University of Kent

The Course

Course requirements

Four module assignments (each 5,000 words), one dissertation (12-15,000 words).

The MA in the Cultural Study of Cosmology and Divination and the MA in the Study of Mysticism and Religious Experience are unique developments at the University of Kent, complementing each other in subject matter and in their innovative and challenging approaches to the study of spiritual experience. Cosmology and Divination focuses on two main areas: imaginal cosmology and symbolism, and the history and theory of divinatory practices. Historical and contemporary themes are explored through a variety of methods including the reading of primary texts, the study of music and images, comparative and analytical approaches. Divinatory practices and beliefs are reviewed in the light of traditional metaphysics and philosophy, religious and magical contexts, contemporary psychological theories and practice-based enquiry.  Specific subject areas include the cosmology and epistemology of Platonic, neoplatonic and esoteric traditions, symbolism and its interpretation, imagination as knowledge,  cosmology and music, cosmology  and literature, alchemical imagery and practices, the history, symbolism and interpretation of astrology, Tarot as a divinatory narrative, near death and after death experience, transpersonal and para-psychology and Jungian and archetypal perspectives on both divination and spiritual experience.

The four modules offered for 2009-10 are as follows:

1. TH866 Cosmology and the Arts

Lecturer:  Angela Voss
Credits: 30 (15 ECTS)

Period of Study: spring term (ten 2-hours seminars).  This module provides the opportunity to deepen understanding and experience of the sacred dimension of the arts.  Themes may include the cosmological  aspects of literature, music, art or drama.  Students will be encouraged to adopt an imaginal approach to their research, both through course work and visits to relevant plays, exhibitions, concerts or workshops.  Emphasis will be on the philosophical and religious foundations of art and creativity and how these inform historical and contemporary practice.   For information on the specific themes to be covered in 2009-10, please contact the convenor.  Assessment is by one essay of 3-5,000 words and one Learning Journal extract of 2-3,000 words.

The Learning Journal

The learning journal assignment is a compulsory element of the MA  and will comprise half the assessment of TH866. For the duration of the year, the student will record his or her personal responses to issues raised in the lectures, seminars and group discussions. It should be noted that “ a learning journal is not a confessional account of the student ’ s private life, nor an invitation to indulge in pseudo-therapy” , but an opportunity to explore the connections between ‘ outer ’ and ‘ inner ’ dimensions of experience through narrative, image, poetry, divinatory readings, symbolism, synchronicities or any other creative method. The Learning Journal process needs to be specifically related to the student’s engagement with the course material. It could relate to current writing and research, or to challenges and issues raised in taught courses. The material presented in the group seminars will be discussed with staff and students, and therefore should be fully communicable. The presentations from the journal will therefore contribute to a group learning process, and will also be shared with the individual tutor. Students will be required to present 2,500-3,000 words from the journal to be assessed, and to give on-going presentations from their Journal (750-1,000 words) at MA research seminars.

2. TH867 The Intelligible Cosmos : Hermeneutics of Divinatory and Astrological Praxis

Lecturers: Angela Voss, Maggie Hyde
Credits: 30 (15 ECTS)

Period of study: autumn term (ten 2-hour seminars)
a) Theory unit
The theory unit addresses philosophical and religious traditions which presuppose a sacred cosmos, especially as these traditions are expressed in explicitly divinatory practices; a focus of attention is astral religion and pre-enlightenment European astrology. This unit introduces scholarly and critical interpretations of these expressions and practices, drawn from cultural history, anthropology, psychology, and philosophical analysis.
b) Divinatory practice unit
The divinatory practice unit utilises the scholarly and critical interpretations introduced in the theory unit and entails an in-depth hermeneutic analysis of one culturally significant contemporary divinatory practice, showing its broad philosophical presuppositions and implications. This analysis is intended to locate contemporary practice with respect to its cultural-historical origins, and to examine its relationship both to modern rationality and to New Age cosmology and spirituality. The analysis is undertaken through a review of available scholarship and with reference to writings by practitioners. Practices currently considered appropriate for such analysis are: modern astrology, Tarot, and the Book of Changes (I Ching); unless otherwise advertised to students prior to the commencement of the academic year, the chosen practice will be modern astrology. Prior technical knowledge of divinatory practice is not required; however students who have practised in relevant divinatory forms are encouraged to engage their personal experience and expertise in their studies, provided broad communicability with non-practitioners and a reflexive self-critical attitude retain full priority. Where resources and student interest permit, an appropriate alternative optional divinatory practice unit may be offered.  Assessment is by one research essay of 5,000 words (chosen in consultation with the convenor).

3. TH862   Death and Afterlife in Western Traditions: Philosophical and Cosmological Perspectives

Lecturer: Peter Moore
Credits: 30 (15 ECTS)

This module explores narratives of otherworld and afterlife journeys, from ancient myth and legend to modern accounts of mystical vision and near-death experience. It also considers questions about the nature of death and the identity of self as surviving or transformed subject of these journeys.

4. TH861 Contemporary Issues in the Study of Mysticism

Lecturer: Leon Schlamm
Credits: 30 (15 ECTS)

This module examines some of the most significant issues in the study of mysticism addressed by analytical and transpersonal psychologists, parapsychologists and scholars of ‘new age’ spirituality and new religious movements. Students will become acquainted with the work of Carl Jung, Ken Wilber, Stanislav Grof, Jorge Ferrer, Christopher Bache, Andrew Rawlinson, Georg Feuerstein, Paul Heelas, Robert Forman, Wouter Hanegraaff, John Hick, Peter Fenwick and Kenneth Ring. Through an assessment of their writings, a range of key issues will be addressed including Jungian theories of individuation and synchronicity, Wilber’s integral model of transpersonal psychology, Gorg’s holographic model, Rawlinson’s taxonomy of mystical traditions, parapsychology and new age spirituality.

Dissertation

Module Code: TH997
Credits: 60 (30 ECTS)

The dissertation may be written on any relevant subject of the student’s choice, subject to approval by the programme convenor.  Students will also be assessed on a presentation of their research material in the summer term.  The deadline for Dissertation submission is 31st August.

For more details and information on any aspect of the MA programme, please contact the convenor Dr Angela Voss a.voss@kent.ac.uk 01227 824411

Applying for the Programme

Entry requirements

Normally a 1 or a 2.1 in a relevant subject (2.2 subject to the discretion of the director). Applicants without a first degree may be eligible for diploma status. Candidates must submit a recent essay on a relevant subject and two references.

You can apply for this programme either by post or on-line, but either way you are strongly advised to email the programme convenor if and when you have applied (a.voss@kent.ac.uk). The Recruitment and Admissions Office at the University cannot release your application for approval by the programme convenor until two references and a sample of written work (i.e. an academic essay) have been received. It is in the interests of all applicants to encourage both referees to send in their reports in good time.