WVC Philosophy 8

Introduction to Asian Thought

Title and Number of Course
Philosophy 8, Introduction to Asian Thought, 3 units

Catalog Description
This course is an introductory survey of the main philosophical currents of thought of India, China, and Japan. The student will be encouraged to explore the answers offered by Asian philosophers to such questions as: What is ultimate reality? What is the self? How is personal freedom to be achieved? This course will be of particular interest to students who encounter elements of Asian thought in business, art, music, history and other disciplines and who are interested in understanding the intellectual forces that have shaped the cultures of Asia.

Prerequisite
Recommend eligibility for English 1A

Text
No department requirement

Course Objectives

  1. The student should be able to recognize and explicate the major systems of thought in Asian philosophy, and relate these systems to the culture and history of Asian peoples, both in Asia and America.
  2. The student should be able to compare and contrast typically Western philosophical views with the views of Eastern philosophy.
  3. The student should be able to critically examine the alternatives offered by Asian thinkers and thereby clarify and/or define his/her own philosophical stance in relation to those of the Orient.
  4. The student should be able to engage in knowledgable dialogue with persons of different philosophical traditions.

Course Content 

I. WESTERN AND NON-WESTERN PHILOSOPHY 	2 weeks
	Differences and similarities in themes and methods
	Religion and Asian philosophy

II. INDIAN PHILOSOPHY 		5 weeks
	The foundations of Indian philosophy
	Political and social philosophy
	The philosophy of pleasure
	The Jain view
	Sankhya and yoga
	Brahmanism
	Buddhism
	Tantrism

III. CHINESE PHILOSOPHY 		5 weeks
	I Ching, Yin-Yang, and Five Phases
	Confucius and Mencius
	The logicians
	Taoist thought
	Chinese Buddhism

IV. JAPANESE PHILOSOPHY 		4 weeks
	Shinto
	Japanese Buddhism
	Kyoto school
	Zen

General Requirements
Completion of required reading and final exam. Other requirements are determined by instructor. These may include completion of one or more papers, oral reports, other written exams, journal assignments, participation in class discussion, etc.

Evaluation
In accordance with Title V regulations, there must be at least one substantial (greater than one paragraph) writing assignment. Generally evaluation is based primarily on written papers and essay examinations.

Suggested Instructional Methods and Materials
Primarily lecture and discussion. These can be supplemented by films, videos, guest speakers, class debates, etc., as deemed appropriate and desirable by the individual instructor. Readings should include primary source material as much as possible.

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Page last modified: April 30, 1999