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MUSE-Seminar / Phil 29 C Fall 2004
TWO ROADS TO WISDOM?CHINESE AND WESTERN PHILOSOPHIES
Syllabus
Instructor: Dr. Bo Mou Time & Place: Monday & Wednesday: 15:00 � 16:15; Hugh Gillis Hall (HGH) 227 Office Hours: (1) Regular Office Hours: Monday & Wednesday 18:00 � 20:30 Office: Faculty Offices (FO) 225 Phone: (408) 924-4513 E-mail: bmou@email.sjsu.edu Website: http://cfds.sjsu.edu/professors/bo_mou/ Course Texts and Materials Course
Reader [CR] Course Description This
course presents a comparative study of two major philosophical traditions,
Chinese and Western philosophies, examining a variety of wisdom
that they constructively
and complementarily
provide on some perennial issues and fundamental concerns in philosophical
pursuit, especially in connection with how to look at the world and ourselves. The
course has the following performance objectives: (1) to develop the capacity to
look at things in a broad and dynamic way and to apply philosophical methods to
deal with philosophically important issues and other intellectual problems; (2)
to appreciate various distinct philosophical ideas,
insights, and
visions, their
arguments and their historical and/or cultural contexts where they developed so
as to construct one�s own philosophical world view; (3) to appreciate how
those views and insights from different philosophical traditions can
distinctively, but jointly in a compatible way, contribute to dealing with some
philosophically important issues and concerns; (4) to develop the ability to
enter and appreciate ways of thinking and perspectives that may be quite
different from what students have already had; (5) to
improve the ability to read and think critically and creatively and to write
clearly and effectively. Introduction
to MUSE University-level
study is different from what you experienced in high school. The Metropolitan
University Scholars� Experience (MUSE) is designed to help make your
transition into college a success by helping you to develop the skills and
attitude needed for the intellectual engagement and challenge of in-depth
university-level study. Discovery, research, critical thinking, written work,
attention to the rich cultural diversity of the campus, and active discussion
will be key parts of this MUSE course. Enrollment in MUSE courses is limited to
a small number of students because these courses are intended to be highly
interactive and allow you to easily interact with your professor and fellow
students. MUSE courses explore topics and issues from an interdisciplinary focus
to show how interesting and important ideas can be viewed from different
perspectives. As a GE course, this course has the following goals: To examine the
interaction of analytical and creative processes in the production and
perception of significant works of the human intellect and imagination. To examine the
significance of the historical and cultural contexts in which such works are
created and interpreted. To prepare
students to participate in social and cultural communities associated with
artistic and literary endeavors to enrich their personal and professional lives.
To enable students to establish a strong foundation for becoming a university level student and scholar. To become acclimated to both the intellectual and social activities of university life. Student Learning Objectives As an Area C2 (Humanities & Arts � Letters) course in your General Education requirements, this course is designed to enable you to achieve the following learning objectives: �
To
recognize how significant works illuminate enduring human concerns. �
To
respond to such works by writing both research-based critical analyses and
personal responses. �
To write
clearly and effectively. �
To
understand the learning process and your responsibility and role in it. �
To know
what it means to be a member of a metropolitan university community. Course Requirements (1)
Class Participation: 10% (2) Two Critical Reading Reports:
10% (each 5%) (3)
Two Critical-Analysis Reports on Group Discussion Results: 10% (each 5%) (4) Two MUSE
Events/Workshops Write-up Reports: 10% (each
5%) (5)
Midterm Exam: 15% (10/27) (6)
Spartan Quiz: 5% (11/24) (7)
Research Term Paper: 20% (12/8) (8)
Final Exam: 15% (12/13) About Writing Assignments (1) You will write two short critical-reading reports, which are due in hard copy in class-meeting times) and two short critical-analysis reports on group discussion results for assigned questions, which are due, via email attachment, by noon of the day after the next day of the group discussion day (each on one typewritten double-spaced page with 1 inch margin and font size 10 or 12; about 250-300 words each page). The way they are assigned and their timelines are to be explained in the 8/25 class. (2)
You will write up two short reports (each with about 150 words) of what
you have learned from attending two MUSE events/workshops. (3)
You will write one research paper (3-4 typewritten double-spaced pages
with 1 inch margin and font size 12, about 250 words each page) on one of the
topics that will be assigned four weeks before the due time. (4) All the writing assignments (critical-reading reports, critical-analysis reports, MUSE event reports, and research paper) are to be word processed with 12 point font and 1� margins, submitted in hard copy, and due in class-meeting time. For how to do philosophy writings, see Appendix (4), �Some Suggestions for Writing Philosophy Papers,� in the Course Reader. (6) Writing will be assessed for correctness, clarity, and conciseness.
About Exams
You will take midterm and final exam both of which would combine multiple choice, short answer questions and essay questions. The instructor will supply a study guide a week before each of the exams. About MUSE Events / Workshops You will attend three Muse events / workshops listed in your schedule; you will write up two short reports (about 150 words for each) of what you have learned for two of them, and get a �proof of attendance� for the other. Registration for workshops occur on-line at the MUSE website. About Class Participation and Oral Presentations The student�s active class participation consists of the following: (1) Attending scheduled classes regularly (two bonus points will be given for perfect attendance; one bonus point will be given for only-one-class-missing attendance); (2) Asking questions in class or volunteering answers to philosophical questions raised by classmates or instructors; (3) Being active in group discussions; (4) Earnestly completing in-class oral presentations of your group-discussion reports. (5) There is one major oral presentation assignment in a special discussion forum (in the 12/6 class) on how some distinct visions and views in Western and Chinese philosophies can/could complementarily contribute to your understanding of, and dealing with, some issue in our lives. Each needs to bring to your classmates copies of one-page handout, which highlights major points and explanation, and has 2-3 minutes presentation time. Late
Writing-submissions and Missed Assignments Writing
submissions that are one class session late will be demoted 5% of the total
points for them; papers that are later will receive 10% cut. Exceptions are made
if you have a doctor�s note or if you have been given a prior extension.
Students who miss a mid-term will need a serious excuse and to schedule a
make-up exam. Help from Logic and Philosophy Lab You
are encouraged to visit the Logic and Philosophy Lab (FO 231; 924-4466) where
graduate students of philosophy on duty shall be glad to help you with advice
about philosophical writings (criticism and construction of arguments and
explanation). You can bring in your philosophical writings for comments before
you submit them.
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