Intellectual Inquiry 270
What is Enlightenment?
Dr. Marwood Larson-Harris
Office: West 318
Phone: 375-2411
Email: mdharris@roanoke.edu
Office Hours: M/T/W/Th: 12–1:00pm
Tu: 1–2:00pm and by appointment
Course Description
What is enlightenment? This isn’t a word we use very often, but most religious and philosophical systems consider an enlightened person
to be living at the highest level of attainment. Each culture imagines this in a different way, though there are similarities. Religious traditions, in
particular, believe that a person should aspire to the highest ideals.
This course examines four Asian religious systems, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism, and explores how they identify
different kinds of enlightenment as a goal. We will discover these traditions as they have evolved over centuries and as they are currently practiced.
We will try to answer some of the following questions: how does one achieve enlightenment? What obstacles lie on this path? Can everyone be
enlightened?
Learning Outcomes for INQ 270
1.
2.
3.
4.
Students will be able to apply humanities methodologies appropriate for the course’s discipline and topic.
Students will be able to articulate how the course’s perspective (Western, Global, or Natural World) was reflected in the course content.
Students will be able to write about course topics clearly and effectively.
Students will be able to communicate effectively about the course topic in an oral format.
Grades
Quizzes and Weekly Jottings (short response papers totaling roughly 10 pages) (10%);
Two 5-page essays (25% each);
Midterm (20%);
Final (20%);
The grading scale is as follows: A (93–100), A- (90–92), B+ (87–89), B (83–86), B- (80–82), etc. An F is 59 or below. Late papers will be
lowered one notch for every class day they are late (a B will become a B-).
Community Service
The second 5-page essay will be about your experience doing community service. I will ask you to contribute 2 or more hours to a
community service activity organized by Roanoke College before Oct 31 and connect this to one of the ethical systems we have studied. You should
begin planning this service as soon as possible. Community service must be one during this semester.
How to Succeed in this Course: Participate!
Participation is essential to the life of this class. Participation means more than simply showing up for class! You will need to arrive
with an open and active mind. You will need to show up having read the material carefully, taken notes on it, and be ready to voice your
opinion. To participate you should above all come to class with your own reactions to and opinions about our reading assignments. Think about
how the texts connect with things in our own world. To do these things you will need a few hours to prepare for each class period. The class can
only thrive with your individual help.
Honest class discussion is important for a course like this: everyone should feel comfortable voicing his or her opinions. We can
disagree with each other without showing disrespect. Avoid sarcasm during class discussions. Remarks that indicate a lack of respect toward
individuals or groups on the basis of their gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, religion, beliefs, physical appearance etc., will
not be tolerated.
Jottings
Every week you will be writing at least one jotting. Jottings are for you to reflect on a reading and then focus your thoughts about it; they are
sometimes in response to a specific question (given on the schedule) but sometimes are an open-ended opportunity for you to identify what most
grabs you about a text.
These 1-page papers should be printed, a full page long, double spaced, with only your
name and INQ270 on one line at the top. They must also contain at least one short
quotation (but not lengthy block quotations) from the reading for that day.
Attendance
You may miss TWO classes: any absences beyond this will lower your COURSE grade by one notch. In other words, 3
absences will lower your final grade by one notch (a B+ becomes a B), and 4 absences will lower your final grade one full letter (a B becomes a C).
6 absences will result in a failing grade (F) for the course. Please come see me if you have a difficulty.
There are no excused absences. (If you are sick or must miss school for an athletic match, make sure you have no other absences.)
There are no make-up quizzes. Make-up exams will be given for serious, legitimate reasons. If you miss class it is essential that you get
the notes from another student.
Where can I get additional help on my writing?
Roanoke College’s Writing Center, located on the lower level of Fintel Library, is a place where writers working in any academic
discipline, at any level of competence, at any stage of the writing process meet with trained peer writing tutors in informal, one-on-one tutoring
sessions focused on writing. Tutoring is free. The Writing Center is open Sunday through Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m. starting Monday, September 3rd.
You may simply stop in or schedule an appointment ahead of time by going to the Center for Learning and looking for the Tutoring Schedule link.
Email questions to the Writing Center at writingcenter@roanoke.edu or call 375-4949. Also, be on the lookout for Writing Workshops, Creative
Writing Playshops, and Grammar Crammers.
Religious Holidays
Students who miss a class for a religious holiday may make up the class without penalty, but you must write me a note before that
date. I will arrange the make-up work with you.
Cell Phones and Laptops
Please turn off your cell phone when you enter the classroom. You may not use any electronic device during class, including
a laptop. The use of any electronic device during an exam is strictly prohibited.
Special Accommodations
If you are on record with the College’s Office of Disability Support Services as having academic or physical needs requiring
accommodations, please meet with me during my regular office hours or schedule an appointment as soon as possible. We need to discuss your
accommodations before they can be implemented. Also, please note that arrangements for extended time on exams and testing in a semi-private
setting must be made at least one week before every exam.
If you believe you are eligible for accommodations but have not yet formally contacted Disability Support Services, please contact Rick
Robers, Coordinator of Disability Support Services, at 375-2247 or email robers@roanoke.edu.
Academic Integrity
As members of a learning community, we enjoy important intellectual freedoms and are answerable to equally important academic
responsibilities. Doing our own work and properly acknowledging the work of others are bedrock values in a community of scholars. When you
arrived at Roanoke College you pledged to uphold these values and to abide by the practices and policies described in the brochure “Academic
Integrity at Roanoke College.” It is your responsibility to read this brochure carefully and to understand it well.
In a course such as this one, which involves independent scholarship and writing, it is especially important to cite and discuss your
sources as a part of our intellectual exchange. And, as a matter of honesty, it is imperative that you understand what plagiarism is and avoid even
unintended violations. Review carefully the section on plagiarism in the academic integrity brochure. If you have any questions, speak with me or
bring up your questions in class.
Required Texts
Living Religions East, Mary Pat Fisher (1st edition—Prentice Hall/Pearson, 2003);
Other readings will be distributed in class or posted on Inquire as noted in the schedule.
Inquire Postings
In addition to the books listed above, you will be reading articles posted on Inquire. Think of these as an alternative textbook: print each
file well in advance of class so you are certain your computer and printer are working properly. Read these selections carefully, take notes on them,
and bring them to class.
NOTE: Failure to bring the textbook (or Inquire reading) to class will result in a halfabsence.
ALL PAPERS MUST BE PRINTED (NOT HAND-WRITTEN).
ALL PAPERS MUST BE
STAPLED.
READINGS AND JOTTINGS
LISTED FOR A PARTICULAR DAY ARE DUE ON THAT DAY.
COME PREPARED TO ANSWER THE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS LISTED AFTER EACH
TEXTBOOK READING (THERE WILL BE QUIZZES).
Aug 27–29 Course Introduction
W: What is INQ270 and what are the Humanities?
What is Enlightenment? Who is Enlightened?
vote: written responses vs quizzes
Due on Friday: Jotting (3 pages): describe an enlightened person you have known (someone you think is truly
exceptional). (a) What makes them different? (b) What kind of enlightenment do they represent—that is, how exactly are they enlightened?
F: discuss jotting
Part I: Enlightenment in Hinduism—Equanimity and Duty
Sept 1–5
Encountering Hinduism for the First Time
M: Read: Dale Cannon, “Fusing Empathy and Objectivity” (on Inquire)
Jotting: summarize the two definitions of “objectivity” discussed in the text.
W: View in class: The Long Search—Hinduism
F: discuss video
Sept 8–12
Hinduism
M: Read: Fisher, World Religions, Eastern Traditions ch. 2 pgs. 41–57
1.
2.
3.
Vedic Religion: what are the Vedas?
a.
What kind of religion was practiced during this period?
Castes and Social Duties: what are the four castes, and what are their duties?
Bhakti in the epics: What are the two epics?
W: View: Ganesh Festival video
Sept 11—Thursday—Pickle—4:15-5:15—“The Practical Value of the Humanities”
Extra Credit: Attendance = one jotting
F: Jessie Griffin class visit—service learning
Paper 1 assigned
Sept 15–19 The Desire for Enlightenment
M: Read: Fisher, World Religions, Eastern Traditions ch. 2 pgs. 57–71, 73–89
1.
Spiritual Discipline: What are the four periods of life of a Hindu male?
a.
What is a guru, and why is he or she important?
2.
3.
4.
5.
Yogic practices: What are the four types of yoga?
Major theistic cults: Who are the three main deities worshipped by Hindus, and how are they worshipped?
Devotions and rituals: What are some of the ways Hindus express their devotion?
Festivals: What are some of the most important Hindu festivals?
W: Upanishads (Inquire)
Jotting: Write a 1-page answer to one of the questions at the end of the reading.
F: Upanishads continued
Sept 23 - Olin Theatre 7:30pm: "The Revelations of the Hubble Space Telescope"
Jennifer J. Wiseman—Senior Project Scientist for the Hubble Space Telescope
Sept 24 - Pickle - 1pm: Wiseman describes the AAAS Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion.
Sept 22–26 Yoga and the Bhagavad-Gita
M: Read: Yoga Sutras (Inquire); in class Yoga demo
W: Read: Bhagavad-Gita (Inquire)
Jotting: in chapter 2 (p. 54) Krishna argues that “You have a right to your actions, but never to your actions’ fruits.” This is an
obscure idea: read the rest of the chapter to help understand it. Try to translate this idea into real life—what would this mean?
F: discussion: The Bhagavad-Gita and the Game of Golf
Sept 29–Oct 3
Gandhi
M: Review for Midterm
W: Midterm
F: View: Gandhi documentary
Oct 6–10
Gandhi
M: Read: Gandhi autobiography (Inquire)
—choose a favorite passage from his life story; was Gandhi enlightened?
W: Class visit: Dr. Mike Heller
F: Read: Gandhi writings TBA (Inquire)
Oct 13–17—Fall Break
Part II: Enlightenment in Buddhism—Nirvana and Activism
Oct 20–24
Basic Buddhism
M: The Life of the Buddha
Read Fisher ch. 4 pgs. 103–9
Be prepared to give an outline of the Buddha's life, according to the legends.
W: 4 Noble Truths
Read Fisher ch. 4 pgs. 109–12
Be prepared to explain the “4 Noble Truths.”
F: 8-Fold Path
Read Fisher ch. 4 pgs. 112–25
Be prepared to explain the parts of the 8-fold Path. pg. 114: What is nirvana?
Oct 27–31
Mahayana Buddhism
M: no class
W: Read Fisher ch. 4 pgs. 125–9, 132–8, and 140–7
1. Bodhisattvas: Who or what are bodhisattvas?
2. Emptiness: Try to summarize in your own words what Buddhists mean by “emptiness.”
3. Zen—pgs. 134–6: Why do Zen practitioners sit? What are they trying to accomplish?
4. Pure Land: What is Pure Land Buddhism, and what role does Amida play?
5. What is “Socially Engaged Buddhism” (pgs. 144–7)?
F: Engaged Buddhism
Read: “Compassion is the Root of All Practices”
and “The Wooden Puppet and the Iron Man” (both in one file on Inquire)
Jotting: Define the “wooden puppet” and “iron man”: what Buddhist ideas do these use for inspiration? (Look back over the
last textbook reading for ideas.)
Nov 3–7
Mahayana Buddhism
M: View: Dalai Lama documentary
W: Read: Dalai Lama, Ethics for a New Millennium ch 1 (Inquire)
1. According to the Dalai Lama, in what way are people all the same?
2. What are some of the reasons that people in the developed countries like the U.S. are not very happy? What evidence does the Dalai Lama give for this observation?
3. Does the Dalai Lama want to abandon science in favor of religion? What does he feel are the limitations of science?
F: Read: Dalai Lama, Ethics for a New Millennium ch 6 (Inquire)
Part I: Enlightenment in China—Social Engagement and Self-Cultivation
Nov 10–14 Confucianism and Self/Social Cultivation
M: View: The Long Search—China
W: Read: Fisher ch. 6 pgs. 171–4 and 186–98 (Confucianism)
1. pgs 171–4: what are the core beliefs of Chinese people?
2. pgs 188–90: What are the main Confucian virtues?
F: Read: Confucian Analects (Inquire)
Read: Wei Ming Tu, “Confucianism”
Jotting: what is “self-cultivation,” in your view? How does your own self-cultivation relate to your community?
Nov 17–21 Taoism and the Cultivation of the Other
M: Read: Fisher ch. 6 pgs. 174–85 (Daoism)
2. pgs. 177–8: what are some of the values Taoist rely on when trying to follow the Tao?
3. pgs 181–3: How do Taoists pursue “longevity” practices? Describe some of their techniques for extending life.
W: Read: Tao te Ching excerpts (Inquire)
Reread: Fisher ch. 6 pgs. 178–179 (on “wu wei”)
1. What is “wu wei”? How does one act according to wu wei?
F: discuss Confucianism and Taoism
Nov 24–28
Dr. Harris gone/Thanksgiving Break
Dec 1–5
M: Read: Lin Yutang, “The Importance of Loafing” (Inquire)
W: Read: Taoist poetry (Inquire)
F: review and discuss final exam
Final: Friday, Dec 9
9am!)
8:30 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. (let’s start at