ART AS MEDITATION
CSP 754 1 Unit
Bruce Silverman, Instructor (925) 685-5585
Schedule: Fall 2004 Semester 1:30-4:30 PM Tuesdays
Course Description :
The class involves the utilization of sacred drumming (and chanting) in order to
1. Learn how to invoke ritual space, and create rhythms of life, death, and celebration.
2. Teach participants to use drums as tools for personal and social transformation, and to
3. Evoke a “dream time” experience, or a compelling story, dream, or issue that is calling out for attention in one’s life. In ritual space, each participant will have a turn in the center to explore this experience in so called “drama time” or interactive time.
Course Objectives:
The participants will learn some components of various indigenous drumming and spiritual practices, (primarily West African, Afro Cuban, and Afro- Brazilian) and experience the transformative power of intimate ritual space.
Course Requirements: Evaluation criteria:
1. Attendance-50% (one absence for serious issue)
2. Participation in one’s own and others “drama time” experience-30%
3. Final group ritual-10%
The first class will be an introduction to drumming and the ritual container. Subsequent days will focus on sacred drumming traditions and techniques described above and individual student rituals, except class #9 (Nov. 2) which will be Dia de los Muertos ritual /drumming processional in San Francisco (4-9 PM) and the last class will be a group ritual. (9/7, 9/14, 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/12, 10/12, 10/19, 11/2, and 11/9. )
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