History of

Chinese Philosophy
Spring 2008 Syllabus
Philosophy 301
Sec 001
CRN 12434
MW 3:00-4:15 PM
Edith Kanakaole Hall 104
Dr. Timothy J. Freeman
The University of Hawaii at Hilo
office: Old Gym #2
office: 756-7066
cell: 345-5231

freeman@hawaii.edu
Office Hours:
MW F 2:00-2:50 or by appointment

Laozi on an Ox, Zhang Lu, Ming Dynasty

Catalog course description

PHIL 301: History of Chinese Philosophy
History of the Confucian, Taoist, and Buddhist ohilosophies and their interaction in China. The
pivotal thinkers including Mao. Pre: previous work in philosophy or religious studies is
recommended.

required texts
A Short History of Chinese Philosophy, Fung Yu-Lan. The Free Press, 1948.
Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy, 2nd ed., Philip J. Ivanhoe and Bryan W. Van Norden. Hackett
Publishing Co., 2005.

Course content
This course will provide an overview of the history of Chinese philosophy. We will focus primarily
on the classical period of Chinese philosophy which developed during the seminal Warring
States Period in Chinese history. This period begins with Confucius and culminates with Han Feizi

Spring 2008

History of Chinese Philosophy

Syllabus

at the end of the Warring States Period and the beginning of the Qin (Chin) Dynasty. This
overview will thus cover the six primary schools of classical Chinese philosophy: Confucianism,
Daoism, Mohism, the School of Names, Legalism, and the Yin-Yang School. We will then go on to
review the development of Buddhism in China as well as the subsequent developments of NeoDaoism and Neo-Confucianism.

course aims
By the end of the course the students will be expected to have attained and demonstrated a satisfactory level
of competence in understanding:

the basic characteristics of Chinese Philosophy as distinguished from W estern and other
Asian Traditions.

the distinctive teachings and practices of the various schools of Chinese Philosophy.
the relevance of Chinese philosophy today.

Course format
Classroom sessions will be both lecture and discussion with emphasis on informal lecture. There will also be
an occasional slide show/multimedia presentation and videos.

grading policy
The final grade will be based on the following

1.

Mid-Term essay assignment.

30%

2.

Term Paper: a 6-10 page essay.

40%

3.

Final Exam: identifying key terms and short essay questions

30%

4.

FREQUENT ABSENCES WILL NOT BE TOLERATED! A

lack of participation in classroom discussion and frequent
absences from class will negatively impact your grade. If
the student has more than 3 un-excused absences during the
course of the term points will be deducted from the final
grade average!
Grading will be determined according to the following scale:

95-100 Excellent

C+

77-79

A-

90-94

74-76 Satisfactory

B+

87-89

C-

70-73

84-86 Good

60-70 Poor

B-

80-83

0-59 Failure

Spring 2008

History of Chinese Philosophy

Syllabus

classroom policies
All students are expected to come to class on time and to bring their books as well as paper and pen suitable
for taking notes of class lectures. Active cellular telephones or paging devices are not permitted in class. No
consumption of food is allowed during the class period.

Advising Statement
Advising is a very important resource designed to help students complete the requirements of the University and their
individual majors. Students should consult with their advisor at least once a semester to decide on courses, check
progress towards graduation, and discuss career options and other educational opportunities provided by UH-Hilo.
Advising is a shared responsibility, but students have final responsibility for meeting degree requirements.

Special needs
Any student with a documented disability who would like to request accommodations should contact the University
Disability Services Office - Hale Kauanoe A Wing Lounge, 933-0816 (V), 933-3334 (TTY), shirachi@hawaii.edu - as
early in the semester as possible.

Student Conduct Code

All students are expected to adhere to the Student Conduct Code as explained on pages 65-66 of the 2004-05
UH Hilo Undergraduate Catalogue:
Behavior that violates the Student Conduct Code includes, but is not limited to, the
following:
Academic Dishonesty includes cheating and plagiarism (examples of which are
given below), which violate the Student Conduct Code and may result in expulsion from the
University.
Cheating includes, but is not limited to: giving unauthorized help during an
examination; obtaining unauthorized information about an examination before it is
administered; using inappropriate sources of information during an examination; altering the
record of any grades; altering answers after an examination has been submitted; falsifying
any official university record; and misrepresenting the facts in order to obtain exemptions
from course requirements.
Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to: submitting, to satisfy an academic
requirement, any document that has been copied in whole or part from another individuals
work without identifying that individual; neglecting to identify as a quotation a documented
idea that has not been assimilated into the students language and style, or paraphrasing a
passage so closely that the reader is misled as to the source; submitting the same written or
oral material in more than one course without obtaining authorization from the instructors
involved.

Spring 2008

1
M 01/14
W 01/16

History of Chinese Philosophy

Introduction to Chinese Philosophy

Course Introduction & Orientation
A Brief History of Chinese Philosophy
The Character and Background of Chinese
Philosophy

Fung 1,2,3 (1-37)

Ivanhoe & Van Norden (Introduction)

Confucianism

Fung 4 (38-48)

M 01/21

*Holiday: Martin Luther King Day*

W 01/23

The Analects of Kongzi

Course Schedule

Ivanhoe & Van Norden (1-58)

Confucianism

Fung 4 (38-48)

M 01/28

The Analects of Kongzi

Ivanhoe & Van Norden (1-58)

W 01/30

The Analects of Kongzi

Ivanhoe & Van Norden (1-58)

**Feb 3: Last Day to Drop Classes without a W**

Mohism

Fung 5 (49-59)

M 02/04

The Mozi

Ivanhoe & Van Norden (59-114)

W 02/06

The Mozi

Ivanhoe & Van Norden (59-114)

Confucianism

Fung 7 (68-79)

M 02/11

The Mengzi

Ivanhoe & Van Norden (115-160)

W 02/13

The Mengzi

Ivanhoe & Van Norden (115-160)

Daoism

Fung 6 (60-67), 9 (93-103)

M 02/18

*Holiday: Presidents Day*

W 02/20

Robber Zhi
The Daodejing of Laozi

Daoism

Ivanhoe & Van Norden (369-)

Ivanhoe & Van Norden (161-206)

Fung 6 (60-67), 9 (93-103)

M 02/25

The Daodejing of Laozi

Ivanhoe & Van Norden (161-206)

W 02/27

The Daodejing of Laozi

Ivanhoe & Van Norden (161-206)

*Mid-Term Essay Assignment Due*

Daoism

Fung 10 (104-117)

M 03/03

The Zhuangzi

Ivanhoe & Van Norden (207-254)

W 03/05

The Zhuangzi

Ivanhoe & Van Norden (207-254)

** March 7: Last Day to Withdraw from Courses with W**

Spring 2008

History of Chinese Philosophy

Realistic Confucianism

Course Schedule
Fung 13 (143-154)

M 03/10

The Xunzi

Ivanhoe & Van Norden (255-310)

W 03/12

The Xunzi

Ivanhoe & Van Norden (255-310)

10

Legalism

Fung 14 (155-165)

M 03/17

The Han Feizi

Ivanhoe & Van Norden (255-310)

W 03/19

The Han Feizi

Ivanhoe & Van Norden (255-310)

03/24 - 03/28 Spring Break

11
M 03/31

Film: Hero

W 04/02

Film: Hero

12

Buddhism Comes to China

Fung 21 (241-254)

M 04/07

Three Important Buddhist Sutras

handout

W 04/09

Three Important Buddhist Sutras

handout

13

Chan Buddhism

Fung 22 (255-265)

M 04/14

The Bloodstream Sermon of Bodhidharma

handout

W 04/16

The Platform Sutra of Hui-neng

handout

14

Neo-Daoism

M 04/21

The Rationalists

Fung 19 (217-230)

W 04/23

The Sentimentalist

Fung 20 (231-240)

15

Neo-Confucianism

M 04/28

The Beginning of the Two Schools

W 04/30

The Two Schools

16

Fung 24 (281-293)
Fung 25, 26 (294-318)

Conclusion

M 05/05

The Introduction of Western Philosophy

W 05/07

Chinese Philosophy in the Modern World

W 05/14

**Final Exam** (2:004:00 PM )

**schedule is subject to revision**

Fung 27 (319-331)
Fung 28 (332-342)
*Final Term Paper Due*