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MINDFULNESS: EAST & WEST

SPRING 2012

INSTRUCTORS: DR. STEPHEN J. LAUMAKIS & DR. GREG ROBINSON-RIEGLER

OFFICES: 207 & LL59 MAGNUS/ROACH

PHONE: 962-5363 (SL) & 962-5034 (GRR)

OFFICE HOURS: 8:15-9:15 MWF & BY APPOINTMENT (SL) 10:30-11:30 MWF & BY APPOINTMENT (GRR)

SEMINAR DESCRIPTION/GOALS: The notion of consciousness--our awareness of the internal and external world--has always been a topic of intense interest to philosophers and scientists, both Eastern and Western. The Western approach has tended to rely on the scientific method, using empirical investigations and objective inquiry to specify the nature of consciousness. A recent approach to understanding the nature of consciousness and thought (which has emerged and gained prominence over the past 50 years) is termed cognitive science. Cognitive science represents an interdisciplinary attempt to understand the nature of thinking, and is rooted primarily in the following disciplines: philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, linguistics, and anthropology.

Eastern approaches (Buddhism, in particular) are also devoted to investigating and understanding consciousness. However, their focus is on the analysis of subjective experience through meditative practice, and the cultivation of mindfulness—being awake and fully aware. Buddhists are especially concerned with the practical and moral consequences of this meditative practice. This subjective and contemplative approach to analyzing consciousness can be seen in Western approaches in the form of analytic introspection (a popular tool for analyzing consciousness early in the development of psychology), but was largely abandoned as unscientific. Recently, however, the phenomenological aspects of cognition and consciousness have made a comeback, and there has been an important meeting of Eastern and Western minds with regard to the analysis of consciousness and the possible benefits of mindful awareness. Both traditions are investigating the benefits of meditation for psychological and physical well being, as well as what the meditative state tells us about the nature of consciousness and thought. This seminar will investigate these Eastern and Western approaches to the mind, consciousness and mindfulness.

Readings will include primary and secondary sources from each discipline. Students will be evaluated based on general class discussion and participation, short weekly reaction papers, in-class presentations and discussion leading.

SEMINAR OBJECTIVES:

1. Gaining factual knowledge and fundamental principles, generalizations, or theories * This objective will be demonstrated by reaction papers, class participation,and discussion leading.

2. To acquire skills in working with others as a member of a team. * This objective will be demonstrated by successful class discussion leading.

3. Developing skill in expressing oneself orally and in writing * This objective will be demonstrated by reaction papers, class participation, and discussion leading.

4. Learning to analyze and critically evaluate ideas, arguments, and points of view. * This objective will be demonstrated by reaction papers, class participation, and discussion leading.

SEMINAR STRUCTURE:

The seminar will be divided into roughly three parts. The first part will be concerned with outlining the basic question of consciousness and the concept of mindfulness, and how it's been approached from Eastern and Western perspectives. Next, we'll examine mindfulness from the perspective of Eastern contemplative practice. The third major section of the course will examine the concept of mindfulness from a psychological/neuroscientific perspective, including empirical investigations of mindfulness (and mindlessness) in everyday life, as well as their consequences for thought and behavior. Finally, we'll discuss how the two views converge and diverge.

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.

TEXTS:

Langer, Ellen. J. Mindfulness. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Da Capo Press.

Nhat Hanh, Thich. The Miracle of Mindfulness, Boston: Beacon Press.

Shaw, Sarah. Introduction to Buddhist Meditation, New York: Routledge

Siegel, Daniel J. Mindsight, New York: Bantam Books

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 seminar will begin with a lecture format in the first week as we present an overview of Philosophical and Psychological approaches to consciousness and mindfulness. It will then proceed in seminar style with SIGNIFICANT emphasis on student participation. Students will be responsible for four areas of activity: 1) Participation, 2) Reaction Papers, and 3) Discussion Leading.

1) PARTICIPATION includes class discussion of the assigned readings. It is critical that you read, reflect, and come ready to discuss. Participation will also be possible through MINDFULNESS BLOGS. Mindfulness is all about first-person observation, and engaging in an all-encompassing awareness of what's going on around you. We want you to seek out opportunities to be mindful, or to reflect on mindfulness (outside of just thinking about the reading). Try to experience mindful states, and then report on your own experience, and respond to the posts of others. How do you experience mindful states? Follow Thich Nhat Hanh's and/or Wallace's instructions - - do them as exercises, and report on your results. Turn off your cell phone for an hour. Don't log in to Facebook for a day; just sit and reflect. What do you experience? And of course, respond to the posts of others; we want these to be ongoing conversations. Everyone should be active in both class discussions and blog discussions. Active engagement (consistent and substantive contributions just about every week) in both will be necessary for an "A" on this component.

2) REACTION PAPERS are 1-2 TYPED PAGES in length and are based on the reading for that week. These ten (10) papers should be a critical analysis/reflection on the texts. The papers will be evaluated on a “+/0/-“ scale. “-“ is missing or deficient (D-F). “0” is an adequate summary with little or no analysis (B-C). “+” is a thoughtful, critical analysis (A). These reaction papers are different from the blogs (below) in that they will provide a critical reflection on the topics covered in the reading.

3) DISCUSSION LEADING consists of forming a group of 2 students (by WEEK #3), selecting a topic/week (by WEEK #2) and leading class discussion during that week Discussion leaders work in teams of 2-3, and will be responsible for coming up with a set of discussion points or questions that correspond to the reading for that week. These questions must be posted by NOON the Tuesday before class. Discussion leaders will also be responsible for finding some interesting outside reading and/or ideas to report on or work into class discussion. Many relevant resources (perhaps all you need) are posted on the course Blackboard site, under "Links" and "Outside Readings".

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

Attendance is expected. Excessive absence may result in grade reduction. Turn off your cell phones! Especially in this class!

GRADE DISTRIBUTION:

Participation (In-class and blogging) = 40% (25% in-class, 15% blog)

Reaction Papers = 35%

Discussion Leading = 15%

Additional 10% - Add in where you want