Topics in Asian Philosophy

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

Admission to fourth year Honours or the Graduate Diploma (Advanced) in the discipline of Philosophy.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject asks students to engage with the thought of some of the great Asian philosophers and their commentators, understanding them, and developing their own ideas in response. The topics discussed will involve some of the following: metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, political philosophy, and history of philosophy, within the Asian traditions. On completion of the subject, students should have developed a sound understanding of the particular topic for that year, including a grasp of any primary texts used (in translation), and some of the secondary literature on these. They should be able to explain and evaluate the ideas concerned, and to articulate their own positions on the matters covered.

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

• interpret primary textual material;
• explain the ideas involved clearly in their own terms;
• evaluate the ideas involved;
• develop and defend their own ideas on the topics concerned.

• A 5000-word research essay, due approximately 1 month after the end of teaching (100%)

Hurdle Requirement:

• Students are required to attend a minimum of 75% of classes in order to pass this subject.
• All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Note: Regular participation in class is required. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 2% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.

To be advised by the subject coordinator.

Asian philosophical traditions are rich and varied:- Hindu, Buddhist (Indian and Chinese), Confucian, Daoist. There is no appropriate portmanteau book at this level. Particular texts will be set depending on the topic or topics covered that year.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

This subject is devoted to a study of some aspect or aspects of one or more Asian philosophies. These may change from year to year, depending on the interests of students and staff.