Applied Indian Philosophy

Applied Indian Philsophy
PHIL/REL ST 117

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

Mahavira statue, 14th c. CE in the Seattle Asian Art Museum

Buddha statue, 5th c. CE in the Sarnath Museum, Uttar Pradesh, India

Professor: Brianne Donaldson
Email: b.donaldson@UCI.edu
Classroom Location: Humanities Hall 231

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:

war
end-of-life decisions
ecology and climate change
gender inequality
animal ethics, and
the science/religion debate

Opening Recitation:
Khāmemi savva-jīve, savve jive khamantu me/
metti me savva-bhūesu, veraṃ majjha na keṇavi//

I ask pardon of all creatures, may all creatures pardon me.
May I have friendship with all beings and enmity with none.
--Pratikramaṇa-sūtra, 49

Source: R. Williams, Jaina Yoga: A Survey of the Medieval Śrāvakācāras (Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, [1963] 1991), 207.

Student Learning Objectives:
1. Explain how Jainism and Buddhism are both independent and co-constituted traditions
2. Identify key terms unique to each tradition's history, philosophy, practice, and community
3. Analyze translations excerpted from primary sources within each tradition
4. Experience the lived, diaspora tradition of Jainism or Buddhism through site visits

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

Where to find my office: Humanities Instructional Bldg, Lowest level, Room #56 (Philosophy Dept); Map here

Tuesday/Thursday 3:45-4:45pm and 10 minutes before and after class
Many other times by request for in-person appointment/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.

REQUIRED TEXTS

Click images below for Amazon link. STUDENTS MUST HAVE A COPY OF THESE TEXTS IN CLASS. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A HARD COPY, PLEASE SHOW ME YOUR DIGITAL SCAN OR COPY SO I KNOW YOU ARE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE.

The Jaina Path of Purification, by Padmanabh Jaini (2014; paperback)

Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass (November 4, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 8120815785
ISBN-13: 978-8120815780

An Introduction to Buddhism, Second Edition: Teachings, History and Practices, 2nd edition, by Peter Harvey (2012; paperback)

Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 2nd edition (December 14, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0521676746
ISBN-13: 978-0521676748

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

POLICIES

ATTENDANCE POLICY
Life happens and we need to take care of ourselves. To that end, students can miss 2 classes with no penalty. There is no need to let me know; no notes from physicians, etc. are needed. On the third absence, students will have 5 points removed from their total score, and 5 points for every absence thereafter. I will take attendance each day (beginning 1/21 after drop period). If you are more than 30 minutes late, this constitutes an absence. If you have an extended illness, extended family emergency, or extended immigration-related issue, please contact me as soon as you are able to and we will discuss a plan forward. Also, if something has kept you from reading or feeling prepared for class, please still come. You can always "pass" in discussion. So long as this is not a regular occurrence, your engaged presence will still benefit you, your peers, and our collective work.

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, and is 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.

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 agordill@exchange.uci.edu. 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.

LATE WORK POLICY
The late policy will begin on 1/21, after the drop/add period. There is a one hour grace period on all assignments. After that, a late assignments of up to 40 points will be deducted 3 points total; and late assignments over 40 points will be deducted 6 points. All work is due by the last day of classes to be considered, unless otherwise noted.

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING

1. Participation: Pre-class quizzes and questions (16; 12 will count; 120pts, due weekly)
2. Jain concepts slide and definition for Installation (40pts; due 1/30)
3. Site visit Reflection (40pts; due 2/25 or 3/5, depending on site chosen)
4. Midterm Textual Analysis (40pts)
5. Final Textual Analysis (60pts)
6. Final Exam (100pts; 3/19)
7. Extra Credit Opportunity (10pts; 2 opportunities/students may choose 1)

ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTIONS AND GRADING VALUES (400 points total in the course)

1. Participation: Pre-class quizzes and questions (16 total; 12 will count; 10 points each; 120 points total)
Before each class for which we have reading of any kind (16 classes total), you will take and submit a quiz (open book; 20 minute limit) prior to coming to class through Canvas. In early weeks, this will include terms for key terms, historical contexts, and ideas. In later weeks it will include reading comprehension questions. These quizzes and reading questions will also function as the primary study guide for your final exam. I will count the 12 highest scores; you can take all 16 quizzes if you like, or skip four, as you wish. NOTE: the quizzes will open on Canvas 24 hours prior to class and close one hour prior to class, that is, 4pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

2. Jain Slides for Installation (40 points)
In small groups, you will be creating visual slides as a class contribution for the installation ceremony of the Shri Parshvanath Presidential Chair in Jain Studies (Thursday, March 12, 5pm during our class time). This will include: (1) a relevant image, (2) a clear and brief description of a key term, (3) sources, and (4) your names. Rubric provided below.

3. Site Visit Reflection (40 points) and Extra Credit Visit (+10 pts EC)
I will offer a site visit to the Jain Center of Southern California in Buena Park (March 1) as well as the Pao Fa Buddhist temple in Irvine (Feb 20)
Students must choose one of these visits to attend by Thursday, January 23. Students will write a one-page single-spaced (12-pt font) reflection of their visit and upload on Canvas. The best reflections will strive to connect the visit to class concepts, integrate original insights, and identify lingering questions. Students can attend both visits for an extra 10 points extra credit (no reflection needed for the second visit).

4. Midterm Buddhism Analysis (40pts)
Students will compile a Buddhist analysis of a well-known western philosophical concept. The aim is to identify points of agreement and/or disagreement between Buddhist philosophy (and its relevant concepts, figures, cosmology, context, etc.) and western philosophy. Students will support their work with in-text citations and Works Cited. Detailed description and rubric provided.

5. Final Jaina Analysis (60 pts)
Students will compile a Jaina analysis of a well-known western philosophical concept. The aim is to identify points of agreement and/or disagreement between Jaina philosophy (and its relevant concepts, figures, cosmology, context, etc.) and western philosophy. Students will support their work with in-text citations and Works Cited. Detailed description and rubric provided.

6. Final Exam (100 points)
This exam will include multiple choice, True/False, and matching terms, a few short answer questions, one essay questions, and 1-2 reflective questions. A student's primary study guide can be found in the 16 pre-class quizzes/reading questions available during the course as the majority of questions will come directly from these.

7. Extra Credit (10 points)
Students can attend the second temple visit for an extra 10 points (no reflection required), OR write a 3/4 page single-spaced reflection (due 3/14) regarding the installation ceremony of the Jain chair that will constitute our class on March 12.

This is a basic grading guide
GRADE   POINTS
A           93-100% 370–400
A-          90-93% 360–369
B+         87-90% 345–359
B           84-87% 335–344
B-          80-84% 320–334
C+         77-80% 305–319
C           74-77%             295–304
C-          70-74% 280–294
D+         67-70% 270–279
D           64-67% 255–269
D-          60-64% 240–254

ASSIGNMENT RUBRICS

1. JAIN INSTALLATION SLIDE GROUP PROJECT: DESCRIPTION AND RUBRIC — DUE TUESDAY, 2/4

jain_slide_assignment_group_eval_and_rubric.pdf
File Size:	828 kb
File Type:	pdf

​Applied Indian Philsophy​PHIL/REL ST 117​Winter 2020Tues/Thurs 5:00-6:20pm

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

REQUIRED TEXTS

POLICIES

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING

ASSIGNMENT RUBRICS

RESOURCES: 5 WAYS TO TAKE NOTES AND BEDFORD CITATION GUIDE

WEEKLY SCHEDULE ​(and tips for class preparation)

Week 1​

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

www.briannedonaldson.com

Applied Indian Philsophy
PHIL/REL ST 117

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

WEEKLY SCHEDULE (and tips for class preparation)

Week 1