Universität Wien

010120 SE Introduction to the Study of Mysticism (2023S)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 1 - Katholische Theologie
Prüfungsimmanente Lehrveranstaltung
Moodle

An/Abmeldung

Hinweis: Ihr Anmeldezeitpunkt innerhalb der Frist hat keine Auswirkungen auf die Platzvergabe (kein "first come, first served").

Details

max. 15 Teilnehmer*innen
Sprache: Englisch

Lehrende

Termine (iCal) - nächster Termin ist mit N markiert

Donnerstag 04.05. 13:15 - 14:45 Elise Richter-Saal Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 1
Freitag 05.05. 09:00 - 15:00 Seminarraum 1 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
Samstag 06.05. 09:00 - 15:00 Seminarraum 5 (Kath) Schenkenstraße 1.OG
Freitag 12.05. 09:00 - 12:00 Hörsaal 5 Hauptgebäude, Tiefparterre Stiege 9 Hof 5
Samstag 13.05. 09:00 - 13:00 Hörsaal 5 Hauptgebäude, Tiefparterre Stiege 9 Hof 5

Information

Ziele, Inhalte und Methode der Lehrveranstaltung

The seminar aims to introduce students to some benchmarks in the history of the scientific study of mysticism, particularly related to religious studies and the philosophy of religion. Therefore, in the first three classes, students will be introduced to the most relevant methodologies and theories for studying mysticism, such as comparative analysis, categorization, and essentialist and contextualist approaches.
It further aims to highlight the contemporary advancements and challenges of the field by examining some current publications related to mysticism, with a particular focus on Richard H. Jones’ book titled An Introduction to the Study of Mysticism (2021). The rest of the seminar will follow with presentations and discussions based on current works.

Contents
1. What is mysticism? - Assumptions, everyday understanding, examples, definitions
2. Introduction to the early stages of the study of mysticism - Max Weber, William James, Rudolf Otto
3. The flourishing of philosophical debates - Walter Stace, Steven T. Katz, Robert K. C. Forman
4. Themes in the history of mysticism – Reading: John of the Cross, Rumi and Mirabai
5. The study of mysticism today - Richard H. Jones
6. ‘Approaches in the study of mysticism’ – Presentation of Chapter 6
‘Mystical knowledge claims’ – Presentation of Chapter 4
7. ‘Comparative Approaches to Mysticism’ – Presentation of Chapter 14
‘Theological Approaches to Comparative Mysticism’ – Presentation of Chapter 15
8. The mystical marketplace - Sophia Rose Arjana
9. ‘Cultural colonialism, muddled orientalism and the mystic poor’ – Presentations of Chapter 2
10. ‘Mysticism incorporated’ – Presentations of Chapter 3
11. ‘Hindu hippies and boulder Buddhists’ – Presentations of Chapter 4
12. The deviance of mysticism today - Debate
13. Scientific approaches to mysticism today - Discussion
14. Consultation on seminar papers

Art der Leistungskontrolle und erlaubte Hilfsmittel

- Attendance throughout the seminar (a maximum of two 90-minute-long sessions can be missed).
- Giving a 25-30-minute-long presentation and leading a 20-minute-long discussion related to the topic of the presentation. The topic of the presentations needs to be agreed on with the lecturer.
- Handing in a ca 5000-word paper related to the topic of the presentation until the 31st of July 2023.

Mindestanforderungen und Beurteilungsmaßstab

Grades will be determined based on the following rates: 20% class interaction; 30% presentation; 50% essay

Prüfungsstoff

Course content.

Literatur

Mandatory readings

Arjana, S. R. (2020). Buying Buddha, Selling Rumi - Orientalism and the Mystical Marketplace. London: Oneworld Publications Ltd.
Jones, R. H. (2021). An Introduction to the Study of Mysticism. Albany: State University of New York Press.
King, R. (2005). Mysticism and spirituality. In J. R. Hinnels, The Routledge companion to the study of religion (old.: 306-322). London: Routledge.

Recommended readings

Carrette, J. (2002). The Return to James: Psychology, Religion and the Amnesia of Neuroscience. In W. James, Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature CENTENARY EDITION (old.: xxxix-lxiii). London: Routledge.
Taylor, C. (2002). Varieties of religion today: William James revisited. Harvard University Press.
Smart, N. (1965. October). Interpretation and Mystical Experience. Religious Studies(1/1), 75-87.
Smart, N. (1996). Dimensions of the Sacred: An Anatomy of the World's Beliefs. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
Croce, P. (2013). Spilt Mysticism: William James's Democratization of Religion. William James Studies(9), 3-26.
Forman, R. K. (1998). The Innate Capacity: Mysticism, Psychology, and Philosophy. Oxford University Press.
Jones, R. H. (2016). Philosophy of Mysticism - Raids on the Ineffable. Albany: State University of New York Press.
Katz, S. T. (1978). Language, Epistemology and Mysticism. In S. T. Katz, Mysticism and Philosophical Analysis (old.: 22-74). New York: Oxford University Press.
Kieran Kavanaugh, O. C., & Otilio Rodriguez, O. (1991). The Collected Works of Saint John of the Cross. Washington D.C.: ICS Publications - Institute of Carmelite Studies.

Zuordnung im Vorlesungsverzeichnis

066 800: M4, M16, M20; 033 195 (17W) BRP 05rwb, 14rwb, 17rwb

Letzte Änderung: Do 04.05.2023 09:46