20809278Introduction to Buddhism
Course Information
Description
Focuses on Buddhism and the diverse Asian cultures with which it engages from its Indian inception and original encounter with Hindu and Jain traditions to it's Chinese (including Japan et. al.) encounter with Daoism and Confucianism. Finally, Tibetan (including Mongolian et. al.) developments and development of Tantric tradition will be addressed along with the emergence of Buddhism in the West. This course will encompass not only intellectual but artistic, social and historical developments. Students will acquire factual knowledge through formative assessments such as on-line quizzes, peer-to-peer review and in-class debates leading to four summative assessment midterms. Students will be able to synthesize diverse data through a research project developed through an outline, paper and final documentary project.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Analyze the methods used in the tradition of Buddhist Philosophy
    Assessment Strategies
    on a written evaluation
    Criteria
    you evaluate the various methodologies used in the study of Buddhist philosophy
    your analysis includes an awareness of the internal perspective of Buddhist philosophical tradition
    your analysis includes an awareness of the Western approaches to Buddhist philosophy
    your analysis includes the appropriate use of vocabulary relevant to Buddhist philosophy
    your analysis exhibits correct and appropriate grammar, punctuation, spelling, syntax, and word usage

  2. Classify the major traditions of Buddhist philosophy and philosophical traditions it encounters.
    Assessment Strategies
    by classifying items relevant to Buddhism into a list
    by creating a concept map/web of Buddhism through a flowchart
    by writing a critique of Buddhist ideas
    by collecting, organizing and reporting data related to Buddhism
    Criteria
    your list includes all of the significant items to classify
    your list is categorized using significant characteristics
    your list is correctly sorted into the categories
    your list is organized and formatted using graphics or headers
    your list evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    your map/web main theme or concept is at the center and important related themes branch out from the core
    your map/web uses circles or ovals to enclose an important term or concept within the topic
    your map/web uses straight lines with arrows (single or double-headed) to link terms that are related
    your map/web concepts are arranged in a pattern that best represents the information
    your map/web concepts build on one another and show the relationship between items
    your map/web is neatly presented

  3. Trace the history of Buddhist philosophy focusing on a specific topic through its contact with many diverse philosophies of Asia.
    Assessment Strategies
    by developing an outline for a topic relevant to Buddhism
    by completing a written product on Buddhism
    Criteria
    your outline is prepared using the standard outline format (formal)
    your outline includes main ideas
    your outline includes only relevant and necessary details
    your outline is written in clear phrases or sentences
    your outline is well organized and uses at least first and second level headings
    your outline provides both a preview or summary of the work
    your outline evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    your written product fulfills a clear purpose
    your written product reflects accurate analysis of the target audience
    your written product shows evidence of logical critical thinking
    your written product follows an effective organizational plan
    your written product follows prescribed format, meeting criteria for all components
    your written product exhibits correct and appropriate grammar, punctuation, spelling, syntax, and word usage
    your bibliography includes at least 5 relevant authoritative texts or sites
    your bibliography includes web address (URL), type of site, and date for each site included and/or text title, author, place and date of publication.
    your bibliography includes a description for each site
    your bibliography includes an evaluation of each site based on content, focus and relevancy to the topic
    your bibliography is divided into logical categories

  4. Explore the Indian origins of Buddhist philosophy in the context of Jainism and Hinduism and the subsequent teaching of the Buddha (Section1)
    Assessment Strategies
    by writing an in-class essay on the Jain and Hindu traditions prior to Buddha
    by completing the formative assessment online quizzes regard this competency
    by answering factual questions on an in-class examination
    Criteria
    critique includes a summary of the main ideas
    critique summary accurately represents the main ideas
    critique includes an explanation of your personal opinion
    critique includes both positive and negative comments
    personal opinion is specific
    personal opinion is supported with relevant facts and research
    critique is well organized
    critique is clear and concise
    critique evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    introduction includes a clearly stated thesis
    introduction introduces the main ideas
    main ideas are relevant, appropriate, and accurate
    each main idea is developed in a paragraph
    each main idea is developed using supporting material
    in-class essay arguments are based on logical assumptions
    in-class essay evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    in-class essay includes an interesting and thoughtful closing statement
    in-class essay arguments are to the point
    in-class essay is neat and presentable

  5. Explore the Buddhist civilizations of South and Southeast Asia: Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, South Vietnam (Section 1)
    Assessment Strategies
    by writing an in-class essay on the Theravada philosophical traditions of South and Southeast Asia
    by completing the formative assessment online quizzes regarding this competency
    by answering factual questions on an in-class examination
    Criteria
    critique includes a summary of the main ideas
    critique summary accurately represents the main ideas
    critique includes an explanation of your personal opinion
    critique includes both positive and negative comments
    personal opinion is specific
    personal opinion is supported with relevant facts and research
    critique is well organized
    critique is clear and concise
    critique evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    introduction includes a clearly stated thesis
    introduction introduces the main ideas
    main ideas are relevant, appropriate, and accurate
    each main idea is developed in a paragraph
    each main idea is developed using supporting material
    in-class essay arguments are based on logical assumptions
    in-class essay arguments are to the point
    in-class essay includes an interesting and thoughtful closing statement
    in-class essay evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    in-class essay is neat and presentable

  6. Explore the lost Buddhist civilizations of central Asia: Pakistan, Persia, Afghanistan and the origins of the Mahayana philosophical traditions (Section 2)
    Assessment Strategies
    by writing an in-class essay on the Kushana Empire and the dissemination of Buddhism along the Silk Road
    by completing the formative assessment online quizzes regarding this competency
    by answering factual questions on an in-class examination
    Criteria
    critique includes a summary of the main ideas
    critique summary accurately represents the main ideas
    critique includes an explanation of your personal opinion
    critique includes both positive and negative comments
    personal opinion is specific
    critique is well organized
    personal opinion is supported with relevant facts and research
    critique is clear and concise
    critique evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    introduction includes a clearly stated thesis
    introduction introduces the main ideas
    main ideas are relevant, appropriate, and accurate
    each main idea is developed in a paragraph
    each main idea is developed using supporting material
    in-class essay arguments are based on logical assumptions
    in-class essay arguments are to the point
    in-class essay includes an interesting and thoughtful closing statement
    in-class essay evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    in-class essay is neat and presentable

  7. Explore the East Asian context of Buddhist philosophy: China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, the encounter with Daoism and Confucianism, Rise of Chan (Zen) and Pureland philosophical traditions (Section (Section 3)
    Assessment Strategies
    by writing an in-class essay on the dissemination of Buddhism to China and the rest of East Asia
    by completing the formative assessment online quizzes regarding this competency
    by answering factual questions on an in-class examination
    Criteria
    critique includes a summary of the main ideas
    critique summary accurately represents the main ideas
    critique includes an explanation of your personal opinion
    critique includes both positive and negative comments
    personal opinion is specific
    personal opinion is supported with relevant facts and research
    critique is well organized
    critique is clear and concise
    critique evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    introduction includes a clearly stated thesis
    introduction introduces the main ideas
    main ideas are relevant, appropriate, and accurate
    each main idea is developed in a paragraph
    each main idea is developed using supporting material
    in-class essay arguments are based on logical assumptions
    in-class essay arguments are to the point
    in-class essay includes an interesting and thoughtful closing statement

  8. Explore the Vajrayana (Tantric) philosophical traditions of Tibet, Mongolia and Manchuria and the encounter with shamanism (Section 4)
    Assessment Strategies
    by writing an in-class essay on the five principal schools of Tibetan Buddhism
    by completing the formative assessment online quizzes regarding this competency
    by answering factual questions on an in-class examination
    Criteria
    critique includes a summary of the main ideas
    critique summary accurately represents the main ideas
    critique includes an explanation of your personal opinion
    critique includes both positive and negative comments
    personal opinion is specific
    personal opinion is supported with relevant facts and research
    critique is well organized
    critique is clear and concise
    critique evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    introduction includes a clearly stated thesis
    introduction introduces the main ideas
    main ideas are relevant, appropriate, and accurate
    each main idea is developed in a paragraph
    each main idea is developed using supporting material
    in-class essay arguments are based on logical assumptions
    in-class essay arguments are to the point
    in-class essay includes an interesting and thoughtful closing statement
    in-class essay evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    in-class essay is neat and presentable

  9. Explore the modern context of Buddhist philosophy and its encounter with the West (Section 4)
    Assessment Strategies
    by writing an in-class essay on the modern and Western context of Buddhism
    by completing the formative assessment online quizzes regarding this competency
    by answering factual questions on an in-class examination
    Criteria
    critique includes a summary of the main ideas
    critique summary accurately represents the main ideas
    critique includes an explanation of your personal opinion
    critique includes both positive and negative comments
    personal opinion is specific
    personal opinion is supported with relevant facts and research
    critique is well organized
    critique is clear and concise
    critique evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    introduction includes a clearly stated thesis
    introduction introduces the main ideas
    main ideas are relevant, appropriate, and accurate
    each main idea is developed in a paragraph
    each main idea is developed using supporting material
    in-class essay arguments are based on logical assumptions
    in-class essay arguments are to the point
    in-class essay includes an interesting and thoughtful closing statement
    in-class essay evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    in-class essay is neat and presentable

  10. Communicate ideas relevant to our four units effectively through participation in class discussion board
    Assessment Strategies
    by sharing thoughts with others
    by responding to instructor and classmates
    by responding promptly
    Criteria
    you always enter discussion board promptly
    you display critical thinking on discussion board
    you consistently share well-considered thoughts and introduced new ideas

  11. Produce an project with audio/visual components on a topic in Buddhist philosophy.
    Assessment Strategies
    by collecting relevant images - stills and/or video - to support main ideas of your written product (e.g. PowerPoint, video editing, tactile presentations or other means)
    by narrating or otherwise aurally rendering your project
    Criteria
    the images are crisp and clear and have been saved in medium to high resolution
    the images are appropriate to the topic and in good taste (e.g. no "Simpsons" imagery)
    you correctly pronunciation of foreign terms
    the sound quality is high (no scratchy old mics!)
    the files are deposited in digital drop box

  12. Participate in in-class debates centered on four topics in Buddhist philosophy corresponding to the four sections above (Theravada the conservative Buddhism of South/Southeast Asia; Mahayana the liberal northern traditions of central Asia; China the rise of peasant Mahayana Buddhism; Tibet and the emergence of tantric Buddhism along with the modern context and related subject matter)
    Assessment Strategies
    by participating in four in-class debates for which you will prepare a segment
    by arguing for a philosophical position relevant to our four units as formative peer-to-peer assessments as preparation for examinations
    Criteria
    your voice inflection, volume, and rate are appropriate for the content
    you maintain eye contact with the group
    you deliver information clearly
    group member stays on task
    presentation purpose is clear

  13. Examine the role of art in Buddhist and other Asian philosophical traditions
    Assessment Strategies
    on a written examination
    Criteria
    you explore how historical art objects reflect social and/or political development of an era in the evolution of Buddhist philosophy
    you explore the philosophical themes found in Buddhist art and architecture
    you correctly identify a number of images depicting themes in Buddhist philosophy throughout Asia.