PHL 328 Philosophy of Asian Martial Arts and Meditation
Instructor: Dr. John Z. Ding
Office: 1-328
Phone: (909)869-4660; Fax: (909)869-4434
Email: zding@csupomona.edu; Webpage: www.csupomona.edu/~zding
Office Hours: Tuesday: 11:20am—12:50pm; Wednesday: 3:30pm-5:30pm; Thursday: 11:20am—12:50pm
I. Catalog Description
Examination and comparison of various Eastern martial arts and meditations: history, culture, world-views, spirituality,
values and beauty. Martial arts and meditation include Shaolin, Taiji, Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Thai Boxing, Qigong, Yoga,
and other styles. This course is a kind of combination of theory and practice. We will do scholarly research and also do
mental as well as physical exercises for health promotion, self-cultivation, and self-defense. This course is designed equally
for philosophy students and for students from other disciplines with a strong interest in multicultural studies. No specific
background in Eastern philosophy would be necessary.
II. Expected Outcomes
1) Strengthen students' background in world's cultural traditions and introduce students to intellectual approaches to world's
martial arts and meditation questions. 2) Help students to conduct a critical inquiry into several of the more central concepts
and problems specific and common to most (if not all) of world's religious meditations, world-views, spiritual needs, moral
values, and sense of beauty. 3) Develop students' mind-body harmony, mental and physical heath through self-cultivation
and self-defense skills.
III. Text and Readings
Suggested Required Texts:
David Chow and Richard Spangler, Martial Arts: History, Philosophy and Technique, Burbank: Unique Publications,
2003.
Sharon Salzberg, and Joseph Goldstein, Insight Meditation, Sounds True, 2002.
Supplementary Texts:
Thomas A. Green, Martial Arts of the World, Santa Barbara: ABC Clio, 2001
Michael Finn, Martial Arts: a Complete Illustrated History, Woodstock: The Overlook Press, 1988
Claudio Iedwab, Martial Arts: Mind & Body, Human Kinetics, 2000
David Chow, Kung Fu: History, Philosophy and Technique, Unique Publications, 1982
Wm. Theodore de Bary, Sources of Indian Tradition, Columbia University Press, 2004
Wm. Theodore de Bare, Sources of Chinese Tradition, Columbia University Press, 2004
Wm. Theodore de Bare, Sources of Japanese Tradition, Columbia University Press, 2006
Chan, Wing-Tsit, A Source Book in Chinese Philosophy, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2003.
Cheng, Chung-Ying & Nicholas Bunnin, Ed. Contemporary Chinese Philosophy, Blackwell Publishing, 2002.
Cheong, Jack, Origins Of Chinese Martial Arts, Asiapac, 2002.
Kim, Y. K., TaeKwon Do: Philosophy History Technique, World Martial Art Research Institute, Inc., 1985.
Little, John, R., Ultimate Martial Arts Encyclopedia, McGraw-Hill, 2000.
Tsunoda, Ryusaku, Source of Japanese Tradition, Columbia University Press, 1964.
IV. Instructional Methods
Students will learn by studying the reading materials, and by participating in class discussions of the readings and issues.
The instructor will guide students through the readings, introduce background materials, identify major points and issues,
clarify key ideas and distinctions, focus class discussion on particular issues relevant to the films and essays covered, and
provide basic training for martial arts and meditation practice and exercises. Students will refine and deepen their
understanding of the course materials and instructor’s explanation and demonstrations by discussions and exercises.
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V. Evaluation of Outcomes
Student grade will be based on the following factors, weighted on percentage:
1.10 reading journals:
a. good understanding; b. clear and logical writing; c. about 2 double space typing pages each
2. One speech with detailed outlines (15-20 minutes, classmates' evaluation and instructor's evaluation):
a. good preparation, b. specific topic, c. good understanding and personal thinking, d. good response
or one take-home essay final (2 questions, 2-3 double space typing pages for each):
a. good understanding, b. good reasoning and criticism, c. clear and logical writing
3. Group and class discussions or exercises:
a. good participation, b. being a group leader once
40%
40%
20%
Special emphases: 1) a student is not allowed to turn in a assignment after the due date; 2) 3% will be deducted from 10%
for 3 unexcused absences, 6% for 4 unexcused absences, 10% for 5 or more unexcused absences, and a grade of F will be
given if you miss 50% of class (I will check the attendance at the end of each class meeting, and determine whether an absence
is excusable or inexcusable).
VI. Course Outline
1. General Introduction
10/2
2. What is Martial Arts and Meditation?
10/2
3. Hindu Meditation and Indian Yoga: theory and practice
10/9
4. Buddhist Meditation: theory and practice
10/9
5. Daoist Meditation and Confucian Meditation: theory and practice
10/16
6. Chinese Qigong (breath exercise): theory and practice
10/16
7. Comparison of Indian, Chinese, Japanese Meditations
10/16
8. Comparison of Eastern and Western Meditations
10/23
9. Films
10/23
10. Group Discussion 1
10/23
11. Shaolin and Sanda
10/30
12. Taiji and Internal Strength
10/30
13. Comparison of Different Chinese Martial Arts: the Internal and External Strengths, Southern and Northern, and
Long and Short Styles
11/6
14. Karate and Japanese Martial Arts
11/13
15. Taekwondo and Korean Martial Arts
11/13
16. Comparison of Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Thai Martial Arts
11/13
17. Comparison of Asian and other World’s Martial Arts
11/20
18. Films
11/20
19. Exercise
11/27
20. Group Discussion & Exercise 2
12/4
Important Notes: 1) the policies on course withdrawal, cheating and plagiarism can be found in Cal Poly Catalog; 2) if you
are in need of an accommodation for a disability in order to participate in this class, please let me know ASAP and also
contact Disability Resource Center; 3) I reserve the right to amend this syllabus as I see fit.
Important Notes: 1) the policies on course withdrawal, cheating and plagiarism can be found in Cal Poly
Catalog; 2) if you are in need of an accommodation for a disability in order to participate in this class,
please let me know ASAP and also contact Disability Resource Center; 3) I reserve the right to amend
this syllabus as I see fit.
We hope you enjoy the course and get a lot out of it.
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