Course Description
A course on classical Chinese philosophy. Following this tradition of textual commentary, itself cultivated as an art form, we will analyze six early Chinese philosophers from the “Spring and Autumn” (770-476 B.C.) and “Warring State” (475-221 B.C.) periods, the turbulent last two periods of Zhou Dynasty that demanded and produced great thinkers in action: Sun Tzu, Lao Tzu, Chuang Tzu, Confucius, Mencius and Hsün Tzu.
Course Objectives
The flowering of thoughts during this era, comparable to the origination of ideas in ancient Greece, led to the institution of a comprehensive range of philosophical systems encompassing ethics, aesthetics, epistemology and metaphysics, all shaped broadly into the Taoist tradition on the one hand, and the Confucian on the other. With this in mind, we will examine both the original insights and contextual contributions of some of the key thinkers from those twofold traditions: you are expected to apply, intelligently and creatively, philosophical ideas you learn from this class to your own context.
Required Texts
[Confucious] Henry Jr. Rosemont and Roger Ames (trans). The Analects of Confucius: A Philosophical Translation. New York: Ballantine Books. 1999.
[Lao Tzu] Roger Ames and David Hall (trans). Dao De Jing: A Philosophical Translation. New York: Ballantine Books. 2003.
[Sun Tzu] Roger Ames (trans). Sun-Tzu: The Art of Warfare: The First English Translation Incorporating the Recently Discovered Yin-Ch'Ueh-Shan Texts. New York: Ballantine Books. 1993.
[Supplementary Anthology: Chuang Tzu; Hsün Tzu; Mencius] Philip J. Ivanhoe and Bryan Van Norden (eds). Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy. Washington DC: Seven Bridges Press. 2000.
Recommended/Further Readings
[Chuang Tzu] Watson Burton (trans). Chuang Tzu: Basic Writings. New York: Columbia University Press. 1996.
[Hsün Tzu] Watson Burton (trans). Hsün Tzu: Basic Writings. New York: Columbia University Press. 1963.
[Mencius] D.C. Lau (trans). Mencius. New York: Penguin Books. 1970.
Joel Kupperman. Classic Asian Philosophy: A Guide to the Essential Texts. Oxford: OUP. 2001.
Michael Nylan. The Five "Confucian" Classics. New Haven: Yale University Press. 2001.
Some Useful Links/Resources
Course Schedule
8/28 Orientation/First Day of Class
8/30Overview
9/04Preliminary Study
9/06Sun Tzu: The Art of Warfare, Chapters 1-3
9/11Sun Tzu: The Art of Warfare, Chapters 4-9
9/13Sun Tzu: The Art of Warfare, Chapters 10-13
9/20No Class: work on drafting your journals
9/27Lao Tzu: Daodejing, Chapters 1-30
10/2Lao Tzu: Daodejing, Chapters 31-60
10/4Lao Tzu: Daodejing, Chapters 61-81
10/9Lao Tzu: Daodejing, review (of key concepts)
10/11Chuang Tzu: Chuang Tzu in Readings, pp. 204-221
10/16Summary: Sun Tzu, Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu
10/18Confucius: The Analects, Books 1-5
10/23Confucius: The Analects, Books 6-10
10/25Confucius: The Analects, Books 11-15
10/30Confucius: The Analects, Books 16-20
11/1No Class: work on drafting your research paper
11/6Class meets; scheduling individual conference for 11/8
11/8Dr. Lee’s Writing Clinic: Pre-scheduled One-on-one conference @ Philosophy Department, NB 8F
11/13Mencius: Mencius in Readings, pp. 113-126
11/15Mencius: in Readings, pp. 127-153
11/20Mencius: in Readings, pp. 127-153
11/27Hsün Tzu: Hsün Tzu in Readings, pp. 284-291
11/29Summary
12/4Office Hours: Philosophy Department Conference Room (NB 8F)
12/6Student Presentations
12/11Student Presentations
12/13Student Presentations
12/18Portfolio Due by 11:59pm: Turnitin.com
<<On Daily Reading and Journaling>>
- Try and read all the assigned/required reading per class day and
- write a well-condensed and composed (no rambling or waffling, please) journal either
- combining all/any of the readings or doing an in-depth analysis of one text (or chapter) of your choice.
These examples are quite extensive, and you should aim for a shorter version of the comparable level of analytic and critical reading.>>
Grading Scale
97- A+
93- A
90- A-
87- B+
83- B
80- B-
77- C+
73- C
70- C-
67- D+
63- D
60- D-
Below 60 F (Fail)
Grade A: Mastery of the issues and literature, and an ability to make some original contribution.
Grade B: Good grasp of issues and literature, but little or no attempt at own contribution.
Grade C: Some but uncertain grasp of the issues.
Grade D: Failure to grasp issues but some attempt made.
Grade F: Not even trying.
[I have borrowed this description of the evaluation criteria from the standardized syllabi used in NYU in London, England, UK.]
- 100 points system is used.
- Grades are unnegotiable, unless there is a clerical error.
- All the grades up to the final exam or paper are calculated numerically in order to give each student maximum opportunities to recuperate, and also to evaluate more accurately the learning process and incremental achievements.
- The numeric total will simply be converted to the corresponding letter grade. Therefore, there is very little reason either to rejoice or to despair at any stage of following the course. Just keep putting coins in the piggy bank, and your consistent and overall efforts will be justly rewarded: you reap what you sow, no less, no more.
Course Requirements and Evaluation Criteria
Attending (up to 10 points): Use Your Rainy Day Extremely Sparingly.
- No make-up for any missed appointment, unless it is caused by the instructor; priority is given to those already on schedule.
- Up to 2 absences are allowed with no penalties incurred: there's absolutely no need for you to explain or email about your absences.
- For the 3rd absence, you lose 3 points, and for the 4th point, another 3 points. After the 5th absence, 1 full alphabetical grade drops automatically per class missed, e.g., from A to B, down to F.
- Lateness causes disruption in class and affects your own learning process; from the 3rd time of lateness, 1 point deducted each time.
Preparing/Participating/Presenting (up to 40 points): Remember Your 3Ps and Have a Less Lonely College Life.
- Preparatory reading, along with participation in classroom discussion, is required. It is not an option: a failure to meet the expected standards, more than twice, will affect the grades negatively: see below the task of everyday journaling.
- Presentation, although optional, is strongly encouraged: each presentation counts up to 5 points and every student will be given an opportunity to present.
Writing (up to 50 points): turnitin.com only (id:5434008/login:madness) A Portfolio of 5 Journals & 1 Paper by 11:59p, Dec 18, 2012.
- (20 pts) 5 Journals: each 700-800 words, maximum 1,000 words, each journal counts up to 4 pts. Every class day, there will be at least one assigned reading, and you are required to keep a record of your reflections on, questions about, and criticism of the classroom material before class. (Journals are not class notes and class notes are for your own personal use and for your paper writing.) Each day of class, there will be a spot and random check of your journal: you should be in posession of such documented evidence of study in some form, i.e., your journal in hard copy, on your laptop, on any other mobile computational devices, or even in your braincells if you can reproduce flawlessly in one solid paragraph your feedback on the material. No rambling or ad hoc footnoting will be kindly accepted or positively registered. You will be asked to read out a portion of your journal or summarize it as a way to contribute to the classroom discussion meaningfully. It is therefore imperative that you come prepared, "bringing" your journal to every class meeting, in analogue or digital form. On the last day of the class, along with the final paper (see below), submit five journal entries that best demonstrate such regular work of yours throughout the course. If you wish to receive written feedback on your journal draft, submit two samples by 9/20 (no class that day) for feedback by 10/2; no late submission accepted. The grading scale is 4-1: Check+ is 4 pts/Check(+) is 3.5/Check is 3/Check(-) is 2/Check- is 1.
- (30 pts) 1 Research Paper of 4,000-5,000 words, maximum 7,000 words, using MLA style. Choose any topic/theme from the class material and write one satisfyingly substantial and well-crafted research paper. Towards the middle of the semester, you will have an opportunity to discuss paper ideas with me in person. Once you start writing your paper, you will have an ample chance to revise your drafts and thoughts during the semester, for the paper grades will only be indicated but not be finalized until the last day, when all the written assignments are due. If you prefer, you can write 2 short papers, each 2,000-2,500 words, which is entirely fine and up to you, as long as the total combined number is no less than 4,000. If you wish to receive written feedback on your paper proposal/out/draft, submit the draft material by 11/1 (no class that day) for feedback by 11/6; no late submission accepted.
Each paper should be word-processed, double-spaced, and contain all of the following in the following order:
@ Abstract of your thesis: approx. 200 words
@ Introduction (where a brief review of key literature is incorporated.)
@ Bibliography: MLA style
- Portfolio: all-in-one master file containing all the entries above. No multiple, serial, or fragmented submission will be accepted. If you end up making a mistake (by uploading only a partial submission for instance), dont' worry, just create another account by using another email account and resubmit. Do not email. I will neither respond to such queries nor accept email submissions - no exception. It is your responsibility to submit this correctly and it is a very simple process. Ask at the library if you don't know how to.
- The submission deadline is firm. For each calendar day day missed, 2 points will be deducted.
- Regularly and frequently throughout the course, students will have a chance to receive live feedback on their drafts and the grade for the writing component will be determined solely on the basis of the final draft of the portfolio.
Statement of College Policy on Plagiarism
"Plagiarism is the presentation of someone else‘s ideas, words, or artistic, scientific, or technical work as one‘s own creation. Using the ideas or work of another is permissible only when the original author is identified. Paraphrasing and summarizing, as well as direct quotations, require citations to the original source. Plagiarism may be intentional or unintentional. Lack of dishonest intent does not necessarily absolve a student of responsibility for plagiarism.`It is the student‘s responsibility to recognize the difference between statements that are common knowledge (which do not require documentation) and restatements of the ideas of others. Paraphrase, summary, and direct quotation are acceptable forms of restatement, as long as the source is cited. Students who are unsure how and when to provide documentation are advised to consult with their instructors. The Library has free guides designed to help students with problems of documentation." (From the John Jay College of Criminal Justice Undergraduate Bulletin, p. 36)
Should plagiarism be determined, a formal disciplinary action will be taken immediately: the student in question will receive an F grade for the course.
Accommodation of Religious Observances
Upon request, academic accommodations for a religious observance are available on an individual basis; by the end of the second week, please provide me with a supplementary document that specifies and verifies your context and needs for modification.
Accommodation of Documented Disabilities
Please contact me within the first two weeks of the semester. An appropriate, case-by-case arrangement will be made to ensure that the student in question is given an equal opportunity for learning.
Any questions, by email or during class, about the basic course details already shown on these class webpages will not be addressed. All you hear will be my silence.
So please read the syllabus again, carefully, and if still unclear, just ask your classmates for information before you waste your time and everyone else's.