Memories, Dreams, Beliefs

Memories, Dreams, Beliefs: Personal and Cultural Explorations of the Dynamic Psyche

In this interdisciplinary program, we will focus on personal and cultural explorations of the dynamic psyche. We'll explore consciousness by examining personal belief systems, dreams and memories. One of our goals will be to understand the relationship between personal and collective consciousness. Another goal will be to collaboratively and individually integrate what we know about the creative, spiritual and scientific elements of the psyche.

We will explore the intricate and complex dynamics of our personal and cultural psyche by examining the following questions: What is the psyche? What is consciousness? What are their properties and dynamics? What influence do our memories, dreams and beliefs have on our consciousness? Is our personal consciousness influenced by cultural consciousness, or vice versa? Are there different types of consciousness? What are the relationships among the conscious psyche, the unconscious and personal beliefs in constructing our sense of self? How do our beliefs structure our experience individually and en masse?

During fall quarter, we'll build a foundation for our yearlong study by examining theoretical and historical perspectives of memories, dreams and belief systems and their relationships to conscious and unconscious mental processes. These topics will also be examined from a research perspective. Our texts will include Jung's autobiography, Memories, Dreams, Reflections, and Van de Castle's Our Dreaming Mind. During winter quarter, we will use this study as a foundation for a more in-depth analysis and interpretation of our personal and cultural memories, dreams and beliefs and their relationship to emotions. We will study poetry and prose fiction, comparative mythology and belief systems, and mindfulness teachings. In spring quarter, students will choose a faculty with whom to work extensively on more in-depth studies or on integrating material from fall and winter quarters. Possible areas of exploration in spring quarter include physiology and psychology of dreams, culture and construction of self, memories and psychological disorders, beliefs and empowerment, Progoff in-depth journal work, drawing from the inner and outer landscape, meditation theory and practice, poetry and prose fiction, and Laban fundamentals of movement.

This is a rigorous, full-time program. Students will be expected to work 50 hours each week (including class time). Activities will include lectures, seminar discussions, workshops, film critiques and lectures or presentations by guest speakers or artists. Students are expected to attend all program activities, to be on time, and to be fully prepared to participate in seminar discussions. They will work in small groups, complete papers, take exams and give presentations to the class. They should be prepared to explore challenging and unfamiliar ideas in a cooperative and friendly manner.