Course Syllabus

WORKSHOP ON THE LIFE OF THE VEN. MASTER HSUAN HUA Instructor: Prof. Ron Epstein
Summer, 2002: June 21 - July 2, Mon-Fri 3:00-5:00 PM
CTTB Guest Building, Conference Room

SYLLABUS

Course description:
In this workshop, we will explore the process of writing the biography of the Venerable Master Hsuan Hua using a multimedia online format. The course will help students develop sensitivity to multiple worldviews and viewpoints, leading to greater knowledge and appreciation of the Master’s life. We will experiment online on a secured website. In addition to using written materials, we can use the “wordless teachings” of photos, audio clips, videos, graphics, animé, and also charts and timelines. Class participation is required. Prerequisites: No special expertise is necessary; simply come with an enthusiastic and open mind.

Objectives of the course:
There has been a certain amount of disagreement and controversy about how to write the biography of the Venerable Master. This disagreement is not merely cultural, but includes tension among a wide range of world-views. This course is an experiment in helping to resolve some of these tensions in two ways: 1) by changing the focus from written text to a multimedia online format. The latter might make it easier for people to see, indeed to visualize, the worldviews that are at the root of disagreements. 2) The course will also try to help develop sensitivity to multiple viewpoints. Both should lead to greater knowledge and appreciation of the Master’s life.

Outline of course content:

A. Practical Hermeneutics: selected events in the life of the Master from various perspectives
B. Representative stories, their interpretation and their significance
C. Technical Matters: Documenting all evidence and statements properly,
software, Internet space and access
D. Nature and Importance of future archive
E. Possible plans for a future bibliography
F. Continuing the multimedia exploration

Course requirements and evaluation procedures:
No auditors. Pass/No Credit grading based on 1) regular attendance and class participation; 2) completion of short assignments. All assignments should be submitted on time.

Instructional methods: Classes will consist of class discussions and multimedia presentations.
Required texts: none. Recommended reading information will posted online.

Office hours: by appointment. Instructor’s email: dharmapeace@att.net
Technical assistant: Tom Boyce

Internet: All students must have access to the Internet. In order to accord with copyright laws and DRBA guidelines and to respect the privacy concerns of your fellow classmates, please do not give any access information to workshop Internet sites and blogs to anyone who is not in the class.

Workshop Websites: The workshop has its own Internet web spaces. The home page URLs are http://drba.org/masterhuabioproject/ , http://docs.google.com/?tab=3o&pli=1#owned-by-me, and http://sites.google.com/site/shifubio/.

Prof. Epstein also has a general website entitled ‘Prof. Epstein’s Online Educational Resources’ at http://online.sfsu.edu/~repstein/index.html,
which includes ‘Resources for the Study of Buddhism’ http://online.sfsu.edu/~repstein/Buddhism/Buddhism.htm and ‘Resources for the Study of Religion’ http://online.sfsu.edu/~repstein/Religion/religionresources.html.

Workshop Blog: A required online discussion group, exclusively for students in the seminar is available via http://masterhuabio.blogspot.com/. You must subscribe to the blog in order to receive necessary information for the required assignments. When sending messages, you must include your full name at the bottom of all messages.

The user names, passwords and procedures for websites and blog will be provided in class.