NAROPA UNIVERSITY – OAKLAND CAMPUS

Master of Liberal Arts in Creation Spirituality

 

Psyche, Soul and Spirit:

Psychological Development and Spiritual Growth

            (subject to change)

 

CSP:  643 Seminar                                                     Credits:  2 units

Instructor: Clare Ronzani

Fall Semester 2004; Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m.-noon

 

Course Description:

This course is an exploration of the relationship between spiritual growth and psychological development. Drawing from ancient and contemporary sources for personal growth and spiritual practice, we will explore the “spiritual direction” of our lives along the paths of creation spirituality.

 

Course Objectives:

q       to understand more fully the relationship between spiritual growth and psychological

development

q       to become more aware of spiritual practices and resources that further our growth

and development

q       to explore the meaning of symbolic and archetypal systems as significant to

psychological/spiritual growth

q       to integrate and deepen our consciousness of body/soul/mind connections which

the creation spiritual tradition fosters

 

Course Requirements/Criteria for Evaluation:

 

l. Attendance (attendance (on time) at all class sessions is required)                               

 

2. Weekly readings (as evidenced in papers and class discussions)

 

3. Class Participation: active and informed participation in weekly seminars; participation in

    one class seminar presentation

 

4. Written Assignments:   1. 3 page paper due Sept. 22. Topic: Signs of Life (Arrien)

        2. 4-5 page mid-semester paper due Oct. 20.  Topic will be assigned   

            in class.

                                            3. 4-5 page final paper integrating themes from the course. Due Dec.1

 

     Papers are evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:

-content and clarity of expression

            -structure/organization of ideas

            -integration of reflective analysis and experiential material, as appropriate to

              particular assignment

            -demonstration of basic writing skills (spelling, grammar, etc.)

     Format for papers: (see MLA Guidelines booklet)

            -Typed, double-spaced, 12 point font; leave 1” margin for comments

            -References (endnotes/footnotes) and bibliography, when appropriate

 

5. Grading: Grades will be based on the following:

25% attendance and informed participation (including evidence of qualitative

reflection on readings)

            25% class presentation

50%   written assignments

 

6. Readings:

 

            Required:

Arrien, Signs of Life

Hillesum, An Interrupted Life

One of the following:

      Bolen, Jean Shinoda: Goddesses in Everywoman: A New Psychology of Woman

                            Gods in Everyman: Archetypes that Shape Men’s Lives

      Pearson, Carol, The Hero Within: Six Archetypes We live By

 

Plus reading packet:  articles and selections from other books, including the following:

     Bridges, The Way of Transition

     Fischer, Women at the Well

      Hillman, The Soul’s Code 

                              Kornfield,  After the Ecstasy, the Laundry

                              Moore, Thomas, Care of the Soul                

                              Myss, Anatomy of the Spirit 

     O’Donohue, Anam Cara

                             

 

           

COURSE OUTLINE

PSYCHE, SOUL AND SPIRIT

FALL 2004

 

(subject to change)

 

Sept. 8  Perspectives on Psyche, Soul, Spirit: Adult Development and Spiritual Growth

 

Reading: (prepare for Sept. 8 class; readings available from front desk by Sept. 1)

Barrows, “The Ecopsychology of Child Development,” Ecopsychology

Hillman, “In a Nutshell: The Acorn Theory and the Redemption of Psychology, The   Soul’s Code,  Ch. 1

Moore, “Honoring Symptoms as a Voice of the Soul,”  Care of the Soul, ch. 1

 

Sept.  15: The Power of Symbol in the Work of Soul

 

            Reading:

            Arrien, Signs of Life

 

Sept. 22: (no class session)

 

3 page reflection due on Arrien

Reading:  see September 29)

 

Sept. 29: Transitions

             

Reading:

Bridges, “The Way of Transition” and “The Archetype of the Journey” (The Way of Transition)  

Anderson and Hopkins, “Leaving Home”  (The Feminine Face of God )

Oliver, “The Journey” (with commentary by Roger Housden in Ten Poems to Change Your Life)

Supplementary: Fitzgerald, “Impasse and Dark Night”            

 

           

Oct. 6:  Spiritual Wholeness and Spiritual Practice

 

            Reading: 

Kornfield, “The Guardians of the Heart: Angels of Light, Ocean of Tears” (After The      Ecstasy, the Laundry)

The Mandala of Awakening: What am I Leaving Out?” (After the Ecstasy)

                       Awakening with All Beings” (After the Ecstasy,  pp. 272-280)

additional reading tba

 

Oct. 13:   Body Wisdom/Spirit Wisdom

 

Reading:

            Myss, selection tba

O’Donohue, “Toward a Spirituality of the Senses” (Anam Cara, ch. 2)

            Kornfield, “Sitting and Walking Meditation” (Inner Knowing)

            Prime, Pamela (Sullivan), “Embodied Spiritual Direction      

 

Oct. 20: The Art of Spiritual Direction

 

            Reading: Fischer, “Spiritual Direction in a Feminist Context” (Women at the Well)

                          Gawain, “Moving Toward the New Millenium”

                          Groff, “Using Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences in Spiritual Direction,”                                        (Presence, Vol.4, No. 2)

                          Kornfield, “You Can’t Do It Alone,” (A Path With Heart ch. 16)                     

 

n.b.  4-5 page paper due

           

Oct. 27: Study week (no class)

 

 Nov. 3:  Living Archetypes (class presentations on Bolen or Pearson)

 

Nov. 10: Living Archetypes (class presentations on Bolen or Pearson)

 

            Reading:

            Hillesum, An Interrupted Life

 

Nov. 17:   Psyche, Soul and Spirit: A Life-Story of Transformation

 

            Reading:

            Hillesum, An Interrupted Life

 

 

Nov. 24: THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY!

 

Dec. 1:  Final Gathering

             

 Final (4-5 page) paper due

 

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.