History of Buddhist Philosophy

Fall 2021 Syllabus

Section 001
CRN: 12683
MWF 12:00 — 12:50 PM
Edith Kanakaʻole Hall 126

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

freeman@hawaii.edu

Office Hours: MWF 1:00-1:50
and by appointment

PHIL 302 History of Buddhist Philosophy
History of Buddhist philosophy and its cultural influence and intellectual development in Asia and Hawaiʻi. Recommended: previous work in philosophy or religious studies. (Attributes: DH, GAHP, HPP)

Buddhism: Introducing the Buddhist Experience, 3rd ed. Donald W. Mitchell & Sarah H. Jacoby. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014.

This course covers the history of Buddhist philosophy from its inception in ancient India to its modern day development in both Asia and the West. Part One of the course will focus on the development of Buddhism within India and Tibet. In Part Two of the course we will follow the further development of East Asian Buddhism. We will examine development of Buddhism in China where the Mahāyāna teachings from India were combined with strains of Confucian and Daoist teachings from the classical Chinese tradition. We will then follow the development of the distinctly East Asian Buddhist schools. We will close with a consideration of the contemporary movement of Engaged Buddhism and its relevance in thinking about the ecological crisis.

[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 Buddhist philosophy.

This class is designated as a Hybrid Course. According to the UH Hilo Designation of Types of Courses this means:
"There will be a mix of face-to-face and online instruction. The instructor determines when students will attend face-to-face (in the classroom, laboratory, and/or field experience). Students are expected to attend face-to-face sessions as required by the Instructor."

The course will start off online and will have face-to-face instruction later in the semester as conditions permit.

Synchronous Zoom sessions will include lectures, film clips, PowerPoint presentations, and class discussions.

UH Hilo Designation of Types of Courses

For online instruction students will be expected to tune in to the Zoom sessions on time with cameras on and be ready to participate in class discussions

For face-to-face instruction students will be expected to come to class on time and be ready to participate in class discussions.
* 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. 10% Attendance & Class Participation
2. 40% Mid-Term Exam
3. 50% Final Exam Term Paper (6-10 pages)

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

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Course Evaluations
(Open April 15 - May 2)

**Schedule is subject to revision**