American Foundations Syllabus



Lap Schedule

Spiritual Anthropology – West

Course Website: iwawest.

|Laps & Days |Class Meeting |Lap Learning Goals & Daily Learning Goals |

| |Dates | |

|LAP 1 | |Lap Theme: Introducing Spirituality |

| | |Lap Overview: Lap 1 is an introduction to the definition and concept of spirituality in life. In addition to a general introduction, |

| | |the purpose of Lap 1 is to begin understanding how you personally perceive and experience spiritual concepts. |

|Day 1 |A – 1/7 |Course Intro: Syllabus & Course Structure; Website Set-up; Projects Scheduled (completion dates); Course Contract Bloom’s Taxonomy; |

| | |Research – Information & Media Literacy |

|Day 2 |C – 1/9 |LLG 1: Evaluate the various definitions of spirituality and formulate a well-informed thesis of the overall benefits of spirituality |

| |** |in your personal life. |

| | |Due: Course Contract Signed & Submitted; BYOD to class; Project dates; & Personal Website Started |

|Day 3 |D – 1/10 |DLG 1.1: Assess how personal spiritual metaphors and authentic practices can help you foster development and transpersonal growth. |

|Day 4 |F – 1/14 |DLG 1.2: Evaluate the importance of the Enneagram within spirituality and predict the personal challenges and benefits that it |

| |**** |provides. |

| | |Due: DLG 1.1 (must be submitted by the beginning of class) |

|Day 5 |J – 1/17 |Brainstorm about final project & create a possible list of themes & ideas |

| | |Due: DLG 1.2 (must be submitted by the beginning of class) |

|LAP 2 | |Lap Theme: Spiritual Self-assessment |

| | |Lap Overview: Lap 2 emphasizes the first necessary step in any spiritual journey – self-assessment. The purpose of Lap 2 it to focus |

| | |on the ultimate goal in life (happiness) and how spirituality will help achieve it. |

|Day 1 |A – 1/22 |LLG 2: Compare/contrast what society teaches will make us happy and what spiritual research teaches will make us happy judge the role |

| | |of attachments/cravings in your life. |

|Day 2 |C – 1/24 |DLG 2.1: Propose how the six exercises to reduce cravings can benefit challenge your personal life and assess how your higher |

| | |motivations have play a role in your life (past, present & future). |

|Day 3 |D – 1/25 |DLG 2.2: Evaluate how the three exercises to redirect desire impact your spiritual life (benefits and challenges) and argue why desire|

| | |is such a problem in our society. |

| | |Due: DLG 2.1 (must be submitted by the beginning of class) |

|Day 4 |F – 1/29 |DLG 2.3: Justify how bliss, desire & spirituality are interwoven and defend how the virtue of restlessness plays a role in our |

| | |spiritual reactions. |

| | |Due: DLG 2.2 (must be submitted by the beginning of class) |

|Day 5 |J – 2/4 |Work on LLG assessment & CL Project |

| | |Due: DLG 2.3 (must be submitted by the beginning of class) |

|LAP 3 | |Lap Theme: Emotional Wisdom |

| | |Lap Overview: Lap 3 delves into an essential spiritual practice – cultivating emotional wisdom. The purpose of Lap 4 is to use |

| | |strategies/exercises to discovery your personal emotional challengers and create a spiritual revelation. |

|Day 1 |A – 2/6 |LLG 3: Assess how the challenges and dangers of dealing with difficult emotions (generally & personally) are related to spirituality |

| |** |and argue the importance of emotional intelligence. |

| | |Due: LLG 2 (must be submitted by the beginning of class) |

|Day 2 |C – 2/8 |DLG 3.1: Evaluate how the connection between true love (transpersonal love) and spirituality is revealed through different religions |

| | |and assess how your love language impacts your life. |

|Day 3 |D – 2/11 |DLG 3.2: Justify how particular (ten) spiritual exercises can reduce the impact of fear and anger in your spiritual life (benefits and|

| | |challenges) and judge how society mishandles fear and anger. |

| | |Due: DLG 3.1 (must be submitted by the beginning of class) |

|Day 4 |F – 2/13 |DLG 3.3: Evaluate how particular (seven) spiritual exercises to cultivate love and gratitude can impact your spiritual life (benefits |

| |** |and challenges) and judge how society mishandles love and gratitude. |

| | |Due: DLG 3.2 (must be submitted by the beginning of class) |

|Day 5 |J – 2/20 |Work on LLG assessment & CL Project |

| |** |Due: DLG 3.3 (must be submitted by the beginning of class) |

|LAP 4 | |Lap Theme: Ethical Actions |

| | |Lap Overview: Lap 4 attempts to transition from spiritual reflection on emotions to reflection on actions. The purpose of Lap 4 is to|

| | |understand how and why ethics present constant struggles in our everyday interpretation of events. |

|Day 1 |A – 2/22 |LLG 4: Evaluate the connection between inner/outer peace and spirituality and assess the spiritual costs of living unethically and the|

| | |benefits of living ethically. |

| | |Due: LLG 3 (must be submitted by the beginning of class) |

|Day 2 |C – 2/26 |DLG 4.1: Judge how the (three) aspects spiritual attention apply to your life and rate society performs with these aspects. |

|Day 3 |D – 2/27 |DLG 4.2: Judge how particular (six) spiritual exercises can promote ethical living and impact your spiritual life (benefits and |

| |** |challenges) and evaluate the true costs and benefits of concentration. |

| | |Due: DLG 4.1 (must be submitted by the beginning of class) |

|Day 4 |F – 3/1 |DLG 4.3: Evaluate how particular (eight) spiritual exercises can transform the busyness of everyday life and impact your spiritual |

| | |life (benefits and challenges) and interpret the importance of routine. |

| | |Due: DLG 4.2 (must be submitted by the beginning of class) |

|Day 5 |J – 3/6 |Work on LLG assessment & CL Project |

| |** |Due: DLG 4.3 (must be submitted by the beginning of class) |

| | |Due: Midterm Exam over Lap Learning Goals 1, 2, 3 & 4 (must be taken on the 11th, 12th, 14th or 15th in OL) |

|LAP 5 | |Lap Theme: Sacred Awareness |

| | |Lap Overview: Lap 5 moves into practical spiritual awareness through prayer, reflection and meditation. The purpose of Lap 5 is to |

| | |focus all action toward becoming aware of the Sacred and being able to see the Sacred in everything. |

|Day 1 |A – 3/11 |LLG 5: Evaluate the reasoning and costs surrounding living mindlessly (connected to our senses) and critique the current mindless |

| | |state of our society. |

| | |Due: LLG 4 (must be submitted by the beginning of class) |

| | |Due: Midterm Exam over Lap Learning Goals 1, 2, 3 & 4 (must be taken on the 11th, 12th, 14th or 15th in OL) |

|Day 2 |C – 3/13 |DLG 5.1: Judge how particular (seven) spiritual exercises can promote awareness and impact your spiritual life (benefits and |

| |** |challenges) and assess the blinding power of science in our society. |

| | |Due: Midterm Exam over Lap Learning Goals 1, 2, 3 & 4 (must be taken on the 11th, 12th, 14th or 15th in OL) |

|Day 3 |D – 3/14 |DLG 5.2: Judge how particular (four) spiritual exercises can promote seeing the sacred and impact your spiritual life (benefits and |

| | |challenges) and assess the importance of examining consciousness (through the Examen). |

| | |Due: DLG 5.1 (must be submitted by the beginning of class) |

|Day 4 |F – 3/18 |DLG 5.3: Evaluate how to succeed in deepening ones awareness of the sacred and assess its evolution through the dark night of the soul|

| | |and spiritual dreaming. |

| | |Due: DLG 5.2 (must be submitted by the beginning of class) |

|Day 5 |J – 3/21 |Work on LLG assessment & CL Project |

| | |Due: DLG 5.3 (must be submitted by the beginning of class) |

|LAP 6 | |Lap Theme: Spiritual Wisdom |

| | |Lap Overview: Lap 6 delves into the connection between wisdom and spirituality. The purpose of Lap 6 is to decipher the difference |

| | |between wisdom and what is misunderstood as wisdom in our society. |

|Day 1 |A – 4/2 |LLG 6: Compare/contrast how various cultures throughout history have defined and valued wisdom differently and assess how techniques |

| | |like prayer & yoga enhance wisdom. |

| | |Due: LLG 5 (must be submitted by the beginning of class) |

|Day 2 |C – 4/4 |DLG 6.1: Generate a theory about what wisdom is and what wisdom is not (four items) and evaluate the details behind the core aspects |

| | |(two) of wisdom. |

|Day 3 |D – 4/5 |DLG 6.2: Assess how wisdom relates to ignorance and spiritually critique the traditional societal places where wisdom is found. |

| | |Due: DLG 6.1 (must be submitted by the beginning of class) |

|Day 4 |F – 4/9 |DLG 6.3: Evaluate how particular (nine) spiritual exercises can lead to wisdom discovery (benefits and challenges) and assess how the |

| | |subtleness is related to wisdom’s non-duality. |

| | |Due: DLG 6.2 (must be submitted by the beginning of class) |

|Day 5 |J – 4/12 |Work on LLG assessment & CL Project |

| | |Due: DLG 6.3 (must be submitted by the beginning of class) |

|LAP 7 | |Lap Theme: Generosity & Service |

| | |Lap Overview: Lap 7 focuses on the need for generosity and service in spiritual beings. The purpose of Lap 7 is to utilize the great |

| | |religious traditions and illustrate the connection between service and spiritual health. |

|Day 1 |A – 4/16 |LLG 7: Evaluate the natural reasoning behind helping / giving to others and compare/contrast the concept of service within the great |

| | |religious traditions |

| | |Due: LLG 6 (must be submitted by the beginning of class) |

|Day 2 |C – 4/18 |DLG 7.1: Critique how the human barriers to generosity (developmental stages) impact society and assess defend the importance of a |

| | |helper’s high. |

|Day 3 |D – 4/19 |DLG 7.2: Evaluate the central principles for cultivating generosity and argue the importance of the need to awaken service in |

| | |ourselves and society (three components). |

| | |Due: DLG 7.1 (must be submitted by the beginning of class) |

|Day 4 |F – 4/23 |DLG 7.3: Judge how the particular (seven) spiritual exercises can promote generosity and service (benefits / challenges) and evaluate |

| |* |the higher reaches of service through small impacts. |

| | |Due: DLG 7.2 (must be submitted by the beginning of class) |

|Day 5 |J – 4/26 |Work on LLG assessment & CL Project |

| |*** |Due: DLG 7.3 (must be submitted by the beginning of class) |

|LAP 8 | | |

|Day 1 |A – 4/30 |Class Party; Course Evaluation; & Community Project Sharing |

|Day 2 |C – 5/2 | |

*Special Shortened Schedule due to Liturgy, Assembly, etc.

**Wednesday Shortened Schedule

***Prom Day Off

****Class in session by Mr. D’Agostino will not be present

Weighted Learning Score Breakdown

Spiritual Anthropology

D’Agostino – adagostino@

LAP #1 – Intro to Spirituality & the Enneagram

5 Class Meetings

Rationale: Why are we studying this material?

Lap 1 is an introduction the concept of spirituality in your personal life. In order to study spirituality in the world, you must first begin to understand how you personally perceive and experience spiritual concepts. This is accomplished through some introductory readings about spiritual practices and studying of personality types through the Enneagram.

Learning Goals: Upon Completion of this LAP students will be able to:

Day 1: Using higher-level thinking within Bloom’s Taxonomy, form critical questions about concepts and readings being presented about spirituality.

Day 2: Formulate a well-informed thesis of the overall benefits of spirituality in your personal life.

Day 3: Construct personal spiritual metaphors and authentic practices that help you foster development and transpersonal growth.

Day 4: Analyze the importance of the Enneagram within spirituality and how it applies to you personally.

Day 5: Assess your personal spiritual challenges and needs based on your Enneagram personality types.

|Open Lab Assignments: |

| |

|Choose one of the Open Lab Activities from the 8 different learning styles, found on Edline. Remember to begin planning for the 3 required Open Lab Activities. |

|Due Date: Approval meeting with Mr. D’Agostino by E-day & submission to by K-day |

|LAP TEST/ASSESSMENT: |

| |

|Brief Reading Quizzes |

|Due Date: Beginning of Class – Sporadic |

CLASS MEETINGS: DUE DATE

|DAY 1 |East: |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: |B-day 1/5 |

|NONE | |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: |West: |

|NONE |A-day 1/4 |

| | |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|- Using higher-level thinking within Bloom’s Taxonomy, form critical questions about concepts and readings being presented about | |

|spirituality. | |

| | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|1. What do I already know about spiritual practices and spirituality? | |

|2. How does spirituality play a role in your life? | |

|3. What do I hope to learn about spirituality (in general & personally) this semester? | |

|Class Activities: | |

|1. Intro Activity to Bloom’s Taxonomy – Create questions for class (small group) | |

|2. Syllabus distribution & Course Handouts (LAP Compendium, LAPs and Open Lab Activities) | |

|3. Brief Discussion of Open Questioning for next class – use when reading | |

| DAY 2 |East: |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: |D-day 1/9 |

|1. Walsh – Unveiling the Sacred p. 1-9 (found in your textbook) | |

|2. What is Your Spirituality Type Quiz () also linked on Edline in the Lap |West: |

|Reading folder |D-day 1/9 |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: | |

|- A brief paragraph answering one or several of the Daily Content Questions in order to demonstrate your mastery of the Daily Learning | |

|Goals (include Critical Thinking Question), posted on the Edline Discussion Board | |

| | |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|- Formulate a well-informed thesis of the overall benefits of spirituality in your personal life. | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|1. What are some psychological benefits of developing spiritual practices and some physical benefits? | |

|2. According to the chapter, what is the difference between spirituality and religion? | |

|3. What is the greatest of all spiritual discoveries? | |

|4. What is the perennial philosophy and the four major claims about reality and human nature (within that philosophy)? | |

|5. According to the online quiz, what is your spirituality type and what does that mean to you? | |

|Class Activities: | |

|1. Briefly discuss Critical Reading & Note-taking | |

|2. Discuss difference between religion & spirituality | |

|3. Create Question Activity about Personal Spiritual Challenges | |

|4. Discussion of Spirituality Types – Small Groups | |

| | |

|DAY 3 | |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: | |

|1. Walsh – Spiritual Practices p. 22-28 (found in your textbook) |East: |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: |E-day 1/10 |

|- A brief paragraph answering one or several of the Daily Content Questions in order to demonstrate your mastery of the Daily Learning | |

|Goals (include Critical Thinking Question), posted on the Edline Discussion Board |West: |

| |E-day 1/10 |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|- Construct personal spiritual metaphors and authentic practices that help you foster development and transpersonal growth. | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|1. Which of the metaphors for spiritual growth did you find the most relevant to you & why? Which were least relevant & why? | |

|2. What are the 3 major stages of human development and where are you on this journey? | |

|3. What are the benefits to spiritual growth? | |

|4. Why are humans so resistant to transpersonal growth and how does this relate to you? | |

|Class Activities: | |

|1. Briefly discuss Research Standards through 5 W’s | |

|2. Review the Seven Principles of Change – Journal Activity | |

|3. Personal blocks to Spiritual Growth – small group discussion | |

|4. Brief into to Enneagram – personality types | |

|DAY 4 |East: |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: |G-day 1/12 |

|1. The Enneagram & Spirituality (found in Lap Compendium) | |

|2. Enneagram Quiz () also linked on Edline in the Lap Reading folder |West: |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: |H-day 1/13 |

|- A brief paragraph answering one or several of the Daily Content Questions in order to demonstrate your mastery of the Daily Learning | |

|Goals (include Critical Thinking Question), posted on the Edline Discussion Board | |

| | |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|- Analyze the importance of the Enneagram within spirituality and how it applies to you personally. | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|1. What is the Enneagram and why is it important to the study of spirituality? | |

|2. What are the 3 centers and how are they involved with the dominant emotions of the different types? | |

|3. What are wings and how are they helpful in the Enneagram? | |

|4. What is your Enneagram type and wing (from the online quiz)? | |

|Class Activities: | |

|1. Discussion of Enneagram types & connection to spirituality | |

|2. Review of Enneagram within Christianity – original sin, etc. | |

|3. Discussion on Accuracy and denial | |

|4. Briefly intro to specific types – handouts | |

|DAY 5 |East: |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: |K-day 1/18 |

|1. Rohr & Ebert – The Nine Types: Enneagram (found in Mr. D’Agostino’s open lab) – choose the packet of your “type” | |

|2. Enneagram relationship matrix () also linked on Edline in the Lap Reading folder |West: |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: |K-day 1/18 |

|- A brief paragraph answering one or several of the Daily Content Questions in order to demonstrate your mastery of the Daily Learning | |

|Goals (include Critical Thinking Question), posted on the Edline Discussion Board | |

| | |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|- Assess your personal spiritual challenges and needs based on your Enneagrem personality types and the connection to others. | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|1. What are the major dilemmas/struggles for your personality type and how can you relate to them? | |

|2. Do the symbols and examples used to describe your personality type help you better understand/relate to concepts presented? Briefly | |

|explain. | |

|3. How spiritually helpful did you find the conversion and maturation section of your personality type? Briefly explain. | |

|Class Activities: | |

|1. Review your personality type | |

|2. Discuss impact on relationships – (connection to parents, siblings, friends, etc.) | |

|3. Discussion on helpfulness & future possibilities | |

Spiritual Anthropology

D’Agostino – adagostino@

LAP #2 – Intro to Animism & Transforming Your Motivations

5 Class Meetings

Rationale: Why are we studying this material?

Lap 2 delves into the first of the seven central spiritual practices (outlined in the course textbook by Walsh). The first step in any spiritual journey requires an initial self-assessment. Therefore, this lap will focus on the ultimate goal in life (happiness) and how spirituality will help achieve it. Then, in order to achieve happiness, you must analyze personal desires, cravings and attachments. This is accomplished through practical exercises and techniques. Meanwhile, this lap will briefly touch on spirituality within different religious traditions, including (arguably) the first spiritual movement within human culture – Animism.

Learning Goals: Upon Completion of this LAP students will be able to:

Day 1: Identify the true reason for happiness; how it is connected to spirituality; and the role of attachments/cravings.

Day 2: Propose how the six exercises to reduce cravings can benefit your personal life (include the challenges).

Day 3: Assess your higher motivations and how their role in your life (past, present & future).

Day 4: Evaluate how the three exercises to redirect desire impact your spiritual life (benefits and challenges).

Day 5: Analyze the connection between bliss, desire & spirituality and how restlessness plays a role in our spiritual reactions.

|Open Lab Assignments: |

| |

|Choose one of the Open Lab Activities from the 8 different learning styles, found on Edline. Remember to begin planning for the 3 required Open Lab Activities. |

|Due Date: Approval meeting with Mr. D’Agostino by E-day & submission to by K-day |

|LAP TEST/ASSESSMENT: |

| |

|Brief Reading Quizzes |

|Due Date: Beginning of Class – Sporadic |

| |

|Test #1 over Laps 1&2 |

|Due Date: First half of Lap 3 in the Testing Center (A-day 2/2 through E-day 2/9) |

CLASS MEETINGS: DUE DATE

|DAY 1 |East: |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: |B-day 1/20 |

|1. The Secret of Happiness p. 31-41 (found in your textbook) | |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: |West: |

|- In order to demonstrate your mastery of the Daily Learning Goal, post a brief paragraph about the reading on Edline – make sure to |A-day 1/19 |

|include terms/concepts from the reading and a Critical Question at the end. | |

| | |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|- Identify the true reason for happiness; how it is connected to spirituality; and the role of attachments/cravings. | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|1. What do we think will make us happy? Why do we become attached to them? Why is the belief that things equal happiness a delusion? | |

|2. What evidence is there to back up the great religions’ claim that external pleasures are less than fully satisfying? Why do we become| |

|so hypnotized by these pleasures and how can we free ourselves from their spell? | |

|3. How does Buddha’s story and teachings help us understand the problem with attachments? | |

|4. What is the cause of craving? | |

|5. What are the two different ways that we try to quench our attachments? Why will the second bring us happiness and not the first? | |

|Class Activities: | |

|1. Intro to Happiness ideal & Physical Foursome Discussion (slave to attachments) | |

|2. What are we addicted to (personally & socially) – Journal & Small Group | |

|3. Hindu four aims of life (brief intro & activity) | |

|4. Intro to Animism & “A Glimpse at World Religions” Handout | |

| DAY 2 |East: |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: |D-day 1/24 |

|1. Exercises to Reduce Cravings p. 42-50 (found in your textbook) | |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: |West: |

|- In order to demonstrate your mastery of the Daily Learning Goal, post a brief paragraph about the reading on Edline – make sure to |D-day 1/24 |

|include terms/concepts from the reading and a Critical Question at the end. | |

| | |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|- Propose how the six exercises to reduce cravings can benefit your personal life (include the challenges). | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|1. What are the six exercises to reduce cravings? | |

|2. Which ones do you find most helpful / useful in your spiritual journey – why? | |

|3. Which ones do you find most difficult / challenging to implement – why? | |

|Class Activities: | |

|1. Discussion about Exercises – which one works best (challenges & benefits) | |

|2. Intro to Personal & Societal Connection (thought – words – actions – habits – character – culture) | |

|3. Where do we go from here? | |

|DAY 3 |East: |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: |E-day 1/25 |

|1. Find Your Soul’s Desire p. 51-56 (found in your textbook) | |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: |West: |

|- In order to demonstrate your mastery of the Daily Learning Goal, post a brief paragraph about the reading on Edline – make sure to |E-day 1/25 |

|include terms/concepts from the reading and a Critical Question at the end. | |

| | |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|- Assess your higher motivations and how their role in your life (past, present & future). | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|1. What are the higher motivations in life? Do you focus on these higher motivations? | |

|2. What is divine homesickness and how is it cured? | |

|3. What is the cost of failing to recognize higher motivations? | |

|4. How do you cultivate higher motives? | |

|Class Activities: | |

|1. Discussion about Ego – Search within Oneself Activity | |

|2. Guided Meditation over higher motivations (external vs. internal) | |

|3. Discuss cultivation of higher motives – future journaling | |

|DAY 4 |East: |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: |G-day 1/27 |

|1. Exercises to Redirect Desires p. 57-64 (found in your textbook) | |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: |West: |

|- In order to demonstrate your mastery of the Daily Learning Goal, post a brief paragraph about the reading on Edline – make sure to |H-day 1/27 |

|include terms/concepts from the reading and a Critical Question at the end. | |

| | |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|- Evaluate how the three exercises to redirect desire impact your spiritual life (benefits and challenges). | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|1. What are the three exercises to redirect desires? | |

|2. Which ones do you find most helpful / useful in your spiritual journey – why? | |

|3. Which ones do you find most difficult / challenging to implement – why? | |

|Class Activities: | |

|1. Intro to Exercises & Exercise Pitfalls | |

|2. Brief Practice of Exercise in-class | |

|3. Intro to Starting a Gratitude Journal | |

|DAY 5 |East: |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: |K-day 2/1 |

|1. The Higher Reaches of Desire p. 65-68 (found in your textbook) | |

|2. Rolheiser – What is Spirituality (found in Lap Compendium) |West: |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: |K-day 2/1 |

|- In order to demonstrate your mastery of the Daily Learning Goal, post a brief paragraph about the reading on Edline – make sure to | |

|include terms/concepts from the reading and a Critical Question at the end. | |

| | |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|- Analyze the connection between bliss, desire & spirituality and how restlessness plays a role in our spiritual reactions. | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|1. What is the important difference between pleasure and bliss? How is this connected to spirituality? | |

|2. What does a state of effortless being look like? | |

|3. How is spirituality connected to desire? How is desire like a dis-ease (unrest)? | |

|4. How is spirituality something that is not our choice – a reaction to something inherent within all of us? | |

|Class Activities: | |

|1. Discuss connection between bliss and spirituality – desire and spirituality | |

|2. Discussion about Life’s Restlessness – Analyze our Reactions to Situations (Examples) | |

|3. Intro to “A Glimpse at World Religions” – Handout | |

Spiritual Anthropology

D’Agostino – adagostino@

LAP #3 – Intro to Polytheism & Cultivating Emotional Wisdom

5 Class Meetings

Rationale: Why are we studying this material?

Lap 3 delves into another important spiritual practice – cultivating emotional wisdom. After some initial self-assessment, it is time to explore strategies and challenges surrounding personal various emotions. Therefore, this lap will focus on personal emotional discovery exercises and how they ultimately connect to spiritual revelation. This includes the vital emotions of love, gratitude, anger, and fear. Meanwhile, this lap will continue to briefly touch on spirituality within different religious traditions, including a focus on Polytheism.

Learning Goals: Upon Completion of this LAP students will be able to:

Day 1: Examine the connection between true love and spirituality (as they relate to the different religions and your personal spiritual journey) and how your love language impacts your life.

Day 2: Assess the challenges and dangers of dealing with difficult emotions (generally & personally) and how it is related to emotional intelligence.

Day 3: Evaluate how the ten exercises to reduce fear and anger impact your spiritual life (benefits and challenges).

Day 4: Evaluate how the seven exercises to cultivate love and gratitude impact your spiritual life (benefits and challenges).

Day 5: Analyze the concept of transpersonal love within spirituality (related to religions) and how journaling discernment functions.

|Open Lab Assignments: |

| |

|Choose one of the Open Lab Activities from the 8 different learning styles, found on Edline. Remember to begin planning for the 3 required Open Lab Activities. |

|Due Date: Approval meeting with Mr. D’Agostino by E-day & submission to by K-day |

|LAP TEST/ASSESSMENT: |

| |

|Brief Reading Quizzes |

|Due Date: Beginning of Class – Sporadic |

| |

|Test #1 over Laps 1&2 |

|Due Date: First half of Lap 3 in the Testing Center (A-day 2/2 through E-day 2/9) |

CLASS MEETINGS: DUE DATE

|DAY 1 |East: |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: |B-day 2/6 |

|1. The Gift of Love p. 71-75 (found in your textbook) | |

|2. Languages of Love Quiz () also linked on Edline in the Lap Reading folder |West: |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: |A-day 2/2 |

|- In order to demonstrate your mastery of the Daily Learning Goal, post a brief paragraph about the reading on Edline – make sure to | |

|include terms/concepts from the reading and a Critical Question at the end. | |

| | |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|- Examine the connection between true love and spirituality (as they relate to the different religions and your personal spiritual | |

|journey) and how your love language impacts your life. | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|1. Why do we search for love and what are the challenges to that search? | |

|2. What is false love? What is the pain associated with it and why? | |

|3. How do the great religions differ on their approach to true love? How do you personally feel about the differences and why? | |

|4. Using the website for reference, what are the five languages of love and how did you score on them? What does this mean to you and | |

|your relationships…you spirituality? | |

|Class Activities: | |

|1. Intro to Love and Spirituality – personal reflection & identification (journal) | |

|2. Intro to Polytheism – shift from Animism | |

|3. Discussion of Love Languages – group discussion activity – 5 | |

| DAY 2 |East: |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: |D-day 2/8 |

|1. The Challenge of Difficult Emotions p. 76-81 (found in your textbook) | |

|2. Geula – Emotional Intelligence and Spiritual Development (found in Lap Compendium) |West: |

|3. Emotional Intelligence Quiz ( and/or ) also linked on Edline |D-day 2/8 |

|in the Lap Reading folder | |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: | |

|- In order to demonstrate your mastery of the Daily Learning Goal, post a brief paragraph about the reading on Edline – make sure to | |

|include terms/concepts from the reading and a Critical Question at the end. | |

| | |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|- Assess the challenges and dangers of dealing with difficult emotions (generally & personally) and how it is related to emotional | |

|intelligence. | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|1. When dealing with difficult emotions, what are our three major errors? | |

|What are the problems associated with each of these errors? Which error do you relate to the most and why? | |

|2. What do we fear (time period) and why? | |

|3. How does anger take over our lives and why is it so dangerous? What can the Zen story teach us? | |

|4. How are emotional intelligence and spirituality connected? Why is this a problem in our educational system? | |

|5. What is your emotional intelligence and how does it impact your life/spirituality? | |

|Class Activities: | |

|1. Intro to difficult emotions – brief three major errors activity | |

|2. Personal Fear and Anger Activities Intro to Personal & Societal Connection (thought – words – actions – habits – character – culture) | |

|3. Emotional Intelligence Discussion (general & personal) | |

|DAY 3 |East: |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: |E-day 2/9 |

|1. Exercises to Reduce Fear and Anger p. 82-98 (found in your textbook) | |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: |West: |

|- In order to demonstrate your mastery of the Daily Learning Goal, post a brief paragraph about the reading on Edline – make sure to |E-day 2/9 |

|include terms/concepts from the reading and a Critical Question at the end. | |

| | |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|- Evaluate how the ten exercises to reduce fear and anger impact your spiritual life (benefits and challenges). | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|1. What are the 10 exercises and how do they help in reducing fear and anger? | |

|2. Which of the exercises do you find most helpful in achieving this goal? | |

|3. How can some of these exercises specifically benefit your spiritual journey? | |

|Class Activities: | |

|1. Discussion about Fear and Anger in Society | |

|2. Guided Forgiveness Meditation | |

|3. Group activity over different exercises | |

|DAY 4 |East: |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: |G-day 2/13 |

|1. Cultivate Love and Gratitude p. 99-110 (found in your textbook) | |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: |West: |

|- In order to demonstrate your mastery of the Daily Learning Goal, post a brief paragraph about the reading on Edline – make sure to |H-day 2/14 |

|include terms/concepts from the reading and a Critical Question at the end. | |

| | |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|- Evaluate how the seven exercises to cultivate love and gratitude impact your spiritual life (benefits and challenges). | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|1. What are the 7 exercises and how do they help in increase love and gratitude? | |

|2. Which of the exercises do you find most helpful in achieving this goal? | |

|3. How can some of these exercises specifically benefit your spiritual journey? | |

|Class Activities: | |

|1. Discussion about Gratitude and Love in Society | |

|2. Officially Start Gratitude Journal | |

|3. Lenten discussion – positive vs. negative | |

|4. Group activity over different exercises | |

|DAY 5 |East: |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: |K-day 2/16 |

|1. The Higher Reaches of Love p. 111-114 (found in your textbook) | |

|2. Koch – Journal-keeping (found in your Lap Compendium) |West: |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: |K-day 2/16 |

|- In order to demonstrate your mastery of the Daily Learning Goal, post a brief paragraph about the reading on Edline – make sure to | |

|include terms/concepts from the reading and a Critical Question at the end. | |

| | |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|- Analyze the concept of transpersonal love within spirituality (related to religions) and how journaling discernment functions. | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|1. What does Mother Teresa’s story teach us about love? | |

|2. What is the difference between personal and transpersonal love? How does spirituality transition our “peak experience” into “plateau | |

|experience”? | |

|3. How do the different religions approach this concept of transpersonal love? How are Judaism and Taoism different? | |

|4. What is the role of journals and discernment in spirituality? What does it entail and how is it beneficial? | |

|Class Activities: | |

|1. Discuss Transpersonal and Personal Love within religious traditions | |

|2. Discuss Journal writing – outside of class | |

|3. Begin the Journal writing process of Discernment | |

Spiritual Anthropology

D’Agostino – adagostino@

LAP #4 – Intro to Monism/Pantheism & Living Ethically

5 Class Meetings

Rationale: Why are we studying this material?

Lap 4 attempts to transition from spiritual reflection on emotions to reflection on actions. This is a difficult yet productive journey for all humans. Ethics present constant struggles in our everyday interpretation of events. Therefore, this lap will focus on connection between inner and outer peace. Meanwhile, this lap will continue to briefly touch on spirituality within different religious traditions, including a focus on Pantheism.

Learning Goals: Upon Completion of this LAP students will be able to:

Day 1: Examine the costs of living unethically and the benefits of living ethically, and their connection to spirituality.

Day 2: Assess the three aspects of your life that need spiritual attention when discussing ethical living (identify their importance).

Day 3: Evaluate how the six exercises to promote ethical living impact your spiritual life (benefits and challenges).

Day 4: Evaluate the true costs and benefits of concentration and how psychology and religion have dealt with it.

Day 5: Evaluate how the eight exercises to transform the busyness of everyday life impact your spiritual life (benefits and challenges), and why is routine important.

|Open Lab Assignments: |

| |

|Choose one of the Open Lab Activities from the 8 different learning styles, found on Edline. Remember to begin planning for the 3 required Open Lab Activities. |

|Due Date: Approval meeting with Mr. D’Agostino by E-day & submission to by K-day |

|LAP TEST/ASSESSMENT: |

| |

|Brief Reading Quizzes |

|Due Date: Beginning of Class – Sporadic |

| |

|Test #1 over Laps 1&2 |

|Due Date: First half of Lap 3 in the Testing Center (A-day 3/5 through E-day 3/9) |

CLASS MEETINGS: DUE DATE

|DAY 1 |East: |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: |B-day 2/21 |

|1. The Value of Virtue, p. 117-124 (found in your textbook) | |

|2. Activity – Service: Love in Action (found in your Compendium) |West: |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: |A-day 2/20 |

|- In order to demonstrate your mastery of the Daily Learning Goal, post a brief paragraph about the reading on Edline – make sure to | |

|include terms/concepts from the reading and a Critical Question at the end. | |

| | |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|- Examine the costs of living unethically and the benefits of living ethically, and their connection to spirituality. | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|1. When rightly understood, what is ethical living? | |

|2. How are some answers to the question, “why live the golden rule?” based more on fear and guilt than understanding ethical living? Why| |

|is this a problem? | |

|3. What are the immediate and long-term costs of living an unethical life? What is the example that Walsh uses from his first meditation| |

|retreat? How does this relate? | |

|4. What are the true benefits of ethical living? What is one of the most powerful and important, yet, sadly, also one of the least | |

|understood spiritual principle? | |

|5. What religious founder may have focused the most on ethics and why? | |

|Class Activities: | |

|1. Intro to great religious tradition’s Golden Rule – Handout | |

|2. Discuss Love in Action Activity | |

|3. Review Lenten Activity & Gratitude Journal | |

| DAY 2 |East: |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: |D-day 2/23 |

|1. What is an Ethical Life, p. 125-136 (found in your textbook) | |

|2. Sherfield – The Role of Spirituality in Ethics (found in your Compendium) |West: |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: |D-day 2/23 |

|- In order to demonstrate your mastery of the Daily Learning Goal, post a brief paragraph about the reading on Edline – make sure to | |

|include terms/concepts from the reading and a Critical Question at the end. | |

| | |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|- Assess the three aspects of your life that need spiritual attention when discussing ethical living (identify their importance). | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|1. How is right speech so important to living ethically? What are some examples of how speech is so powerful? What are some of the true| |

|components of right speech? | |

|2. How is right action different than sacrifice? | |

|3. What is the trap of ritualism and how do we fall into it (examples)? | |

|4. Why is the “first do no harm” principle so important? Who truly embodied such a principle in the 20th century? | |

|5. Why must we heal our past? What are the Guidelines to accomplish this? What are some examples? | |

|Class Activities: | |

|1. List of good speech Activity – due next class | |

|2. Discuss Compendium Article | |

|DAY 3 |East: |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: |E-day 2/24 |

|1. Exercises in Ethical Living, p. 137-142 (found in your textbook) | |

|2. The Higher Reaches of Ethical Living, p. 143-144 (found in your textbook) |West: |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: |E-day 2/24 |

|- In order to demonstrate your mastery of the Daily Learning Goal, post a brief paragraph about the reading on Edline – make sure to | |

|include terms/concepts from the reading and a Critical Question at the end. | |

| | |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|- Evaluate how the six exercises to promote ethical living impact your spiritual life (benefits and challenges). | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|1. What are the six exercises that help promote ethical living? | |

|2. How does each one of these exercise create challenges and benefits for the person attempting them? | |

|3. In what popular medieval play is the ethical shift exquisitely portrayed? What does it teach us? | |

|4. How is our own Self and the Self of others related to ethics within spirituality? | |

|Class Activities: | |

|1. Discuss the exercises – choose one – create groups to discuss practical challenges & benefits – due next class (journal reflection) | |

|2. Review Good Speech Activity | |

|3. Share with a loved one Activity – due next class | |

|DAY 4 |East: |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: |G-day 2/28 |

|1. Your Meandering Mind p. 147-153 (found in your textbook) | |

|2. Wood – The Practice of Pantheist Mindfulness (found in your Compendium) |West: |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: |H-day 2/29 |

|- In order to demonstrate your mastery of the Daily Learning Goal, post a brief paragraph about the reading on Edline – make sure to | |

|include terms/concepts from the reading and a Critical Question at the end. | |

| | |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|- Evaluate the true costs and benefits of concentration and how psychology and religion have dealt with it. | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|1. What brief experiment does Walsh use to demonstrate how out of control our minds are? | |

|2. What two scholars does Walsh use to display how psychology gives up on this problem – how? | |

|3. How have the great religions solved this problem (especially compared to western psychology)? How is this importance captured in the | |

|Zen story and Wang Yang-ming’s writings? | |

|4. What are the costs of poor concentration? | |

|5. What are the benefits of a concentrated mind? | |

|Class Activities: | |

|1. Clear mind activity with pen & paper – guided | |

|2. Intro to Pantheism – reading discussion | |

|3. Discuss chosen exercise – accomplishments, etc. | |

|DAY 5 |East: |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: |K-day 3/2 |

|1. Develop a Peaceful Mind, p. 154-167 (found in your textbook) | |

|2. The Higher Reached of Concentration and Calm, p. 168-171 (found in your textbook) |West: |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: |K-day 3/2 |

|- In order to demonstrate your mastery of the Daily Learning Goal, post a brief paragraph about the reading on Edline – make sure to | |

|include terms/concepts from the reading and a Critical Question at the end. | |

| | |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|- Evaluate how the eight exercises to transform the busyness of everyday life impact your spiritual life (benefits and challenges), and | |

|why is routine important. | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|1. Who was the most influential Hindu thinkers of all time and why was he important? | |

|2. What are the two key elements that meditation and other concentration techniques have in common? | |

|3. What are the eight exercises to transform the busyness of your everyday life? What are the challenges and benefits to each? | |

|4. Why is establishing a routine advantageous? How does it work? | |

|5. What is continuous concentration and how does it work in our lives? | |

|Class Activities: | |

|1. Discuss the exercises – choose one – create groups to discuss practical challenges & benefits – due next class (journal reflection) | |

|2. Routine Activity – create on your own & share – then due for next class | |

|3. Continuous Concentration Discussion | |

Spiritual Anthropology

D’Agostino – adagostino@

LAP #5 – Intro to Eastern Non-theism & Calming Your Mind

5 Class Meetings

Rationale: Why are we studying this material?

Lap 5 moves into practical spiritual awareness through prayer, reflection and meditation. This lap will begin with a review of elements already covered in basic spirituality laps at the beginning of the semester. Once the basic concentration ideas are reestablished, the lap shifts focus toward putting these concepts into action through awareness of the sacred. This is accomplished through various prayer practices/techniques and emphasis on seeing the sacred in absolutely everything.

Learning Goals: Upon Completion of this LAP students will be able to:

Day 1: Examine the costs of living mindlessly and the benefits, and their connection to our senses.

Day 2: Evaluate how the seven exercises to promote awareness impact your spiritual life (benefits and challenges).

Day 3: Assess the blinding power of science and the actual power of the sacred within.

Day 4: Evaluate how the four exercises to promote seeing the sacred impact your spiritual life (benefits and challenges); and how to examen consciousness.

Day 5: Evaluate how to succeed in deepening ones awareness of the sacred and how it evolves through the dark night of the soul and spiritual dreaming.

|Open Lab Assignments: |

| |

|Choose one of the Open Lab Activities from the 8 different learning styles, found on Edline. Remember to continue planning for the 3 required Open Lab |

|Activities. |

|Due Date: Approval meeting with Mr. D’Agostino by E-day & submission to by K-day |

|LAP TEST/ASSESSMENT: |

| |

|Brief Reading Quizzes |

|Due Date: Beginning of Class – Sporadic |

| |

|Test #2 over Laps 3&4 |

|Due Date: First half of Lap 5 in the Testing Center (A-day 3/5 through E-day 3/9) |

CLASS MEETINGS: DUE DATE

|DAY 1 |East: |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: |B-day 3/6 |

|1. The Healing Power of Awareness, p. 175-183 (found in your textbook) | |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: |West: |

|- In order to demonstrate your mastery of the Daily Learning Goal, post a brief paragraph about the reading on Edline – make sure to |A-day 3/5 |

|include terms/concepts from the reading and a Critical Question at the end. | |

| | |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|- Examine the costs of living mindlessly and the benefits, and their connection to our senses. | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|1. What are the four costs of living mindlessly (bereft of spiritual vision)? | |

|2. How are we strangers to ourselves? What do the Buddhists, Hindus and Christians call this? | |

|3. What are the benefits of living mindfully? | |

|4. In order to be mindful, what are the two things that we must do to our senses? What are the benefits/gifts that this can offer us? | |

|5. What are the two types of meditation and their differences? | |

|6. According to the Buddha, what are the three types of automatic response feelings that every sensory experience has? What is the weak | |

|link in the chain? | |

|7. What are the three major beneficial effects to mindfulness? | |

|Class Activities: | |

|1. Self-care Handout – Discussion activity | |

|2. Sensory Feelings Discussion – Activity | |

|3. Benefits of Mindfulness Discussion | |

| DAY 2 |East: |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: |D-day 3/8 |

|1. Exercises in Awareness, p. 184-194 (found in your textbook) | |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: |West: |

|- In order to demonstrate your mastery of the Daily Learning Goal, post a brief paragraph about the reading on Edline – make sure to |D-day 3/8 |

|include terms/concepts from the reading and a Critical Question at the end. | |

| | |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|- Evaluate how the seven exercises to promote awareness impact your spiritual life (benefits and challenges). | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|1. What are the seven exercises that help promote awareness? | |

|2. How does each one of these exercise create challenges and benefits for the person attempting them? | |

|3. What Jewish prophet does the mindful music exercise relate to? | |

|4. What twentieth century psychotherapist is used when discussing the listening exercise? | |

|Class Activities: | |

|1. Exercise activity – divided into groups | |

|2. Centering Prayer Handout and Activity | |

|DAY 3 |East: |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: |E-day 3/9 |

|1. Seeing the Sacred in All Things, p. 195-200 (found in your textbook) | |

|2. Koch – Where are You? (found in your Compendium) |West: |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: |E-day 3/9 |

|- In order to demonstrate your mastery of the Daily Learning Goal, post a brief paragraph about the reading on Edline – make sure to | |

|include terms/concepts from the reading and a Critical Question at the end. | |

| | |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|- Assess the blinding power of science and the actual power of the sacred within. | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|1. What is the blinding power of science referring to? What are the limitations to science? | |

|2. What did Augustine call the sacred within? Why? | |

|3. What did a Zen practitioner see as a child and misinterpret the experience (only to later understand its sacredness)? | |

|4. What does the story about personalities and expectations tell us about relationships? | |

|Class Activities: | |

|1. Discuss Compendium Reading – journal activity questions | |

|2. How do we perceive the world Activity | |

|3. Multiple Intelligences Prayer Inventory | |

|DAY 4 |East: |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: |G-day 3/13 |

|1. Exercises in Sacred Seeing, p. 201-204 (found in your textbook) | |

|2. Zagano – Examen of Consciousness (found in your Compendium) |West: |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: |H-day 3/14 |

|- In order to demonstrate your mastery of the Daily Learning Goal, post a brief paragraph about the reading on Edline – make sure to | |

|include terms/concepts from the reading and a Critical Question at the end. | |

| | |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|- Evaluate how the four exercises to promote seeing the sacred impact your spiritual life (benefits and challenges); and how to examen | |

|consciousness. | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|1. What are the four exercises that help promote seeing the sacred? | |

|2. How does each one of these exercise create challenges and benefits for the person attempting them? | |

|3. What are the steps when examining your consciousness to find god in all things? Who created this exercise? | |

|4. What are the challenges and benefits to it? | |

|Class Activities: | |

|1. Discernment Handout and Activity | |

|2. Discussion of Exercises | |

|3. Experience the Examen | |

|DAY 5 |East: |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: |K-day 3/16 |

|1. The Higher Reaches of Vision, p. 205-210 (found in your textbook) | |

|2. Creighton – Some Thoughts on Prayer (found in your Compendium) |West: |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: |K-day 3/16 |

|- In order to demonstrate your mastery of the Daily Learning Goal, post a brief paragraph about the reading on Edline – make sure to | |

|include terms/concepts from the reading and a Critical Question at the end. | |

| | |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|- Evaluate how to succeed in deepening ones awareness of the sacred and how it evolves through the dark night of the soul and spiritual | |

|dreaming. | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|1. What is the secret to succeed in deepening ones awareness of the sacred? Who did the Buddha explain this approach to and how? | |

|2. What is the dark night of the soul and how is it cured? | |

|3. What is effortless effort, wu wei (nondoing) and continuance referring to? | |

|4. What is spiritual dream yoga and how does it occur? | |

|5. What are the four key elements to finding God in everyday life? | |

|6. How can prayer be like relationship? | |

|7. To whom should we pray? | |

|Class Activities: | |

|1. Discuss Lectio Divina – Handout & Activity | |

|2. Prayer Discussion | |

|3. Discuss Dark Night of Soul – St. John of Cross Handout | |

Spiritual Anthropology

D’Agostino – adagostino@

LAP #6 – Intro to Theism & Awakening Your Spiritual Vision

5 Class Meetings

Rationale: Why are we studying this material?

Lap 6 focuses on wisdom. This lap will utilize the great religious traditions to decipher the difference between wisdom and what is misunderstood as wisdom in our society. Through wisdom exercises and techniques, the students will use the ancient art of yoga to expand their spiritual experience.

Learning Goals: Upon Completion of this LAP students will be able to:

Day 1: NONE

Day 2: Analyze wisdom and what it is not (four items) as well as the details behind the two aspects of wisdom.

Day 3: Assess the traditional places that we find wisdom and how it is connected to ignorance.

Day 4: Evaluate how the nine exercises to discover wisdom and the benefits / challenges of each (four mind-changers).

Day 5: Evaluate the subtleness of wisdom; the state of pure consciousness; and nonduality within wisdom.

|Open Lab Assignments: |

| |

|Choose one of the Open Lab Activities from the 8 different learning styles, found on Edline. Remember to continue planning for the 3 required Open Lab |

|Activities. |

|Due Date: Approval meeting with Mr. D’Agostino by E-day & submission to by K-day |

|LAP TEST/ASSESSMENT: |

| |

|Brief Reading Quizzes |

|Due Date: Beginning of Class – Sporadic |

| |

|Test #3 over Laps 5&6 |

|Due Date: First half of Lap 7 in the Testing Center (A-day 4/11 through E-day 4/17) |

CLASS MEETINGS: DUE DATE

|DAY 1 |East: |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: |B-day 3/27 |

|NONE | |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: |West: |

|NONE |A-day 3/26 |

| | |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|NONE | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|NONE | |

|Class Activities: | |

|TBA | |

| DAY 2 |East: |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: |D-day 3/29 |

|1. What is Wisdom, p. 213-220 (found in your textbook) | |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: |West: |

|- In order to demonstrate your mastery of the Daily Learning Goal, post a brief paragraph about the reading on Edline – make sure to |D-day 3/29 |

|include terms/concepts from the reading and a Critical Question at the end. | |

| | |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|- Analyze wisdom and what it is not (four items) as well as the details behind the two aspects of wisdom. | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|1. How would you explain what wisdom is NOT? How is wisdom more than these four items? | |

|2. What are the two aspects of wisdom? What are the three things that the visionary aspect of wisdom explores? | |

|Class Activities: | |

|1. Yoga Discussion / Practice Continued | |

|2. Let it Be Song – Activity with Handout | |

|3. Discussion of Wisdom – Intro | |

|DAY 3 |East: |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: |E-day 3/30 |

|1. Awakening Wisdom, p. 221-231 (found in your textbook) | |

|2. Biema – Mother Teresa’s Crisis of Faith? (found in your Compendium) |West: |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: |E-day 3/30 |

|- In order to demonstrate your mastery of the Daily Learning Goal, post a brief paragraph about the reading on Edline – make sure to | |

|include terms/concepts from the reading and a Critical Question at the end. | |

| | |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|- Assess the traditional places that we find wisdom and how it is connected to ignorance. | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|1. How must we prepare for wisdom? Why does wisdom require ignorance? | |

|2. What is the significance of the story about the knowledgeable professor and the wise Zen master? How is recognizing ignorance a | |

|relief and a gift? | |

|3. Where are the five traditional places that we find wisdom? How is solitude different than loneliness? Who are the “wise” that we | |

|should learn from? | |

|4. What are the three levels of self-knowledge? What are their differences? | |

|5. Why do we continue to overlook the secret of life? What are the three important techniques in knowing oneself? What does modern | |

|psychology teach us about self-acceptance? | |

|Class Activities: | |

|1. Crisis of Faith Activity / Discussion | |

|2. Intro to Wisdom Awareness | |

|DAY 4 |East: |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: |G-day 4/3 |

|1. Exercises in Wisdom, p. 232-242 (found in your textbook) | |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: |West: |

|- In order to demonstrate your mastery of the Daily Learning Goal, post a brief paragraph about the reading on Edline – make sure to |H-day 4/4 |

|include terms/concepts from the reading and a Critical Question at the end. | |

| | |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|- Evaluate how the nine exercises to discover wisdom and the benefits / challenges of each (four mind-changers). | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|1. What are the nine exercises in discovering wisdom? | |

|2. How does each one of these exercise create challenges and benefits for the person attempting them? | |

|3. What are the “four mind-changers” that Tibetan Buddhists focus on? What do each of them mean for us? | |

|4. What is important in discovering you philosophy in life? | |

|5. What is the goal of self-examination and why is it so difficult? What is corrective visualization and how is it helpful? | |

|Class Activities: | |

|1. Review Exercise issues – mind-changers | |

|2. Discussion of Exercises | |

|DAY 5 |East: |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: |K-day 4/10 |

|1. The Higher Reaches of Wisdom, p. 243-248 (found in your textbook) | |

|2. Hahn – Nonduality Poem (found in your Compendium) |West: |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: |K-day 4/10 |

|- In order to demonstrate your mastery of the Daily Learning Goal, post a brief paragraph about the reading on Edline – make sure to | |

|include terms/concepts from the reading and a Critical Question at the end. | |

| | |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|- Evaluate the subtleness of wisdom; the state of pure consciousness; and nonduality within wisdom. | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|1. What is subtle wisdom and what is its central insight? | |

|2. What does it mean to be in a state of pure consciousness? What does it mean for our worldly attachments? What is the challenge at | |

|this level? | |

|3. What happens at the level of nondual wisdom? What is nonduality? | |

|4. What does it mean to experience all things as inseperable aspects of the Divine, including the sense of self? Why is this not | |

|blasphemy (calling oneself God) or psychotic? | |

|Class Activities: | |

|1. Discuss Nonduality – Intro to Oneness | |

|2. The One Movie – Activity Questions | |

Spiritual Anthropology

D’Agostino – adagostino@

Lap #7 – Intro to Deism & Cultivating Spiritual Intelligence

5 Class Meetings

Rationale: Why are we studying this material?

Lap 7 focuses on generosity and service. This lap will utilize the great religious traditions to illustrate the connection between service and spiritual health. Through service/generosity exercises and techniques, the students will begin to understand the real reason for helping others. Service is part of our human nature and we are drawn to its many benefits.

Learning Goals: Upon Completion of this LAP students will be able to:

Day 1: NONE

Day 2: Analyze service within the great religions and the human barriers to generosity; the developmental stages; and the helper’s high.

Day 3: Assess the central principles for cultivating generosity and the three components to awakening service.

Day 4: Evaluate the seven exercises in generosity and service; and the benefits / challenges of each.

Day 5: Evaluate the higher reaches of service; how it relates to Bucky Fuller; and small impacts on the world.

|Open Lab Assignments: |

| |

|Choose one of the Open Lab Activities from the 8 different learning styles, found on Edline. Remember to continue planning for the 3 required Open Lab |

|Activities. |

|Due Date: Approval meeting with Mr. D’Agostino by E-day & submission to by K-day |

|LAP TEST/ASSESSMENT: |

| |

|Brief Reading Quizzes |

|Due Date: Beginning of Class – Sporadic |

| |

|Test #3 over Laps 5&6 |

|Due Date: First half of Lap 7 in the Testing Center (A-day 4/11 through E-day 4/17) |

| |

|Final Examination over all 7 Laps |

|Due Date: TBA – During Final Exam Week |

CLASS MEETINGS: DUE DATE

|DAY 1 |East: |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: |B-day 4/12 |

|NONE | |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: |West: |

|NONE |A-day 4/11 |

| | |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|NONE | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|NONE | |

|Class Activities: | |

|TBA | |

| DAY 2 |East: |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: |D-day 4/16 |

|1. The Spirit of Service, p. 251-259 (found in your textbook) | |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: |West: |

|- In order to demonstrate your mastery of the Daily Learning Goal, post a brief paragraph about the reading on Edline – make sure to |D-day 4/16 |

|include terms/concepts from the reading and a Critical Question at the end. | |

| | |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|- Analyze service within the great religions and the human barriers to generosity; the developmental stages; and the helper’s high. | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|1. What do the great religions say about service and why? What are the barriers to true generosity? | |

|2. What are the three developmental growth stages of generosity? | |

|3. Who are used as examples of finding joy in service? How do they do it? | |

|4. What is the helper’s high and how does it work? | |

|5. Why and how do the religions of the world see service as a supreme practice? Why should service be considered a means and not an ends| |

|to spiritual awareness? How are difficulties potential contributions (examples)? | |

|Class Activities: | |

|1. Discussion of Service – Intro | |

|2. Examples of life difficulties – Activity | |

|DAY 3 |East: |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: |E-day 4/17 |

|1. Develop A Generous Heart, p. 260-267 (found in your textbook) | |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: |West: |

|- In order to demonstrate your mastery of the Daily Learning Goal, post a brief paragraph about the reading on Edline – make sure to |E-day 4/17 |

|include terms/concepts from the reading and a Critical Question at the end. | |

| | |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|- Assess the central principles for cultivating generosity and the three components to awakening service. | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|1. What are the central principles for cultivating generosity directly? | |

|2. Where should we look for people to inspire us and why? How should you go about discovering “how you would like to help”? | |

|3. What is the right motivation for giving? How do we “start small”? What does this mean and what are some examples? | |

|4. What are the two elements of karma yoga and how are they connected to service? How is awakening service a delicate balancing act? | |

|5. What is the third component to awakening service? How does it work? | |

|Class Activities: | |

|1. Intro to central principles | |

|2. Service in the future and beyond (college, etc.) – reflection activity | |

|DAY 4 |East: |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: |G-day 4/19 |

|1. Exercises in Generosity and Service, p. 268-274 (found in your textbook) | |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: |West: |

|- In order to demonstrate your mastery of the Daily Learning Goal, post a brief paragraph about the reading on Edline – make sure to |H-day 4/20 |

|include terms/concepts from the reading and a Critical Question at the end. | |

| | |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|- Evaluate the seven exercises in generosity and service; and the benefits / challenges of each. | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|1. What are the seven exercises in generosity and service? | |

|2. What was the story about people carving stone and what was the connection to work/service? | |

|3. How is the story about Mother Teresa and smog connected to pain/compassion? | |

|4. What are the three steps to awaken service within karma yoga? | |

|5. What was the story of Walsh’s friend at the retreat and how does it relate to “helper’s high”? | |

|Class Activities: | |

|1. Review Exercise issues – small groups | |

|2. Discussion of Exercises | |

|DAY 5 |East: |

|Readings/Activity DUE at the beginning of the class: |K-day 4/24 |

|1. The Higher Reaches of Generosity, p. 275-279 (found in your textbook) | |

|Daily Practice of Learning Goal DUE at the beginning of the class: |West: |

|- In order to demonstrate your mastery of the Daily Learning Goal, post a brief paragraph about the reading on Edline – make sure to |K-day 4/24 |

|include terms/concepts from the reading and a Critical Question at the end. | |

| | |

|Daily Learning Goal: | |

|- Evaluate the higher reaches of service; how it relates to Bucky Fuller; and small impacts on the world. | |

|Daily Content Questions: | |

|1. What was the story of Bucky and what did it teach us? | |

|2. What was the connection between Gandhi’s response to the British salt tax and the Bucky Fuller game? | |

|3. What does true spiritual vision within service help us to actually see those we serve? | |

|4. How is our small amount of service meaningful in such a large world of need? | |

|Class Activities: | |

|1. Discuss Service – ripple effect activity (impactful) | |

|2. Video clip on service impact | |

Spiritual Anthropology – Lap 8

End-of-the-year half lap

Lap 8 will only last 3 day (3 class meetings). The 4th class meeting day will be a party. During this Lap, you will be reading various interesting articles from different authors. These readings will cover a variety of topics. There will be NO open lab assignment due this lap, unless you have not completed all 3 of your required open labs. You will still be required to submit 3 daily assessment assignments on Edline, similar to the whole semester. Follow the following steps:

1. Read the assigned article before the day it is due (for class).

i. Day 1: The Heart of Money: Are We to Blame?

ii. Day 2: Exercise, Sports and Spirituality

iii. Day 3: Spiritual Nutrition: Feeding the Body, Nourishing the Spirit

2. Conduct a search (on databases, journal sites, other search engines, etc.) for another short article that discusses similar concepts to the assigned article. Make sure the article is appropriate and from a scholarly source (written by an expert, on a reputable website or in a reputable publication, etc.)

3. Read the article you found and answer the following questions.

i. Which of the seven laps from the semester do these articles relate to (and why)?

ii. What did I learn from these articles?

iii. How does this material impact my life and the society as a whole?

4. Lastly, submit your answers to these questions on the discussion board on the appropriate day.

-----------------------

Daily Learning Goals (25%) – 20 assessments

Lap Learning Goals (25%) – 6 assessments

Leadership Projects (25%) – 2 assessments

Course Exams (25%) –

2 assessments

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