Toward resolving your karmas--friendly advice from the Dalai Lama.

In a very recent comment that, for some reason, has gotten little media play, His Holiness the Dalai Lama made some significant remarks about relationships. Of course, they might be considered a little bit counter-cultural. That doesn't make them unwise, just challenging.

For Class #11, 11/24/08:

1. Rosters, etc.

• Calendar check: http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=df8n9qbt_234gfgkcjf5
• Graded movie papers on their way back to Victoria as of this afternoon. May be there tomorrow (?). If you want to know your grade sooner (out of 30 possible points), e-mail me.
• Here is the grading scheme:
• CHOP--
• Clarity of expression, 8 points;
• Homework on the topic, 8 points;
• Originality of your thinking, 8 points;
• Presentation (mechanics), 6 points.
• (When I went to reform school, that added to 30. If your paper has a LOT of my scribbling on it, it's probably the Presentation component that suffered the most.)
• Last-chance questions about book project. Have you sent me your choice of topic?

2. Japan's history and the culture of Shinto:

• http://docs.google.com/Presentation?id=df8n9qbt_143cmnmhth9

Background information on the internet (Japan):

• http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=df8n9qbt_159cmzmnvgr

3. Maps of Southeast Asia:

• http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=df8n9qbt_162hr9jpncb

Outline of SE Asia's history:

• http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=df8n9qbt_161fcrbmkg6

4. For next week, 12/1:

• Presentations, summary, exam prep, and student evaluation.

For Class #10, 11/17/08:

1. Calendar and announcements:

• There WILL be class next week, 11/24. Please e-mail me if you will not be present.
• Calendar/assignments: http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=df8n9qbt_234gfgkcjf5
• Questions about book project. Have you sent me your choice of topic?

2. Review of Confucianism and Confucian literature (Novak):

• http://docs.google.com/Presentation?id=df8n9qbt_110c4dcffhf

3. Taoism presentation:

• http://docs.google.com/Presentation?id=df8n9qbt_120g7r5tvgd

4. As time permits, Taoist literature (Novak).

5. Next week: Japan's history and the culture of Shinto.

For Class #9, 11/10/08

1. Rosters, etc.

• Calendar review: : http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=df8n9qbt_234gfgkcjf5
• Discuss requirements for book project.

2. Concluding points on Buddhism.

• http://docs.google.com/Presentation?id=df8n9qbt_88cq4fg89r

3. Introduction to China, ancient and modern:

• http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=df8n9qbt_102fgds4zf8&hl=

4. Introduction to Confucian thought:

• http://docs.google.com/Presentation?id=df8n9qbt_110c4dcffhf

5. As time permits, introduction to Taoist religion:

• http://docs.google.com/Presentation?id=df8n9qbt_120g7r5tvgd

6. See calendar link (above) for readings for next week.

Book Analysis Essay Requirements

REQUIREMENTS FOR BOOK ANALYSIS ESSAY

You have already received the book list, and made your choice of reading.

The basic task is threefold:

1. Write a good synopsis or abstract of the story or argument in the book. This should be no more than one page in length, and is your lead-in to what will follow.

2. The body of your paper should be a dissection of the author’s moral point of view. In other words, what detectable stand does the author take? Is it recognizable in terms of the moral position that we have discussed aloud in class up to now? Sometimes an author’s stance is not stated outright, but is hidden in the characters and events that make up the narrative or “the case” the author is building. For example, if the sympathetic hero is a true scoundrel, and he gets let off from his crimes freely and easily, then you might suspect that the author doesn’t think much of the world’s justice. Once you explain how this works in this story, then it would be appropriate for you to discuss exactly whether you agree or disagree with that view of society, human nature, etc.

3. The concluding half-page (or so) of your paper might be some reflection on how the book and its thesis met your tastes and preferences. Did you enjoy it? What surprised or disappointed you? What troubled you? What did you find most challenging? Why do you think the author chose this particular topic? Etc….

Format:

Your paper will be 3½ to 4½ pages in length--in other words, 4 pages. As usual, it should be typewritten using standard size and style font, without a cover page or folder, double-spaced, etc. It should contain the bibliographical information about the edition of the book you have selected to write about. Remember to proofread, because the spelling checker in your computer is not always your friend. Better yet, have a literate human being proofread your draft along the way.

For Class #8, 11/3/08

1. Rosters, calendar, etc.
2. Buddhism in general:
1. Presentation: http://docs.google.com/Presentation?id=df8n9qbt_88cq4fg89r
2. Discussion of readings on Buddhism, esp. Novak.
3. Chinese origins and history:
1. See Mason, 5 through 9.
2. Presentation: http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=df8n9qbt_102fgds4zf8&hl=en
4. For next week: Confucianism and Taoism.
1. See readings on calendar: http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=df8n9qbt_234gfgkcjf5