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ABBOTT COLLEGE Humanities/Philosophy/Religion Course Outline A. GENERAL INFORMATION TITLE: Knowledge COURSE NUMBER: PONDERATION: CREDITS: COMPETENCY: SUBTITLE: Self-Knowledge through Yoga 345-101-MQ, sections 20 and 21 3-1-3 (this includes three hours of homework per week) 2.33 credits 00B2 to apply a logical analytical process to how knowledge is organized and used Sujata Ghosh HO213 HA112 LOCAL: 5151 W2012 please contact the instructor via MIO M 15:30 - 16:00 T 13:30 14:00 W 13:30-1600h J 13:30 14:00 or by appointment

TEACHER: CLASS TIME & ROOM: OFFICE: SEMESTER: EMAIL: OFFICE HOURS: B. INTRODUCTION In this course, students are introduced to the history, development, ethics, and philosophy of classical and modern yoga. Role in General Education: World Views and Knowledge courses together constitute the A-block component of Humanities courses which are concerned with the most basic and general aspects of being human. These courses provide the background to the B-block course on ethical issues. C. COURSE OBJECTIVES - To apply a logical analytical process to how knowledge is organized and used An appropriate field can be any serious body of knowledge relating to education, law, psychology, creativity, social behaviour, or other disciplines. Humanities approaches each from an interdisciplinary perspective. Elements or knowledge objectives 1. To recognize the basic elements of a field of knowledge 2. To define the modes of organization and utilization of a field of knowledge 3. To organize the main components into coherent patterns 4. To produce a synthesis of the main components Performance criteria or ability objectives 1.1 Appropriate description of the basic elements. 1.2 Appropriate use of terminology relevant to fields of knowledge. 2.1 Adequate definition of the dimensions, limits, and uses of fields of knowledge. 3.1 Accurate identification of the main components in the historical development of fields of knowledge 3.2 Accurate description of the effects of historical development and societal milieu on the limitations and uses of a field of knowledge. 4.1 Coherent organization of the main components. 5.1 Appropriate analysis of the components. 5.2 Coherent synthesis of the main components 5.3 Appropriate expression, including a significant individual written component, of an analysis of the context, importance and implications of the organization and uses of knowledge. D. COURSE CONTENT/OBJECTIVES In this course, you will succeed if you are able to: Define and explain (both in oral and written form), through your own studies, research, and experience over the semester: 1) the reasons yoga as both philosophy and technique is practiced 2) the ethical, philosophical, religious, and cultural components that have contributed to the development of both yoga philosophy and practice 3) the history of yoga from its early origins in the Indian sub-continent to its arrival in the West 4) key yogic concepts (such as karma, dharma, bhakti, etc.) as described in the Bhagavad Gita, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and Desikachars Heart of Yoga

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E. REQUIRED TEXTS The Heart of Yoga by T.K.V. Desikachar (ISBN: 089281764X). $28.95 Self-Knowledge through Yoga Course Pack compiled by Sujata Ghosh. $35.70 Note: Required textbook, course pack, and yoga mats are available at the JAC bookstore. Both texts are also available on reserve at the JAC library. F. BIBLIOGRAPHY Please consult the first few pages of the most recent course package for a list of suggested and required readings. G. TEACHING METHODS Teaching methods used in this course include lectures, multimedia presentations, seminars, readings, group work, a possible field trip and basic postural yoga practice. H. DEPARTMENTAL ATTENDANCE POLICY Regular, active presence is vital to success in the course. Since attendance is an integral part of understanding and mastering competencies in Humanities, Philosophy, and Religion courses, students who miss more than 20% of class time (i.e. more than nine hours of a 45-hour course or twelve hours of a 60-hour course) may fail unless they provide legitimate reasons and valid documentation, in a timely manner to the course instructor. Should a student anticipate missing class time due to a religious holiday, within the first two weeks of the semester, s/he must inform the instructor in writing, of their intentions to participate in these observances. Such students are kindly asked to specify the precise dates and holiday(s) that will be observed. I. EVALUATION PLAN Please consult La, the course iCal calendar, and/or the course website for the most up-to-date course timetable. Assessment Due Dates Value Tests (2 X 15%) # 1 - Tuesday, Feb. 28 30% # 2 Tuesday, Apr. 24 Homework modules # 1 Completed online between Feb. 13-20 10% (2 X 5%) # 2 Completed online between Apr. 9-16 Scholarly blog entries Blog # 1 Mon. Jan. 23 20% (6 X 3.33 %; best 6 out of 10) Blog # 2 Mon. Jan. 30 Blog # 3 Mon. Feb. 6 Blog # 4 Mon. Feb. 13 Blog # 5 Mon. Feb. 20 Hard copy of best 3 of 5 blogs (from #s 1 to 5) due Feb. 23 Final revisions of top three blogs (from #1 to 5) - Thu. Mar. 1 Blog # 6 Mar. 12 Blog # 7 Mar. 19 Blog # 8 Mar. 26 Blog # 9 Apr. 2 Blog # 10 Apr. 16 Hard copy of best 3 of 5 blogs (from #s 6 to 10) - Apr. 19 Final revisions of top three blogs (from #s 6 to 10) -Thu. Apr. 26 Short assignments # 1 In-class textual analysis of Gita verses Tues. Apr. 3 10% (2 X 5%) # 2 Reflection on field trip or film review Tues. May 1 Research project Hard copy of research project due Thu. Mar. 22 20% Revised copy of research project due Thu. Apr. 5 Participation (2 X 5%) participation grades will be posted for both the first and second halves 10 % of the semester, i.e. Thur. Mar. 1 and Tues. May 8 respectively Assessment Overview This section provides a brief overview of each of the assessments given in this course. Further details on each assessment will be provided on La and the course website (the password for access to the website will be provided in class and via MIO). Tests (2 X 15 =30 % of final grade) Two tests (worth 15 % each) will be given before the mid-point and end of term to evaluate your understanding and application of key philosophical concepts in yoga history and practice. These tests will be based on course readings, lectures, handouts, and/or audio-visual material presented either during class or viewed outside of class time. Test questions normally consist of short answer and essay-type questions. At least two weeks before the test, a study guide will be posted online, providing a list of key terms and practice essay questions.

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Homework modules (2 X 5 = 10% of final grade) Two weeks before each test, students will be required to complete a homework module online via the Quia website. The content of each homework module will consist of material to be reviewed for the upcoming test. Each module will consist of approximately 50 multiple choice, true or false questions, fill in the blank questions, and short answer questions. Details on how to access the modules on the Quia website will be provided in class. Scholarly blog entries (20%, best 6 out of 10) On a regular basis, students will be required to post their own informed, scholarly responses to questions assigned by the instructor and based on readings and ongoing class discussions. These responses are to be posted in the course website blog and are 100 250 words in length. Short assignments (2 X 5 = 10%) Students will be required to write one in-class textual analysis of selected verses from the Bhagavad Gita. Also, students will be required to write a brief one-page reflection on the optional restorative yoga workshop or a two-page review of a film to be assigned in class. Essays/final research project (20 %) Students may choose to write either textual analysis and summary (normally about 1500-2000 words in length) of assigned passages from the course readings; or 2) a two-week journal and analysis on the application of yoga ethics and concepts in everyday life. Participation (2 X 5 =10%) Participation grades will be posted for both the first and second halves of the semester, i.e. Thur. Mar. 1 and Tues. May 8 respectively. The participation grade is an evaluation of the quality of the students presence and of the students involvement and adequate preparation for class. Students should successfully demonstrate a familiarity with the required readings and with the material presented in class. As well, they are expected to demonstrate active, respectful, careful, and constructive engagement in class discussion, effort in all assignments, and should successfully complete short homework assignments. The following actions during class will have a negative impact on the participation grade: the repeated use of cell phones for any reason (such as texting, surfing the internet, checking the time, or using it as a calculator) and all other electronic devices, wearing headphones (even if you are not listening to music), sleeping or resting ones head on ones desk, using profanity or abusive language at any point while in class, slouching and placing ones feet or shoes on desks and chairs, coming to class unprepared without a loose leaf, pens or pencils, or course texts, arriving late or leaving early without valid reason or sufficient notice, as well as speaking out of turn in class discussion or during class lectures. Further written descriptions and grading criteria for each of these assessments will be available on the course website. Regarding yoga practice and participation: Coming to practice repeatedly without appropriate attire (e.g. refusing or forgetting to wear loose, comfortable, clothing, having ones hair tied back) and/ or without a yoga mat, or with a yoga mat that unhygienic or unsuitable for postural yoga, as well as not taking the initiative to set up or tidy the classroom for regular yoga practice, will also have a negative impact on the participation grade. J. COURSE COSTS IN ADDITION TO TEXTS Basic yoga mats are available at the JAC bookstore for about 21$. Or, you can opt to purchase your mat at stores like Lululemon, Fitness Depot, etc. Camping mattress pads are not recommended, since they are too soft and slippery for yoga practice. There is also a possibility of attending an optional restorative yoga workshop, which may cost between 20-25$. K. COLLEGE POLICIES Cheating and plagiarism are unacceptable at John Abbott College. They are serious offenses (Consult your student Agenda and the IPESA document) that could result in failure of the course. Mid-semester Assessment In mid- to late October (or mid- to late February in the Winter term), first year students will receive a mid-semester assessment (via regular mail), indicating student class attendance and the students academic standing in all his or her courses. Note to students It is the responsibility of students to keep all assessed material for at least one month past the grade review deadline in the event that they would want to request a grade review. Students can learn more about their rights and responsibilities by reading the IPESA. APPENDIX: STUDENT CONDUCT, LATE ASSIGNMNENTS, ETC. Student absences The instructor is not required to re-teach course material to students (regardless of whether or not a student is absent for valid reasons) who have missed class. Therefore, if a student misses class, it is the responsibility of the student alone to be up to date on class lectures, assignment explanations and instructions, and readings, and/or lecture notes.

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Leaving early or arriving late for class If you must miss class or will be leaving early, please inform the instructor well ahead of time (i.e. not just before class begins or as you are about to leave!). Because it tends to be quite disruptive to the class, students will not be permitted to enter class if they are more than five minutes late for class. If students do not respond during the class roll call, they will be counted as absent. Attendance will not be taken at any other time, so please ensure that your attendance is taken during class roll call. Policy on written work 1. Students receive an automatic grade of zero for work submitted without a name and section number. 2. All projects must be typed. 3. All projects must be stapled. Crumpled, unstapled, and/or torn assignments will not be accepted. 4. All handwritten work must be written in blue or black pen. 5. Students should always have loose leaf, a pen, and their course textbooks with them during class. Late assignments Late assignments, if accepted, will be docked 15% from the assessment for the first late day 1% for each day thereafter (this shall include weekends, since work can easily be submitted via the Omnivox system), up to a maximum late penalty of 30%. If you are submitting your late assignments over the weekend, please submit them via La as a Microsoft Word or Mac pages document. Students cannot submit a late assignment if the assignment has already been evaluated and returned to the students by the instructor. Unless there are valid, documented medical reasons, this means that late assignments will be accepted no more than two weeks after the original due date. Note that submissions via regular e-mail or MIO (Omnivox messaging) cannot be accepted. Cell phones, iPods, laptops, and other media devices During class time, students must turn off and store all media devices and cell phones. Students are not permitted to use cell phones as calculators or timekeepers. Moreover, students are not permitted to keep their cell phones on their desks, or within view in open purses, bags, etc. Wearing a headset or earphones (even if when not in use) is not permitted at any point during class time. As well, Students are not permitted to use laptops during class time. This includes iPads, and all other tablets. Students who are found texting during class time will be dismissed from class and marked absent for that day. This kind of conduct will have a direct impact on the students participation grade. Seating arrangements The instructor will establish a suitable seating configuration at the beginning of the term. Subsequently, students will be expected to set up this seating arrangement when they arrive in class. Food and drink Eating and drinking are not permitted during class. Leaving class during a lecture or discussion Provided that it is done discretely and without interruption, students will be free to leave and re-enter the classroom in order to use the restroom. Class decorum Swearing, whistling, shouting, and constant speaking out of turn at any time during class will not be tolerated. Students who do not respect this policy will be given an initial warning. If students repeatedly disrespect this policy, they will be dismissed from class.

Yoga practice Note that as part of the participation grade, students will also be evaluated on their involvement during weekly yoga practices. Furthermore, unless students have valid, documented medical reasons for not participating in the yoga component of the course, students will be required to participate in all yoga practice sessions. Being absent or not participating in the physical yoga component without valid and/or documented medical reasons for more than three yoga practice sessions will result in an automatic zero for the participation component of this course. If students are unable due to valid reasons, participate in the physical yoga practice, they will be still be required to attend class and complete an in-class assignment (which will count towards their participation grade) to be submitted by the end of each missed yoga practice. f students will not be participating in the yoga component for any given week of class, they must inform the instructor well ahead of class time. Please note that for the purposes of hygiene, students are not permitted to practice postural yoga without a suitable yoga mat. Communicating with the instructor If you need to speak privately to the instructor, please refrain from doing so while the instructor is giving a lecture or leading a discussion. Also, you are always free to speak to the instructor some time before or after class, during her office hours, via phone, or via MIO.