4/20/2024 8:40:43 AM	PHIL 11 Course Outline as of Fall 2009	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  PHIL 11	Title:  INTRO TO ASIAN PHIL
Full Title:  Introduction to Asian Philosophy
Last Reviewed:12/12/2022

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	0		17.5 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

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:

An introductory  philosophical analysis of major ideas in Indian, Chinese, and Japanese philosophy.  The course examines and compares these views with basic tenets of Western philosophy, exploring perspectives on the nature of existence, human destiny, ethics, and socio-political obligation.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

An introductory  philosophical analysis of major ideas in Indian, Chinese, and Japanese philosophy.  The course examines and compares these views  with basic tenets of Western philosophy, exploring perspectives on the nature of existence, human destiny, ethics, and socio-political obligation.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:	Fall 2003	Inactive:
Area:	E H	Humanities Global Perspective and Environmental Literacy
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	C2	Humanities		Fall 2003
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	3B	Humanities		Fall 2003
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 2003	Inactive:
UC Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 2003	Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Major Applicable Course

COURSE CONTENT

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

Upon completion of this course,  the student will be able to:

1. Articulate examples of the historical diversity among the major philosophical schools of India, China, and Japan, specifying their individual integrity in ancient thought.

2. Analyze commonalities among different philosophies of Asia in their later development.

3. Distinguish influences of Asian thought on Western ideas and vice versa.

4. Evaluate the influence of a Western philosophical framework on the appraisal of Asian philosophies, particularly as these are constrained by English translation of Asian philosophical material.

5. Identify several examples of the influences of Buddhist and Chinese philosophy on Japanese philosophy and religion.

6. Identify several examples of the mutual influence of post-Upanishadic Indian philsophy and Buddhist philosophy.

Topics and Scope

Required topics:

 

I.  Fundamental perennial issues in Western philosophy and Eastern

   philosophy

 

II.  Key problems, limitations of translation, and challenges of

   ethnocentrism attending a Western study of Asian worldviews

 

III. Comparison of interpretations that arise in translations of classic texts

 

IV. Tenets and textual analysis of the philosophy of ancient India

     A.  Vedas

    B.  Upanishads

    C.  Bhagavad Gita

    D.  Samkhya-Yoga

     E.  Advaita Vedanta

 

V. Tenets and textual analysis of Buddhist philosophy

   A.  Issues of early Buddhism as revealed in the sutta pitaka

   B.  Issues in Madhaymika vs. Yogacara Buddhism

   C.  Buddhist psychology of mind

 

VI.  Reciprocal influence of Upanishadic philosophy on Buddhism and vice versa

 

VII. Tenets and textual analysis of the philosophies of ancient China highlighting the interplay of Taoist and Confucian philosophies throughout Chinese philosophical history

    A.  Tao Te Ching

    B.  Chuangzi

    C.  I Ching

     D.  Five-Elements School

     E.  Confucian Analects

    F.  Mencius

    G.  Mozi  

 

VIII.  Tenets of Japanese philosophy

   A. Nationalism

   B.  Primacy of aesthetics

   C.  Mind-body mastery

   D.  Influence of Buddhism

    E.  Uniqueness of Zen philosophy

 

Other topics may include:

 

IX.  Developments in Neo-Confucian philosophy

X.   The philosophy of Mao Tse-tung

XI.  Confucian  and  Western influences in the modern Chinese democracy movement

 

XII.  Influence of Buddhism in the West, particularly America

   A.  Encounter with Zen and Tibetan Buddhism

   B.  Philosophy of Nishitani

   C.  Global influence of the Dalai Lama

    D.  Christian-Buddhist dialogue

    E.  Worldwide movement of socially engaged Buddhist activism

 

XIII.  Tenets and influence on Western thought of modern Indian thought

   A.  Gandhi

   B.  Radhakrishnan

   C.  Yogananda

   D. Krishnamurti

Assignments:

 

1. Readings from course text and supplementary materials (10-30 pages per week)

2. Three to fifteen quizzes (multiple choice and/or short essay) on assigned readings,

   lectures, and/or video material

3.  One to three section/midterm examinations including essay, short answer, and multiple

   choice questions

4.  Final examination including essay, short answer, and multiple choice

    sections

 

Other assignments may include:

 

5. Short essays examining and articulating the interplay

   between various aspects of Asian vs. Western philosophy

6. Research project and written essay on a comparative theme, focusing

   on specific aspects of both Asian and Western philosophies

7. Field trip to Asian Art Museum/Summative Report

8. Visitation to an institution where Asian discipline is practiced

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 0 - 20%
Essays required on mid-term exams and on final exam; and for Other Assignments
This is a degree applicable course but assessment tools based on writing are not included because this course includes essay exams that fulfil the writing component of the course.
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 0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 60 - 80%
Multiple choice, True/false, Completion, Essay Exams, Quizzes, Final
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 10 - 20%
Attendance and class participation

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

All are classic texts:

 

Analects of Confucius

 

Asian Philosophies, 4th Edition.  Koller, John M.  Prentice Hall:  2002

 

Awakening:  An Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought, 2nd Edition.  Bresnan, Patrick S.   Prentice Hall:  2002

 

Bhagavad-Gita

 

Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction.  Keown, Damien.  Oxford University Press:  1996

 

Tao Te Ching

 

Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction.  Knott, Kim.  Oxford University Press:   2000

 

Indian Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction.  Hamilton, Sue.  Oxford University Press:  2001

 

A Sourcebook in Asian Philosophy.  Koller, John M. and  Koller, Patricia.  Prentice Hall: 1991

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