Jain Hist, Phil, Ethics

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

Contextualize the development of the Jain community in relation to other rival views of the subcontinent
Identify unique terms and concepts in Jain philosophy, ethics, and lived practice
Connect with local Jain practitioners and communities
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

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

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.

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.

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

Jain History, Philosophy, and Ethics​REL ST 120/PHILOS 117SPRING 2023Tues/Thurs 2:00-3:20pmHumanities Hall 143Professor: Brianne Donaldson Email: b.donaldson@UCI.edu

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

REQUIRED TEXT

POLICIES

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING

Worksheets and Rubrics

RESOURCES: 5 WAYS TO TAKE NOTES AND BEDFORD CITATION GUIDE

WEEKLY SCHEDULE ​(and tips for class preparation)

Week 1​

Week 2: JAIN HISTORY & PHILOSOPHY

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6: APPLICATIONS OF JAIN PHILOSOPHY

Week 7

Week 8

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

Week 10

Week 11

Week 12

www.briannedonaldson.com

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

WEEKLY SCHEDULE (and tips for class preparation)

Week 1