4/26/2024 4:26:29 PM	PHIL 108 Course Outline as of Fall 2020	New Course (First Version)
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  PHIL 108	Title:  PHIL OF BUDDHISM
Full Title:  Philosophy of Buddhism
Last Reviewed:1/27/2020

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	1.00	Lecture Scheduled	1.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	17.50
Minimum	1.00	Lab Scheduled	0		4 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	1.00			Contact Total	17.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  35.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 52.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:

Introduction to the philosophy of Buddhism as taught by the historical Buddha, including major doctrines found in the Buddha's suttas; introduction to Buddhist mindfulness and loving-kindness meditation practices.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Introduction to the philosophy of Buddhism as taught by the historical Buddha, including major doctrines found in the Buddha's suttas; introduction to Buddhist mindfulness and loving-kindness meditation practices.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
UC Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Not Certificate/Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Identify at least two of the major doctrines of early Buddhist philosophy

2. Demonstrate two techniques of Buddhist meditation, mindfulness and metta, defending the purpose of these practices with reference to their philosophical foundations

 

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

 

1. Describe the major events in the life of the Buddha and analyze their influence on his

    philosophy

2. Discuss two reasons why Buddhism is called the "Middle Path"

3. Summarize  the Four Truths, employing the doctrines of anicca, nirvana, karma and

    samsara

4. Summarize  the factors of the 8-fold path, utilizing and defining the categories prajna, sila,

    and samadhi

5. Apply the doctrines of karma, samsara, and  paticca-samuppada in explaining the doctrine of

    anatta

6. Distinguish the four Brahma Viharas from each other (metta, karuna, mudita, upekkha)

7. Identify the steps of metta meditation and evaluate its use in daily life

8. Discuss the purpose and value of mindfulness meditation

9. Apply Refuge Recovery's 12-step Buddhist recovery program to addiction issues

Topics and Scope

I.   Life of the Buddha in Historical Context

II.  The Four "Noble" Truths

    A. Truths 1 - 3

    B. The 8-fold Path: Prajna, Sila, Samadhi

III. Doctrines

    A. Karma

    B. Samsara

    C. Nirvana

    D. Anatta

    E. Anicca

    F. Paticca-Samuppada

IV. The Four Brahma Viharas

    A. metta

    B. karuna

    C. mudita

    D. upekkha

V.  Buddhist Mindfulness and Metta Meditation Techniques

VI. Refuge Recovery: 12-Step Program using Buddhist Principles to Address Addiction

Assignments:

1. Readings from course reader, textbooks, and other handouts provided in class (5-10 pages per

    week)

2. In-class discussions of assigned readings and lecture material

3. In-class meditation instruction and practice

4. Group discussions of meditation experience

5. Quizzes on assigned readings (3 - 6)

6. Two to four take-home essays (less than 500 words per essay)

7. One in-class final exam which may include multiple-choice, essay, and short-answer questions

8. Meditation journal, 15-18 entries (optional)

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 25 - 40%
Essays
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 5 - 10%
Meditation
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 40 - 50%
Quizzes and final exam
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 10 - 20%
Attendance and participation, meditation, meditation journal (optional)

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Buddhism Plain and Simple: The Practice of Being Aware, Right Now, Every Day. Hagen, Steve. Tuttle Publishing. 2011 (classic)

 

Class Reader created by Instructor of Record

 

The Places That Scare You: a Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times. Chödrön, Pema. 2002 (classic)

 

Refuge Recovery: A Buddhist Path to Recovering From Addiction. Levine, Noah. HarperOne. 2014 (classic)

 

When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times. Chödrön, Pema. Shambala. 2016

 

The Wisdom of No Escape and the Path of Loving Kindness. Chödrön, Pema. Shambala. 2001 (classic)

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