Online Specific Course Descriptions

Creation Spirituality

CSP 500e/CSP 200e
Intro to Creation Spirituality (3)
Creation Spirituality integrates the wisdom of western spirituality and global indigenous cultures with the emerging scientific understanding of the universe and the passionate creativity of art. It is the earliest tradition of the Hebrew Bible and was celebrated by the mystics of medieval Europe. Creation Spirituality provides a solid foundation and holistic perspective from which to address the critical issues of our times, including the revitalization of religion and culture, the honoring of women's wisdom, the celebration of hope in today's youth, and the promotion of social and ecological justice. Creation spirituality is not a new religion but is concerned with developing theologies and practices within religion and culture which promote personal wholeness, planetary survival, and universal interdependence.
This class is also available noncredit online. Click here for registration details.

CSP 515e/CSP 250e
Mystics in the Creation Spirituality Tradition (3)
This online course takes the student on an inner journey of ever-greater expansion of heart and spiritual experiences. It allows us to embrace life more fully and to struggle more imaginatively and creatively with the gifts of compassion, celebration and justice-making. In order to enter the realm of the Mystics one is encouraged to caste away all preconceived notions of how their writings should be read because ‘mystical experience’ lies far beyond description. Within the writings of Jalalu’ddin Rumi, Hildegard von Bingen and Meister Eckhart lives their search for the unity of the heart of all religions. We study these mystics together and experience how they unfold the creation-centered spiritual tradition.
This class is also available noncredit online. Click here for registration details.

Gerontology

GER 500e/GER 200e
Aging and the Human Spirit (3)
Aging is more than physical and mental change. It is also an accumulation of life experience through a process called adult development. Adults continue to grow and develop throughout life. The human spirit has been recognized for centuries as a fundamental part of development. Understanding the nature of spirituality and its interrelationships with adult development and aging is a primary goal of the course. Spiritual development can continue into very old age, and it interacts in interesting ways with adult development in general and with physical, psychological, and social aging.
This class is also available noncredit online. Click here for registration details.

Humanities

HUM 285e/HUM 585e
World Wisdom: Recalibrating the Mind to Serve the Emerging Spirit (3)
This course presents a series of lectures by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi that address the philosophical issues connected with the emerging shift of our cosmology. Thoughtful and provocative topics include themes of ecumenism, transpersonal sociology, spiritual eldering, philosophy and contemplative living. This course is designed to nourish the human spirit and promote critical thinking. The course is directed by Sharron Szabo who will lead the discussions and homework assignments related to the Rabbi's teachings. Sharron has assisted the Rabbi in the development of the World Wisdom lecture series at Naropa University.
This class is also available noncredit online. Click here for registration details.

Religious Studies

REL 513e/ REL 213e
Online Tibetan I (3)
This online class lays the foundation for developing proficiency in the Tibetan language, which will eventually give access to the full treasure of the profound and vast wisdom literature of Buddhism. We begin with learning to pronounce and calligraph the alphabet, and quickly gain the ability to read or chant. We cover basic grammatical elements and simple sentence structures that are the basis for both classical and colloquial language. Investigation of Buddhist terminology lends depth to the concepts and excitement to the task of acquiring basic vocabulary.
This class is also available noncredit online. Click here for registration details.

REL 519e/REL 319e
Essentials of Buddhism: The Buddha, Dharma and Sangha (3)
his online course presents the foundational teachings of Buddhism, as realized in the Three Jewels: The Buddha, The Dharma, and The Sangha. It consists of an in-depth study of the life of The Buddha, explores the teachings of the Four Noble Truths, and examines the meaning of Sangha. Through these topics we will explore what it means to be a Buddhist, in terms of practice, study, and community.
This class is also available noncredit online. Click here for registration details.

REL 541e/REL 337e
Essence of World Religions I
The primary emphasis of this courtse is on reading and research in the World Scriptures including the addendum literature that supports religious principles and articulates the religions from an ancient and contemporary perspective. There are many faith systems existing today that have affected our manner of interaction throughout the centuries. This course supplies a comprehensive overview of the ethical and spiritual values of seven major religions: Goddess (Pagan) Religion; the Hindu Religion; Zoroastrian Religion; Buddhist Religion; Jewish Religion; the Christian Religion; and the Religion of Islam. The secondary emphasis aids students in understanding the ways in which the different religions are organized, the hierarchies of authority and control and the sub-systems that define the lineage of teaching and give a particular religion its uniqueness. How the truths are preserved through each religion's teachers, gurus, lamas, bhikkhus, popes, shamans, imams, rabbis is examined. The units of study in this course are  Creation, Wisdom, Purity, Compassion, Moral and Ethical Law, Self-sacrifice and Unity.

REL 559e/ REL 259e
Online Tibetan II (3)
In this course we will continue to lay the foundation for proficiency in the Tibetan language, with the dual goal of communication and access to the wisdom teachings of Tibetan Buddhism. While continuing to build reading skills and vocabulary, this unit will look at some more areas of Tibetan sentence structure, especially verbs. Students working in this section will be able to form sentences for speaking, as well doing some actual translation work from textual sources.
This class is also available noncredit online. Click here for registration details.

REL 564e/REL 364e
Essence of World Religions II
The primary emphasis of this course is on reading and research in the World Scriptures including the addendum literature that supports religious principles and articulates the religions from an ancient and contemporary perspective. There are many faith systems existing today that have affected our manner of interaction throughout the centuries. This course covers seven major religions and is structured to supply a comprehensive overview of the ethical and spiritual values that humanity praises: the Native American Tradition; the Taoist Religion; Confucianism; Women and Religion; the Sikh Religion; the Sufi Path; and the African Diaspora. The secondary emphasis aids students in understanding the ways in which the different religions are organized, the hierarchies of authority and control and the sub-systems that define the lineage of teaching and give a particular religion its uniqueness. How the truths are preserved through each religion's teachers, gurus, lamas, bhikkhus, popes, shamans, imams, rabbis is examined. The themes for this course are Nature, Action in Non-action, Human-heartedness, Non-harming, the Divine Name, the Path Love and the Great Belonging.
This class is also available noncredit online. Click here for registration details.

REL 572e/REL 272e
The Living Spirituality of Tibetan Buddhism (3)
This course will provide you with a basic, in depth introduction to the Buddhism of Tibet and, most especially its living spirituality. Through our study, we will come to understand Tibetan Buddhism, both as it developed and was practiced within the traditional Tibetan context and also as it is now making its way into the spiritual life of many modern, Western people. Through our course we will be looking at Tibetan Buddhism on two levels. First, we will be looking at the classical tradition. What were its major elements and how were these understood and experienced by Tibetans? Second, we will be asking what those traditional ways have to say to us modern people who, perhaps, thirst for a depth of spiritual practice and understanding that we do not readily find in our fast-paced, modern context.
This class is also available noncredit online. Click here for registration details.

REL 208e/REL 608e
The Founder: The Life and Teachings of Chögyam Trungpa (3)
This course explores the Indian and Tibetan background and context of Chögyam Trungpa's life and teaching; his life from birth, through his training in Tibet, his time in India, his teaching in England, and his work in North America. The course focuses on the life of Trungpa Rinpoche but, as we shall see, his life cannot be understood apart either from the historical Buddhist tradition out of which he emerged as a classical and, in some ways, very traditional figure or from the Buddhist teachings that Rinpoche embodied and gave over the course of his life.
This class is also available noncredit online. Click here for registration details.

WWT 418e
Jewish Contemplative Practice: based on the teachings of Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi - Noncredit only
This course is designed to connect you with your own spirit and heart, the spirit and heart of the world and the heart of God. Using contemplative practices of the Jewish tradition, you will receive tools for deepening and strengthening your own awareness of spiritual Judaism.
This class is also available noncredit online. Click here for registration details.

WWT 420e
From Age-ing to Sage-ing: ™
The teaching of Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi - Noncredit only
In this course we will explore the process of shifting our perspectives on growing older in our society from one of “age-ing” to a healthier paradigm of “sage-ing.” We will explore the theory of Spiritual Eldering and its potential impact on our planet, effecting personal and social transformation, through audio/visual and written teachings by Rabbi /Dr. Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, (founder of the Spiritual Eldering Institute, author of From Age-ing to Sage-ing, and former World Wisdom Chair holder at Naropa University). In addition to these materials, we will also participate in experiential exercises and online classroom discussions led by instructor, Sharron Szabo. This class will offer the student a foundation in Spiritual Eldering work and will hopefully inspire each of us to integrate its rich message into our own lives, and into other related fields and professions. Required course text is From Age-ing to Sage-ing by Zalman Schachter-Shalomi.
This class is also available noncredit online. Click here for registration details.

WWT 422e
Wrapped in a Holy Flame: ™
A course in Hasidism based on the teachings of Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi - Noncredit only
This course will offer rare insight and a good to the meaning and value of the stories and teachings of Hasidism, a unique Jewish mystical movement begun in 18th century Eastern Europe. With Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, one of the world's foremost authorities on Hasidism and Jewish mysticism as your guide, you will likely find meaning for your own life in these teachings no matter what background you hail from. Note: this course is available for non-credit only.
This class is also available noncredit online. Click here for registration details.

Writing and Poetics

WRI 684e
Creative Reading and Writing: Dramatic Measures (3)
This course explores the issues and challenges of writing for theater and film - from classic theatrical structure to modes of experimentation. Special focus on dialogue and adaptation of narrative text. Investigating how other art forms support and influence drama. Creating a dramatic world, then maintaining it line by line, scene by scene. Rewriting as a dynamic creative force which illuminates and enhances text to its ultimate effect. Showing as compared to telling. Heightened lyrical styles in contrast to stark realism.

WRI 689e
Literature Seminar: Bright Books (3)
In this class we consider what can be achieved within the architecture of the novel, and through the focus of contemporary British writing investigate how the narrative possibilities of the novel differ from those, for example, of film, poetry, memoir, short fiction, television or the essay. By examining aspects of craft and form such as the chapter, plot, character and voice, we consider techniques, innovations and reinventions we might wish to develop in our own writing. We also discuss themes such as history, nation and empire, coming of age, the family, the city, race, religion, class, sexuality and gender: how does the novel investigate moral narratives of self and society? And by considering real-life aspects of publishing and reception such as literary prizes, literary scandals and the marketing of books, we also consider the production of cultural value, and reflect on our own roles as culture workers. Our collective close readings of contemporary British writers include works by Evelyn Waugh, Sarah Waters, Jeanette Winterson, Jackie Kay, Salman Rushdie and David Mitchell, as well as selected films, short stories, poems, extracts from memoirs, popular novels and fiction for young adults.

WRL 150e
Perfecting the Craft of Creative Nonfiction (3)
Together we form an online writing community designed to cultivate our literary skills through the art and craft of creative nonfiction, primarily via memoir and essay. We begin by intentionally creating a safe environment where writers can write freely, unencumbered by the constraints of perceived past failures or limited ideas about how the writing process works or what makes a good story. Then we move toward building a toolbox of techniques and skills we can draw upon as we improve the quality of our work. In addition to online lectures and worksheets, we read the work of other writers to inspire us and broaden our perspectives, as well as to learn to read and talk about literature as writers. At the end of the course, each writer creates a bound chapbook of his or her favorite work.
This class is also available noncredit online. Click here for registration details.