Instructor: Joie Acheson, MA, LICSW emeritus, KRI
Office: 316E Bohannon Hall / 726-7458
E-mail: jacheson@d.umn.edu
Office Hours: Mondays & Wednesdays: 8:30-9am, 2-3pm / Tues, Thurs, Fri: by appointment
Course Description: This course will provide you with an overview of the field of transpersonal psychology. The focus is on those stages of human development that occur after the ego is fully matured. Transpersonal psychology aims to reintegrate spirituality and psychology, and yet the field is much greater than the synthesis of these two areas. The study of transpersonal psychology combines religious studies, philosophy and psychology, making it a discipline somewhat outside of mainstream academia. This is an applied course that combines theory with practice. The material cannot be fully understood without applying it to your life.
Introduction: Though transpersonal psychology is an emerging discipline that combines psychology, religion, and philosophy, it is greater than the sum of those parts. Ideas from the work of Jung, Maslow, Tart, and Wilber, among others, will be included throughout the course. This field cannot be studied at arm's length - you will need to immerse yourself in it - because it is through your direct experience that the generative, creative aspect of transpersonal psychology is revealed. Transpersonal, literally translated, means to move through and beyond the personal. You will encounter a whole new terminology and language that describes this emerging discipline. Completing this course successfully will require self-discipline and patience. As part of your study of the field of transpersonal psychology, you will learn basic meditation techniques and apply that experience to the theoretical aspects of the course.
Some leading researchers have defined the field in the following ways: "Transpersonal Psychology is concerned with the study of humanity's highest potential, and with the recognition, understanding and realization of unitive, spiritual, and transcendent states of consciousness." (Lajoie & Shapiro, 1992.) " Transpersonal psychology is concerned with the study of optimum psychological health and well being. It recognizes the potential for experiencing a broad range of states of consciousness, in some of which identity may extend beyond the usual limits of ego and personality." (Walsh & Vaughn, 1980).
Transpersonal psychology is the branch of psychology that studies spiritual, peak, and transcendent experiences and their relationship to the whole being….it maintains that scientific study of the "ultimate" dimensions of humanity provides the most
comprehensive means of understanding human nature." (Institute of Transpersonal Psychology General Catalog, 1989.)
Of equal importance to definitions and theories, is the opportunity for direct exploration and experience of this subject matter. You will be required to actively participate in your learning this semester. You will take part in on-going activities chosen to facilitate your understanding and experience of transpersonal psychology.
Objectives: At the conclusion of the semester, you should be able to define transpersonal psychology and describe some of its most important theories and applications. You will understand the unique relationship transpersonal psychology holds with religion, spirituality, philosophy and mainstream psychology. You will have a theoretical understanding of meditation, and its key role in the field of transpersonal psychology, in addition to developing and experimenting with, a personal meditative practice.
Class Requirements:
Meditation. You will be expected to learn and practice meditation techniques during Friday sessions which will take place in Bohannon Hall room 311. (I hold national certification in teaching meditation and yoga.) Your meditation experiences should be described in a Meditation Journal, which should be brought to Friday classes. Your journals will be collected twice during the semester. Please bring a pillow/cushion, and a small blanket or shawl, as well as your journal to Friday meditation classes, and wear loose, comfortable clothing. Attendance is mandatory, and will be part of your final grade. Due to space considerations, the class is divided into two sections. Section One (first half of the alphabet), meets on the following dates: Jan 27th, Feb 10th, Feb 24th, Mar 24th, Apr 7th, Apr 21st. Section Two (second half of the alphabet), meets on the following dates: Feb 3rd, Feb 17th, Mar 3rd, Mar 31st, Apr14th, Apr 28th.
Class Assignment Due Dates:
1. What Really Matters Book Review: Feb 13th
2. 1st Midterm Exam: Feb 15th
3. Meditation Journal: Mar 6th
4. Vision Quest Paper: Mar 8th
5. Seven Mysteries Book Review: Mar 20th
6. 2nd Midterm Exam: Apr 5th
7. Meditation Journal: Apr 12th
8. Research Paper: April 17th
9. Class Evaluation: May 1st
10. Final Exam: Wed May 10th at 10am
Assignment Policies: Assignments are due on the dates listed above. Work turned in late will be graded substantially lower. There are no make-ups without prior approval from the instructor.
Attendance: Attendance and participation for all class sessions is required. POOR ATTENDANCE/ PARTICIPATION WILL CAUSE YOUR GRADE TO BE LOWERED ONE LETTER GRADE.
Textbooks:
Schwartz, T. (1996) What Really Matters: Searching for Wisdom in America, Bantam Books.
Murchie, G. (1978)The Seven Mysteries of Life: An Exploration of Science and Philosophy, Houghton Mifflin Company.
Millman, D. (1984) Way of the Peaceful Warrior, New York: H.J. Kramer Inc.
Johnsen, L. (2001) Meditation is Boring? Putting Life into your Spiritual Practice, Himalayan Press.
Reading Assignments:
Weeks 1-4: What Really Matters (*not chapters 4,6 or 10.)
Weeks 5-9 The Seven Mysteries (*read chapters 9-14, 18-20, & 23 only)
Weeks 10-12: Peaceful Warrior
(You will be assigned specific chapters in Meditation is Boring at Friday sessions.)
Grading: Midterm exams= 50 points each; final exam= 80 points; Meditation Journal= 15 points each; Meditation Attendance= 30 points; Vision Quest= 50 points; Book reviews=20 points each; Research paper=80 points; Class Evaluation= 15 points. Points will be totaled and percentages of those points will be used to determine final grades using the following table:
A=100-92% A- =91-90% B+ =89-88% B= 87-82% B- =81-80% C+ =79-78%
C= 77-72% C- =71-70% D+ =69-68% D=67-62% D- =61-60% F=59-0
Workload: For undergraduate courses, one credit is defined as equivalent to an average of three hours of learning effort per week (over the full semester) necessary for an average student to achieve an average grade in the course. For example, a student taking a three credit course that meets for three hours a week should expect to spend an additional six hours a week on coursework outside the classroom.
Students with Disabilities: Individuals who have any disability, either permanent or temporary, which might affect their ability to perform in this class are encouraged to see me at the start of the semester. Adaptation of methods, materials, or testing may be made as required to provide for equitable participation.