ASNS2627: Semester 1, 2024

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Units ASNS2627 Semester 1 2024 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

ASNS2627: Tantric Buddhism in India and Tibet

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Buddhism is a trans-Asian phenomenon originating in India. The doctrines and practices of late Indian and tantric Buddhism contain manifold philosophies, deities and rituals. They spread to Tibet from the 8th Century onward and interacted with and influenced Chinese and Mongolian cultures. This unit provides an overview of the philosophical systems and practices of Mahayana and tantric Buddhism which emerged in India and were re-imagined in Tibet. It also explores how pre-modern cultural interactions with Indian and Chinese traditions provided ideological contexts for the Tibetan religious and political institutions.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Asian Studies
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	12 credit points at 1000 level in Asian Studies or Japanese Studies or Korean Studies or Chinese Studies or Indonesian Studies or Sanskrit or History
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Flavio Geisshuesler, flavio.geisshuesler@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Presentation	Tutorial presentation presentation in tutorial	15%	-	500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Class participation class participation both in tutorials and lectures	15%	-	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Online discussions for tutorials Online Discussions on Canvas	15%	Multiple weeks	500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	AI Assignment This is an assignment that includes AI.	20%	Week 07	1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Major essay This is an essay.	35%	Week 12	2500 words
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction: Tantric Buddhism in India and Tibet	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Tantra in India	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Tantra in India	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	The Introduction of Buddhism in Tibet	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	The Introduction of Buddhism in Tibet	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	Nyingma Buddhism and the Terma tradition	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Nyingma Buddhism and the Terma tradition	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	Philosophical Foundations	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Philosophical Foundations	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Meditation, Deities, Mandalas, and Iconography	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Meditation, Deities, Mandalas, and Iconography	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	Rituals and Meditation	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Rituals and Meditation	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	Yoga and Physical Practices	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Yoga and Physical Practices	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Tibetan Buddhist Schools and Tantric Traditions	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Tibetan Buddhist Schools and Tantric Traditions	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	Post-Tantric Movements and the Yoga of Light	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Post-Tantric Movements and the Yoga of Light	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	Tantra and Everyday Life	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Tantra and Everyday Life	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	Tantra and the Future of Meditation Research	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Tantra and the Future of Meditation Research	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Conclusion	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Conclusion	Tutorial (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. place religious, social and political movements within larger historical and ideological contexts
LO2. place contemporary issues in interactions between India, China and Tibet within larger historical and ideological contexts
LO3. demonstrate methodological awareness of issues in cross-cultural research in the humanities
LO4. appreciate the ways in which a culture’s understanding of itself develops through the interaction between its social, cultural and religious traditions, and how these are expressed in the emergence of its political institutions
LO5. appreciate the ways in which cultural self-understanding is constantly shaped and reshaped through interactions with other cultures
LO6. demonstrate a solid foundation for further studies of India, China and Tibet, and Asian Studies in general
LO7. demonstrate analytical skills that will enrich their studies in fields beyond Asian Studies.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

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