Course Descriptions 

200.     GLOBAL EVOLUTION IN CONSCIOUSNESS (GEC)

Mankind shares the inherent need for exploring the mysteries of life, understanding purpose, and developing insight that aligns with a greater Consciousness.  Traditional cultures offer blueprints for the consonance between the material nature of life and our innermost being and reality.  With globalization, explanations of origin, identity, and purpose offered by mythology, religion and science, are no longer the exclusive domain of a single people, region or spiritual practice.  In order to release the human potential necessary for the next evolutionary leap in consciousness, there must be a return to the Source of the creative imagination that lies within each one of us.  In this course we will explore the basic questions of life:  Why are we here?  What kind of physical universe (cosmos) do we inhabit?  By what process of evolution did humanity emerge from the matrix of nature to become self-conscious and creative?  How can individuals set aside their differences through conscious group work for a harmonious humanity to evolve?  Through such questioning and guided experiential exercises, including a deeply comprehensive training in the art of multiple meditative practices, we will help our students develop a meaningful personal philosophy and sense of values, grow in their ability to analyze life’s myriad challenges, move to logical and insightful conclusions, and act with thoughtfulness and compassion.  12 units (4 semesters)

201.     Anthropogeny

An inquiry into the mystique of human evolution will be forged through a critical examination of a variety of theories proposed throughout history, including creation myths, physical anthropology and cosmogony, theories of purpose, systems theory, and the study of human destiny.  Classical as well as revolutionary theories of the evolutionary process will be presented in order to appreciate the vastness of human potential, and to stimulate the advancement of human consciousness, the human condition and evolution itself.  Cosmologic implications will be assessed.  3 units

202.     Consciousness and the Evolution of Morphology

The omnipresence of consciousness, how it interfaces with the evolution of morphologic lines, and the co-evolution of consciousness and matter will be investigated.  Scientific evidence from the Mineral, Plant, Animal, and Human Kingdoms will be studied in order to give momentum to the new paradigm of the quantum and interdependent nature of thought, matter and consciousness.  3 units

203.     The Search for Life On Other Planets

In addition to studying origins, the synthesis of elements, formation of biogenic materials, definitions of life, and co-evolution of life and the environment, we ask how the search for life on other planets is expanding our understanding of life on earth and our place in the universe.  We then ask such ethical questions as:  How can we intervene responsibly?  Can evolutionary perturbations be progressive?  Is the extinction of species part of the greater plan?  What might our posturing be, should we successfully contact intelligence of other terrains?  How might we better treat each other and the earth with such information?  3 units

204.     Philosophy of Mind, Intuition and the Right Half of the Brain

The field of neuroscience continues to expand, ever unraveling the mysteries locked within the confines of our ability to perceive.  In order to advance as a civilization, it is time to re-engage the intuitive component of our brains.  Consciousness studies and theories of mind will be reviewed in order to outline a modern paradigm which can incorporate the edges between psychology and philosophy, physics and metaphysics, thereby moving us closer to the quantum and unified nature of mind.  3 units

205.     More Than Meets the Eye:  Infinite Worlds

History is replete with reports of infinite worlds beyond those made visible through the microscope or telescope.  This course will explore the worlds of life, existence, and consciousness that lie outside our material realm, yet are accessible to the human experience.  The reports of Western and Eastern mystics, seers, and visionaries drawn from a multiplicity of disciplines will be studied.  Beyond didactics, students will be introduced to critical thinking and meditative techniques designed for such exploration.  3 units

206.     Matter and Consciousness

This course will explore the age-old mystery of the relationship between matter and consciousness through the eyes of great minds, of both religion and science, from pre-historic times through the present day.  Students will learn to analyze such questions as the nature of the universe; the nature of ultimate reality and its knowable components; and the nature of humans and their potential role in influencing the interplay of spirit, consciousness and matter.  3 units     

207.     Imaginings in the Universe: Looking for the Mind of One

With the advent of the Scientific Revolution in 1543, the West divided man’s untiring quest for meaning and truth into two fields of inquiry: science and religion.  Quantum physics offers a new paradigm for their reunion, harboring the birth of a fuller understanding.  This course will be taught from the perspective of extant physicists reconciling their views of science with religion as they address the age-old question:  Do we live in a world of inherent meaning and purpose?  Ancient texts, as well as modern tenets of quantum physics will be introduced to broaden the student’s view of our multi-dimensional universe.  3 units

208.     The Web of Systems Theory

Scientific thought, once based on linear thinking has recently evolved to embrace an integrative matrix, offering new hope for the assurance of a flourishing civilization.  Primary principles such as cycles, interdependence, unity, and order will be studied from a unified perspective, crossing multiple disciplines in order for the student to appreciate the interactive dynamics of evolution, consciousness, sustainability and purpose.  3 units

209.          Evolution of International Diplomacy

          This class will analyze the evolution of diplomatic means within the international community.  In the class, teachers will actively analyze how diplomacy has been used in the past on an international level.  Students will learn the development of current diplomatic tactics, as well as how to develop them based on historical example and enlightened thinking.  The student will learn to ask such questions as:  How might mediation be more efficacious than adjudication in settling disputes, fostering peace?   3 units

210.    Modern Diplomatic Affairs

          This course will examine current diplomatic issues as well as the development of current treaties used by nation-states.  Students will learn about current foreign affairs around the world, as well as developing threats to international security.  3 units

211.    Current State Foreign Policy and Agendas

     Students will analyze and learn current positions of different leading actors on current diplomatic topics.  This course is meant to lay the foundation as to why states stand where they stand on current international issues and why conflict still exists. Students will be asked to create diplomatic solutions accounting for the dilemmas raised in the course.  3 units

212.    International Political Economy

     This course will analyze the establishment, maintenance, and decay of the post-1945 international economic order, as well as study the political economy of international trade, monetary relations, inflation, and North-South relations.  Students will learn why the current world system is what it is, and why economic factors affect diplomatic affairs.  3 units

 

213.    Beyond Hegemonic State-Systems

     Students will analyze and propose new incentives for an international union of states, without the current failing hegemonic position of the United States.  This class will be mostly seminar based as students will discuss possible solutions to modern diplomatic crises based on international cooperation rather than hegemonic imperialism.  3 units

214.    Nature of the Godhead:  Humanity’s Role and Relation with the Divine

 This course will review how several cultures view God, and humanity’s relation to the Divine.  Social and personal consequences, such as ethnic diversity, the search for peace, and free choice will be evaluated.  Included in this survey course will be the study of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and the metaphysics than runs through all religions, cultures and spiritual paths.  This course will explore, expand and enhance the sacred relationship between God and humanity.  3 units

215.     Comparative Religion and the Call to Peace

In order to raise consciousness and extinguish ignorance, this course explores a wide range of religious practices– from animism to Zen, and a variety of religious concepts such as conversion, fundamentalism, karma, theism, gender rights, baptism, higher consciousness, veils, communion and afterlife.  By expanding their intellectual knowledge and spiritual acumen, students will gain a more enlightened appreciation of spiritual diversity, and become increasingly capable of guiding the world to a more peaceful vision of God.  3 units

216.     Monumental Thought in the Wisdom Traditions

This course will introduce the student to the conventional and esoteric wisdom embedded in such monumental texts as The Diamond Sutra of the Buddha; the Rinzai Roku of Master Rinzai; the Beatitudes of Jesus; the Secret Doctrine of Madam Blavatsky; the Hymn of the Universe of Father Chardin; and the Sefer Yitzera attributed to Adam Ha Rishon, the first human, in order to expand the vista of thought divinely inspired within the human consciousness.  3 units

217.     Conflict and Religion

Religious hatred bears serious conflict.  This course examines the root cause of religious prejudice, as expressed through history, in wars, persecutions, pogroms and genocide.  Students will analyze why religions have allowed the moral and physical degradation of others, and how finding commonality can eliminate perceived differences, enhancing the resolution of conflict.  3 units

218.     The Interface of Government and Religion

The Constitution of the United States will be examined for the merits of the Jeffersonian ideology of separation of church and state.  We will examine a spread of religious ideological involvement in government, from Zionism to socialism, to neo-conservatism.  The conventional wisdom of governance, as outlined in the ancient Chinese texts of the I Ching and Lao-tsu’s Tao Te Ching will be used as a backdrop for our discussion.  3 units

219.     Conflict Transformation and Sustainability

The dual nature of the universe fortuitously brings us to points of conflict where resolution either advances or retreats the greater human cause and the human condition.  In order to eradicate stewardship grounded in fear, greed and short term thinking, this course will teach skills that illuminate and stimulate decision making guided by the higher aspects of human nature.  With the advancement of consciousness comes the evolution of leadership based on informed choices, clarity and peace.  3 units

220.     Where Religion and Ecology Meet

Students will study a wide range of contemporary concepts as presented in the five major texts that emerged from the Harvard University series on Religions of the World and Ecology (1996-1998).  Ecological considerations as expressed in Confucianism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, and indigenous traditions are used as background material to examine methodologies for rethinking worldviews and ethics, the nature of the environmental crisis, the promises and problems of religions, and how we might best approach re-allocation of our natural resources in days to come.  3 units

221.     Deep Ecology and the Mind of One

To successfully confront the extreme environmental challenges of our day, such as species extinction and global warming, we must understand the evolutionary task at hand, the development of a sustainable civilization.  Our venture in this course is to address the efforts necessary to help maintain the Earth’s capacity to sustain humanity, and to bring forth the desire and ability to move beyond destructive behaviors in our industrial and technological practices.  For the first time in our history, all of humanity is challenged with potential extinction, whose solution is dependent on working together as a human family.  Students will be introduced to the concept of Deep Ecology which commits to the path of action that acknowledges the oneness of all things.  3 units

© Devorah G. Steinecker 12/03