PHIL 3352
Asian Philosophy and Religion
University of Central Arkansas
Spring 2005

Sequence: 2532
Time: 10:50 am - 12:05 pm TTH
Room: Harrin 131

Instructor: Dr. Jim Deitrick
Office: HAR 128
Phone: 450-5592
Email: deitrick@mail.uca.edu

In this course we will examine the major philosophies and religions of Asia through analysis of some of their central texts. These texts will be analyzed and critiqued not only in terms of what they say, but also in relation to the ways they are used in their respective religious communities and the kinds of lives they engender.

As an upper-division seminar course, students will be called upon to take the initiative in carrying the discussion of this course forward by coming to class prepared to ask well-informed questions and generate meaningful conversation. Students will also be expected to lead the class formally several times throughout the semester.

Please note that, while there are no official prerequisites for this course, it is assumed that students already have an introductory understanding of the traditions discussed. It is thus recommended that students with no prior knowledge about these traditions enroll instead in RELG 1320: World Religions.

1. Analysis: The primary emphasis viz. a viz. analysis of religious and philosophical traditions in this course will be on the analysis of religious texts. Students will learn to analyze these texts within the contexts of the larger religious traditions they represent.

2. Comparison: In order to gain deeper insight into the religious and philosophical traditions studied in this course, students will also learn to compare religious texts in terms of the claims they make, the kinds of lives they engender, and their modes of rhetoric.

3. Evaluation: While the analysis and comparison of texts will provide students with a deeper understanding of the religions and philosophies studied, students will also learn to evaluate and critique these texts with respect to their value, truth, credibility, convincingness, pragmatic value, etc.

Kupperman, Classic Asian Philosophy: A Guide to the Essential Texts (CAP)
Prabhavanada, trans., The Upanishads
Miller, trans., The Bhagavad-Gita
Meitreya, trans., The Dhammapada
Reps and Sensaki, comp., Zen Flesh, Zen Bones
Ames and Rosemont, trans., The Analects of Confucius
Lau, trans., Mencius
Feng and English, trans., Tao Te Ching
Graham, trans., Chuang-Tzu: The Inner Chapters

Attendance and Participation: Punctual attendance and active participation at all scheduled class sessions are required. Legitimate excuses for absences include illness and unforeseen personal or familial emergencies. Legitimate excuses should be submitted to the instructor in writing. It is the student’s responsibility to find out what was missed in case of absence. Students should come to class having completed all assignments for the day, including assigned readings, and be prepared to discuss readings in class. Lack of preparation may be counted as an un-excused absence. Students who miss class more than two times for illegitimate reasons will have 5% deducted from their final grade for each un-excused absence.

Exams: There will be two exams for the course, a mid-term and a final, each of which will count equally toward the student’s final grade. Students should note that the final exam time is scheduled by the registrar and should not plan to leave campus prior to this time; no early final exams will be given.

Short Papers: Students will be required to write approximately five short (two-page) papers on topics assigned by the professor.

Research Paper: Students will be required to write an eight- to ten-page research paper on one of the texts studied in this course. Instructions regarding this paper will be given in class.

Note: All assignments must be typed and formatted according to the MLA or Chicago/Turabian style, and must be submitted at the beginning of class on the date due. Assignments will not be accepted electronically (i.e., via email). Late assignments will not be accepted without prior permission from the professor.

Grading:

Exams 100 pts./ea.
Short Papers 100 pts./ea.
Research Paper 300 pts.

Final grades will be calculated according to the following schedule:

90-100% A
80-89% B
70-79% C
60-69% D
below 60% F

It hardly needs to be said that each student is expected to do his or her own work. Any form of academic dishonesty or plagiarism may result in anything from an "F" for the particular assignment, to an "F" for the course, to expulsion from the university (see Student Handbook).

The University of Central Arkansas adheres to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you need an accommodation under this Act due to a disability, contact the Office of Disability Support Services at 450-3135.

Jan 28 Class Discussion -- First Short Paper Due