​
Asian Philosophies: Buddhism and Jainism
Winter 2020
Tues/Thurs 5:00-6:20pm

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Mahavira statue, 14th c. CE in the Seattle Asian Art Museum
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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: What we call "Jainism" and "Buddhism" today emerged as reforming philosophies in approximately the 5th c. CE in the Ganges plain of India. While both of these non-Vedic views were rooted in the universal importance of daily action (vs. ritual), they offered distinct frameworks of what is real, how to know, and how to act. In this class, we will parse these paths through secondary texts, textual translations, while also considering the living practices of living Buddhist and Jain communities globally and in our southern California neighborhood.
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. Contextualize a key term, figure, or text through a final project
5. 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. 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 or phrases 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. 

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING



5.  Final Project: Extended Ethics Work-Up (160 pts)
Students will choose one case study (from two options). In addition to the Appeals Framework students have already followed, the final project requires students to draw upon course sources to define key bioethical concepts, to reference theories/terms/philosophers that support the student's appeals Work-Up. This final project requires students to demonstrate ethical problem solving at both the clinical and philosophical level. 

1. Participation: Pre-class quizzes and questions (16; 13 will count)
2. Jain concepts slide and definition for Installation (40)
3. Site visit Reflection
4. Bibliography Practice for Final Project
5. In-text Citation Practice for Final Project
6. Final Project on Key Term, Figure, Text, or Concept in one Tradition
7. Final Exam
8. Extra Credit Opportunities

ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTIONS AND GRADING VALUES (640 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 (17 classes total), you will take and submit a quiz or set of reading questions prior to coming to class through Canvas. In early weeks, this will include terms for key theories, theoretical terms, philosophers, and bioethical concepts. In later weeks it will include reading comprehension questions about diverse positions on a particular issue. 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 of them for your best score, or skip four, as you wish. NOTE: the quizzes, reading exams will be open on Canvas until the 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 for my installation 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, and (3) sources.  

3. Site Visit Reflection 
I will offer a site visit to the Jain Center of Southern California as well as a nearby Buddhist temple. 
Students must choose one of these visits to attend by Thursday, January 23. Students will complete the "Site Visit Reflection" worksheet for their visit (on Canvas). Please review this worksheet before your visit. 

4-5. Citation Practice (Works Cited and In-text Citation) for Final Project (20 points each; self-graded in class)
In preparation for the Final Projects (Extended Ethics Work-Up), students will create a bibliography with utilized course sources, as well as demonstrate confident in-text citations. These two assignments will function as self-graded practice for both of these exercises that will be graded in the Final Project.

6. Final Project
Students may write a final paper (10-12 double spaces pages) or a Conceptual Map for their project. The aim is to choose a key term/concept, figure, or text in either Buddhism or Jainism. The aim is to: (1) define, (2) identify related concepts, (3) contextualize, (4) identify a unique contribution of this term, figure, or text, and (5) support with in-text citations and Works Cited. Students who write a final paper may be nominated for an award for the best paper in Jain Studies and the best paper in Buddhist Studies. 

7. Final Exam (100 points) 
This exam will include multiple choice, True/False, and matching terms,  a few short answer questions, 2 textual analyses, and one reflective question. 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.

This is a basic grading guide
GRADE                            POINTS
A           93-100%           595–640
A-          90-93%             575–594
B+         87-90%             555–574
B           84-87%             535–554
B-          80-84%             515–534 
C+         77-80%            495–514
C           74-77%             475–494
C-          70-74%             455–474
D+         67-70%            435–454
D           64-67%             415–434
D-          60-64%             395–414
 

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Dear Students,

Your presence, participation, and growing confidence and skills are important to me this quarter. Here are some thoughts:

Readings and videos listed in the below schedule should be completed BEFORE coming to class. Pre-class quizzes/reading questions will help you to see where your knowledge gaps are and help build our common language for class discussions. Remember that 3 of these lowest scores will be discarded.

It is likely that you may find these readings challenging at first, as you enter alternate realms of narrative, history, and meaning. Press on! You don't have to master every idea or concept to keep going. Many ideas will come cumulatively over time. Be patient with yourself. 

TIPS FOR CLASS PREPARATION:
  • Take reading notes (see "Case Studies/Rubric" section above for a quick overview of 6 different approaches to note taking; or ask your friends how they do it)
  • Trouble following a reading? That's okay. Here are some alternatives to walking away exasperated:
    • Pick one or two terms in the reading and look them up independently using online sources and just try to understand that term in its context; sharing this info in class will be edifying for us all
    • Pick one figure named in the reading and look them up independently as in previous point . . . sharing this info in class will be edifying for us all
    • Read the opening paragraph and see if you can identify the main point/s that will be covered
  • Short on time? Here are some alternatives to skipping class for not doing readings: 
    • Read the opening paragraph and see if you can identify the main point/s that will be covered
    • Read the section heading and the closing paragraph
    • "Pass" in class discussion; a rare "pass" is perfectly acceptable so long as it does not happen regularly

I'm looking forward to our time. ​

Week 1​

Tuesday, January 7
Approaching Indian Traditions: Philosophies or Religions? 
  • Class discussion; no reading required
Thursday, January 9
The Buddha and his Indian Context 
  • ​Harvey, Ch 1 
Assignments:
  • Complete Pre-class Quiz 1 One Hour Prior to Class on Canvas

Week 2

 Tuesday, January 14
Mahavira and his Indian Context 
  • Jaini, Ch 1​​
Assignments:
  • Complete Pre-class Quiz 2 One Hour Prior to Class on Canvas

Thursday, January 16
Early Buddhist Teachings: Karma and Rebirth and Four Noble Truths
  • Harvey, Ch 2 and 3
Assignments:
  • Complete Pre-class Quiz 3 One Hour Prior to Class on Canvas

Week 3

Tuesday, January 21
The Real Substances in Jainism and the Mechanisms of Karmic Bondage
  • Jaini, Ch 3 and 4
Assignments:
  • Complete Pre-class Quiz 4 One Hour Prior to Class on Canvas

Thursday, January 23
Early Buddhist Ideas and Symbols
  • Harvey, Ch 4
​Assignments:
  • Complete Pre-class Quiz 5 One Hour Prior to Class on Canvas

Week 4

Tuesday, January 28
Jain Disciples, Literature, and Debates
  • Jaini, Ch 2
​Assignments:
  • Complete Pre-class Quiz 6 One Hour Prior to Class on Canvas

Thursday, January 30 
Buddhist Philosophy and Debates: Two Mahāyāna Philosophies
  • Harvey, p. 114-138 of Ch 5; we will not be reading about the Tathā-garbha school, though one could look at this for a final project if desired
Assignments:
  • Complete Pre-class Quiz 7 One Hour Prior to Class on Canvas

Week 5

Tuesday, February 4
The Path and Goal of the Layperson: Jainism
  • Jaini, Ch 5 and 6
Assignments
  • Complete Pre-class Quiz 8 One Hour Prior to Class on Canvas
Thursday, February 6
The Path and Goal of the Layperson: Buddhism
  • Harvey, p. 151-160 of Ch 6; we will not be reading about Tantric Buddhism though one could look at this for final project if desired
Assignments:
  • Complete Pre-class Quiz 9 One Hour Prior to Class on Canvas

Week 6

Tuesday, February 11 
The Path and Goal of the Mendicant: Buddhism
  • ​Harvey, Ch 10
Assignments
  • Complete Pre-class Quiz 10 One Hour Prior to Class on Canvas

Thursday, February 13
The Path and Goal of the Mendicant: Jainism
  • Jaini, Ch 8​​
Assignments
  • Complete Pre-class Quiz 11 One Hour Prior to Class on Canvas

Week 7

Tuesday, February 18
Living Buddhism: Devotion and EthicsAssignments
  • Complete Pre-class Quiz 12 One Hour Prior to Class on Canvas

Thursday, February 20
Living Buddhism: Devotion and Ethics
  • Harvey, Ch 9
  • In class: Watch and Discuss the short film "The Trap"
Assignments
  • Complete Pre-class Quiz 13 One Hour Prior to Class on Canvas

Week 8

Tuesday, February 25
Living Jainism: Devotion and Ethics
  • ​Jaini, Ch 7
  • In class: Watch and Discuss the short clip on the Jain fast unto death (sallekhāna)
Assignments:
  • Complete Pre-class Quiz 14 One Hour Prior to Class on Canvas

Thursday, February 27
  • In class: Watch and Discuss the short film "Ahimsa"

Week 9

Tuesday, March 3
No class required today (as credit for out-of-class visits), but I'll be in the classroom for this duration for anyone who wants to talk about or work on final projects

Thursday, March 5
Jainism in the World Assignments
  • Complete Pre-class Quiz 15 One Hour Prior to Class on Canvas

Week 10

Tuesday, March 10
Buddhism in the World Assignments
  • Complete Pre-class Quiz 16 One Hour Prior to Class on Canvas

Thursday, March 12
Our class period will be my installation as the Shri Parshvanath Presidential Chair in Jain Studies at 5pm
  • Location HG (Humanities Gateway) 1030; see map here
  • Attendance will be taken

Extra Credit Opportunity (10 pts; optional)
  • Take 2-3 photos of anything you see in the room or at the event that pertain to Jains, Jainism, or the installation of the Jain Chair; write 2-3 paragraphs linking the images together with class themes, your insights, and lingering questions. Please upload a single document with the images and 2-3 paragraphs on Canvas

FINAL EXAM
Thursday, Mar 19, 4:00-6:00pm

GRADING SCALE AND RUBRICS

www.briannedonaldson.com