CSP 626 SEMINAR Number of Credit Units: 1
Instructors: Matthew Fox Ana Perez Chisti Phone number: 925-254-2250
(Thursday) (Friday-Sunday) Email address: [email protected]
Thursday, Friday, Saturday Schedule
9:00am Body Prayer
9:30-12:30 Seminar
12:30-1:30 Lunch Break
1:30-4:00 Art-as-Meditation
4:30-5:30 Process Group
Sunday Schedule
9:00 Gathering
9:30-12:30 Seminar
12:30-1:00 Closing Ritual
Course Description: The work of Hildegard of Bingen, twelfth-century creation mystic, poet, composer, scientist and artist, poses questions for our moment of history as well as her own. Students will consider how her writings offer insights for deepening our spiritual and ecological consciousness today. Using slides, music and lecture we will reflect together on the meaning of a mystical life lived through, in, and by the “greening power” of the Divine presence.
Course Objectives:
1. To understand Hildegard’s enormous contribution and her visionary experiences and how they empower the study of Feminism today in the light of Christian historiography.
2. To learn about a women’s way of knowing and about her extraordinary talents of insight, healing and creativity which formed a living legacy in celebration of the Divine presence.
3. To experience how a mystic can guide us into ecological awareness and motivate us to relate to all things with love and reverence.
4. To apply mystical ideas to the reinvention of ones life, work and environment.
5. To find methods of deepening our own spiritual practice.
Course Requirements: Instructor’s criteria, evaluation and grading of students.
1. Attendance ……………………………………………..…..20%
(Attendance at each session of the weekend is required in order to gain credit for the course.)
2. Readings (evidenced in papers and discussions)……………20%
3. Class participation………. ………………………………….20%
4. Final Paper (12-15 pages)……..………………………………40%
Note: Papers must be delivered in person or postmarked by Nov. 30.
5. Other …………………………………………………...……0%
Total Requirements ………………..100%
List required reading (generally two books or the equivalent)
Fox, Illuminations of Hildegard of Bingen. New Mexico: Bear & Co. 1985.
Flanagan, Sabina. Hildegard of Bingen – A Visionary Life. London: Routledge, 1989, 1990, 1998, 1999.
List recommended reading :
Brunn, Emilie Zum and Georgette Epiney-Burgard. Women Mystics in Medieval Europe. New York: Paragon House, 1989.
Hozeski, Bruce. Hildegard of Bingen’s Scivias. New Mexico: Bear & Co. 1986.
Bowie, Fiona and Oliver Davies. Hildegard of Bingen Mystical Writings. New York: Crossroad Publishing Company, 1999.
Newman, Barbara. Voice of the Living Light. Berkeley: University of California, 1998.
Uhlein, Gabriele. Mediations with Hildegard of Bingen. New Mexico: Bear & Co. 1983.
Fox, Matthew. A Spirituality Named Compassion. San Francisco” Harper & Row, 1990.
Outline of class themes, activities and assignments.
Saturday: Nov. 11th, (Seminar with Matthew Fox)
Read Fox, Illuminations of Hildegard of Bingen
Friday: Nov.12th, (Seminar with Ana Perez Chisti)
Read Fox, pgs.23-25 Study in Compassion
Read Fox, pgs. 27-29 Hildegard’s Awakening
Read Fox, pgs. 35-37 Egg of the Universe
Read Flanagan, pgs, 1-76 Life and Death, World and Cloister, Opportunities And Constraints, The Ways of God.
Saturday: Nov. 13th, (Seminar with Ana Perez Chisti)
Read Fox, pgs. 51-53 The Creator’s Glory
Read Fox, pgs. 55-60 Original Blessing
Read Fox, pgs. 59-61 Recycling
Read Fox, pgs. 63-65 Drying Up
Read Flanagan, pgs. 77-151 The Subtleties of Nature, Celestial Harmonies, Man and the Cosmos.
Sunday: Nov. 14th, (Seminar with Ana Perez Chisti)
Read Fox, pgs. 67-69 Six Days of Creation
Read Fox, pgs. 71-73 Sophia
Read Fox, pgs. 75-77 All Beings Celebrate Creation
Read Flanagan, pgs. 152-204 Admonition and Advice, Worldly Discords, Potent Infirmities.
Final Paper: 12-15 pages, Double Spaced, 12 pt. Font size
1) Please read all instructions for your final paper located in your MA Packet regarding basic cover page and format style.
2) One should compose an outline for clear textual development.
3) All citations and Bibliography should stay within the assigned required and recommended texts.
4) Spelling and Grammar should be carefully edited.
5) Quotes do not consume an entire page, keep them brief, as they only support what you are trying to say.
6) One of the two following questions can be used as a theme for your final paper:
A) What is the comprehensive visionary theme that synthesizes Hildegard’s life work as a mystic, poet, musician, naturalist, healer and theologian?
B) In what way would you apply Hildegard’s visionary experiences to recover the sacred in your daily life?
Note:
Naropa University-Oakland will provide accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. To request an accommodation, or to discuss any learning needs you may have, contact the Dean of Students, (510) 835-4827 ext 15.
SYLLABUS SUBJECT TO CHANGE