Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2022 - PHIL 342 D100

Topics in Asian Philosophy (3)

Buddhist Ethics

Class Number: 7728

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 7 – Dec 6, 2022: Mon, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Sep 7 – Dec 6, 2022: Wed, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 16, 2022
    Fri, 11:59–11:59 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    One prior philosophy course (not including PHIL 110, PHIL 105, PHIL 310, PHIL 314, or PHIL 315). (This prerequisite may be waived in some cases, at the discretion of the instructor.)

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A discussion of philosophical issues raised by works of Asian philosophy, either historical or contemporary. This may include classical Chinese philosophy, Buddhist philosophy, and/or other Asian philosophical traditions. May be repeated for credit. Students who have taken PHIL 322 in Spring 2020 or Spring 2021, PHIL 333 in Summer 2015, or PHIL 357 in Fall 2020, under the same topic may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

Selected Topics: Buddhist Ethics

Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha, claimed to have discovered the key to eliminating suffering. Suffering, he thought, arises because our most basic experiences of the world are mistaken. In the thousands of years that followed, his philosophical and psychological insights have been developed by thinkers around the world. This course will present an introduction to the basic philosophical concepts of Buddhist philosophy and their relevance to ethics.

 

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Students may repeat this course for further credit under a different topic. Students who have taken PHIL 322 in Spring 2020 or Spring 2021, PHIL 333 in Summer 2015, or PHIL 357 in Fall 2020, under the same topic (Buddhist Philosophy), may not take this course for further credit.

Grading

  • Short Assignments: There will be four short assignments. They will consist of five or six short-answer questions and will be uploaded to Canvas on Monday after the lecture. They will be due Fridays at midnight PST. 40%
  • Weekly Response Questions: On weeks without a short assignment, there will be a very small assignment of a few questions. The purpose is mostly to remind you of key points from lecture. These will go up on Canvas Mondays after lecture and will be due Friday by midnight PST. 30%
  • Participation: This is based on participation in class discussions. This means doing your part to make lectures and discussions beneficial: things like showing up and listening, asking questions, following up on what others have said, and in general contributing to an atmosphere where people can learn. (Needless to say it also means not being rude, mean, or disruptive!) 15%
  • Take-Home Exam: A short take up exam that will unlock after the final lecture. 15%

NOTES:

Optional A+ Assignment: Students who wish to get an A+ must complete an additional assignment based on their own interests that can take a variety of forms.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Nicolas Bommarito, Seeing Clearly: A Buddhist Guide to Life, ISBN: 9780190887506

Other reading will be available online in electronic format.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

Thinking of a Philosophy Major or Minor? The Concentration in Law and Philosophy? The Certificate in Ethics? The Philosophy and Methodology of Science Certificate?
Contact the PHIL Advisor at philmgr@sfu.ca   More details on our website: SFU Philosophy

New elective grade policy : P/CR/NC, pilot project in place from Spring 2021 to Summer 2023. List of exclusions for the new policy. Specifically for Philosophy: 

  • Students can use a P or CR to satisfy any requirement for a major, joint major, honours, or minor in Philosophy (with the exception of Honours tutorials).
  • Students can use a P or CR to satisfy any prerequisite requirement for any PHIL course.
  • Students can use a P (but not a CR) to satisfy any requirement for the Ethics Certificate, or the Philosophy and Methodology of Science Certificate.
  • Philosophy Majors and Honours students can use a P (but not a CR) to satisfy any WQB requirement.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html