Consciousness and Spirituality

Director:  Louis Hoffman, PhD

The Consciousness and Spirituality (CSP) concentration is designed for students who wish to explore dimensions of  consciousness, that include individual, collective, and trans-cultural perspectives, within and beyond the Western definitions of conventional thinking. It includes exploration into theories of consciousness; creativity; culture, the study of exceptional human abilities; anomalous phenomena; hypnosis; meditation; the relationship of mind, body, and spirit; and wisdom traditions and spiritual practices of the world. The integrated study of consciousness and spirituality offers ways of understanding people’s inner worlds as accessed through such methods as depth psychology, self-regulation, inner healing, mental imaging, active imagination, the arts, dream work, and contemplative practice. The study of consciousness as it relates to people’s outer world is approached through methods ranging from psychophysiology and other empirical investigations, ethnography, and historiography, to explorations of work and community life, interpersonal relationships, and social action.

Although not intended as preparation for licensure, studies in this concentration can be applied to the work of psychologists and other licensed mental health professionals. Studies can also be applied to peace work, pastoral care, spiritual counseling, conflict resolution, education, consulting, and organizational work. Students from all degree programs may enroll in (CSP). A maximum of two of the following courses from other concentrations can be used to fulfill requirements of the Consciousness and Spirituality concentration: ALL 3040, STR 6500, HTP 2060, 3075, 3110, 3510, 4515, IHS 4020, 4040, 4045, 4060, and ORG 7076.