Purdue University North Central

PHIL 330: RELIGIONS OF THE EAST

Division 2, Spring 2008

Tuesdays, Thursdays 5:30-6:45 p.m., SWRZ 361

Instructor: Dr. Deepa Majumdar

Contact Information

 

 

Office: SWRZ 30G                                                  

Office Telephone:  219-785-5693

Web: www.pnc.edu/ss/faculty/Majumdar/dMajumdar.html                   

E-Mail: dmajumda@pnc.edu

Social Science (SS) Office:  203B SWRZ                                                      SS Telephone: 219-785-5275

Office Hours: Tuesdays, Thursdays 10a.m. – 12 p.m. or by appointment.

 

Course Description and Objectives

 

 

In this course we study Hinduism and Buddhism – two major religions of South Asia and East Asia. We cover key philosophical themes like the meaning and purpose of religion, God and the human “self,” monotheism, henotheism, polytheism, pantheism, cosmology, the doctrine of reincarnation, free-will, self-knowledge, good and evil, salvation, and the status of nature. In Hinduism, we discuss Brahman (Saguna and Nirguna), Atman, Maya, Moksha, Karma and the Gunas. In Buddhism we discuss the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, Emptiness, Nirvana, Karma, Anatta, Anicca, Dukkha, the doctrine of “interdependent arising,” or pratitya samutpada, and special topics in Buddhist meditation (if we have time). Our methods are those of theology and the philosophy of religion.

As primary sources we will use the Bhagavad Gita, Shankara’s Crest-Jewel of Discrimination, Dhammapada and the writings of Gandhi. Through conversational lectures, discussions, three papers and two tests, you will gain a personal understanding of the religions of the east. You will also gain writing, analytical, and cognitive skills. To get the most out of this course, make sure you do all pre-assigned readings, attend classes regularly and participate actively in discussions.

 

Required Books (available in PNC Bookstore) and Readings (available in PNC Library)

 

 

·         The World’s Religions by Huston Smith (HarperSan Francisco), 1992.

·         Bhagavad Gita by Swami Prabhavananda and Christopher Isherwood (Barnes and Noble), 1995.

·         Shankara’s Crest-Jewel of Discrimination trans. by Swami Prabhavananda and Christopher Isherwood (Vedanta Press).

·         Dhammapada trans. by Thomas Byrom (Shambala Publications).

·         Readings posted on I Drive (I) or reserved in PNC Library (L) in “PHIL330/Majumdar” folder.

      Introduction

1.       “Religion and Truth,” M. K. Gandhi (I)

2.       “Asian Religions -- An Introduction to the Study of Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Confucianism, and Taoism,” Kenneth W. Morgan (I)

Hinduism

3.       “Historical Perspectives,” in Asian Philosophies, J. M. Koller  (Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2007) (I)

4.       “The Message of the Bhagavad Gita,” Swami Prabhavananda (I)    

Buddhism

5.       “Buddhist Sacred Story and Historical Context,” T. M. Ludwig (L)

6.       “The Dharma,” in Introducing Buddhism, C. S. Prebish and D. Keown (New York: Routledge, 2006) (L)

7.       “Karma and cosmology,” in Introducing Buddhism, Prebish and Keown (L)

8.        “Buddhism,” from Chapter 2 in Mahatma Gandhi and Comparative Religion, by K. L. Sheshagiri Rao (L)

9.     Selections from Buddhist Scriptures translated by Edward Conze (Penguin Classics) (L)

10.   Additional web sources (I).

 

 

Course Assignments and Grading Policy

 

 

Assignments (See page 4 for dates)

·         2 in-class, closed book tests:  Each test will have questions in 3 styles (true/false, multiple choice and match options).

 

·         3 papers (5 pages each, take-home assignments): You will be given a choice of questions. These will be posted on the I Drive. The criteria for evaluation of these papers are • degree of reference to the texts • textual accuracy • quality of interpretation • quality of writing (depth, clarity, creativity, word choice, spelling, grammar, and length).

 

  • Discussion: Active, informed class participation is strongly encouraged. Discussion points will be given only for comments that are relevant, textual, and critical. Classroom decorum must be maintained. Points may be deducted for tangential conversations or class disruptions. Group discussions assignments will be posted on the I Drive for some readings. Discussion points can be earned through individual and group assignments. 

 

·         5 reading assignments: Check the I Drive for a document called “Notetaking-Notemaking.” Use it to write 1 summary-response per reading listed (see p. 3 for dates and texts). Each assignment will be graded on a +/- basis.

 

Grades

  • Tests and papers will be evaluated by points. The course grade will be computed by converting points to percentages and percentages to letter grades.

           

Assignments                                    Points               %                             %                    Letter                        

2 Tests  (5 points each)                10                   10                 90-100                  A               Excellent

Paper 1                                     25                     25                 80-89                     B        Above Average   Paper 2                                     30                     30                 70-79                       C               Average

Paper 3                                    25                     25                 60-69                       D        Below Average

Discussion                                  5                      5                  0-59                       F          Unsatisfactory

Reading assignments                       5                        5

      Total                                  100 points          100%                                

 

  • At any point during the semester feel free to discuss your grade with me.

 

  • Statement of Special Needs Request

If you need special assistance or accommodation in the course due to an identified and diagnosed disability, please contact the instructor within the first week of classes to discuss your needs.  For verification purposes, a documented diagnosis of your medical condition must be on file with Ms. Jodi James in the Office of Student Support Services, LSF Room 23.

 

 

 

Late Work, Make-Up  Policy
  • Discussion and reading assignments: no make-ups.

 

  • Tests: If you have a serious reason for missing a test, arrange with me to take a “short answers” style make-up within 2 weeks of the test date. After that there will be no make-ups. This is your responsibility. A missing test is worth a grade of “F” (0 points).

 

  • Papers: All 3 papers (hard copies) are due in class on time. Do not e-mail or fax. Unless pre-arranged, do not put your paper under my office door. If you miss deadlines for Papers 1 and 2, these will be worth no more than a letter grade “D” each. Late papers must be turned in no later than Apr. 24, 2008. After that they will not be graded. Paper 3 cannot be submitted late. If you fail to turn in a paper you will get a grade of F (0 points) for that assignment.

 

 

 

 

 

Attendance

Regular, punctual attendance is a requirement for this course. Make sure you come to class on time. Entering late or leaving too early will count as absences. Too many absences may cause you to fail the course.     

Absences

Prospective Grade

3-4 consecutive absences, 4 -5 scattered absences

no more than “C”

5 or more consecutive absences or 6 or more scattered absences

“F” (Fail)

      Note: A limited number of absences (for medical reasons and court dates) will always be excused. If you

               yourself are sick or have a court date, bring a note from the doctor or court.

 

 

 

Writing Standards And Academic Honesty
  • Your work must be typewritten (font size 12, double spaced) • Write your name on the title page and not inside the paper • Avoid beginning sentences with “I” or “In my opinion” • Staple your paper • To develop analytical skills, avoid using direct quotes • Report the author(s) in your own words • Do not use sources other than readings covered in class. For further information check the I Drive for “Paper Guidelines.”

 

  • Your work is plagiarized  if you

• use outside sources (Internet, books), fail to cite sources, and present these as your own

• copy someone else’s work

• reproduce my handouts

If you plagiarize, you fail the assignment and the course.

If someone copies your work, please protect yourself by informing me.

Tentative Reading Schedule and Study Guide for Tests      

Each week read ahead of class lectures; (I) = I Drive; (L) = in PNC Library

Date                                             Topic                                                                   Read

Week 1, Jan                             Introduction                                  Readings 1, 2 (I)

                                    

Rest of Jan and Feb          Hindu History and Concepts                    Readings 3, 4 (L)

                                                                                                              “The Cosmology of the Gita,” Appendix I, BG

                                                                                                              Smith Chapter II

                                                                                                              CJ, pages 43-45, 49-76, 82-94

Mar                                           Scriptures                                          BG, Chapters XIV, VII, VIII, IX     

                                                                                                              D, Chapters 1-5                                                

April                                          Buddhism                                          Smith, Chapter III

                                                                                                              Readings 5-9 (L)

                                                                                                              Web sources (I)

 

Reading assignments: Do any 5 of the following texts

Before Spring Break: (1) “The Cosmology of the Gita,” (2) CJ, (3) Reading 4.

After Spring Break: (4) Reading 6, (5) Reading 7, (6) Reading 8.

 

 

Tentative Class Schedule

Smith = The World’s Religions by Huston Smith                                                      BG = Bhagavad Gita

CJ = Shankara’s Crest-Jewel of Discrimination                                                             D = Dhammapada

(I) = on I Drive                                                                                                               (L) = in PNC Library

~ Introduction (Read Readings 1 and 2)

15, 17 Jan                                  •          “Religion and Truth,” M. K. Gandhi (I)

                                               • “Asian Religions -- An Introduction to the Study of Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam,

                                                        Confucianism, and Taoism,” Kenneth W. Morgan (I)

~ Hinduism

22, 24 Jan                                 • History of Hinduism (Reading 3) (L)             

29, 31 Jan, 5, 7 Feb                    Shankara and Hindu Concepts: • God and the power of God (Brahman, Nirguna   

12, 14, 19, 21 Feb                    Brahman, Saguna Brahman, Atman, Maya, Gunas) • Self (3 Bodies and 5 Coverings,    

26 Feb                                           Ego) • Ethics (Law of Karma and Reincarnation) • Salvation (Nirvana, Moksha,  

                                                Samadhi)

 28 Feb                                       • Hindu Cosmology (The Universe)

~ Scriptures

 

4-6 Mar                                      • Paper 1 (Hindu Concepts) due in class • Bhagavad Gita

 

6 Mar                                          •   Test 1 (Hindu Concepts); Bhagavad Gita (continued)

 

11-13 Mar                                  • Spring Break, no class 

 

18, 20, 25, 27 Mar, 1 Apr        • Bhagavad Gita (continued) • Dhammapada  

~ Buddhism

3 Apr                                    Paper 2 (Bhagavad Gita, Dhammapada, Gandhi) due in class

 

3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24 Apr       Buddhist Concepts: • 4 Noble Truths • Eightfold Path • Nirvana, Sunyata    

Emptiness) • Three Marks of Reality (Anatman, Anicca, Dukkha) • Karma, Reincarnation • etc.

                   

24 Apr                                   • Test 2 (Buddhist Concepts)

 

29 Apr, 1 May                           • Films and Speakers (if possible)

(Dead Week) 

 

1 May                                        • Paper 3 (Buddhist Concepts) due in class            

Note 1: We may drop readings if we run out of time.

Note 2: There is no final exam. Pick up your graded paper from my office at the start of Summer I 2008, or give me a stamped and addressed envelope.