Jain Hist, Phil, Ethics

A 16th c. manuscript page of the Jain Kalpa-sūtra; this image/text describes Prince Pārśva saving two snakes from a Brahmin fire ritual. In a later rebirth, Pārśva will become the 23rd Jain teacher.

Jain History, Philosophy & Ethics
REL ST 120/PHILOS 117; Fall 2024
TUES/THURS 2:00-3:20pm
Anteater Learning Pavilion 2200 (map here)

Professor: Brianne Donaldson / [email protected]

Description: The Jain Tradition is a small but globally-influential Indian tradition centered on nonviolence to multiple life forms, the cultivation of multiple perspectives, and mental/material 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 and students will have the opportunity to visit a Jain community in Orange County.

*All students are invited to consider taking the new UCI Certificate in Jain Studies and Nonviolence which requires this course, a second Jain studies course (regularly offered), and any third relevant course of your choice in any discipline or school, along with a short summary connecting the three courses. See details at the above link.

Undergraduate Student Learning Outcomes

Contextualize the development of the Jain community in relation to other rival views of the subcontinent
Identify unique terms and concepts related to Jain philosophy, ethics, and lived practice
Connect with local Jain practitioners through a site visit
Complete a series of reflections engaging Jain history, philosophy, and ethics

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)

Where to find my office: Humanities Instructional Bldg, Lowest level, Room #56 (Philosophy Dept; map here). Visiting hours start Tuesday, October 1, 2024.

Tuesday (in person) 3:45–4:45pm
Contact me for other times by phone or Zoom (https://uci.zoom.us/j/98945597900); *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 TEXT

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

ATTENDANCE POLICY
Attendance will begin the second full week of class, after the drop/add deadline (April 11, 2025). 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. These two days apply to illness, religious observance, travel, out of class events, or any other reason. If you choose to miss two days and then fall ill, those absences still count. However, 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.

ADD/DROP DEADLINES
Students may DROP or ADD a course through 5:00 p.m. on Friday of the second full week of classes April 11, 2025; click here.

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.

UCI MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING AND RELATIONSHIP VIOLENCE PHONE LINES (24-HRS/DAY)
UCI has several free resources and services to support well-being and safety. Click here / (949) 824-7273 / [email protected].

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 UCI BASIC NEEDS CENTER at [email protected] / 949-824-0607. Also, please notify me if you'd like to so we can seek out other relevant resources.

FIRST GENERATION SUPPORT!
Check out the School of Humanities' first-generation services here, including incoming seminar, peer mentor program, and more.

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, doom scrolling, texting, and personal email, while tempting, is not. Various studies link social media to negative thought patterns and varied symptoms of addiction; Other studies report that even short breaks from social media improve well-being. Moreover, 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.

LATE WORK POLICY
The late policy will begin after the drop/add deadline of October 11, 2024. 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 (after the one-hour grace period) of up to 40 points will receive a one-time 2-point deduction; late assignments over 40 points will receive a one-time 4-point deduction. All work is due by the last day of the final exam.

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.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
I do write letters of recommendations for students if I feel I can offer a knowledgeable and positive account of an applicant. Because programs requesting such letters are seeking input from someone who has known applicants for a significant duration and depth, I only consider writing for students who I have had in at least two classes (or one class and another substantive manner such as thesis) and who I can genuinely speak to their work quality, attendance, collegiality, clarity, curiosity, and likely success in future programs. Letters require a back and forth with me so please allow ample time for consideration and completion.

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING

There are 225 points in the class.
1. Attendance
2. In-class discussion and self-assessment (3 x 10; 30 pts total)  [14%]
3. Pre-class quizzes (5pts each; best 13 of 17 count; 65 pts total)  [28%]
4. Four Reflections on Jaina Studies (20 points x 4; 80 pts total) [36%]
5. Final (50 pts)  [22%]
6. Extra Credit (see below)

A. Attendance
As stated above, attendance will begin the second full week of class, after the drop/add deadline (Oct. 11, 2024). 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.

B. Participation 1: Self-assessment for participation (fill out on Canvas) [14%]
Due sessions 3b, 7a, 10a
In many classes, students will work solo or in changing groups to answer questions about the author, kinds of source, main themes, key terms, and connections to previous readings, concepts, or questions, or to make connections to other cultural views or social happenings. Three times during the quarter students will fill out an online participation self-assessment on Canvas.

C. Participation 2: Pre-class quizzes weeks 1-10 (17 total; best 13 will count; 5 points each; 65 points total) [28%]
Before each class in weeks 1-10, you will take and submit a 5-point reading/concept quiz (open book; 20 minute limit) prior to coming to class through Canvas. These will include terms key terms, historical contexts, and ideas. I will count the 13 highest scores; you can take all 17 quizzes if you like, or skip four, as you wish. NOTE: the quizzes will open on Canvas 24 hours prior to class and close at class time (2pm). Quizzes must be done by class time and do not count if turned in late as we go over that day's content in class; see late work policies.

D. Four Reflections (including site visit reflection) on Jaina Studies (20 points x 4; 80 points total) [36%]
Due sessions 3b, 6a, 8a, 10b

Four Reflections on Jaina Studies., Nov. 2024.docx
File Size:	16 kb
File Type:	docx

Sample Grading Worksheet (post Reflection 1).docx
File Size:	30 kb
File Type:	docx

Jain Hist, Phil, Ethics Final Exam Study Guide (Dec 2024).pdf
File Size:	45177 kb
File Type:	pdf

Dundas, 1-11.pdf
File Size:	4722 kb
File Type:	pdf

Cort, Models of and for.pdf
File Size:	2042 kb
File Type:	pdf

Jain History, Philosophy & EthicsREL ST 120/PHILOS 117; Fall 2024TUES/THURS 2:00-3:20pmAnteater Learning Pavilion 2200 (map here)Professor: Brianne Donaldson / [email protected]

STUDENT VISITING HOURS: COME SEE ME! (Spring 2023)

REQUIRED TEXT

POLICIES

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING

RESOURCES: 5 WAYS TO TAKE NOTES AND BEDFORD CITATION GUIDE

WEEKLY SCHEDULE ​(and tips for class preparation)

Week 0

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

Week 11

www.briannedonaldson.com

Jain History, Philosophy & Ethics
REL ST 120/PHILOS 117; Fall 2024
TUES/THURS 2:00-3:20pm
Anteater Learning Pavilion 2200 (map here)

Professor: Brianne Donaldson / [email protected]

WEEKLY SCHEDULE (and tips for class preparation)