De La Salle University Philosophy Department Course Syllabus Course Code: EASPHIL Course Title: Eastern Philosophy Type of Course:

Major Prerequisite: none Prerequisite to: none Faculty: Dr. Leni dlR. Garcia Term/School Year: 3rd term, AY 2011-12 Schedule: MH 940-1110 M205A Consultation Hours: TBA Course Description: The term Eastern Philosophy remains problematic until now. As a discipline that is grounded in the intellectual history that originated in Ancient Greece, Philosophy has been defined in terms that sometimes conflict with the ways of the East. As a result, any discussion on Eastern Philosophy inevitably begins with a differentiation, because the traditionor, more correctly, these traditionsare based on various value systems that do not always go by the ordinary logic typical in Western thought. As a major course in the undergraduate program of the Philosophy Department, Eastern Philosophy (EASPHIL) introduces students who have no or little background in Eastern Philosophy, to the worldviews espoused by the Indians, the Chinese, the Japanese, and others in the Eastern hemisphere. For those with substantial background in Oriental thought, this course provides a venue for discussion and exploration of the said framework with a view to a comparative study between Eastern and Western thought. It surveys the major schools of thought within Indian and Chinese philosophy, with emphasis on classical thought and major commentaries from contemporary thinkers. In line with the Lasallian Guiding Principles, this course instills in the students the values of critical thinking and open-mindedness, together with intellectual honesty and integrity. It endeavors to broaden their intellectual and cultural horizons by exposing them to views generally different from what they hold, while giving them the opportunity to be open and be respectful to them in the hope that they will develop a more inclusive or pluralistic stance on important issues that influence their own ways of thinking and living. This course also encourages them to put the ideas they learn into action, for the improvement of their immediate communities and beyond, and to prepare them for meaningful work after their life in the academe. Learning Outcome (LO): EASPHIL aims to teach and encourage the practice of the five Expected Lasallian Graduate Attributes (ELGAs) that the College of Liberal Arts has formulated for its students. ELGA A DLSU Graduate of the College of Liberal Arts is expected to be a: Critical and Creative Knowledge Producer Socially Responsible and Collaborative Citizen Competent Professional Diversity-sensitive Communicator Morally Principled and Faith-inspired Leader LEARNING OUTCOME At the end of the course, students are expected to: LO1: write a term paper which discusses the issues related to the study of non-Western philosophies. This may be on a discussion of an Eastern answer to an issue typically asked in the Western philosophical framework, a comparative study of Eastern and Western philosophy or schools of thought, a defense of Eastern philosophy, or an application of Eastern philosophical insights on a current socio-political, ethical, scientific or environmental problem. LO2: produce a karma journal that will show a day-to-day or weekly assessment of ones thoughts, speech and deeds, with a reflection of what it means for the student, given his or her present conditions in life. LO3: develop and orally present a program of action from the insights gathered from Eastern schools of thought, e.g., Buddhism, Hinduism, Zen, Taoism, Filipino worldview, and other non-Western thought, that will apply and help society fight current problems. The program must be implemented

on a trial basis and observations and recommendations must be submitted for the improvement of the said program.

Final Course Output: Students are required to submit the following requirements on the corresponding dates in order to fulfill the learning outcomes specified above: LEARNING OUTCOME At the end of the course, students are expected to: LO1: write a term paper which discusses the issues related to the study of non-Western philosophies. This may be on a discussion of an Eastern answer to an issue typically asked in the Western philosophical framework, a comparative study of Eastern and Western philosophy or schools of thought, a defense of Eastern philosophy, or an application of Eastern philosophical insights on a current socio-political, ethical, scientific or environmental problem. REQUIRED OUTPUT Final output: a research paper discussing issues related to Eastern thought Component outputs: 1. submission of a one-page proposal indicating the topic of research and the specific questions to be answered, with tentative answers/solutions. Submission of an extended abstract of the paper Submission of the final paper January 16, 2012 DUE DATES

2. 3.

February 16, 2012 March 22, 2012

LO2: produce a karma journal that will show a day-to-day or weekly assessment of ones thoughts, speech and deeds, with a reflection of what it means for the student, given his or her present conditions in life.

Final Output: Karma journal creatively recorded in one medium sized filler notebook. Component Outputs; 1. 2. weekly shading of merit/demerit sheets, with an elaboration of significant events compiled weekly merit/demerit sheets, with a culminating reflection on the entire experience as well as its meaning in ones life starts January 9, 2012, submitted in entirety on March 15, 2012

LO3: develop and orally present a program of action from the insights gathered from Eastern schools of thought, e.g., Buddhism, Hinduism, Zen, Taoism, Filipino worldview, and other non-Western thought, that will apply and help society fight current problems. The program must be implemented on a trial basis and observations and recommendations must be submitted for the improvement of the said program.

Final Output: a program of action based on lessons learned in the course that benefits or solve problems for a community Component Outputs: 1. visiting various communities (temples, baranggays, educational spaces, etc. preferably with a belief system different from ones own) and finding out the current problems/issues experienced by its members interviewing people involved in the chosen community to learn about their culture developing a program to address a particular issue/problem trying out the program submission of documentation improving the program on paper presenting the program in class, with observations and insights gathered from the trial implementation and the suggestions for improvement Starts January 9, 2012 Free days are used to work on this program of action

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March 1, 2012 March 29, 2012

RUBRIC FOR ASSESSMENT: Research paper The following rubric shall be used to assess the final research paper submitted by students. CRITERIA EXEM-PLARY SATISFACDEVELOP(Grade: TORY ING 3.5-4.0) (Grade: (Grade: 2.5-3.0) 1.0-2.0) Organization 20% The submitted The submitted The submitted Essay is organized in a sequential work manifests work manifests work partially manner. Essay exhibits basic writing qualities which the required manifests the skills, such as a thesis statement with go beyond the qualities. required supporting details, consistent verb requirements. qualities. Certain use, introductory and conclusive aspects are paragraphs, etc. either incomplete or incorrect. Arguments 30% The submitted The submitted The submitted The framework is well defined, the work manifests work manifests work partially thesis is well-argued for, given proper qualities which the required manifests the support and ample amount of examples go beyond the qualities. required or applications. The arguments are requirements. qualities. Certain summarized and the conclusion is clear aspects are and properly stated. either incomplete or incorrect. Insights and creativity 30% The submitted The submitted The submitted Fresh insights are articulated, especially work manifests work manifests work partially in terms of application to actually lived qualities which the required manifests the life. A new or non-typical perspective go beyond the qualities. required is taken as the framework of analysis. requirements. qualities. Certain aspects are either incomplete or incorrect. Writing 20% The submitted The submitted The submitted The writing is free of grammatical and work manifests work manifests work partially typographical errors. qualities which the required manifests the

BEGINNING (Grade: 0.0) The submitted work does not manifest any of the requirements.

The submitted work does not manifest any of the requirements.

The submitted work does not manifest any of the requirements.

The submitted work does not manifest any of

go beyond the requirements.

qualities.

required qualities. Certain aspects are either incomplete or incorrect.

the requirements.

RUBRIC FOR ASSESSMENT: Karma Journal The following rubric shall be used to assess the Karma Journal submitted by students. CRITERIA EXEM-PLARY SATISFACDEVELOP(Grade: TORY ING 3.5-4.0) (Grade: (Grade: 2.5-3.0) 1.0-2.0) Diligence in updating the The submitted The submitted The submitted merit/demerit sheets 40% work manifests work manifests work partially There is evidence that the sheets are qualities which the required manifests the updated regularly throughout the term. go beyond the qualities. required Described situations are realistic and are requirements. qualities. Certain properly entered as a weekly log. aspects are Updates are submitted on time. either incomplete or incorrect. Insights and creativity 40% The submitted The submitted The submitted Fresh and sincere insights are recorded. work manifests work manifests work partially There is evidence of deep reflection in qualities which the required manifests the terms of self-discovery. Journal entries go beyond the qualities. required are creatively done. requirements. qualities. Certain aspects are either incomplete or incorrect. Writing 20% The submitted The submitted The submitted The writing is free of grammatical and work manifests work manifests work partially typographical errors. qualities which the required manifests the go beyond the qualities. required requirements. qualities. Certain aspects are either incomplete or incorrect. RUBRIC FOR ASSESSMENT: Program of action (Groupwork) The following rubric shall be used to assess the program of action submitted by students. CRITERIA EXEM-PLARY SATISFACDEVELOP(Grade: TORY ING 3.5-4.0) (Grade: (Grade: 2.5-3.0) 1.5-2.5) Feasibility of the program 30% The submitted The submitted The submitted The program is feasible and practicable. work manifests work manifests work partially It addresses a specific issue/problem qualities which the required manifests the and uses specific lessons learned from go beyond the qualities. required the course. It is well organized, with requirements. qualities. Certain logistics and other necessities covered aspects are in the plan. either incomplete or incorrect. Trial based implementation 30% The submitted The submitted The submitted The program has been tried and work manifests work manifests work partially documentation has been submitted. qualities which the required manifests the go beyond the qualities. required requirements. qualities. Certain aspects are either incomplete or incorrect. Improvements on the program 20% The submitted The submitted The submitted Issues and problems that arose from the work manifests work manifests work partially

BEGINNING (Grade: 0.0) The submitted work does not manifest any of the requirements.

The submitted work does not manifest any of the requirements.

The submitted work does not manifest any of the requirements.

BEGINNING (Grade: 0.0) The submitted work does not manifest any of the requirements.

The submitted work does not manifest any of the requirements.

The submitted work does not

trial implementation have been addressed. Improvements are suggested and planned for.

qualities which go beyond the requirements.

the required qualities.

Oral Presentation 20% The presentation (including original program, trial implementation and improvement on the original program) is creative. The student is articulate and answers the questions regarding his/her program convincingly.

The submitted work manifests qualities which go beyond the requirements.

The submitted work manifests the required qualities.

manifests the required qualities. Certain aspects are either incomplete or incorrect. The submitted work partially manifests the required qualities. Certain aspects are either incomplete or incorrect.

manifest any of the requirements.

The submitted work does not manifest any of the requirements.

Other Requirements and Assessments: Aside from the Learning Outputs identified above, the students are required to fulfill the following requirements during the course of the term: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. reflection papers corresponding to various topics discussed in the course participation in relevant departmental activities participation in relevant events outside the campus active participation in class fulfillment of reading assignments reports on assigned group discussions

Required Readings: Swami Prabhavananda and Frederick Manchester. 1975. The Upanishads: Breath of the eternal life. New York: New American Library. Or online text at http://www.hinduwebsite.com/upanishadindex.asp Bhagavad-Gita. (no date) A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, translator and commentator. The Baktivedanta Book Trust. Or online text at http://www.bhagavad-gita.org/index-english.html The Analects. Online text at http://www.wright-house.com/religions/confucius/Analects.html Lao Zi. 1991. Tao Te ching. Mitchell, Stephen, Trans. New York : HarperPerennial. Or online text at http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/core9/phalsall/texts/taote-v3.html The Heart Sutra Online text at http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/heartsutra.html 101 Zen Stories Online text at http://www.101zenstories.com/

Grading System: research paper karma journal program of action other activities class participation Total 25% 20% 20% 15% 20% 100%

97-100 93-96 89-92 85-88 80-84 75-79 70-74

4.0 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0

All activities will be corrected and recorded promptly. Thus, students will know their class standing at any given point in time. Learning Plan:

Eastern philosophy, being basically scriptural, requires a foundation in the classical texts as all contemporary issues inevitably go back to these ancient narratives. Students are led through these texts while constantly reminding them to evaluate Eastern thought using a standard appropriate to it, while at the same time, encouraging them to keep a comparative/imparative approach to it in relation to Western thought through which philosophy is first introduced to them in the program. Reflection papers will be assigned to serve as springboard for discussion for each of the topics in the outline. Course Outline: Learning Outcomes LO1: write a term paper which discusses the issues related to the study of nonWestern philosophies. This may be on a discussion of an Eastern answer to an issue typically asked in the Western philosophical framework, a comparative study of Eastern and Western philosophy or schools of thought, a defense of Eastern philosophy, or an application of Eastern philosophical insights on a current sociopolitical, ethical, scientific or environmental problem. LO2: produce a karma journal that will show a day-today or weekly assessment of ones thoughts, speech and deeds, with a reflection of what it means for the student, given his or her present conditions in life. LO3: develop and orally present a program of action from the insights gathered from Eastern schools of thought, e.g., Buddhism, Hinduism, Zen, Topics Syllabus, introduction to the course Class Meeting January 5 Thurs Learning Activities examination of the LOs and the requirements for the course, forming questions to determine course objectives lecture-discussion lecture-discussion lecture-discussion

Eastern vs. Western philosophy Eastern traditions: Indian History of Hinduism, the Vedas and the Upanishads, epics free Orthodox schools of thought Yoga Mandala making Heterodox schools of thought Quiz 1 Eastern traditions: Chinese philosophy The Six Classics Free I-Ching submission of documentation for LO3 Eastern Traditions: Japanese Philosophy Buddhism from India Buddhism from China Zen LO2 Wabi-Sabi

January 9 Mon January 12 Thurs January 16 Mon January 19 Thurs January 23 Mon January 26 Thurs January30 Mon February 2 Thurs February 6 Mon February 9 Thurs February 13 Mon February 16 Thurs February 20 Mon February 23 Thurs February 27 Mon March 1 Thurs March 5 Mon March 8 Thurs March 12 Mon March 15 Thurs March 19 Mon

lecture-discussion meditation creative work lecture-discussion examination lecture-discussion lecture-discussion visit to temples, working LO3 divination lecture-discussion lecture-discussion lecture-discussion submission of Karma journal sharing of creative work or item in possession exemplifying the aesthetics of WabiSabi examination preparation for LO3 presentation discussion, summarizing the highlights, answering questions, sharing of insights on Eastern Philosophy. No classes No classes

Quiz2 submission of LO1 free LO3: program of action synthesis return of LO1, 2 & 3

March 22 Thurs March 26 Mon March 29 Thurs April 2 Mon

Maundy Thursday Araw ng Kagitingan

April 5 Thurs April 9 Mon

Taoism, Filipino worldview, and other non-Western thought, that will apply and help society fight current problems. The program must be implemented on a trial basis and observations and recommendations must be submitted for the improvement of the said program. References:

Finals

April 11 - 17

Students are expected to do their own research work. Students are discouraged from consulting internet sources unless they are deemed reliable sources with their authors names made available with the text. Proper referencing, for both electronic and printed materials are to be strictly followed. (For samples, consult articles in various DLSU journals.) Reference List: Included in this list are materials that are considered classic annotations of ancient texts, still used by Orientalists of today. Bhagavad-Gita. (no date) A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, translator and commentator. The Baktivedanta Book Trust. Bhatta, V.P. 2005. Word The Sabdakhanda of The Tattvacintamani. Vol 4 (2 Parts) (With Introduction, Sanskrit Text, Translation & Explanation) Bonazolli, Giorgio. 1989. Puranic spirituality. Hindu spirituality: postclassical and modern. K. R. Sundararajan and Bithika Mukerji, Eds. New York: The Crossroads Publishing Company. Brannigan, Michael. C. 2000. The pulse of wisdom: the philosophies of India, China, and Japan. Australia, Canada, Mexico, Singapore, Spain, U.K., U.S.A: Wadsworth/ Thompson Learning, Inc. Campbell, Joseph. 1976. The masks of god: oriental mythology. USA and Great Britain: Penguin Books. ______________. 1990. The mythic image. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press. Deussen, Paul 1966. The philosophy of the Upanishads. Rev. A.S. Geden, Trans. New York: Dover Publications, Inc. Dimmit, Cornelia and J.A.B. van Buitenen, Trans. 1978. Classical Hindu mythology: a reader in the Sanskrit Puranas. Philadelphia: Temple University Press. Frauwallner, Erich. 1973. History of Indian philosophy. Vol. 1. V.M. Bedekar, Trans. Delhi, Patna and Varanasi: Motilal Banarsidass. Hiriyanna, M. 1978. The essentials of Indian philosophy. London, Boston, Sydney: Mandala Books/Unwin Paperbacks. Krishnamurti, Jiddu. 2002. On Education. Chennai, India: Krishnamurti Foundation India. Moore, Charles, Ed. 1967. The Indian mind: essentials of Indian philosophy and culture. Honolulu, Hawaii: East-West Center Press, University of Hawaii Press. Nagar, Shantilal. 2006. Yogini Shrines and Saktipithas. 2 Vols. Narayan, R. K. 1967. Gods, demons and others. New York: The Viking Press. Prabhavananda, Swami and Frederick Manchester. 1975. The Upanishads: Breath of the eternal. New York and Scarborough, Ontario: Mentor Books/New American Library. Radhakrishnan, Sarvepalli and Charles A. Moore, Eds. 1957. A sourcebook in Indian philosophy. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press. Ramanujan, A.K. Ed. 1991. Folktales from India: a selection of oral tales from from twenty-two languages. New York: Pantheon Books. _____________________. 1962. The Hindu view of life. New York: The McMillan Company. _____________________. 1974. The principal Upanishads. London: George

Allen & Unwin, Ltd./ New York: Humanities Press, Inc. Ram-Prasad, C. 2005. Eastern Philosophy. Weidenfield & Nicolson. Sharma, D. P. and Madhuri Sharma (ed). 2006. Early Harappans and Indus Sarasvati Civilization. 2 Vols. Tagore, Rabindranath. 1988. The religion of man. London, Sydney, Wellington: Unwin Paperbacks. Zimmer, Heinrich. 1989. Philosophies of India. Joseph Campbell, Ed. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press. Internet sites: Philosophy Quick Index Reference, contains links to classical texts in Eastern (and Western) Philosophy http://www.uni-giessen.de/~gk1415/philosophy.htm#east (last accessed November 26, 2011) Sacred Books of the East, contains links to excerpts from the most important texts from the East http://www.sacred-texts.com/sbe/index.htm (last accessed November 26, 2011) Classroom Policies:

1. filing all seat and homework: Each student is expected to keep all their course papers until the
end of the term for the purpose of grade verification in case there are questions regarding ones grade. It is the students responsibility to produce the paper in question in these cases. In the absence of this, the professors records will be deemed correct and final. submission of requirements: Due dates for all assigned work are to be strictly observed. Papers not submitted during the appointed class hour is considered late and will not be accepted. Also, leaving the classroom once the session has started in order to print homework that is due is strictly not allowed and is already considered a failure to turn in the homework on time. group discussions: for most reading or viewing assignments, students will seriously discuss the topic at hand with their group mates and either present a summary of their insights or submit their written report at the end of the class hour. Students are expected to move quickly and get the task assigned done promptly. Papers not submitted on time will not be accepted. Groups caught discussing topics outside of the scope of the course will lose the chance of gaining points from the activity. Groups that are noisy and boisterous will be sent out of the classroom. attendance: failure due to absences for those exceeding the 5 allowable absences for classes will be given. Each tardiness is counted as half an absence. Students who do attend classes are expected to be well-prepared for class discussion and to submit whatever homework has been assigned in the previous meetings. Absences due to sickness may only be excused through the Vice-Deans office. Papers have to be processed immediately upon the students return to class and submitted to the professor not later than two meetings after the last meeting the student was absent. classroom decorum: students are expected to behave properly in class and observe basic rules of conduct found in the students handbook. Students who are noisy, boisterous or displaying any disrespectful conduct that disrupts the class will be sent to the Discipline Office. Cellular phones must be put in silent mode during the class hour and text-messaging is prohibited unless done with permission or done outside the classroom. Calls deemed emergency may be taken outside the classroom. final grade consultation: students are expected to come at the appointed time and venue for final grade consultation. Grades are non-negotiable unless there are proofs of error in computation. For this purpose, students are required to keep all papers given back to them (see item #1 above) during the term until final grades are given. Under no circumstances will extra work for additional grade be given to those failing the course or those unsatisfied with their grade at the end of the term.

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Ldlrg 12-6-2011