RLBcB543 Introduction to Western Esotericism

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2019
Extent and Intensity
0/0/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Tancredi Andrew Marrone (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Jana Valtrová, Ph.D.
Department for the Study of Religions – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Mgr. Kateřina Sedlářová
Supplier department: Department for the Study of Religions – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Thu 14:00–15:40 J22
Prerequisites (in Czech)
RLBcA001 Introduction to the Study of Religions
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 12 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives (in Czech)
The student will acquire an overview of the history, practices and cultural milieus which constitute the field of Western Esotericism. Moreover, the student will acquire the analytical tools, definitions, and foundational literature to address this field of research.
Learning outcomes (in Czech)
After the course, the student will:
-obtain analytical tools to identify, research and discuss the key features of Western Esotericism and its manifestations in Western culture;
-obtain the capacity to recognize and compare the characteristics of Western Esotericism intended as exclusive hidden knowledge, as a perspective of an enchanted world but also as an academic paradigm in traditional religious movements, new religious movements, mystical schools of thought and popular culture.
Syllabus (in Czech)
  • The course will include the following topics:
  • -History of Western Esotericism;
  • -Overview of academic literature concerning Western Esotericism;
  • -Research perspectives connected to Western Esotericism;
  • -Lesson One: Definitions of Esotericism;
  • -Lesson Two: Ancient Mystery Cults and Gnostic Traditions;
  • -Lesson Three: Medieval and Renaissance Hermeticism and Mysticism;
  • -Lesson Four: Illustrating Seminar;
  • -Lesson Five: Kabbalah and Merkava Mysticism;
  • -Lesson Six: John Dee and Edward Kelley;
  • -Lesson Seven: The XX Century;
  • -Lesson Eight: Illustrating Seminar;
  • -Lesson Nine: Contemporary Esotericism;
  • -Lesson Ten: Esotericism and Pop Culture;
  • -Lesson Eleven: The Theory of Magic;
  • -Lesson Twelve: Concluding seminar.
Literature
    recommended literature
  • HANEGRAAFF, W. J. Esotericism and the academy : rejected knowledge in western culture. 1st pub. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012, x, 468. ISBN 9780521196215. info
  • NICHOLAS, Goodrick Clarke. The Western Esoteric Traditions: A Historical Introduction. New York: Oxford University Press, 2008, 296 pp. ISBN 0-19-532099-9. info
  • ARTHUR, Versluis. Magic and Mysticism: An Introduction to Western Esoteric Traditions. Lanham, Maryland: Magic and Mysticism: An Introduction to Western Esoteric Traditions, 2007. ISBN 1-4616-3987-5. info
  • STUCKRAD, Kocku von. Western esotericism : a brief history of secret knowledge. Edited by Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke. 1st pub. London: Equinox, 2005, xii, 167. ISBN 1845530349. info
Teaching methods (in Czech)
The structure of the lesson will be divided into lecture and discussion. The students will be required to study the assigned literature prior to each class and to actively participate in critical debating. The latter will be founded on a question concerning the topic of each individual lecture and discussed at the end of the class.
Assessment methods (in Czech)
The student will write a paper on the basis of questions provided by the lecturer. There will be three options the student can select from and provide an open-ended answer. This will constitute 70% of the final grade. The seminars will serve as revision for the lectures and as knowledge assessment. Each seminar will have a series of questions concerning the individual block of lectures that precede them. This will constitute 20% of the final grade. Participation in the lecture debates will constitute 10% of the final grade.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught only once.
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