INSTRUCTOR: James A. Keller
OFFICE: Daniel 217
PHONE: 4594
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is an introduction to certain ideas and developments in Buddhist philosophy. It is not a comprehensive survey of the topic. Nor is it a study of Buddhism as a religion, though the religion of Buddhism provided the source for most of what we will study in this course. The course begins with a look at some basic ideas in several Buddhist traditions, moves to an examination of some issues in Zen Buddhism, and will conclude with reports by students on books of interest to them.
REQUIRED TEXTS: What the Buddha
Taught by Walpola Rahula
A History of Buddhist Philosophy by David Kalupahana
Zen Action/Zen Person by T. P. Kasulis
Basis of Grading:
60%--Tests (3 at 20%each)
30%--Book Report
10%--Class participation
POLICY ON TESTS AND PAPERS: You are expected to take all the tests and to turn in all the written work at the assigned times. The only legitimate reasons not to do so are circumstances beyond your control. Failure to be ready does not constitute a legitimate excuse unless there is some reason (such as illness) beyond your control which kept you from being ready. If you anticipate problems in taking a test or in turning in written work at the assigned times, I urge you to see me as far in advance as possible. If you have not spoken to me in advance and you miss a test or written assignment, you will have to obtain validation of your excuse through the Office of the Dean of Students.
CLASS PARTICIPATION: Buddhist philosophy contains many unfamiliar terms with no easy English equivalent. To grasp it you must discuss the terms, use them, and interrelate them. Thus class participation is a vital part of learning Buddhist philosophy. You should plan to participate as a way of gaining mastery of the terminology and thought of Buddhist philosophy.
ASSIGNMENTS: Because I wish to progress at a pace the class is comfortable with, I will not hand out a list of assignments and dates. But I can say that we will start with Rahula's book, move on to Kalupahana's, and then turn to Kasulis'. At the end of the course, we will have reports by each of you on a book you select.
BUDDHISM ON THE WEB: One assignment in this course involves exploring Web sites dealing with Buddhism. To get the directions for this assignment and the place to record what you find, ask me.
CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM: Any instances of suspected cheating or plagiarism will be turned over to the Judicial System.