SRJC Course Outlines

3/29/2024 4:33:13 AMPHIL 11 Course Outline as of Fall 2017

Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  PHIL 11Title:  INTRO TO ASIAN PHIL  
Full Title:  Introduction to Asian Philosophy
Last Reviewed:12/12/2022

UnitsCourse Hours per Week Nbr of WeeksCourse Hours Total
Maximum3.00Lecture Scheduled3.0017.5 max.Lecture Scheduled52.50
Minimum3.00Lab Scheduled017.5 min.Lab Scheduled0
 Contact DHR0 Contact DHR0
 Contact Total3.00 Contact Total52.50
 
 Non-contact DHR0 Non-contact DHR Total0

 Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00Total 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:
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An introductory examination of major ideas in Indian, Chinese, and Japanese philosophy.  The course 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: Untitled document
An introductory examination of major ideas in Indian, Chinese, and Japanese philosophy.  The course 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:
 C2HumanitiesFall 2003
 
IGETC:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 3BHumanitiesFall 2003
 
CSU Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 2003Inactive:
 
UC Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 2003Inactive:
 
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Major Applicable Course



COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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1.  Articulate basic tenets of the Vedic, early Buddhist, and Jainist philosophies of ancient India.
2.  Articulate basic tenets of Taoism and Confucianism of ancient China.
3.  Articulate basic tenets of Shinto and Japanese Buddhism of Japan.
 

Objectives: Untitled document
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 philosophy and Buddhist philosophy.

Topics and Scope
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I.  Fundamental perennial issues in Western philosophy and Eastern philosophy
II.  Key problems, limitations of translation, and challenges 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 & Upanishads
   B.  Bhagavad Gita
   C.  Samkhya-Yoga & Advaita Vedanta    
 
V. Tenets and textual analysis of Buddhist philosophy
  A.  Issues of early Buddhism as revealed in the sutta pitaka
  B.  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.  Five-Phases School and Chinese Cosmology
   D.  Confucian Analects
   E.  Mencius & 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
If time permits, other topics may include:
IX.  Issues in Madhaymika vs. Yogacara  Buddhist philosophies
X.  I Ching  
XI. Developments in Neo-Confucian philosophy
XII.   The philosophy of Mao
XIII.  Confucian  and  Western influences in the modern Chinese democracy movement
XIV. Tibetan Buddhism   
XV.  Tenets of modern Indian thought, including their influence on Western views
  A.  Gandhi
  B.  Radhakrishnan
  C.  Yogananda
  D. Krishnamurti

Assignments:
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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. Two to four short essays (500-800 words) examining various aspectsof Asian philosophy.
6. Research project and written essay (800-1800 words) on a comparative theme, focusing
   on specific aspects of both Asian and Western philosophies
7. Field trip (400-600 words)  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 - 30%
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
50 - 70%
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 - 30%
Field trips; Attendance and class participation


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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Any translation of the Tao Te Ching; a representatvie example is
Tao Te Ching, translated by Gia-Fu Feng & Jane English, Vintage Books, NY 2012 (Classic)
 
Any translation of the Analects of Confucius; a rep. example is
Confucius: The Analects, trans. By D.C. Lau, Penguin Books, 1979 (Classic)
 
Any translation of the Bhagavad Gita; a rep. example is
Bhagavad Gita,  trans. By P. Lal, Roli Books, New Delhi, 2004 (Classic)
 
Additional textual sources for Indian Philosophy: Carla Grady, author, docs available on my website, forthcoming (Dec. 2014): carlasite.info (Classic)
 
General comprehensive texts:
Asian Philosophies by John M. Koller (6th Edition) Pearson, 2011 (Classic)
 
Philosophic Classics: Asian Philosophy, Volume VI, by Forrest E. Baird, Raeburne S. Heimbeck Emeritus, Pearson, 2005 (Classic)

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