12 January 2013
Syllabus
Psy 3960
Undergraduate Seminar in Psychology (sec 504):
Golden Triangle: the Psychology of Addiction, Power and Buddhism in Northern Thailand
Departure from MSP: Friday 28 December 2012
Arrival to MSP: Saturday 19 January 2013
Course Leader: Angus MacDonald, III, Associate Professor (Thailand: US-to-mobile +66-9-1089-7902; local-to-mobile 08-9-1089-7902)
Facebook webhub:
Onsight Guide Information:
Bangkok Guide: Mr. Pattanan(Suthep) – (66) 8 1776 7506
Chiang Mai Guide: Ms. Nina – (66) 8 1885 9099
Course Description: How do we find purpose in our lives and cope with suffering? The Golden Triangle came to prominence in the world’s imagination as a lawless region encompassing northern Thailand, Laos and Myanmar (Burma). Throughout the 20th century, but particularly during the Cold War, soldiers, criminals and addicts found purpose through drug trafficking and coped with suffering through heroin use. The legacy of that period provides a rich backdrop for exploring the psychology of desire and craving. The excesses of the pursuit of worldly wealth and power shaped the social and physical architecture of the region. Furthermore, the region still struggles with the immediate gratification and long term consequences that come from drugs and addiction – though now methamphetamines have largely replaced heroin. Finally, The Buddhist tradition of the region is steeped in techniques for understanding and overcoming desire. This global studies course will build on insights from many disciplines including psychology, sociology, biology, history and religion to address questions about purpose, suffering, and happiness. How can we build a coherent account of addiction, power and Buddhism as it plays out in the Golden Triangle?
Course objectives: At the conclusion of the course, students should be versed in the psychology and neural basis of wanting (craving) and liking (pleasure) from both a Western neuroscientific and a Thai Buddhist perspective. We will understand how this distinction relates to the roots of Buddhist philosophy, and how it impacts the history and culture of northeast Thailand. We will foster an experiential perspective on this distinction through observation and meditation, and convey this experience to a broader audience through our web presence.
About this Syllabus:
- The syllabus post on the web is the syllabus of record. Changes to the syllabus of record will be noted by email.
- Students are responsible for all material contained in this syllabus.
Texts: There are 4 primary books and a number of articles for the course. The following booklist is available from the 3 Oct. facebook page entry:
1Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom by Rick Hanson and Richard Mendius
2Opium Fiend: A 21st Century Slave to a 19th Century Addiction by Steven Martin
3Merchants of Madness: The Methamphetamine Explosion in the Golden Triangle by BertilLintner
4Seeking the Heart of Wisdom: The Path of Insight Meditation by Joseph Goldstein and Jack Kornfield
5Articles will be posted to the course Moodle site:
6Any of a number of guidebooks on Thailand and Chiang Mai are optional, including but not limited to:
- Thailand (Country Travel Guide) by China Williams, Alan Murphy, Mark Beals and Tim Bewer
- Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand (Other Places Travel Guide) by T. F. Rhoden
- The Rough Guide to Thailand by Paul Gray and Lucy Ridout
I recommend purchasing the softcopies and bringing an e-reader with a good battery. This is to reduce the weight and bulk of your luggage.
Other Equipment.
· A laptop or tablet computer will be required to update your web presence.
· A power converter
· Optional: travel meditation cushion (zafu)
Preliminary Itinerary & Syllabus
Date / C / Itinerary(B) = Breakfast, (D) = Dinner, other meals on your own / Topics / Assignment
Fri
7 Dec / * / 3 – 5 Elliott Hall N423 / Evolution of the
Motivated Brain
GUEST: Ying Hang / Nee (2005); Hanson & Mendius Ch 1-2; Open-book quiz #1 (5 pts)
Fri
14 Dec / * / 3 – 5 Elliott Hall N668 / Neuroscience of
Motivated Brain / Goldstein & Kornfield Ch 1 & 2; Hanson & Mendius Ch 3-6; Open-book quiz #2 (15 pts)
Fri
Dec 28 / * / TWIN CITIES Departure. Depart (1:10 p.m.) on Delta Air Lines flight DL #621 from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Terminal 1 Lindbergh, to Tokyo. Note: MacDonald will not be on this flight. / Travel / Assignment: positional goods
Sat
Dec 29 / * / BANGKOK Arrival. Arrive (17.15) Tokyo Narita Airport and proceed to connecting gate for departure (18.20) on Delta Air Lines flight DL #283 for Bangkok. 23.45 at SuvarnabhumiAirport, meet tour guide. Private motorcoach to theARNOMA HOTEL BANGKOK. Meet MacDonald at hotel. / Arrival. No class
Sun
Dec 30 / * / BANGKOK.
Meditation & Class 11-12
Afternoon (13.30) motorcoach and guide for ½ city tour ofBangkok, including the Grand Palace, WatPhraKhew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), Wat Po, and a boat excursion on the Chao Praya Express. Conservative dress required. Walk to Baan Khun Mae Restaurant for welcome dinner, with traditional Thai food served family style. (D) / Meditation & Discoveries / Martin Ch 1-12
Mon
Dec 31 / * / BANGKOK/ AYUTTHAYA.
7:00 pool-side meditation
9:30 departure by private motorcoach for 10 am arrival at WatThamKrabok (outside Saraburi, appx. 2.5 hrs by coach). Continue on to Ayutthaya for check-in atAYUTTHAYA GRAND HOTEL.Discussion/debrief TBA. (B) Conservative dress required. / Thai Buddhist Approach to Treatment / Martin Ch 13-16; Optional: WTK Handout
Tues
Jan 1
1 Jan
Holiday / * / AYUTTHAYA Departure.
Morning at leisure & lunch on own. Check out of hotel and place luggage under private motorcoach before departing (12.30) for tour ofAyutthaya and Bang Pa-In Palace, with boat ride. Meditation on ruins.
Group dinner (17.00) at Ruen Thai Mai Suay Restaurant. Tuk-tuk tour (18.00) around historical site at nightbefore transferringto Ayuthaya Station for overnight train departing (19.45) to Chiang Mai (2nd class sleeper berths provided). Smart casual dress with proper shoes. (B,D) / No class
Wed
Jan 2 / * / CHIANG MAI Arrival. Arrive (Appx. 08.15) at Chiang Mai train station and transfer via private motorcoach, with local assistant, toLOTUS HOTEL PANG SUAN KAEW. Meet guide at the hotel for afternoon (14.00) for 3-hour guided tour ofChiang Mai, stopping at various wats (temples) and various markets and points of historical significance, focusing on the history and cultural traditions of the city, entrances to Wat Chiang Man, Wat Dui Suthep and local markets included. Conservative dress required. / No class / Goldstein & Kornfield Ch 3-4; Hanson & Mendius Ch 7
Thurs
Jan 3 / * / CHIANG MAI.
Optional Meditation (7:00)
Morning (09.00-12.00) Meditation & Class 9-12 (B) / History of the Golden Triangle, pt 1
Buddhism, Nationalism & Opium / Lintner, Ch 3; Lintner (2000)
Fri
Jan 4 / * / CHIANG MAI.
Optional Meditation (7:00)
Day free for independent exploration. (B) / No class; Office hours for troubleshooting / Assignment: web posting due. Goldstein & Kornfield Ch 5-6; Hanson & Mendius Ch 8
Sat
Jan 5 / * / CHIANG MAI/BAN THOET THAI AREA.
Pack overnight bag and store main luggage at hotel. Morning departure (07.00) by private vehicles to Ban Thoet Thai (appx. 3 hr drive) with visits en route toHall of Opium (11:30),followed by lunch (1:30), a 2 hr boat ride on the Mekong River at theGolden Triangle (2:00). Stop at Don Xao village, Laos (30 Bhat charge, not included). Check-in at RIM TAAN GUEST HOUSE in Ban Thoet Thai for overnight with dinner. Smart casual dress with proper shoes. (B,D) / Living History of the Golden Triangle, pt. 2 / Lintner Ch 1; Hanson & Mendius Ch 9
Sun
Jan 6 / * / BAN THOET THAI AREA/CHIANG MAI.
Morning departure to Chiang Mai, with visits to Khun Sa Museumin Thoet Thai, 101 Tea Plantation and Chinese Martyrs’ Memorial Museumin Mae Salong. Bus to Chiang Rai (1 hr), lunch en route. Hilltribe Museum and Education Center. On arrival, check back in toLOTUS HOTEL PANG SUAN KAEW. Smart casual dress with proper shoes. (B) / Living History of the Golden Triangle, pt. 3 / Lintner Ch 2; Hanson & Mendius Ch 10
Mon
Jan 7 / CHIANG MAI.
Optional Meditation (7:00)
Meditation & Class 9-12 (B) / Psychology and Neuroscience of Addiction / Koob & Le Moal (1997); Redish (2004); Optional Olds (1958), Niven (1980)
Tues
Jan 8 / * / CHIANG MAI.
Optional Meditation (7:00)
Meditation & Class 9-12 (B) / Comparative Epidemiology of Drug Abuse: Thailand & U.S.
GUEST: ApinunAramrattana / Celentano (2008);
Sherman (2008a); Sherman (2008b);
Latimore (2011)
Wed
Jan 9 / * / CHIANG MAI.
Optional Meditation (7:00)
Meditation & Class 9-12 (B)
Afternoon (12.30-15.00) visit to the CNX office of Narcotics Control Board. Smart casual dress with proper shoes. / Living History of the
Golden Triangle, pt. 1.
GUEST: BertilLintner / Lintner, Ch 4-7; Optional:Levitt & Venkatesh (2000); This American Life Economics of Crack Dealing
Thurs
Jan 10 / * / CHIANG MAI.
Optional Meditation (7:00)
Meditation & Class 9-12 (B)
Afternoon (12:30)Private motorcoach and guide for1:30 visit to CDTC (Chiang Mai Drug
Treatment Center, Khilek, Mae Rim). / Overview of Substance Abuse Treatment / Pearshouse, et al., (2009); Perngparn (2011); Optional: McGregor, et al., (2005); German (2006)
Fri
Jan 11 / * / CHIANG MAI.
Optional Meditation (7:00)
Day free for independent exploration.(B)
Optional trip to Baan Chang Elephant Park / Assignment: web posting due.
Sat
Jan 12 / CHIANG MAI.
Optional Meditation (7:00)(B)
Children’s Festival / Independent Projects
Sun
Jan 13 / CHIANG MAI.
Optional Meditation (7:00)(B)
Morning (8:50 am) departure by minivan for
Visit to Nong Hoi (Mae Sa Valley), part of the
“Royal Project” of crop substitution for opium.
Smart casual dress with proper shoes.(B) / Independent Projects
Mon
Jan 14 / CHIANG MAI.
5:40 wake-up call.
Coach to for private transfer for 6:10 am
visit to WatSrisoda for 6:30 alms giving.
7:00 Breakfast at WatSrisoda;
8 am school participation.
11 am lunch at WatSrisoda
Conservative dress required.
Afternoon (12.00-19.00) private vehicles for visit to Nong Tao (Highland Village) as part of WatSrisoda’s Dharma Charika crop substitution and highland education project.GuestPhra J. (B, L) / Engaged Buddhism
GUESTS: PhraJ / Kornfield Ch 7-9
Jan 15 / * / CHIANG MAI.
Optional Meditation (7:00)
Meditation & Class 9-12 (B)
Afternoon (12:30) walk to WatSuanDok with overnight bag for MCU-sponsored
Meditation Retreat
Rooms will be kept at LOTUS HOTEL / Building Wisdom and Compassion
Retreat / Hanson & Mendius Ch 11-13; Kornfield Ch 12-14
Jan 16 / * / CHIANG MAI
MCU-sponsored Meditation Retreat
Afternoon (3:30) walk back to hotel / Retreat / None
Thurs
Jan 17 / CHIANG MAI/ BANGKOK.
Meditation & Class 9-12 (B)
Request late check-out
Evening departure by private motorcoach to Chiang Mai train station for departure (17.30) on overnight Train #52 to Bangkok, 2nd class A/C sleeper seats. / Synthesis and Independent Project Reports / None
Fri
Jan 18 / * / BANGKOK.
Morning (08.30) arrival at Bangkok Station and depart by private motorcoach toARNOMA HOTEL BANGKOK for check-in.
Day free for independent exploration.
Group farewell dinner (19.00). (B,D) / Assignment: independent project posting due.
Sat
Jan 19 / * / BANGKOK/TWIN CITIES.
Pre-dawn departure by private
motorcoach to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi
Airport for departure (05.55) on Delta
Air Lines flight DL #284 for Tokyo.
Arrive (13.50) Tokyo Narita Airport
and proceed to connecting gate
for departure (15.05) on Delta Air
Lines flight DL #622 for Minneapolis.
Arrive (11:10 a.m.) Minneapolis-St Paul Lindbergh Terminal 1 for customs
clearance.
Itinerary subject to change due to local scheduling.
Conservative Dress. For religious reasons, women should have shoulders covered and not wear shorts or short skirts; men should wear long pants and short-sleeved shirts. Shoes must be removed before entering the temples. Also note that prudent travelers tend to dress more conservatively than may be required for locals to avoid offense, and to maintain reputations and safety.
Class Format will necessarily be flexible, but will have a recognizable form on “normal” Meditation & Class day, approximately as follows:
9-9:30 stretching and meditation;
9:40-10 travel & culture discussion;
10-10:30 perspective group check-in & troubleshooting;
10:30-11:45 topic lecture and discussion;
11:45 planning
Perspective Groups are smaller groups (3-4 people) whose role it is to highlight their perspective on addiction, power and Buddhism:
Seven Proposed Perspectives:
1. History & Religion
2. Sociology, Culture & Tradition
3. Geography & Technology
4. Politics & Economics
5. Psychological Mechanisms
6. Neuroscience & Pharmacology
7. Therapy & Personal Change
Seven Final Perspecitive Groups:
- History: Olivia, Andrew
- Religion: Sara, Tarah, Mia
- Culture & Tradition: Jen, Cosette, Erin
- Sociology, Economics & Politics: Zach, Mihir, Reed
- Psychological Mechanisms: Matt, Erika, Emily & Tai
- Neuroscience & Pharmacology: Dia, Connie, Alex
- Therapy & Personal Change: Paohui, Cara, Megan, Claire
Perspective Group members will caucus throughout the program to evaluate visits, visitors and events and to generate questions central to their field. Perspective groups will be called upon during class periodically to offer their assessments.
Web Posting is an important part of the course, ultimately (in combination of with the Independent Project) making up 60% of your final grade. The motivation for web postings is to record your experiences and relate them back to the course themes in a manner that allows you to incorporate different kinds of formats and styles, media, and time scales. It is also a way to share our individual experiences within our group, and with others who are not traveling with us.
Web postings can take a number of forms. One site that makes blogging easy is blogger.com . Another site that emphasizes photo-based blogs is tumblr.com (if your blog uses tumblr, please be sure you provide adequate captions that pierce surface interpretations of your photos to link them to concepts important to the course). However, your web postings need not be restricted to a blog. If you would prefer to make short videos, songs, etc., conveying some aspect of your experience that is also fine, with the proviso that they link back to the central themes of the course and convey your personal processing relating aspects of your experience of Thailand and its people to those themes.
The Independent Project is a capstone project for the course, and the topic should be considered and discussed with the instructor as early as possible. Topics should link between students’ individual interests the focus of the course, being any aspect of power, addiction and worldly renunciation or meditation. Research should also take advantage of the setting, people, history or other resources unique to Thailand or S.E. Asia more broadly. You’ve gone out of your way to get here afterall.
The Independent Project is likely to make-up a significant part of your blog or other web presence. These will not be papers to be turned in, but should be accessible (and interesting) to the kind of people you hope will read your blog. The rubric is designed to reflect these requirements.
References in your independent project should include live links to the greatest extent possible.
Project reports will occur in class on the last day and will generally be about 5 minutes to describe your question, what your found out and to allow time for questions. Think of this as an “advertisement” to read your blog.
Grading
Grades will be based on the following components:
●Perspective Group member ratings and Class participation (20 pts)
●2 pre-departure quizzes (20 pts)
●Web posting 28 Dec - 4 January (15 pts)
●Web posting 5-11 January (15 pts)
●Independent project & final web posting for 12-18 January (30 pts)
Further Information:
Any student with a documented disability condition (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the instructor and Disability Services at the beginning of the semester.
Students may obtain help on specific aspects of the course by coming to regularly scheduled office hours. If a conflict exists, please email the instructor to arrange an alternative meeting time.
Scholastic dishonesty means plagiarizing; cheating on assignments or examinations; engaging in unauthorized collaboration on academic work; taking, acquiring, or using test materials without faculty permission; submitting false or incomplete records of academic achievement; acting alone or in cooperation with another to falsify records or to obtain dishonestly grades, honors, awards, or professional endorsement; altering forging, or misusing a University academic record; or fabricating or falsifying data, research procedures, or data analysis. Scholastic dishonesty is expressly forbidden in this class. Suspected scholastic dishonesty will be investigated and reported as necessary.