Phil B32: Eastern Religions
Course Calendar(Tentative)
All assignments on a given day are to be completed BEFORE coming to class
Any portion of this syllabus is subject to change – always verify w/ instructor
I. What is Religion? What is the Sacred
Week One
Aug 24 & 26: Syllabus review, Introductions
Download & bring with you to class the article by Mircea Eliade located on my website.
Begin reading Eliade's essay
Week Two
Aug 31 & Sept 2: Lecture on Sacrifice and Eliade
Read Eliade essay
Due: Sept 2: 1st Article Summary
Week Three
Sept 7: No class, Labor Day
Sept 9: (TBA) Discuss on Chenyang Li on “Being Taoist, Confucian, and Buddhist”
Download article by Chenyang Li, and bring it to class, & read it. (located on my website)
II. Religion of East Asia: Confucianism
Week Four
Sept 14 & Sept 16: Introduce Confucianism & NeoConfucianism
Read CC, Chapter 2: Profound Person (pp. 23-39)
In-class Quiz on readings (Eliade)
Week Five
Sept 21-Sept 23: Lecture on Profound Person & Confucian Community
Read CC, Chapter 3, Fiduciary Community (pp.39-67)
Week Six
Sept 28 & Sept 30: Lecture on Confucian Community & Cosmos
Read CC, Chapter 4, Moral Metaphysics (pp. 67-93)
Week Seven
Oct 5 & 7: Conclusions & Discussion of Critical Paper
Finish all readings
Prepare for critical paper
DUE: Oct 5, 2nd Article Summary
III. Religion of South Asia: Hinduism
Week Eight
Oct 12 & 14: Introduction to Hinduism & The Vedas
(TBA) Download excerpts from the Veda from my website
Read Upanishad, Introduction (pp. xxiii-lii), paying attention to the Vedic Religion
Mundaka Upanishad (266-278)
Mandukya Upanishad (288-290)
DUE: Oct 12, Confucian Critical Paper
Week Nine
Oct 19 & 21: Discussions on the Upanishads
Read Brhadaranyaka Upanishad (3-95) – I'll provide more specific pages when the time comes. Read Chandogya Upanishad (95-177) – I'll provide more specific pages when the time comes.
Katha Upanishad (231-248)
Week Ten
Oct 26 & 28: Discussions on the Bhagavad Gita
Read Bhagavad Gita, pp. 30-62
Read Bhagavad Gita, pp. 62-96
Week Eleven
Nov 2 & 4: Finish Discussion on Gita/ Guest Lecturer, Kathleen Rush: Hindu Yoga
Read Bhagavad Gita, pp. 96-129
Prepare for critical paper on Hinduism
DUE: Nov 2, 3rd Article Summary
IV. Religion of South & East Asia: Buddhism
Week Twelve
Nov 9: Critical Paper Discussion on Hinduism, Introduction to Buddhism & Cosmos
Read SOB, Chapter 1, pp. 19-37
Read GBWL, Chapter 1-2
Nov 11: No class, Veteran's Day Holiday
Week Thirteen
Nov 16 & 18: Introduction to Buddhism, Cosmos & Buddha
Read SOB, Chapter 2, pp. 37-103
Read GBWL, Chapter 3-4
DUE: Nov 16, Hinduism Critical Paper
Week Fourteen
Nov 23 & 25: The Buddha & the Bodhisattva
Read SOB, Chapter 3, pp. 103-130
Read GBWL, Chapters 5-6
DUE: Nov 23, 4th Article Summary
Week Fifteen
Nov 30 & Dec 2: Dharma & Meditation
Read SOB, Chapter 6, pp. 206-253
Prepare for final critical paper on Buddhism
DUE: Nov 30, Research/Visitation Project
Week Sixteen
Dec 7, 10-12 PM (note the time change!)
DUE: All uncompleted projects and final paper on Buddhism
Important DatesAug. 24Instruction BeginsSep. 4Last day for refunds for semester length classesSep. 7Labor Day HolidaySep. 21Last day to drop from semester length classes without receiving W gradesNov. 2Last day to file for graduationNov. 2Last day to withdraw from semester length classes and receive W gradesNov. 11Veterans Day HolidayNov. 25Classes starting at 5:30pm and after will not be heldNov. 26 - Nov. 28Thanksgiving HolidaysDec. 7 - Dec. 11Final ExaminationsDec. 11End of Fall Semester
Grade Sheet Breakdown
Assignments1. Participation and in-class assignments ......
2. 1st Article Summary ......
3. 2nd Article Summary ......
4. 3rd Article Summary ......
5. 4th Article Summary ......
6. Research/Visitation Project.. . . .
7. Critical Paper on Confucianism.
8. Critical Paper on Hinduism. . . .
9. Critical Paper on Buddhism. . .
10. Download Eliade Essay . . . . .
11. Download Chenyang Li Essay .
12. Eliade Quiz......
13. …......
/ Your Score
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/ Total Possible Score
______(varies)
___5_____ DUE 9.2
___5______DUE 10.5
___5______DUE 11.2
___5______DUE 11.23
___100____DUE 11.30
___100____DUE 10.13
___100____DUE 11.16
___100____ DUE, 12.07
___5______DUE 08.26
___5______DUE 09.09
___20_____DUE 9.14
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