Applied Indian Philosophy

Applied Indian Philosophy (Jainism)
PHIL 117

Fall 2020
Tues/Thurs 5:00-6:20pm

A 16th c. manuscript of the Jain Kalpa-sūtra; this image and text describes Prince Pārśva—who will become the 23rd Jain teacher—saving two snakes from a brahmin ritual.

Professor: Brianne Donaldson
Email: [email protected]
Zoom Link: Please login with your UCI Zoom account:

https://uci.zoom.us/j/96510286736?pwd=TkNBK1I3OEEzenJWZDJCakVGcko2UT09
Passcode: asianphil

DESCRIPTION: Applied Indian Philosophy brings together ancient metaphysics with contemporary application. We will primarily examine Jainism, with some secondary reference to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Sikhism. Jainism emerged as a reforming philosophy in the Ganges plain of India, approximately 5th c. BCE. Its expansive account of diverse and autonomous life forms, its view of karmic responsibility, and its central emphasis of nonviolence provides an alternate metaphysical foundation from which to evaluate and address modern conflicts. The first half of the class will introduce history and philosophy of Jainism among other Indian traditions; the second half will explore applications (and limits) of Jain philosophy to issues such as:

tolerance and social pluralism
war and militarism
ecology, climate change, and animals
gender equity
right-to-die (ability to control one's own death)

Student Learning Objectives:
1. Contextualize the development of the Jain community in relation to other rival views of the subcontinent
2. Identify unique terms and concepts in Jain philosophy and ethics.
3. Analyze aspects of Jain responses to a contemporary ethical issue through a multi-part quarter-long project.
4. Practice research skills needed for advanced study in multi-cultural philosophies and religions.

Opening Recitation
परस्परोपग्रहो जीवानाम्
Parasparopagraho jīvānām
“The function of living beings is to support one another.”
–Tattvārtha-sūtra (2nd–5th c. CE) 5.21

STUDENT VISITING HOURS: COME SEE ME! (Fall 2020)

By Video or Phone:

Tuesday/Thursday 3:45-4:45pm and 10 minutes after class
Zoom Link: https://uci.zoom.us/j/99690182783
Many other times by request for video/phone visits: just contact me (note that I often don't check email after 6pm)
When writing me, please include a greeting such as "Hi _____" or "Dear _____" so I feel like a means to your success as well as my own end; I will endeavor to do the same for you.

Where to find my office (when we are back in person): Humanities Instructional Bldg, Lowest Level, Room #56 (Philosophy Dept); Map here

REQUIRED TEXT

Please ensure you have a copy of this book for class. You can access the eBook version from UCI library for free here. You will need to download the off-campus Virtual Private Network (VPN; directions here) to see the book. Once you access it, you can download the book for 14 days at a time and then will have to download again. Or you can skip downloading and just use the online reader.

You can also purchase a kindle or print version online ($10-20). Click book icon below.

Because we are online, think ahead about how you can be on video and have access to the text (and other assigned pdfs) simultaneously, especially if you opt for a digital copy.

Understanding Jainism by Lawrence A. Babb

Publisher: Edinburgh: Dunedin Academic Press (2015)
ISBN-10 : 1780460325
ISBN-13 : 978-1780460321

*OTHER INDIVIDUAL READINGS WILL ALSO BE LINKED IN THE SCHEDULE BELOW.

POLICIES

UCI CORONA VIRUS HUB
Frequent questions for students and families regarding campus access, housing, billing, parking, case counts, and many other issues can be found here. Details on student testing can be found here and a video of what to expect during testing is here.

ATTENDANCE POLICY
There will be no formal attendance policy for this quarter. However, see assignment #2 below for low stakes daily "class chat" tasks worth 1 point each.

VIDEO/ZOOM POLICY & RECORDINGS
I ask all students to seriously consider using video during our class periods for the majority of the time. This is a real-time, interactive class, and not just a passive listening course, and your presence is a vital part. If you feel strongly that you cannot do this, please upload a photo of yourself. It is acceptable if students only display their written name, but not preferred. I will make every effort to keep a secure online classroom. Please note that every class will be recorded and posted on Canvas; breakout rooms are never included in recordings, so please strongly consider using videos during these.

LATE WORK POLICY
The late policy will begin on Tuesday 10/20, after the drop/add period the previous Friday. There is a one hour grace period on all assignments. After that, a late assignments of up to 40 points will receive a one time 3-point deduction; late assignments over 40 points will receive a one time 5-point deduction. All work is due by the last day of classes to be considered, unless otherwise noted.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY AND PLAGIARISM
We are here to do the hard work of learning together. Academic dishonesty erodes this goal and your own self confidence. It is also a serious academic offense that can result in failing a paper, failing the class, and academic dismissal from the university. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism (copying words, phrases, or ideas from other authors/sources without giving citation credit), copying answers from another student, allowing another student to copy your answers, communicating exam answers to other students during an exam, attempting to use notes or other aids during an exam, or tampering with an exam after it has been corrected and then returning it for more credit. These actions are a violation of the UCI Policies on Academic Honesty <see https://aisc.uci.edu/>. It is your responsibility to read and understand these policies. Note that any instance of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Academic Integrity Administrative Office for disciplinary action and is cause for a failing grade in the course.

Work in this class, such as quizzes and assignments, should be self-generated, rather than collaborative. Collaborative work will be noted specifically.

DISABILITY ACCOMODATIONS
All of us have different abilities, strengths, and challenges with learning. Students who believe they may need accommodations to succeed in this class are encouraged to register online with the Disability Services Center (or call 949-824-7494) as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. This can include priority test-taking, seating preference, transportation, document conversion, among many other possible accommodations. Also, please feel free to meet with me to discuss any ways I can make any aspect of the classroom, materials, or assignments more accessible.

FOOD AND HOUSING INSECURITY
Any student who has difficulty affording groceries or accessing sufficient food to eat every day, or who lacks a safe and stable place to live, and believes this may affect their performance in the course, is urged to contact the FRESH Basic Needs Hub and the Basic Needs Coordinator, Andrea Gutierrez, at [email protected]. Also, please notify me if you are comfortable doing so. This will enable me to inform you of resources that might be of help.

ADD/DROP DEADLINES
Students may DROP or ADD a course through 5:00 p.m. on Friday of the second week of classes. https://www.reg.uci.edu/enrollment/adc/adcpolicy.html

TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM
Texting, emailing, or other use of electronic devices not related to the lecture or our discussion is not welcome in class. For the 75-minutes of this class, please practice the discipline of being present to the class discussion, taking notes, asking questions, and otherwise participating to make the class all it can be.

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING

ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTIONS AND GRADING VALUES (275 points total are available in the course)

1. Participation: Pre-class quizzes and questions (8 total; best 6 will count; 10 points each; 60 points total)
Before each class in weeks 2-5, you will take and submit a quiz (open book; 20 minute limit) prior to coming to class through Canvas. These will include terms for key terms, historical contexts, and ideas. I will count the 6 highest scores; you can take all 8 quizzes if you like, or skip two, as you wish. NOTE: the quizzes will open on Canvas 24 hours prior to class and close at class time, that is, 5pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

2. Participation: 2-point in-class "Class Chat" responses through Canvas or Zoom, individually or in groups (approx. 36 points possible; 30 will count)
During most classes, students will be invited to contribute responses to a low stakes 2-point questions. These will help us reflect together, allow me to gauge confusion and understanding, and sometimes provide an opportunity for group brainstorms.

3. Quarter-long project: Aspects of Jain Responses to a Contemporary Issue (6 parts; 185pts total; Worksheets/rubrics will be provided for each part in Canvas).

Worksheet 1: Identify your top two contemporary social-ethical issuesfrom provided list and briefly describe your interest (0pts)
Worksheet 2: Describe your chosen issue with 3 sources, formatted using The Bedford Handbook (20pts)
Worksheet 3: Complete the Bibliography Worksheet and Research Charts for 6 Jain secondary sources that address your issue (course sources can be included) (40pts)
Worksheet 4: Drawing upon the research charts completed in Worksheet 3, fill out the Aspects of a Jain Response to Contemporary Issue Worksheet (60pts)
Worksheet 5/Powerpoint Video: create and upload a 3-4 minute powerpoint video summary of Aspects of a Jain Response to your issue, integrating content form your Worksheet 4 (40pts)
Worksheet 6/Final Exam: For your final, watch at least 4 different videos created by your peers on a single contemporary issue (other than the one you chose). Provide a commentary in the Discussion forum using the rubric on Worksheet 6 (25pts)

Basic Canvas grading guide
A           94-100%
A-          90-94%
B+         87-90%
B           83-87%
B-          80-83%
C+         77-80%
C           73-77%
C-          70-73%
D+         67-70%
D           63-67%
D-          60-63%

Worksheets and Rubrics

Worksheets will be available for download here; each includes its own instructions.

Worksheet 1

worksheet_1__philos_117_app._jainism_.docx
File Size:	17 kb
File Type:	docx