Web-based INI Course Section 200, 3 Credit Hours
"People, like trees, must grow or die. There's no standing still. A tree dies when its roots become blocked. A human being becomes mentally and spiritually, and eventually physically, dead when the circumstances of his life keep him from achieving. Psychologists and sociologists spend their lives trying to patch up individuals and institutions that have stopped growing." -Joseph Shore
This course may be somewhat different from other classes youve taken, since the object of your scrutiny is yourself. In a nutshell, you are going to think about, analyze and dissect yourself in a variety of ways which will require personal honesty and openness. If you are not interested in the answers (or the process it will take to find them), this course is not for you. If you choose to participate in an authentic search for meaning in your life, to learn about a variety of ideas that try to explain what it means to be human, to contemplate diverse spiritual, philosophical, and scientific theories relating to who you are and where you might choose to go; this course will help to guide you on the journey. A word of caution at the outset: if you expect a set of concrete answers at the grand finale, you will be disappointed. You'll probably have more questions at the end than the start- but you most likely won't mind by then! This course unabashedly uses experiential learning. You will write about your own reactions, thoughts, analyses, and experiences at the end of each unit. Sometimes, you will be required to complete certain activities that are designed to make you think about and question your own life philosophy. You will need to dig deep
You may purchase the textbooks at the UMD bookstore, or at the bookstore of your choice (book links are to publisher web sites for informational purposes only):
In each unit you will find a series of links to the web, which will contain pertinent readings or activities you need to complete. You will notice that each of the units has a prominently displayed mask in the opening discussion. Each mask is a link.
There will be online essay tests
Each of the units will contain a brief lecture, a list of required readings from your texts and links, and thought questions / experiential activities for you to complete.