EALC 110g East Asian Humanities: The Great Tradition
Spring 2016
Lectures: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 11-11.50 a.m.
Taper Hall of Humanities (THH) 102
Instructor: Géraldine Fiss, Ph.D., gfiss@usc.edu
Office Hours: THH 356J, Monday and Wednesday 2-4 p.m. and by appointment
Teaching Assistant: Nathaniel Heneghan (nhenegha@usc.edu)
Scope of the Course:
This course will introduce the fundamental humanistic traditions of China, Korea and Japan
through representative works of traditional social philosophy, religion, poetry, historical writing
and aesthetics. The readings are mostly from primary sources as translated into English and
secondary scholarship. No previous knowledge of an East Asian culture or language is expected.
In this course you will:
1) Perceive the signs of Chinese, Korean and Japanese cultural identities, surviving from
ancient to modern times, and assess their relevance and value.
2) Examine human ethics from different, sometimes mutually opposing perspectives:
Confucian, Daoist, Legalist and Buddhist.
3) Read and analyze key historical, philosophical, religious and poetic texts of the East
Asian classical traditions.
Requirements and Grades:
1) Attendance, Participation and Team Presentation in Lectures and Discussion
Sessions – 15%
2) Midterm Exam on Monday, February 29 – 20%
3) 2 Analytical Papers (7-8 pages, double-spaced) due on Friday, March 11 and
Friday, April 29 (last class meeting) – 35%
4) Final Exam on Wednesday, May 4, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. – 30%
1
Texts (available at the USC Bookstore):
1) Sources of Chinese Tradition, 2nd ed., vol. I, From Earliest Times to 1600, ed. Wm.
Theodore de Bary and Irene Bloom.
2) Sources of Japanese Tradition, 2nd ed., vol. 1, From Earliest Times to 1600, ed. Wm.
Theodore de Bary, Donald Keene, George Tanabe and Paul Varley.
3) Sources of Korean Tradition, vol. 1, From Early Times through the Sixteenth Century,
ed. Peter H. Lee and Wm. Theodore de Bary.
4) A Source Book in Chinese Philosophy, ed. Wing-tsit Chan.
5) Anthology of Chinese Literature, vol. 1, From Early Times to the Fourteenth Century,
ed. Cyril Birch.
6) Anthology of Japanese Literature, From the Earliest Era to the Mid-Nineteenth
Century, ed. Donald Keene.
Texts on Reserve at Leavey Library (available for check-out for limited
periods of time)
1) All texts listed above.
2) An Anthology of Chinese Literature: Beginnings to 1911, ed. and transl. Stephen
Owen.
3) The Tale of Genji, transl. Royall Tyler.
4) Essential Chan Buddhism by Chan Master Guo Jun.
5) Other relevant books and media. (A full list of all materials available on reserve will
be posted on Blackboard.)
Lecture Attendance and Participation:
You are required to attend lectures and to come prepared having done the readings assigned for
that day. Though time is limited during lecture, you are encouraged to participate actively,
respond to the instructor’s questions and share your reflections about the topic at hand.
Both attendance and participation will count toward your course contribution grade. You may be
absent up to three times without negatively impacting your participation grade. However, keep in
mind that when you are not present, you clearly cannot gain positive participation points.
Discussion Sessions and Team Presentations:
The purpose of discussion sessions is to give each student an opportunity to engage closely with
the texts, issues and ideas presented during lecture. In addition, these weekly meetings also
provide you an opportunity to hone your critical thinking, public speaking and formal
presentation skills. There are three requirements that you must fulfill to do well in your
discussion session:
1. Attendance and Participation (5%): You must attend every session and come prepared
having done all assigned readings carefully. You will be required to speak up and to
contribute actively and thoughtfully to the class discussion. Your Teaching Assistant will
grade the level and quality of your participation.
2. Discussion Board Posts (5%): Each student is required to compose and upload two indepth, analytical and thought-provoking discussion questions to the discussion
session Blackboard web site twice during the semester. You are required to upload your
post prior to your weekly class meeting and discuss your two questions in class.
2
3. Team Presentation and Discussion Facilitation (5%): As part of your participation
grade, you will be asked to choose and focus on one of the key figures, texts or schools of
thought introduced in this course. You will then form a team with one or two classmates
who wish to investigate the same topic, text or person. Together, you will prepare a
well-organized in-class presentation of about 15 minutes and facilitate class
discussion. The purpose here is to encourage you to use the materials posted to the
Blackboard web site for each lecture as well as other sources to deepen your knowledge
about your chosen topic and then “teach” what you have learned. You are welcome (but
are not required) to integrate PowerPoint slides, film clips and other media into your
presentation to make it interesting, engaging and enriching for your audience. Possible
topics include (but are not limited to): Shang oracle bones; pre-Confucian thought and
the Five Classics, Confucius and Confucian humanism; Mencius; Mozi; Xun Zu; Laozi;
the Daodejing and Daoism; Zhuangzi and Daoist poetry; Han Feizi and Legalism; Sunzi
and The Art of War; Shinto and the mythology of ancient Japan; The Tangun legend and
Korean foundation myths and symbols; Korean hyangga poems; King Sejong and the
creation of the Korean alphabet; Korean shamanism; the Classic of Poetry (Shijing); the
Songs of Chu (Chuci); Tang Dynasty poets; Sima Qian and the Records of the Grand
Historian (Shiji); the idea of history as a mirror in East Asian historical thought; the
Manyōshū; the Kokinshū and the significance of Ki no Tsurayuki’s Preface; the
Shinkokinshū and the importance of Fujiwara no Teika; Japanese classical aesthetics and
poetic ideals; The Tale of Genji and Heian aesthetic ideals; the idea of yūgen and
Japanese haiku, nō and tea ceremony; Neo-Daoism and Daoist mystical thought; Daoist
religion; Chan / Zen / Son Buddhism; Chinese and East Asian calligraphy.
Communication: Blackboard
The instructors for this course will use the Blackboard course website to post information and
send messages about assignments, supplemental handouts and information regarding research
and academic writing. The PowerPoint slides, lecture notes and a list of “important concepts
to know” will be uploaded for each lecture. In addition, supplementary readings and materials
may be uploaded to Blackboard on a regular basis. Though some of these readings are optional
and not required, you may find them very useful in order to gain more in-depth understanding,
which will be helpful for your team presentations, the writing of your analytical papers and the
exams. You will receive notifications when these additional resources are available but it is your
responsibility to check the course web site on a regular basis. Students are also welcome to
post thoughtful comments, questions and ideas on the discussion thread for each topic.
Please make sure that your e-mail address is up to date on Blackboard.
Class Notes Policy:
Notes or recordings made by students based on a university class or lecture may only be made
for purposes of individual or group study. Class materials such as lectures, course syllabi and
related materials, including summaries, PowerPoint slides and all supplementary course
materials available to students enrolled in this course, whether posted on Blackboard or
otherwise, may not be reproduced, redistributed, copied or disseminated in any media or in any
form including, but not limited to, all course note-sharing websites.
Academic Conduct
3
Plagiarism – presenting someone else’s ideas as your own, either verbatim or recast in your own
words – is a serious academic offense with serious consequences. Please familiarize yourself
with the discussion of plagiarism in SCampus in Section 11, Behavior Violating University
Standards https://scampus.usc.edu/1100-behavior-violating-university-standards-andappropriate-sanctions/. Other forms of academic dishonesty are equally unacceptable. See
additional information in SCampus and university policies on scientific misconduct,
http://policy.usc.edu/scientific-misconduct/. Discrimination, sexual assault and harassment are
not tolerated by the university. You are encouraged to report any incidents to the Office of
Equity and Diversity http://equity.usc.edu/ or to the Department of Public Safety
http://capsnet.usc.edu/department/department-public-safety/online-forms/contact-us. This is
important for the safety of the whole USC community. Another member of the university
community – such as a friend, classmate, advisor, or faculty member – can help initiate the
report, or can initiate the report on behalf of another person. The Center for Women and Men
http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/cwm/ provides 24/7 offers confidential support and the
Sexual Assault Resource Center web page sarc@usc.edu describes reporting options and other
resources.
Support Systems
A number of USC’s schools provide support for students who need help with scholarly writing.
Check with your advisor or program staff to find out more. Students whose primary language is
not English should check with the American Language Institute http://dornsife.usc.edu/ali, which
sponsors courses and workshops specifically for international students. The Office of Disability
Services and Program http://sait.usc.edu/academicsupport/centerprograms/dsp/home_index.html
provides certification for students with disabilities and helps arrange the relevant
accommodations. If an officially declared emergency makes travel to campus not feasible, USC
Emergency Information http://emergency.usc.edu/ will provide safety and other updates,
including ways in which instruction will be continued by means of blackboard, teleconferencing,
and other technology.
Topics and Readings:
Monday, January 11: Introduction to the Course
I The Origins of Chinese Writing
Wednesday, January 13: Early Chinese Writing: Oracle Bone Inscriptions
Sources of Chinese Tradition 3-13.
Friday, January 15: Shang Beliefs: The King, Divination and the Ancestors
Sources of Chinese Tradition 14-23.
Monday, January 18: Martin Luther King Day / No Lecture or Discussion Sessions
II Confucianism
4
Wednesday, January 20: The Growth of Humanism in the Early Zhou
A Sourcebook in Chinese Philosophy 3-13.
Friday, January 22: Pre-Confucian Thought: The Five Classics
Sources of Chinese Tradition 24-40.
Monday, January 25: The Humanism of Confucius: The Analects
A Sourcebook in Chinese Philosophy 14-36 (Analects 1-10:14).
Wednesday, January 27: Key Elements of Confucius’ Thought: The Analects
Sources of Chinese Tradition 41-45; 53-63 (Analects 11:3-20:3).
Friday, January 29: The Thought of Mozi: Utility, Uniformity and Universal Love
Sources of Chinese Tradition 64-76.
Monday, February 1: Mencius: Idealistic Confucianism
Sources of Chinese Tradition 112-158. A Sourcebook in Chinese Philosophy 49-51.
Wednesday, February 3: Xunzi: Naturalistic Confucianism
Sources of Chinese Tradition 159-179.
Friday, February 5: Divergent Views on Human Nature: Xunzi’s Critique of Mencius
A Sourcebook in Chinese Philosophy 115-116; 124-135.
III Daoism
Monday, February 8: Dao: The Natural Way of Laozi
A Sourcebook in Chinese Philosophy 136-138. Sources of Chinese Tradition 77-94.
Wednesday, February 10: Transformation and Transcendence in the Zhuangzi
A Sourcebook in Chinese Philosophy 177-179. Sources of Chinese Tradition 95-111.
Friday, February 12: The Mystical Thought of Zhuangzi and “Free and Easy
Wandering” in Daoist Poetry
A Sourcebook in Chinese Philosophy 202-210; Anthology of Chinese Literature 81-85,
138-140, 167-168, 176-178.
Monday, February 15: President’s Day / No Lecture or Discussion Sessions
IV Legalism
5
Wednesday, February 17: Legalists and Militarists: Han Feizi
Sources of Chinese Tradition 190-206; A Sourcebook in Chinese Philosophy 251-261.
Friday, February 19: Legalist Theories in Practice: The Qin State, Li Si and The Art
of War by Sunzi
Sources of Chinese Tradition 206-223.
V Shinto, The Ancient Way of Japan
Monday, February 22: Early Records and Mythology of Ancient Japan
Sources of Japanese Tradition 3-16; Anthology of Japanese Literature 54-58.
Wednesday February 24: Shinto: Japan’s Native Tradition
Sources of Japanese Tradition 17-39; 358-363.
Friday, February 26: The Chinese Model of Rulership in Early Japan: Prince
Shōtoku’s Seventeen-Article Constitution
Sources of Japanese Tradition 40-55; 84-99.
*** Monday, February 29: Mid-term Exam on Topics I through V ***
VI Early Korea
Wednesday, March 2: Origins of Korean Culture
Sources of Korean Tradition 3-33.
Friday, March 4: Unification of the Three Kingdoms and Hyangga Shamanic Poetry
Sources of Korean Tradition 57-77; 109-116.
VII Empire and the Way of Heaven
Monday, March 7: Foundations of Chinese Empire: The Han Synthesis
Sources of Chinese Tradition 227-234; 283-310.
Wednesday, March 9: The Way of Heaven: The Confucian Canon in the Han
Sources of Chinese Tradition 311-352.
Friday, March 11: The Way of Heaven in Early Japan
Sources of Japanese Tradition 63-84.
*** Friday, March 11: First Paper Due: Submit it to your Teaching
Assistant via Turn-it-In on your Discussion Session Website ***
*** March 13 – March 20: Spring Break: Enjoy! ***
VIII Classical Poetry, Literature and Aesthetics of China and Japan
6
Monday, March 21: The Classic of Poetry (Shijing)
Please download and read from Blackboard: Stephen Owen, “The Classic of Poetry:
Beginnings” and “The Classic of Poetry: Airs” in Stephen Owen, An Anthology of
Chinese Literature, 10-57.
Optional Additional Reading in your book: Anthology of Chinese Literature 3-29.
Wednesday, March 23: Qu Yuan and The Songs of Chu (Chuci)
Please download and read from Blackboard: Stephen Owen, “The Chu-ci: Lyrics of
Chu” in Stephen Owen, An Anthology of Chinese Literature, 155-156 (Read only the
Introduction).
Required Reading in your book: An Anthology of Chinese Literature 49-50;
“Encountering Sorrow” (Li Sao) 51-62; “The Nine Songs” (Jiu ge) 63-66; “A Lament for
Ying” (Ai Ying) 67-70; “The Summons for the Soul” (Zhao hun) 73-78.
Optional Additional Reading: Read the rest of the article above, of which you read only
the introduction. (Stephen Owen is one of the greatest living translators of classical
Chinese poetry and literature. You may want to have a look at this chapter to appreciate
the quality of his translation.)
Friday, March 25: Tang Poetry and the Legacy of Classical Chinese Poetics
Please download and read from Blackboard: Stephen Owen, “Tang Poetry: General
Introduction,” “High Tang Poetry” and “Du Fu” in Stephen Owen, An Anthology of
Chinese Literature 371-384; 385-406; 413-421.
Optional Additional Reading: Read the rest of the three chapters by Stephen Owen
listed above; Read Stephen Owen, “The Tang Dynasty: Period Introduction,” also
uploaded on Blackboard.
Monday, March 28: The Early Poetry and Poetic Ideals of Japan
Sources of Japanese Tradition 203-204; Anthology of Japanese Literature 33-53, 76-81,
92-96, 192-196.
Please download and read from Blackboard: Ki no Tsurayuki’s Preface to the
Kokinshu.
Wednesday, March 30: Heian Period Classical Aesthetics: Murasaki Shikibu and The
Tale of Genji
Sources of Japanese Tradition 197-202.
Please download and read from Blackboard: Royall Tyler, “Introduction” to The Tale
of Genji xi-xxix; “The Green Branch” (Chapter 10 from The Tale of Genji) 193-219.
Friday April 1: The Realm of Yūgen: Japanese Haiku, Nō and Tea Ceremony
Sources of Japanese Tradition 364-398.
IX The Art of the Historian
Monday, April 4: Sima Qian and the Writing of Chinese History
7
Sources of Chinese Tradition 367-374; Anthology of Chinese Literature 93-105; 119-122.
Optional Additional Reading on Blackboard: Stephen Owen, “Sima Qian” in An
Anthology of Chinese Literature 135-154.
Wednesday, April 6: History as a Mirror in China, Japan and Korea
Sources of Chinese Tradition 652-666; Sources of Japanese Tradition 238-249; Sources
of Korean Tradition 301-306; 293-296.
Friday, April 8: Chinese and East Asian Calligraphy
Please download and read assigned readings from Blackboard (TBD).
X Neo-Daoism
Monday, April 11: Learning of the Mysterious
Sources of Chinese Tradition 377-391.
Wednesday, April 13: Neo-Taoism
A Sourcebook in Chinese Philosophy 314-335.
Friday, April 15: Daoist Religion and Korean Shamanism
Sources of Chinese Tradition 392-414; Sources of Korean Tradition 248-251.
XI The Spread of Buddhism to East Asia
Monday, April 18: Buddhist Doctrine and The Coming of Buddhism to China
Sources of Chinese Tradition 415-432.
Wednesday, April 20: The Introduction of Buddhism to Korea: Traveling Monks
Sources of Korean Tradition 34-56.
Friday, April 22: Buddhism and the State in Nara Japan
Sources of Japanese Tradition 100-121.
XII Buddhist Practice in China, Korea and Japan: Chan / Son / Zen
Monday, April 25: Chan Buddhism in China: The Meditation School
Sources of Chinese Tradition 491-536.
Please download and read from Blackboard: Excerpts from Essential Chan Buddhism
by Chan Master Guo Jun: “Breath,” “Heart-to-Heart: Sitting,” “Relaxation” and
“Connecting to the World” 9-25.
Optional Additional Reading: Read the rest of the book Essential Chan Buddhism (on
reserve at Leavey Library).
Wednesday, April 27: Korean Son and Japanese Zen Buddhism
Sources of Korean Tradition 120-135; Sources of Japanese Tradition 306-335.
8
*** Friday, April 29: Second Paper Due and
In-Class Review for Final Exam ***
*** Wednesday, May 4, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Final Exam ***
9