Class Info - Phil 306

Philosophy 306 - Phil. of China and Japan

Class Information

CONTENTS: Class Syllabus , Reading Assignments

Click here for: Library eReserves, Class Calendar

Warren Z. Weinstein -- Philosophy Department -- Office: MHB-910
Email: wweinste@csulb.edu -- Home Page: http://www.csulb.edu/~wweinste

Office Hours:
M, W: 11:00 - 11:50; Tu, Th: 12:30 - 1:20; and by appt.
Send Me Mail , Back to: My Home Page , Go to: CSULB Home Page
Go to: Grading Rubric

PHILOSOPHY 306 - PHILOSOPHIES OF CHINA AND JAPAN
CLASS SYLLABUS

FALL 2009
Section	Meeting Times	Location
01	Tu, Th: 9:30AM to 10:45AM	LA1-304

Texts:
Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
Reps, ed, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones
Herrigel, Zen in the Art of Archery
Multiple readings available from CSULB Library eReserves

General:
An overview of the classical philosophies of China and Japan, including Confucianism, Taoism, Early Buddhism, and the Chinese roots and Japanese flowering of Zen.

Objectives:
Students will be able to discuss, interpret and apply the concepts and arguments associated with the major issues in Chinese and Japanese philosophy. As the goal of Chinese and Japanese philosophy is to experience the teachings in real life, each student will undertake some practical discipline or practice, suitable to his/her temperament and life situation, which will afford the student a personal experience of the truths hinted at in these philosophies.

Course Outline:
The following thematic units will be covered in this course, but we will mix these themes throughout the course, rather than adhere to a rigid historical chronology.

Unit 1. A First Look at Zen
Zen Arts; Zen Stories

Unit 2. Confucianism
The Sayings of Confucius; The Works of Mencius

Unit 3. Taoism
Lao Tzu: Tao Te Ching; The Works of Chuang Tzu

Unit 4. Ch'an Buddhism in China
Early Buddhism; Ch'an Buddhism in China

Unit 5. Zen Buddhism in Japan
Zen and the Samurai; Zen Koans

Grading:
For students meeting the attendance requirements, below, there will be three papers -- due in weeks #6 (15%), #12 (30%), and #15 (25%) -- and a cumulative two-hour final essay exam (30%). Except for documented, serious and compelling reasons, no make-up exams will be given. A grading curve will be applied at the end of the semester, with extra-credit awarded for active and effective classroom.

Attendance Policy:
Attendance at all meetings is mandatory. Absences due to illness, death in the family, or participation in university-sponsored events may be excused if a student provides timely documentation. Accumulation of three weeks of unexcused absences will result in a grade of “F”. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each meeting. Late arrivals are responsible for checking in before leaving class that same day . Failure to check in by the end of class will be considered an unexcused absence.

Plagiarism/Cheating:
Students should read the university policy on Cheating and Plagiarism in the CSULB Catalog. Penalties for these offenses include “a failing final grade” and “possible probation, suspension, or expulsion.”

Accommodation:
It is the student’s responsibility to notify the instructor in advance of the need for accommodation of a university-verified disability.

Withdrawal:
Standard university policies apply. See CSULB Catalog.

Top of Syllabus Top of Class Page

PHILOSOPHY 306 - PHILOSOPHIES OF CHINA AND JAPAN
READING ASSIGNMENTS

Texts:
Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
Reps, ed, Zen Flesh Zen Bones
Herrigel, Zen in the Art of Archery
Multiple readings from CSULB Library eReserves

In addition to the readings listed below, we will read and discuss four selections from Zen Flesh, Zen Bones at each class meeting. We will begin with selections 1- 4 on the first day of Week #3, and continue, in order, throughout the semester.

Unit 1. A First Look at Zen

Wk#1 Instructor Handout

Wk#2 eRes: Third Chinese Patriarch of Zen, Clarke, Richard, (all)

Wk#3 Herrigel, Zen in the Art of Archery, pp. 3-66

Wk#4    Herrigel, Zen in the Art of Archery, pp. 67-81
              Reps, ed, Zen Flesh Zen Bones: 10 Bulls (Oxherding Pictures) (all);
              Batchelor, Martine, Commentary on the 10 Bulls (Beachboard: Course Doucuments)

Unit 2. Confucianism

Wk#6   FIRST PAPER DUE: First Meeting of Week 6
             eRes: The Story of Chinese Philosophy, Chan, Wing-Tsit, pp. 31-38
             eRes: Confucianism, Koller, John, pp. 270-281
             eRes: The Vision of Confucius, Koller, John, (all)

Wk#7 eRes: Confucianism, Koller, John, pp. 281-284
eRes: Excerpts from the Works of Mencius, Legge, James, (all)

Unit 3. Taoism

Wk#8 eRes: The Story of Chinese Philosophy, Chan, Wing-Tsit, pp. 38-51
Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, chapters 1-48

Wk#9 Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, chapters 49-81

Wk#10 eRes: Excerpts from the Book of Chuang Tzu, Legge, James, (all)

Unit 4. Ch'an Buddhism in China

Wk#11 eRes: Basic Teachings According to the Early Texts, Koller, John, (all)

Wk#12 SECOND PAPER DUE: First Meeting of Week 12
              eRes: The Story of Chinese Philosophy, Chan, Wing-Tsit, pp. 53-56
              eRes: The Zen (Ch'an) School of Sudden Enlightenment, Chan, Wing-Tsit, (all)
              eRes: Third Chinese Patriarch of Zen, Clarke, Richard, – Revisited

Unit 5. Zen Buddhism in Japan

Wk#14 eRes: Zen and the Samurai, Suzuki, Daisetz, (all)
Reps, ed, Zen Flesh Zen Bones: The Gateless Gate (selections tba)

Wk#15 PROJECT PAPER DUE: First Meeting of Week 15
Reps, ed, Zen Flesh Zen Bones: The Gateless Gate (selections tba)

FINAL EXAM: See Final Exam Schedule

TO FIND ELECTRONIC (eRes) DOCUMENTS:

Go to: http://coast.library.csulb.edu/search/p/ .
Search by instructor or course name.
Enter course password when prompted.

Three documents on electronic reserve at the library site are for reference only:

The Tao Te Ching, Hogan, Ron
The Basic Teaching of Buddha, Bresnan, Patrick
Bushido: The Samurai Ethos, King, Winston

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