as well as from the later Confucian classics—the Mengzi and the Xunzi. We will then turn to Daoism, reading selections from the Daodejing and the Zhuangzi. We then turn to the development of Buddhism in China and Japan. We focus first on the early development of Buddhism in China, focusing on the Lotus Sutra, The Flower Garland Sutra, and the Land of Bliss Sutra, important sutras for the Tiantai, Huayan, and Pure Land schools of Chinese Buddhism. We then examine the development of Chan Buddhism, reading selections from Bodhidharma, the legendary founder of Chan Buddhism, as well as from the famous Platform Sutra of Huineng. When the school of Chan Buddhism came to Japan it became known as Zen Buddhism. We will read selections from Dogen’s famous essay To Forget the Self and from Zen Comments on the Mumonkan by Zenkei Shibayama. We will close the course with a reading of a selection from the Zen teacher Thich That Hanh, one of the founding figures of the contemporary movement known as Engaged Buddhism.

[Philosophy courses for GE purposes]: (As with all Philosophy courses) Students who successfully complete the course will be able to:
●respond clearly, logically and critically to examination questions and discussion questions about some important philosophical issues relevant to the course;
●read, comprehend, and discuss philosophical texts relevant to the course;
●compose effective written materials that assimilate, synthesize and reflect on course information;
●identify and describe in writing and in class discussion some important aspects of the cultural heritage and contributions of Western philosophy.

Classroom sessions will be both lecture and discussion.

* All students are expected to come to class on time and to bring their books as well as paper and pen suitable for taking notes of class lectures.
* No laptop computers are to be used during class time.
* Active cellular telephones or paging devices are not permitted in class.
* No consumption of food is allowed during the class period.

The final grade will be based on the following:

1) Three take-home short essay assignments (25% each)
Final Exam (25% each)

Attendance is important! More than 3 unexcused absences will negatively impact your grade.


Grading will be determined according to the following scale:

A 95-100 Excellent
A - 90-94
B + 87-89
B 84-86 Good
B - 80-83
C + 77-79
C 74-76 Satisfactory
C - 70-73 Poor
D 60-70 Failure
F below 60

Advising is a very important resource designed to help students complete the requirements of the University and their individual majors. Students should consult with their advisor at least once a semester to decide on courses, check progress towards graduation, and discuss career options and other educational opportunities provided by UH Hilo. Advising is a shared responsibility, but students have final responsibility for meeting degree requirements. By the 4th week of instruction students can look at their STAR to look up who their assigned advisor(s) are.

As stated in the UH Hilo General Catalog and in the Student Conduct Code, plagiarism and cheating are forms of academic dishonesty. In other words, do your own work; all work presented as yours should be your own work. Academic dishonesty will have serious consequences! The University of Hawai'i at Hilo Student Code of Conduct available at the following URL:

http://hilo.hawaii.edu/catalog/student-conduct-code.html

Kilohana: The Academic Success Center provides a range of free, drop-in academic services and resources to all currently enrolled UH Hilo students. Services include access to peer student staff from a range of academic majors, course related resources (handouts, practice exams, etc.) PC desktops with subject specific software, and study environments for individuals and small groups. Please check the Kilohana website at https://hilo.hawaii.edu/kilohana/ for information, locations, and contact phone numbers for our various Centers on campus. You can also call 932-7287 (Karla Hayashi) or 932-7294 (Lindsay Heller) for more information.

Any student with a documented disability who would like to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Office - Student Services Center E230, 932-7623 (V), 932-7002 (TTY), uds@hawaii.edu - as early in the semester as possible.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo prohibits discrimination in its education programs based on race, national origin, color, creed, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or associational preference. If at any time during class you feel uncomfortable about what is being talked about, or feel that your human rights have been violated, please feel free to leave the room. However, I ask that you confer with me as soon as possible about what happened so that appropriate action can be taken if necessary to avoid future problems. If you are uncomfortable speaking with me about your concern, please contact Jennifer Stotter (jstotter@hawaii.edu), EEO/AA Director, at 932-7641.

The UH Hilo community is committed to and cares about all students. Life at college can get complicated. Students sometimes feel overwhelmed, lost, experience anxiety or depression, struggle with relationship difficulties, family responsibilities, or diminished self-esteem. However, supportive services are available and effective. UH Hilo Counseling Services helps undergraduate and graduate students cope with difficult emotions and life stressors. Counseling Services is staffed by experienced, professional counselors, who are attuned to the diverse needs of all types of college students. The services are FREE and completely confidential. Find out more at https://hilo.hawaii.edu/studentaffairs/counseling or by calling (808) 932-7465.

For immediate help, contact The Crisis Line of Hawaii 1-800-753-6879, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-8255 (suicidepreventionlifeline.org), or text “Aloha” or “Hello” to the Crisis Text Line 741-741.

The University of Hawaii is committed to providing a learning, working and living environment that promotes personal integrity, civility, and mutual respect and is free of all forms of sex discrimination and gender-based violence, including sexual assault, sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these, the University has staff and resources on your campus to support and assist you. Staff can also direct you to resources that are in the community. Here are some of your options:

If you wish to remain ANONYMOUS, speak with someone CONFIDENTIALLY, or would like to receive information and support in a CONFIDENTIAL setting, contact:

UH Hilo Counseling Services: SSC, room E-203, 932-7465.

UH Hilo Medical Services: Campus Center, room 212, 932-7369

Hawaii Island YWCA, 935-0677

If you wish to REPORT an incident of sex discrimination or gender-based violence including sexual assault, sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking as well as receive information and support*, contact:

Libby Bailey, Title IX Coordinator: 932-7818 libby.bailey@hawaii.edu

Jennifer Stotter, Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity & Deputy Title IX Coordinator: 932-7641 jstotter@hawaii.edu

Kalei Rapoza, Interim Director of Human Resources, 932-7626 kaleihii@hawaii.edu

* Please note that you do not have to file a report with the University to receive institutional support or assistance.

As a member of the University faculty, I am required to immediately report any incident of sex discrimination or gender-based violence to the campus Title IX Coordinator. Although the Title IX Coordinator and I cannot guarantee confidentiality, you will still have options about how your case will be handled. My goal is to make sure you are aware of the range of options available to you and have access to the resources and support you need.

For more information regarding sex discrimination and gender- based violence, the University’s Title IX resources and the University’s Policy, Interim EP 1.204, go to: http://www.hawaii.edu/titleix.

UH Hilo provides confidential assistance for victims of sexual assault. Counseling Services on— campus and the YWCA Sexual Support Services off — campus offer guidance regarding medical assistance and emotional help and can discuss options for reporting sexual assaults to law enforcement. All conversations are private and confidential. See UH Hilo’ s Sexual Assault Policy: http://hilo.hawaii.edu/uhh/vcsa/documents/UHHSexualAssaultPolicy.pdf

For assistance during the day, contact UH Hilo Counseling Services at 808.932.7465; or, after hours and on weekends, contact the YWCA Sexual Assault Support Services at (808) 935-0677.

Course Evaluations
(Open N0v 19-Dec 6)

**Schedule is subject to revision**

top image:
A Mountain Path in Spring (山徑春行圖), Ma Yuan (馬遠, c.1160-1225), Song Dynasty