OAKTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
GENERIC COURSE SYLLABUS
I.
II.
Course
Prefix
Course
Number
Course
Name
PHL
215
Asian Philosophy
Credits
Lecture
Lab
3
3
0
Prerequisites
None
III.
Course (Catalog) Description
Course introduces selected philosophical themes from historical and contemporary
sources based in one or more of the following broad traditions: Indian, Chinese, Japanese,
Korean, Islamic, Jewish, Southeast Asian. IAI H4 903N
IV.
Learning Objectives
After completing this class, students will be able to do the following:
A. Clearly re-state some of the important concepts and philosophical problems in at
least one of the traditions mentioned above.
B. Explain some of the important relations between different philosophical traditions,
both eastern and western, and will be able to articulate critiques of an east-west
distinction in philosophy.
C. Provide a sketch of the cultural and social contexts within which philosophical
questions and answers are articulated.
D. Identify and provide an analysis of different types of philosophical argument.
E. Apply Asian philosophical ideas and theories to contemporary ethical, political and
scientific issues.
F. Incorporate ideas from the class into a discussion of a philosophical and ethical
outlook that informs their own lives.
G. Explain the important contributions of Asian philosophical traditions to global
thought and culture.
H. Exhibit values related to teamwork and collaboration, fostered by the pedagogy of
shared-inquiry and critical dialogue appropriate to the humanities and philosophy.
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PHL 215
V.
Academic Integrity
Students and employees at Oakton Community College are required to demonstrate
academic integrity and follow Oakton’s Code of Academic Conduct. This code prohibits:
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cheating,
plagiarism (turning in work not written by you, or lacking proper citation),
falsification and fabrication (lying or distorting the truth),
helping others to cheat,
unauthorized changes on official documents,
pretending to be someone else or having someone else pretend to be you,
making or accepting bribes, special favors, or threats, and
any other behavior that violates academic integrity.
There are serious consequences to violations of the academic integrity policy. Oakton’s
policies and procedures provide students a fair hearing if a complaint is made against
you. If you are found to have violated the policy, the minimum penalty is failure on the
assignment and, a disciplinary record will be established and kept on file in the office of
the Vice President for Student Affairs for a period of 3 years.
Details of the Code of Academic Conduct can be found in the Student Handbook.
VI.
Outline of Topics
This class may take either a topical or historical approach. The outline that follows is a
sample. Classes need not include all the material listed below, and classes may focus on
Asian cultures and philosophers not listed below.
A. Indian philosophy
1. The Vedic Period…Selections from the Upanishads
2. The Epic Period…Selections from the Bhagavad Gita.
3. Contemporary treatments of classical themes: Radhakrishnan, Daya Krishna,
J.N. Mohanty, B.K. Mattilal
4. Responses to colonialism…Gandhi, Aurobindo, Iqbal
B. Buddhist philosophy
1.
Classical Buddhist thought
2. The Middle Way…Selections from Nagarjuna
3. Zen: Selections from Dogen, Suzuki
4. Buddhist political thought (Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh)
C. Chinese philosophy
1. The legacy of Confucius…Selections from the Analects and the Mencius
2. Taoism…Selections from Tao Te Ching and Chuang Tzu
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PHL 215
3. The utilitarian challenge of Mo Tzu…Selections from "Universal Love"
4. Recent developments in Confucian, Neo-Confucian and Taoist thought.
5. The challenge of modernity: Sun-Yat Sen and Mao Zedong.
D. West Asian/Arab philosophy
1. Islamic Theology (kalam) in the classical period
2. The relationship with Greek thought and its development in classical Islamic
philosophy
3. The challenge to philosophy from al-Ghazali
4. Mystical thought in Islam
5. Debates about modernity and tradition in recent Islamic thought
VII.
Instructional Materials
Note: Current textbook information for each course and section is available on Oakton’s
Schedule of Classes.
Texts such as: A Sourcebook of Asian Philosophy edited by John and Patricia Koller,
Asian Philosophies by John and Patricia Koller, Sources of Chinese Tradition (2 vols),
Sources of Indian Tradition (2 vols), A Sourcebook of Classical Chinese Philosophy
edited by Ivanhoe, A Sourcebook of Indian Philosophy edited by Radhakrishnan.
VIII.
Methods of Instruction
Course may be taught as a face-to-face, media-based, hybrid, or online course.
1.
2.
3.
4.
IX.
Lectures and discussion
Small group work
Films
Guest speakers
Course Practices Required
(Please include information here about all expectations you have for your students
regarding behavior, work, etc. The following are sample topics you may wish to cover.
Please be aware that you must require students in this course to produce at least 15 pages
of critical written assignments over the course of the semester. These may be assigned in
a variety of ways including journals, response papers, field trip projects, etc.)
A. Attendance
B. Standards for written work
C. Quizzes/Exams
D. Participation
E. Essays
F. Final Project
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G. Special policies about make-up exams, late papers, or other matters of concern
X.
Methods of Evaluation
(In this section, please present the percentages or point breakdown of their final grade.
The writing assignments should count for at least 40% of the final grade. An example
follows.)
A. Quizzes/Exams……40 points
B. Essays……40 points
C. Final project with oral presentation……10 points
D. Attendance and participation………10 points
E. Grading scale: 90-100, A…….80-89, B………70-79, C……….60-69……..D
XI.
Other Course Information
If you have a documented learning, psychological, or physical disability you may be
entitled to reasonable academic accommodations or services. To request
accommodations or services, contact the Access and Disability Resource Center at the
Des Plaines or Skokie campus. All students are expected to fulfill essential course
requirements. The College will not waive any essential skill or requirement of a course
or degree program
XII.
Discrimination
The Oakton Community College Catalog states:
Oakton Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed,
religion, national origin, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, or marital status in
admission to and participation in its educational programs, activities and services, or
employment practices. The College does not tolerate sexual harassment or sexual assault
by or of its students or employees.
In keeping with this policy of tolerance and non-discrimination, in this class all of us
(myself included) should strive to listen and give careful consideration to all ideas
expressed in class, especially those that are different from our own, without attacking or
demeaning the people who have those views. We should also strive to avoid using
insulting terms or telling offensive jokes when talking to or about individuals or groups.
XIII. Instructor information
 Office and office hours:
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Phone:
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Email and website:
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PHL 215
Approval Dates:
(Faculty: Do not include the following information on your individual syllabi created for class
distribution.)
Effective beginning term Fall 2013
(term) (year)
Ending term
Syllabus prepared by: Mohamed Mehdi
Date: October, 2010
Reviewed by Dept/Program chair: Joo Lee
Date: October, 2010
Approved by Dean: Linda Korbel
Date: June 2013
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(term) (year)