RLBcB543 Introduction to Esotericism

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2026

The course is not taught in Spring 2026

Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Tancredi Andrew Marrone (lecturer)
Mgr. Jakub Cigán, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
PhDr. Dalibor Papoušek, Ph.D.
Department for the Study of Religions – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Mgr. Kristýna Čižmářová
Supplier department: Department for the Study of Religions – Faculty of Arts
Prerequisites (in Czech)
RLBcA001 Introduction to Religion
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.
The capacity limit for the course is 50 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/50, only registered: 0/50, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/50
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 12 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Abstract (in Czech)
The main objective of the course is to provide an overview of the various themes and academic methodologies which are found within the field of study of Esotericism as a branch of the Study of Religions. The topics will cover both the history of esotericism as much as the influence that it had on mainstream culture, philosophy, religion, politics, epistemology and also the hard sciences. Topics will cover magic, alchemy astrology, conspiracy theories, politics and fringe religious movements. It will discuss the clashes with major philosophical and religious currents as much as the contemporary acceptance of alternative spiritualities and modes of thinking in contemporary culture. The methodological approaches will range from anthropology, to history, sociology and artistic expression.
Learning outcomes (in Czech)
Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:
  • relate to the symbology of esotericism from various currents;
  • become accustomed to a number of Esoteric currents;
  • understand the underlying philosophy behind Esoteric thinking;
  • apply various analytical methodologies to the study of Esotericism;
  • learn how to structure an argument with a concluding research project.
    • Key topics (in Czech)
    1 Introduction to the Study of Esotericism (Tancredi Marrone) 2 History of Esotericism (Dell Rose) 3 Czech Esotericism (Jan Sevcik) 4 Esotericism and Art (Andrej Kapcar) 5 Esotericism and Psychedelics (Tancredi Marrone) 6 Esotericism and Conspiracy Theories (Tancredi Marrone) 7 Esotericism and Sexuality (Tancredi Marrone) 8 Esotericism and Neo Paganism (Giuseppe Maiello) 9 Satanism and the Left Hand Path (Matus Mokry 10 Masonry and Secret Societies (Tancredi Marrone, John Meek) 11 Esotericism and the Introduction of Eastern Traditions (Tancredi Marrone, Tomas Klubi) 12 Secrecy and the Enigma of Esotericism (Tancredi Marrone)
    Study resources and 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
    Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching (in Czech)
    Lectures, Debates, Presentation of multimedia material. Establishment of an essay topic
    Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements (in Czech)
    20 points for the annotation and discussion (10+10, i.e., 20%) and 80 points for the project and its defense (50+30, i.e., 80%) + bonus points for participation in lectures (ca. 10 points)
    Language of instruction
    English
    Further Comments
    The course is taught only once.
    The course is taught every week.
    • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2026/RLBcB543