Fall 2011 Special Topics in Religious Studies I: REL 2000, sec 001 (16263)
Contemporary Buddhist Revolutions: Meditation, Politics, and Global Change
Location: Tuttleman Learning Center, Room 307
Time: MWF 2:00-2:50
Instructor: Ermine L. Algaier IV
Main Campus Office: 646 Anderson Hall Hours: TBA
Email: ermine.algaier@temple.edu
Email is the best means of communication. Please email your questions, concerns, problems, etc. as soon as they
surface. Typically, I will respond to your email within twenty-four hours; however, with more difficult situations, it
may take longer to get a response.
Communication of special circumstances: Unfortunately, students encounter a variety of problems while in
school. If an emergency surfaces that prevents you from attending class or submitting an assignment, please inform
me of your situation as soon as possible. If you inform me in advance or at the time of the emergency, I can work
with you to accommodate you and your needs.
Course Description: Today's Buddhism is engaged with transformation of the social, economic and environmental
world, as well as the inner world of traditional meditation. The course will examine revolutionary Buddhism in
several different settings.
Course Summary: This course serves as an introduction and exploration of contemporary engaged Buddhism. The
first portion of the course aims to develop a basic understanding of the primary Buddhist concepts: the four noble
truths, interdependence, impermanence, no-self, karma, reincarnation, and emptiness. Upon establishing a
foundational understanding of the classical concepts, we will explore the various ways in which contemporary
Buddhists utilize these ideas and practices as a means of addressing the modern world and its personal, social,
political, economic, ecological, and global issues.
Required Texts: The Temple University Center City Bookstore has copies available, but you might consider
ordering books from used on-line book dealers.
Hanh, Thich Nhat. The Heart of Understanding: Commentaries on The Prajnaparamita Heart Sutra.
(Berkeley: Parallax Press, 1988).
King, Sallie B. Socially Engaged Buddhism. (Honolulu: University of Hawai’i Press, 2009)
Rahula, Walpola. What the Buddha Taught. (New York: Grove Press, 1974).
A list of recommended text, articles, and website will be posted on Blackboard in the information folder.
Blackboard: This course relies on students accessing blackboard. All official documents (syllabus, forms, and
guidelines) and some required readings are accessible only through your blackboard account. All class
announcements and communications will be posted on Blackboard. Therefore it is imperative that a student visit
Blackboard on a regular basis. Finally, in accordance with the Submission Policy (see below), all assignments must
be submitted through blackboard in addition to submitting a hard-copy in-class on the assigned due date.
Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, the student should be familiar with the general field of
Contemporary Engaged Buddhism, its methods, concepts, and standard themes and problems. Over the course of
the semester the student should be progressively developing his/her own critical thinking, reading, and writing skills
so as to better equip him/herself for treating perspectives and ideas with which he/she is unfamiliar. By the end of
the semester, the student should be in a better position to assess and analyze his/her own thinking and experiences
and how to address the issues of modern living as depicted by contemporary Buddhist movements.
Course Format: The format of the course is a combination of lecture and discussion. In general, our approach will
be philosophically, or conceptually, oriented. The primary purpose of lecture is to help familiarize students with the
technical vocabulary, themes, and ideas as presented in the required readings. The goal of discussion is to allow
students room to collectively engage in the critical thinking process and explore the topics of the course. This
presupposes that each student will actively prepare for class (i.e. reading, taking notes, thinking about the material,
and bringing questions to class).
Assignments:
Category
Foundations Exam:
Topic Proposal & Bibliography
Research Project:
Research Presentation:
Final Exam (Take-home):
Due Date
Sept. 19th
Sept. 26th
Oct. 31st
TBD
Dec. 5th / Dec. 12th
Value (% of total grade)
20%
10%
35%
10%
25%
Foundations Exam: An in-class exam which tests students’ knowledge of the foundational Buddhist principles.
This exam will cover the readings assigned between August 31 st and September 16th.
Topic Proposal & Bibliography: The Topic Proposal & Bibliography will be evaluated based on the following
criteria: (1) Topic Proposal: describe the selected topic by providing a general outline of what you intend to research
[min. 300 words], (2) Bibliography: (a) Sources: At minimum five sources are to be included in the annotated
bibliography; (b) Provide a one paragraph summary of the information contained within the source; (c) provide a
paragraph evaluation of the source. For information on appropriate sources, how to evaluate a source, see
documents provided in the information folder on Blackboard.
Research Project: Given the breadth and depth of the primary and secondary literature surrounding Engaged
Buddhism, this course will be limited in its range and scope. As a result, the research project provides the student
with the opportunity to explore a topic that is not covered in this course (or one may request the instructor’s
permission to more thoroughly explore a topic covered already in this course). Each student will submit a 5-7 page
research paper on his/her approved topic of study. For information regarding format and guidelines, see blackboard.
Research Presentation: Due to the limitations of the semester and the sheer breadth of this field of study, it is it
natural that we will be rather selective with our in-class readings and assignments. While we shall cover a lot of
themes and ideas, many are not incorporated into the format of this course. The purpose of the research project is to
enable each student to pursue an aspect of Engaged Buddhism not discussed in class and report back to his/her
colleagues. At the end of the semester, each student will be responsible for delivering a short presentation on his/her
individual research. The length of the presentation will be determined after the last day to formally drop the course.
Final Exam: The final exam will be a take-home essay exam. A list of questions will be posted on blackboard and
each student will be required to write on two. Each essay must be a min. of 600 words, but not more than 800
words: deviations will be penalized. Each student will have one week to complete the exam .
Grading Policies: Your final grade will be out of 100 points. It is important to understand that completing all
assignments on time does not result in an A for this course. Please observe the following grade breakdown:
A: 95-100 Exceptional, Near perfect—this grade is rare and awarded as a result of the original and creative
work, beyond mastery of the material.
A-: 90-94 Excellent work—Work of this caliber displays the student’s ability to provide insightful,
thoughtful, and clear reflections of the material. “A” work signifies mastery of the material, yet it
neglects originality and/or creativity.
B+: 87-89 Very good, near excellent work
B: 83-86 Good, above standard work
B-: 80-82 Above satisfactory work
Work of “B” caliber displays a solid understanding of the material, yet lacks mastery, originality
and/or creativity. The writing and arguments are acceptable, but require improvement with
respect to clarity, detail, and/or persuasion.
C+: 77-79 Satisfactory, near good work
C: 73-76 Satisfactory, standard work
C-: 70-72 Below satisfactory work
Work of “C” caliber represent adequate understanding of the material; work of this type typically
expresses the most basic understanding, yet neglects attention to detail. The writing and
arguments lack organization and clarity; “C” work requires significant improvement with respect
to clarity, detail, and presentation.
D+: 67-69 Poorly executed, near satisfactory
D: 63-66 Very Unsatisfactory, needs significant improvement
D-: 60-62 Barely passing
Work of “D” caliber proves insufficient understanding of the material, inability to address the
topic and/or express ideas. Any essay that receives a grade of D- to D+ is required to get
assistance from the writing center (see Writing Center Assistance Form).
F: 0-59 Failure
Course Policies
Writing Assistance: I reserve the right to require that a student make an appointment with a member of the writing
center. In particular, any student receiving a D+ or below on a writing assignment must go to the writing center. In
this situation, the student must formally request that the writing tutor email the professor confirmation that the
student is actively attending a writing session: without the required documentation, I will not accept the writing
assignment. To make an appointment with the writing center, please inquire into the following website:
http://www.temple.edu/writingctr/
Submission Policy: In addition to submitting a hard-copy at the beginning of the assigned due date, students must
submit all formal assignments to blackboard via the appropriate assignment folder. Failure to meet these
requirements will result in zero for the assignment.
Late Assignments: Unless accompanied by a doctor’s excuse, late assignments will not be accepted.
Disability Policy: This course is open to all students who meet the academic requirements for participation. Any
student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately
to discuss the specific situation within the first two weeks of the semester. Contact Disability Resources and
Services at 215-204-1280 in 100 Ritter Annex to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with
documented disabilities.
Academic Freedom Policy: Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom.
The University has adopted a policy on Student and Faculty Academic Rights and Responsibilities (Policy #
03.70.02) which can be accessed through the following link:
http://policies.temple.edu/getdoc.asp?policy_no=03.70.02 .
Writing Center (WC): If you have questions or concerns with regard to your writing, please make an appointment
with a member of the Writing Center: http://www.temple.edu/writingctr/. If you have questions regarding
plagiarism, please visit the above website and/or make an appointment with a WC member. REMEMBER: IT IS
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AS A STUDENT TO KNOW WHAT PLAGIARISM IS—IGNORANCE IS NOT AN
EXCUSE.
Policy on Academic Dishonesty: “Temple University believes strongly in academic honesty and integrity.
Plagiarism and academic cheating are, therefore, prohibited. Essential to intellectual growth is the development of
independent thought and a respect for the thoughts of others. The prohibition against plagiarism and cheating is
intended to foster this independence and respect.
Plagiarism is the unacknowledged use of another person's labor, another person's ideas, another person's words,
another person's assistance. Normally, all work done for courses -- papers, examinations, homework exercises,
laboratory reports, oral presentations -- is expected to be the individual effort of the student presenting the work.
Any assistance must be reported to the instructor. If the work has entailed consulting other resources -- journals,
books, or other media -- these resources must be cited in a manner appropriate to the course. It is the instructor's
responsibility to indicate the appropriate manner of citation. Everything used from other sources -- suggestions for
organization of ideas, ideas themselves, or actual language -- must be cited. Failure to cite borrowed material
constitutes plagiarism. Undocumented use of materials from the World Wide Web is plagiarism.
Academic cheating is, generally, the thwarting or breaking of the general rules of academic work or the specific
rules of the individual courses. It includes falsifying data; submitting, without the instructor's approval, work in one
course which was done for another; helping others to plagiarize or cheat from one's own or another's work; or
actually doing the work of another person.
Students must assume that all graded assignments, quizzes, and tests are to be completed individually unless
otherwise noted in writing in this syllabus. I reserve the right to refer any cases of suspected plagiarism or cheating
to the University Disciplinary Committee; I also reserve the right to assign a grade of "F" for the given paper, quiz
or test.”
[Temple University Bulletin]
Reading Schedule
Week One: Introduction to Buddhism, Four Noble Truth
August (29)Syllabus
(31) Rahula—Chapter 1 [pgs. 1-15] “The Buddhist Attitude of Mind”
Sept.
(2) Rahula— chapters 2-5 [pgs. 16-51]The Four Noble Truths
Week Two: Interdependence, Impermanence, and No-self
(5) Labor Day—No Class
(7) McMahan—“A Brief History of Interdependence” (BB)
(9) McMahan continued; Rahula—Chapter 6 [pgs. 51-67] The Doctrine of No-soul
Week Three: Karma & Reincarnation, Emptiness
(12) Jones—“The Karmic Dynamo” (BB); Hershock—“Interdependence, karma, and inducing the
unprecedented” (BB)
(14) Hanh—The Heart of Understanding [pgs. 1-31]
(16) Hanh—The Heart of Understanding [pgs. 31-54]
Week Four: Exam & Introduction to Engaged Buddhism
(19) Exam (in class)
(21) King—Chapter 1 [pgs. 1-12]; Chapter 2, “Philosophy and Ethics” [pgs. 13-39]
(23) King—Ch 2 continued
Week Five: Meditation and Spirituality
(26) King—Chapter 3 “Spirituality” [pgs. 39-67]
(28) King—Ch 3 continued
(30) David Loy—“The Sense of Self” (BB)
Week Six: Meditation & Spirituality continued/ Social & Political Sphere: Race, Gender
Oct.
(3) Joanna Macy—“The Third Turning of the Wheel” (BB)
(5) King—Ch 8 “Challenging Tradition” [pgs. 150-175]
(7) King—Ch 8 continued
Week Seven: Social & Political Sphere continued: Guest Lecturer—Beth Lawson
(10) TBA
(12) TBA
(14) TBA
Week Eight: Social & Political Sphere: Buddhist Politics (?) and Human Rights
(17) Sivarksa’s “Buddhism with a Small B” (BB); Ophuls’s “Notes for a Buddhist Politics” (BB)
(19) Reginald Ray’s “The Buddha’s Politics” (BB)
(21) King—Ch 7 “Human Rights and Criminal Justice” [pgs. 137-159]
Week Nine: Social & Political Sphere: Nonviolence
(24) King—Ch 4 “War and Peace” [pgs. 67-97]
(26) Sulak Sivaraksa’s “A Buddhist Perspective on Nonviolence” (BB)
(28) David Loy—“Why we Love War” (BB); The Fourteen Precepts of the Order of Interbeing (BB)
Week Ten: Economic Sphere
(31) King—Ch 5 “Economics” [pgs. 95-117]
Nov.
(2) King—Ch 5 continued
(4) E.F. Schumacher’s “Buddhist Economics” (BB)
Week Eleven: Economic Sphere & Globalization
(7) Stephanie Kaza—“How Much is Enough?: Buddhist Perspectives on Consumerism” (BB)
(9) Kaza continued; TBA
(11) Sivaraksa’s “A Buddhist Response to Globalization” (BB)
Week Twelve: Ecological Sphere
(14) King—Ch 6 “Ecology” [pgs. 118-136]
(16) King—Ch 6 continued
(18) David Loy—“The Karma of Food” & “Healing Ecology” (BB)
Week Thirteen:
(21) William LaFleur—“Sattva: Enlightenment for Plants & Trees” (BB)
(23) TBD
(25) Presentations
Week Fourteen: Presentation Week
(28) Presentations
(30) Presentations
Dec.
(1) Presentations
Week Fifteen:
(5) Presentations
(7) Last Day of Class; Student & Teacher Evaluations, Wrap-up
Assignments:
Category
Foundations Exam:
Topic Proposal & Bibliography
Research Project:
Research Presentation:
Final Exam (Take-home):
Due Date
Sept. 19th
Sept. 26th
Oct. 31st
TBD
Dec. 5th / Dec. 12th
Value (% of total grade)
20%
10%
35%
10%
25%