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SOCRATES, BUDDHA, KONGZI, JESUS

FALL 2007

INSTRUCTORS: DR. DAVID T. LANDRY and DR. STEPHEN J. LAUMAKIS
OFFICES: 118 and 207 JRC
PHONE: 962-5379 (DTL) & 962-5363 (SJL)
OFFICE HOURS: 10:00-12:00 T/R & BY APPOINTMENT (DTL) and 9:00-9:45 TTH & 2-3 W & BY APPOINTMENT (SJL)

SEMINAR DESCRIPTION/GOALS:

What does the good human life consist of? Philosophers and theologians throughout history have considered this question. Some paradigmatic figures have presented a model for the good human life through their example and teachings that has stood the test of time and become “classic.”

This seminar will examine four exemplary lives, each of which has spawned millions of imitators. We will study the lives and teachings of the Buddha, Confucius (Kongzi), Socrates, and Jesus. We will consider them primarily as human beings and as role models, rather than as objects of worship and/or the basis of organized religions or philosophical systems. We do not mean to exclude the possibility of divine status for any particular figure, only to emphasize that we will study them qua human and as the blazers of a “path” that other humans can aspire to, rather than as otherworldly figures with a status that is unattainable by their followers. Hence the course is not about Platonism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Christianity, but Socrates, Buddha, Confucius, and Jesus.

This seminar is designed to provide a structured opportunity for philosophical and theological reflection on four of the most influential accounts of the meaning and purpose of life and what happens afterward. It will help students develop (1) a vocabulary of terms and concepts for considering questions about the good human life, (2) a framework for critically evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of four of the most influential answers to these questions, and (3) a personal understanding of the effects of these views on both individual human actions and society.

SEMINAR STRUCTURE:

The seminar will be divided into four parts. We will begin by considering various philosophical and theological notions of “the meaning and purpose of life” and “salvation.” The first part will then be concerned with the Buddha and Buddhist conceptions of “nirvana.” The second part will be concerned with the teaching of Confucius and other Chinese conceptions of the goal of life. The third part will focus on the life, beliefs, and arguments of Socrates. The fourth part will be concerned with the life and teachings of Jesus.

Students will be assigned weekly readings, and be asked to participate in an on-line discussion of the readings as well as prepare a one-page reaction paper for class each week. Class time will be devoted to discussion and to student presentations based on the readings.

A final paper will be required of each student. A topic will be selected early in the class and students will accumulate material from each section of the course to incorporate in their final paper.
In-class movies and a field trip to the Minneapolis Institute of Art are also planned.

TEXTS:

1. Conze, Buddhist Scriptures
2. Confucius, Analects
3. Fingarette, Confucius—The Secular As Sacred
4. Jaspers, Socrates, Buddha, Confucius, Jesus
5. Plato, Five Dialogues
6. Wills, What Jesus Meant

ASSIGNMENTS:

Reading of assigned materials is a MUST in order to introduce you to the subject matter, facilitate class discussion and participation, pose distressing questions, and just plain make you think. The course will begin with a lecture format (roughly 2 weeks) as we present an overview of the lives and thought of Socrates, the Buddha, Confucius, and Jesus. It will then proceed in seminar style with SIGNIFICANT emphasis on student participation. Students will be responsible for three areas of activity: 1) Participation (both in class and on the web), 2) Discussion Leading, and 3) a Final Paper.

1) PARTICIPATION includes class discussion of the assigned readings and Web postings at the Blackboard Threaded Discussion Area arranged for the seminar. Students MUST post at least one reaction to the readings each week. Students will be graded on both the quality and quantity of their participation. Participation will count 40% of the final grade.

2) DISCUSSION LEADING consists of choosing a date and selected reading and meeting with Dr. Landry & Dr. Laumakis to discuss the readings (at least one week before your topic is to be discussed), posting questions and comments for discussion on the Web prior to your discussion, and leading class discussion. This component of students’ work for the seminar will be evaluated in terms of the time and effort students put into formulating questions for the web and class discussions, and the quality of the conversation student leaders are able to elicit from the members of the seminar on the topic. Discussion leading will count 20% of the final grade.

3) THE FINAL PAPER consists of an extended (5-8 pages) discussion and evaluation of some topic or theme treated in the seminar. Late papers will be penalized one full grade for each day they are late. The paper will count 40% of the final grade.

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

Attendance is expected. Excessive absence may result in grade reduction.