Welcome
Winter Quarter Update:
This is a continuing program. Please contact faculty for more information and signature requirements for joining the program Winter Quarter.
About the Program
Prerequisites
Students must have college-level skills in reading, writing, and pursuing research topics, as well as a strong interest in the experiential study of the relationships between our beliefs and our inner experiences. Effort, self-motivation, and commitment will be essential for succeeding in this rigorous program.
Description
In this 16 credit full-time interdisciplinary program, we will focus on advanced topics in consciousness studies and the psychology of dreams. We’ll explore consciousness by examining dreams and personal belief systems using both scientific research and first-person experience. We’ll explore the dynamics of the psyche by examining the following questions. What is the psyche, what is consciousness, and what are their properties and dynamics? Are there different types of consciousness? What is the relationship between unconscious and conscious mental processes? What is the relationship among the conscious, unconscious, and personal beliefs in constructing our sense of self and our experience individually and en masse?
During fall quarter, we’ll consider consciousness and dreams from a variety of viewpoints. In addition to the third-person approach of our texts and lectures, students will explore the topics by keeping structured journals of their first-person experiences and dreams. During winter quarter, we’ll continue with a more in-depth analysis of these topics and the role of beliefs in perception and experience. There will be substantial individual research component during winter quarter culminating in a presentation to the class.
The work will be challenging intellectually and personally. Students will be expected to keep a detailed log of their work and expect to document working efficiently for a minimum of 50 hours each week (including class time). Students should be willing to the study details of empirical studies of conscious and unconscious processes as well as be willing to explore their personal beliefs in a variety of areas and in both personal and group activities.
Be prepared to explore challenging and unfamiliar ideas! This program is for advanced students, but the only prerequisites are to have learned how to work hard, read actively and identify the authors’ evidence for their main points, and be willing to work in a cooperative and friendly manner.
Required Texts for Winter Quarter
Get the SAME edition and ISBN as the bookstore so we can refer to pages in seminar discussions.
Our Dreaming Mind by Robert Van de Castle (any edition & ISBN is fine because all have the same page numbering)
Consciousness: An Introduction by Susan Blackmore ISBN 978-0-19-973909-7 (This book will be bundled with another book for no extra charge through our bookstore. )
The Dreaming Universe by Fred Alan Wolf
Lucid Dreaming: Gateway to the Inner Self by Robert Waggoner, ISBN: 9781930491144
Biology of Belief TENTH ANNIVERSARY EDITION by Bruce Lipton, ISBN: 978-1401952471 Be sure to get the SAME edition of Biology of Belief as we order. This tenth anniversary edition has 70 additional pages. It was just published in October, so you may not find used copies.
Winter Weekly Schedule
Mondays: 1-3pm Peer Group Meetings
Tuesdays: 11am-2pm Lecture, 2:30-5:15pm Seminar
Thursdays: 11am-2pm Lecture, 2:30-5:15pm Seminar
Fridays: 3-5:15pm Dream Groups/Activities/Workshops
FIRST CLASS MEETING: TUESDAY, JANUARY 10th at 11 a.m. Room COM 323 (on the third floor of the COMMUNICATIONS building near the gym)
We will be using Canvas for detailed program information. If you have further questions or concerns after reading this site, please contact the faculty.
Prepare for the first class meeting
- Required reading before class
- Our Dreaming Mind: Chapters 13 & 14
- Bring with you
- Our Dreaming Mind
- Note-taking materials, including 8 1/2 x 11 paper, loose, or in a notebook. All notes will be required to be included in a portfolio at the end of the program.
We will be using Canvas for detailed program information. If you have further questions or concerns after reading this site, please contact the faculty.