Universität Wien

010102 SE Mysticism across Religions (2025S)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 1 - Theologien und Religionswiss.
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle
Mo 12.05. 13:15-16:30 Seminarraum 7 Hauptgebäude, Tiefparterre Stiege 9 Hof 5

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 16 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Tuesday 13.05. 08:00 - 11:15 Seminarraum 1 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 14.05. 08:00 - 11:15 Seminarraum 5 (Kath) Schenkenstraße 1.OG
  • Thursday 15.05. 08:00 - 11:15 Seminarraum 1 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Friday 16.05. 08:00 - 11:15 Seminarraum 1 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Description and aims of the course:

The course aims firstly, to introduce students to the theoretical and methodological basis for studying mysticism in religious traditions. It will take Steven T. Katz’s and Rudolf Otto’s works as some of the historical examples in Religious Studies, with a reflection on the controversial comparison of Eastern and Western mysticism. The course will further continue with some conceptual issues, such as the definition of mysticism, primarily based on Katz’s, and Forman’s works.

Secondly, the course aims to highlight some of the main themes, similarities, and differences in the mysticism of the world religions. Looking at the theme of Divine Love – mysticism in Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam will be examined. Furthermore, the specificities of mystical perception will be highlighted through examples from Buddhism, Judaism, and Islam.

Thirdly, the aim of the course is to point out the idea and some examples of mysticism outside of religious traditions, primarily based on Newberg and Yaden’s work.

Contents

1. What is mysticism? - Assumptions, everyday understanding, examples, definitions
2. Categorizing the ineffable
3. Eastern and Western Mysticism I – Otto and Staal
4. Eastern and Western Mysticism II – Zaehner, Griffiths
5. Divine Love - Christian, Hindu, and Islamic mysticism
6. Mystical texts I
7. Mystical perception in Buddhist, Jewish, and Islamic mysticism
8. Mystical texts II
9. Interpreting the ineffable - Steven T. Katz, Robert K. C. Forman
10. The study of mystical experiences today I – Yaden and Newberg
11. The study of mystical experiences today II – King, Arjana,
12. Summary

Assessment and permitted materials

The course assessment comprises of an essay (50%), a book review (20%), and participation and class interaction (30%).

In the case of suspicion of non-transparent use of AI (e.g. through citation or indication of the type of use), the course instructor has the right to conduct a “grade-relevant discussion".

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Attendance is compulsory. You may be absent without excuse for a maximum of two units.

Examination topics

Content of the lectures.

Reading list

Mandatory:

Katz, S. T. (1983). Mysticism and Religious Traditions. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Otto, R., Bracey, B. L., & Payne, R. C. (trans) (1932). Mysticism East and West: A Comparative Analysis of the Nature of Mysticism. London: Macmillan and Co.
Szugyiczki, Zs. (2023). Categories. In: Mysticism beyond time: A comparative study of traditional vs. modern mysticism. (pp. – 76-93.) Szeged: University of Szeged
Yaden, D. B. and Newberg, A. B. (2022). The Varieties of Spiritual Experience: 21st Century
Research and Perspectives. New York: Oxford University

Recommended readings:

Arjana, S. R. (2020). Buying Buddha, Selling Rumi - Orientalism and the Mystical Marketplace. London: Oneworld Publications Ltd.
Carmody, D. L., & Carmody, J. T. (1996). Mysticism: Holiness East and West. New York: Oxford University Press.
Chittick, W. C. (2013). Divine Love. Islamic Literature and the Path to God. New Haven &
London: Yale University Press
Ernst, C. W. (2011). Sufism: An Introduction to the Mystical Tradition of Islam. Boston: Shambhala.
Feuerstein, G. (1998). Tantra: The Path of Ecstasy. Boston: Shambhala.
Forman, R. K. (1998). The Innate Capacity: Mysticism, Psychology, and Philosophy. Oxford University Press.
Griffiths, B. (1982). Marriage of East and West: A Sequel to The Golden String. Springfield: Templegate Publishers.
Hollywood, A. & Beckman, P. Z. (eds.) (2012). The Cambridge Companion to Christian mysticism. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Jones, R. H. (2021). An Introduction to the Study of Mysticism. Albany: State University of New York Press.
Katz, S. T. (2000). Mysticism and Sacred Scripture. Oxford: Oxford University 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.
King, R. (1999). Orientalism and Religion: Postcolonial theory, India and ‘the mystic East’. London: Routledge.
Klaniczay, G. (1994). Az égi szerelem: Misztika és erotika a középkorban. Rubicon, 40, 16-19.
K. O. Kavanaugh, & O. O. Rodriguez (trans), The Collected Works of Saint John of the Cross. Revised Edition. Washington D. C.: ICS Publications.
MacPhail, J. C. (2008. May). Religion as experience - the convergence of India and the West since 1770. 8(2), 2-28.
Matt, D. C. (1995). The Essential Kabbalah: The Heart of Jewish Mysticism. San Francisco: HarperOne.
Otto, R., Harvery, J. W. (trans.) (1924). The Idea of the Holy. Oxford: Oxford 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.
Staal, F. (1975). Exploring Mysticism: A methodological essay. Berkeley and Los Angeles, CA: University of California Press.
Star, J. (1997). Rumi: In the Arms of the Beloved. New York: Jeremy P. Tarcher/Putnam.
Suzuki, D. T. (2002). Mysticism: Christian and Buddhist. London and New York: Routledge.
Zaehner, R. C. (1980). Mysticism: Sacred and Profane. An Inquiry into some Varieties of Praeternatural experience. Oxford: Oxford University Press

Association in the course directory

066 800 M04, M 9, M16, M20. 033 195 BA RP 05rwb, 14rwb, 17rwb

Last modified: Fr 11.04.2025 18:25