BRIANNE DONALDSON
  • About
  • Writing
  • Teaching/Syllabus
  • Contact
  • Events
  • CV
    • Medical Ethics
    • Suffering & Evil
  • Animals Ethics & Religion
Picture
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.


Jain History, Philosophy, and Ethics
​
REL ST 120/PHILOS 117

SPRING 2023
Tues/Thurs 2:00-3:20pm
Humanities Hall 143

Professor: Brianne Donaldson 
Email: b.donaldson@UCI.edu

​DESCRIPTION: The Jain Tradition is a small but influential Indina tradition centered on nonharm to multiple life forms, the cultivation of multiple perspectives, and practices of non-attachment. In this class, we will rely on the methods of history, philosophy, and ethnography to explore Jainism in relation to its historic and textual development, arguments with rivals about what is “real,” and its multiple ethical practices related to food, human-animal-plant relations, war, tolerance, among others. We will also consider the Jain tradition’s relevance to current planetary and social issues.
Undergraduate Student Learning Outcomes
  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, ethics, and lived practice
  3. Connect with local Jain practitioners and communities
  4. Analyze a social, cultural, historical, visual, or textual aspect of Jainism in a research project with some comparison to the student’s own local and global context.
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! (Spring 2023)

I'll be hosting virtual visiting hours every week and I'd love to have you visit:
  • Thursday (starting Week 2): 3:45–4:45pm (I come straight from a class so just wait if I'm not there when you arrive)​
  • Many other times by appointment, phone, or Zoom:  https://uci.zoom.us/j/98945597900;  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: Humanities Instructional Bldg, Lowest Level, Room #56 (Philosophy Dept); Map here ​
Picture

REQUIRED TEXT

Picture
Picture
The Jains, 2nd edition by Paul Dundas ​
  • Publisher: Routledge (2002)
  • ISBN-13: 9780415266062

​*OTHER INDIVIDUAL READINGS WILL ALSO BE LINKED IN THE SCHEDULE BELOW.
The A to Z of Jainism (dictionary) by Kristi Wiley
  • Publisher: Scarecrow Press (2009)
  • ISBN 13 : 9780810868212

POLICIES

ADD/DROP DEADLINES
Students may DROP or ADD a course through 5:00 p.m. on Friday of the second week of classes. Details here

ATTENDANCE POLICY
Attendance will begin the third week of class, after the drop/add deadline (April 14, 2023). After this date, all students can miss two classes without penalty. On the third absence, students will receive a one-time 3-point deduction, and an additional 3-point deduction for every absence thereafter. 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 going 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.

LATE WORK POLICY 
The late policy will begin after the drop/add deadline of April 14, 2023. There is a one-hour grace period on all assignments, except online quizzes, which must be completed by class time. After the drop/add deadline, 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 the final exam.

TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM
Disciplined use of devices for note taking or looking up information relevant to an immediate discussion in class is welcome. Checking out cat memes, texting, and personal email, while tempting, is not. It is evident to everyone when a colleague is checked out of class and into their device, and it lessens what the class can be as a whole. I prefer to leave this disciplined restraint to you, but will address it myself if needed. I will do my best to facilitate an active learning environment whenever possible. 

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS
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
​It can be hard to concentrate on class work when one lacks stable food, transportation, and shelter. Any student experiencing difficulties are encouraged to check out the FRESH Basic Needs Hub and their helpful team and many creative services.  ​
Picture
FIRST GENERATION SUPPORT!
Check out the School of Humanities' first-generation services here, including incoming seminar, peer mentor program, and more.

​CORONA VIRUS HUB FOR STUDENTS 
Link here
​
UCI COUNSELING AND RELATIONSHIP VIOLENCE PHONE LINES (24-HRS/DAY)
UCI has several resources and services to support personal well-being, healthy relationships, and safety. Click here. 
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 using AI Chat. 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.
Picture

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING


C. EXTRA CREDIT  (6-10pts)
Attend Zoom lecture on Friday May 12, 12:00-2:00pm) the Shri Parshvanath Presidential Chair Annual Jain Studies Lecture. Afterwards, contribute to class Canvas Discussion forum between 5/12 and 5/21. Directions and Registration to come. 

Points awarded as follows (up to 10 points):
6pts: RSVP and attend the lecture virtually through Zoom (or watch the video afterwards; you must register to get the video)
8pts: Contribute a comment AND question on the Canvas Discussion forum that clearly demonstrates your thoughtful engagement with the lecture itself, and possibly class content
9pts: Respond thoughtfully to 1 comment or question on the Canvas Discussion forum 
10pts: Respond thoughtfully to 2 comments or questions on the Canvas Discussion forumASSIGNMENT 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
Download File

Worksheet 2
worksheet_2_philos_117_jainism.docx
File Size: 24 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

Worksheet 3
worksheet_3__applied_jainism_.docx
File Size: 22 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

Worksheet 4–6
worksheets_4–6___applied_jainism_.pdf
File Size: 260 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Extra Credit Worksheet (10 possible points)
extra_credit_worksheet__applied_jainism_.docx
File Size: 16 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

RESOURCES: 5 WAYS TO TAKE NOTES AND BEDFORD CITATION GUIDE 

5 methods for taking notes in reading and in class
Bedford Handbook for In-text Citations and Works Cited (helpful guides on p. 4 and p. 10)

 WEEKLY SCHEDULE ​(and tips for class preparation)

Readings and videos listed in the below schedule should be completed BEFORE coming to class (unless noted by "in-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. 

TIPS FOR CLASS PREPARATION:
  • Tips for reading notes: See the video under resources (above) for different note-taking methods; I've built in weekly activities for engaging the readings as well. 
  • Trouble following a reading or Short on time? Here are some alternatives to skipping class or throwing in the towel:
    • Pick 1-2 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 a figure named in the reading and look them up independently . . . 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
    • Read the section headings and the closing paragraph
    • "Pass" in class discussion; a rare "pass" is perfectly acceptable so long as it does not happen regularly​​

Week 1​

1a Tuesday, April 4
Who is a Jain?
  • Watch in class
    • Mahamastakabhisheka at Sravana Belgola, Karnataka
    • Ahimsa: Nonviolence. The Story of the Jain Religion (Tobias, 2009)
Assignments 
We'll discuss the videos and review portions of the syllabus.

Week 2: JAIN HISTORY & PHILOSOPHY

1b Thursday, April 6 
What is Jainism?: Overview and Historical Approach to India
  • Dundas, p. 1–11
  • Peter Flügel, “The Invention of Jainism”
Assignments:
  • Complete Pre-class Reading Quiz 1 Prior to Class on Canvas
ācārāṅga-sūtra_ch_1_excerpt_annotated.pdf
File Size: 3374 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

2a Tuesday, April 11
Indigenous “Strivers”: Jainism, Buddhism, Ajivikism
  • Jeffrey D. Long, “Parallel Lives: Mahavira and the Buddha” in Jainism: An Introduction, pp. 29-56
  • Acārāṅga Sūtra (excerpts) H. Jacobi 
Assignments:
  • Complete Pre-class Reading Quiz 2 Prior to Class on Canvas​
  • In class: Watch Faculty Office Hours

Week 3

2b Thursday, April 13 
Rival Disputes
  • Johannes Bronkhorst, “The Riddle of the Jainas and Ajivikas in Early Buddhist Literature” 
Assignments:
  • Complete Pre-class Reading Quiz 3 Prior to Class on Canvas
3a Tuesday, April 18
Mahāvīra’s Life and the Legacy of “Fordmakers”
  • Dundas, 12–44
  • Kalpa-sūtra excerpt ​
​Assignments:
  • Complete Pre-class Reading Quiz 4 Prior to Class on Canvas

Week 4

3b Thursday, April 20
Spread and Schism
  • Dundas, 45–59
  • Julie Hanlon, “Early History of Jainism and Migrations to South India”
​​​​Assignments:
  • Complete Pre-class Reading Quiz 5 Prior to Class on Canvas
tattvārtha-sūtra_ch_2_annotated.pdf
File Size: 3677 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

4a Tuesday, April 25
What Exists: The Jain “Reals” (Karmic Bondage and Rebirth)
  • Dundas, 86-111
  • Padmanabh S. Jaini (1979) “The Mechanism of Bondage”
  • Phyllis Granoff (2009) “Contemplating the Jain Universe: Visions of order and chaos” in Victorious Ones: Jain Images of Perfection, pp. 48-63.
Assignments
  • Complete Pre-class Reading Quiz 6 Prior to Class on Canvas

Week 5

4b Thursday, April 27
What Exists: The Jain “Reals” (A Universe of Living Beings)
  • Donaldson and Bajželj, Ch 2, “Life, Nonlife, and Karma”
  • Tattvārtha-sūtra (excerpts from Ch 2)
Assignments
  • Complete Pre-class Reading Quiz 7 Prior to Class on Canvas
tattvārtha-sūtra_ch_7_annotated.pdf
File Size: 1583 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

​5a Tuesday, May 2
The Mendicant (Ascetic) Ideal
  • Dundas, 150-86
  • Padmanabh S. Jaini, “Jaina Debates on the Spiritual Liberation of Women”
Assignments:
  • Complete Pre-class Reading Quiz 8 Prior to Class on Canvas​

Week 6: APPLICATIONS OF JAIN PHILOSOPHY

5b Thursday, May 4 
The Lay Community
  • Dundas, 200–26
  • Shah, “Popular Jainism,” (in The Jain View of the Universe) 169-209
​Assignments
  • Complete Worksheet 2 and Upload Prior to Class on Canvas (Worksheets can be found under Assignments/Grading above)
  • Read Worksheet 3 in class
barbato_anekāntavāda_and_dialogic_identity.pdf
File Size: 246 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

6a Tuesday, May 9
Nonviolence and the Path to Liberation
  • Nalini Balbir, “Practice of Non-Violence and Peace: the Jain Perspective”
  • Padmanabh Jaini, “Ahiṃsā: A Jaina Way of Spiritual Discipline”
vallely_anekānta_ahiṃsā_pluralism.pdf
File Size: 3154 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Week 7

6b Thursday, May 11
Doctrine of Many-Sided View​​
  • Melanie Barbato, “Anekāntavāda and Dialogic Identity Construction”
cort_green_jainism_.pdf
File Size: 2372 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

7a Tuesday, May 16
Pluralism and Tolerance
  • Anne Vallely, “Anekānta, Ahiṃsā, and the Question of Pluralism”
  • John E. Cort, "Intellectual Ahiṃsā" Revisited: Jain Tolerance and Intolerance of Others” Philosophy East and West 50 (3):324–47​
chapple_the_living_earth.pdf
File Size: 7078 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Week 8

7b Thursday, May 18 
Environment
  • Watch: 5 Human Impacts on the Environment: Crash Course Ecology #10
    • Christopher Key Chapple, "The Living Earth of Jainism and the New Story: Rediscovering and Reclaiming a Functional Cosmology" (pdf below)
 Assignments
vallely_being_sentiently_with_others__1_.pdf
File Size: 267 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

8a Tuesday, May 23
Environment/Climate
  • John E. Cort, “Green Jainism? Notes and Qureries toward a Possible Jain Environmental Ethics” (pdf below
  • “Jain Declaration on the Climate Crisis" here.
Assignments
  • Complete Worksheet 3 and Upload Prior to Class on Canvas (Worksheets can be found under Assignments/Grading above)
jaini_ahiṃsā_and_just_war_.pdf
File Size: 3761 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Week 9 (**Wed. 11/25 is the last day to switch to Pass/No Pass grading option)

8b Thursday, May 25
Animals and Diet
  • Eva de Clercq, “Karman and Compassion: Animals in the Jain Universal History”
  • Padmanabh Jaini, “Fear of Food: Jaina Attitude on Eating”
Assignments
dundas_the_non-violence_of_violence_annotated.pdf
File Size: 608 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

9a Tuesday, May 30
War and Militarism
  • ​Watch: War & Human Nature: Crash Course World History 204
  • Reading: Padmanabh S. Jaini, “Ahiṃsā and ‘Just War’ in Jainism”
  • Paul Dundas, “The Non-violence of Violence: Jain Perspectives of Warfare, Asceticism, and Worship” (only p. 40–47)

Week 10

9b Thursday, June 1 
​
Jainism and Gender
  • Watch: Theories of Gender: Crash Course Sociology #33
  • Manisha Sethi: "Chastity and Desire: Representing Women in Jainism" here
  • Wikipedia, “Sexual Differences in Jainism” (especially “third sex” section)
Assignments​
  • Complete Worksheet 4 and Upload Prior to Class on Canvas (Worksheets can be found under Assignments/Grading above)
​
10a Tuesday, June 6 
Jainism and "Right to Die"?
  • Watch: Assisted Death & the Value of Life: Crash Course Philosophy
  • Padmanabh S. Jaini, “The Holy Death” in The Jaina Path of Purification
​Assignments
  • Please complete your UCI class evaluation (if 75% of students complete, all students will get 2 points extra credit) 
zwilling_and_sweet_like_a_city_ablaze_annotated.pdf
File Size: 3537 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Week 11

10b Thursday, June 8
​
Jainism and "Right to Die"?
  • Listen: NPR, "Fasting To The Death: Is It A Religious Rite Or Suicide?" (5 min.) 
  • Whitny Braun, “Sallekhana: The Ethicality and Legality of Religious Suicide by Starvation in the Jain Religious Community” (pdf below)
​Assignments
  • Please complete your UCI class evaluation (if 75% of students complete, all students will get 2 points extra credit) 
jaini_sallekhana-holy_death__1_.pdf
File Size: 1264 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Final Exam
Currently scheduled for
Thursday, June 15, 1:30-3:30pm
Details TBD
braun_sallekhana.pdf
File Size: 632 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Week 12

By Thursday, Dec. 17 at midnight
Complete Worksheet 6 (bottom of syllabus "Resources" above) by watching 6 of your colleagues' videos and offering a commentary on 3 of those of your choosing. See Worksheet 6 for the guiding questions and grading rubric.
  • COURSE DETAILS
  • COME VISIT ME

  • TEXTS

  • POLICIES
  • ASSIGNMENTS/GRADING
  • SCHEDULE
  • RESOURCES

www.briannedonaldson.com

  • About
  • Writing
  • Teaching/Syllabus
  • Contact
  • Events
  • CV
    • Medical Ethics
    • Suffering & Evil
  • Animals Ethics & Religion