POL 297 - Special Topics in Political Philosophy

FDR: SS2 (except for 297H)
Credits: 3 in fall and winter, 4 in spring
Prerequisites: First-year or sophomore standing or instructor consent. A seminar in political science for students at the introductory or intermediate level. Topic, hour, and instructor are announced prior to registration. May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.

Spring 2013 topic:

POL 297H: A Course About Nothing (4). An introduction to contemplation as a way of life and to the academic field of contemplative studies, sometimes called the theory and practice of mindfulness. If reason were embodied education would have to include physical education. Activities familiar to the college seminar, reading, writing, test-taking, combined with Ashtanga, Bikram yoga and spin before, after, and during “class.” Learn disciplines of mind as body and body as mind. This year our principal novel is Yann Martel’s Life of Pi, supplemented by selections from Epstein’s Thoughts without a Thinker, Palmer, Zajonc, and Scribner, The Heart of Higher Education, Hanson and Mendius’ Buddha’s Brain, Pieper’s Happiness and Contemplation, Gunaratana’s Mindfulness in Plain English, and Lightman’s Einstein’s Dreams among others. (HU) Velásquez.