This assignment is designed to get you to experience for yourself what it is like to recite by heart, at the same time and place each day and connected to some type of action, a set of words that is important to you. You will need to refer to some such experience in step # 3 of each journal reflection (see below).

Ingredients:

1. Select a passage of written text that takes at least 30 and no more than 90 seconds to recite, which helps you think about your place in the world, or your relationship to some greater reality, or is in some other way significantly meaningful to you--SOMETHING THAT YOU WILL BE WILLING TO LOOK AT EVERY DAY. [read more... ]

2. Find a set time every day when you are able to recite your chosen passage (twice each time if it is short) keeping the same time each day as much as possible. Then:

(a) Choose a particular position and, if possible, a particular place in which to recite your text, and assume that position every time. [read more...]
(b) When you've decided when, where, and how you wish to recite, add some action before, during, and/or after your recite. [read more...]
(c) To begin with you may read your passage, but after a week or so you should make a specific effort to memorize it to whatever extent you haven't already done so.
(d) As you do this daily, pay attention to what happens to your thoughts and mood when you recite it and perform the accompanying action(s).

Assessment: Text of Passage DUE beginning of class Wednesday, September 27

Memorization of your chosen practice text will be assessed first in writing during the term, sometime after mid-October, and then orally at the end (see journal overview & point values). More importantly, you will use this practice as a reference point in each of the reflections described below.

Extra Credit: if you choose a text that is composed in a classical language--i.e., Latin, Classical Greek, Hebrew, Sanskrit, Classical Chinese, etc.--you will receive up to 5 extra points (depending on your success) for your overall score.

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Journal Reflections (Units 1 & 2)

To complete these reflections, first choose one habitual activity involving words (even if only minimally) that persons in Asian culture have engaged in --that is, an art form, ritual, or custom, all broadly referred to as "practices." Your chosen practice should be described adequately in one or more of the readings assigned or recommended during the relevant unit (and possibly supplemented by one or more of the images we have viewed during that time); and should in some way relate to your own daily practice (see above). [read more...]

Basic Recipe:

1.  Selectively summarize details regarding the settings, times, actions, objects, words, & participants involved in your chosen activity, as described in IAR and/or primary sources in CP & IAR. Provide page number citations in parentheses even if you don't quote your source directly. [read more...]

2.  Connect the activity to several related terms and/or names that describe unseen and/or social realities. Illustrate the connection by citing 2-3 excerpts from one or more assigned sources (again referenced with page numbers) that most vividly show the importance of those terms/names in relation to your chosen activity. [read more...]

3.  Describe your own daily practice, and insights and/or lack thereof gained from it, in comparison with and in contrast to the activity & related terms described in #1 & 2. Consider NOT ONLY the meaning of the words used BUT ALSO use of the body and thoughts that occur during both the activity described in #1 & 2 and your own daily practice. [read more...]

1-3. When you have finished at least a draft of the items above, create your own diagram, doodle, or concept map that in some way illustrates the three-way comparison presented in your reflection. [read more...]

[View sample reflection (on-line/download)]

Important Warning:

As noted in the syllabus, I will generally elect severe penalties for academic dishonesty, which in journal reflections usually involves inclusion of material from uncited sources: a zero score for the assignment, and failing the course for a second offense. You are responsible for reading my comments regarding the importance of academic honesty, and my no-tolerance policy for incidents of dishonesty, in FAQ, #10-13; as well as for requesting clarification if there is anything you do not understand.

Other Requirements:

700-1000 words (exact count indicated at TOP OF FIRST PAGE)
double-spaced type, with pages numbered & stapled or paper-clipped
(PLUS text of the paper pasted into an email to jdubois@csus.edu)
with hand-written self-assessment & name on BACK of last page ONLY.

DUE: beginning of class Wednesday, October 18 & November 15
**IN CASE OF LOSS, KEEP TWO (2) ELECTRONIC COPIES **

Note also point values, late policy & style/format

Extra Credit: up to five points of extra credit may be given for any reflection that reflects thorough reading of one of the optional primary sources listed in the schedule for the corresponding sub-unit. Make sure to hand-write "PLEASE CONSIDER FOR EXTRA CREDIT" at the top of your paper if you wish you reflection to be considered.

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Final Reflection (Unit 3)

The final reflection has much the same structure as the unit 1 & 2 reflections, but adds a comparative dimension. Rather than focusing on a single habitual activity ("practice") and several terms related to it as you did for Units 1 & 2, compare two similar or contrasting activities--one from Unit 3 and the other from either Unit 1 or 2. [read more...]

Basic Recipe:

1.  Selectively summarize specific settings, times, actions, objects, words, , & participants involved in the two practices you've chosen, as described in IAR and/or primary sources in CP & IAR. Provide page number citations in parentheses even if you don't quote your source directly. [read more...]

2.  Connect the two practices to several related terms or names that describe unseen and/or social realities. Illustrate the connection by citing 2-3 excerpts from one or more assigned sources (again referenced with page numbers) that most vividly show the importance of those terms/names. [read more...]

3.  Describe your own daily practice, and insights gained from it, in comparison with and contrast to the two Asian practices and related terms described in #1 & 2. Considering NOT ONLY the meaning of the words used BUT ALSO use of the body and thoughts that occur during both the activity described in #1 & 2 and your own daily practice. [read more...]

1-3. As usual, when you have finished at least a draft of the items above, create a diagram, doodle, or concept map that in some way illustrates the three-way comparison presented in your reflection. [read more...]

Important Warning:

As noted in the syllabus, I will generally elect severe penalties for academic dishonesty, which in journal reflections usually involves inclusion of material from uncited sources: a zero score for the assignment, and failing the course for a second offense. You are responsible for reading my comments regarding the importance of academic honesty, and my no-tolerance policy for incidents of dishonesty, in FAQ, #10-13; as well as for requesting clarification if there is anything you do not understand.

Other Requirements:

800-1100 words (just a bit longer, but not much)
As before: exact word count indicated at TOP OF FIRST PAGE;
double-spaced type, with pages numbered & stapled or paper-clipped
(PLUS text of the paper pasted into an email to jdubois@csus.edu);
and self-assessment & name on back of last page.

DUE: beginning of class Wednesday, December 13 (final session)
**IN CASE OF LOSS, KEEP TWO (2) ELECTRONIC COPIES **

Review also point values, late policy & style/format

Extra Credit: as before up to five points of extra credit may be given for any reflection that reflects thorough reading of one of the optional primary sources; again hand-write "PLEASE CONSIDER FOR EXTRA CREDIT" at the top to have your reflection considered.

Alternative Final

If you have scored at least a 90 on both of your previous journal reflections, you may choose to write a more creative paper instead of the final reflection. Whatever form this final paper takes, it should still include (like the final reflection described above):

• some comparison of practice(s), teaching(s), &/or cultural tradition(s) from Unit 3 with something from Unit 1 &/or 2 ;
• consideration of not only ideas that people reflect about, but also concrete practices that real people do;
• some discussion of your own experience of daily practice, whether religious or secular.

Please observe the same length, format requirements, and deadline outlined above for the final reflection.