F99.syl RP1070

RELIGION, PSYCHOLOGY AND

PERSONAL GROWTH (RP 1070—Fall 2000)

Lecturer: Dr. Stephen Palmquist

“Know thyself.” — anonymous (inscription at the temple in Delphi)

“...you are to be perfect [i.e., whole], as your heavenly Father is perfect [whole].”

—Jesus (quoted in Matthew 5:48)

“It is in the struggle between good and evil that life has its meaning—and in the hope that goodness can succeed.... Evil can be conquered only by love.”

— M. Scott Peck, People of the Lie, pp.266-267

“...dream, not waking, ...is the door of metaphysic, so far as the latter deals with man.”

— Carl Du Prel, Philosophy of Mysticism, I.70

“...psychology’s function is to help men see, not to be the light.”

— Ann Ulanov (quoted in R.L. Moore, Jung and Christian Spirituality, p.59)

Aims and Objectives

The H.K.B.U. Calendar/Bulletin 2000-2001 states that the University “is committed to its mission of ‘Whole Person Education’” (p.98). The Complementary Studies program is intended to the primary means of achieving this goal. But just what does it mean to be a “whole person”? Does this phrase imply that without a Baptist University education we would all be only “partial persons”?

The purpose of this class will be to discover what it means to be a whole person. Actually becoming a whole person, however, is a life-long process. With this in mind, each of us will be encouraged to begin working towards the realization of this ideal in our own individual personality. In this process, various theories and practical methods will be introduced from the areas of psychology, theology, and religious studies. Although these three disciplines are often regarded as quite separate, we shall consider them in this class as all being part of a fourth discipline, philosophy (“love of wisdom”).

From another point of view, you will have to study only one subject in this class: namely, yourself! The lectures, textbook, and class discussions will be designed to guide you in carrying out this crucial study. If taken seriously, such self-study may be painful at times: it will require you to adopt a posture of self-reflection and self-criticism, to acknowledge that what you thought was right (or true) about yourself might not be right (or true) after all. If we are open to the possibility of learning about who we really are, then confusion or even despair will sometimes seem to block the way to personal growth; yet if we persist, this will eventually be balanced by a new vision arising out of the darkness. This is, in fact, the fundamental paradox of healing, or self-transforming, experiences: we can be made whole only when we recognize our brokenness.

Grade Assessment

Special Project (50%): Each student must do a project aiming at increased self-understanding. The standard project, a “dream diary” is described in the textbook (see especially Chapter I). Anyone who feels unable to do their project in this way must notify the lecturer by 11 September at the latest. You would then need to design a proposal for an alternative project (subject to approval), aiming to achieve the same goal as the dream diary.

Final Examination (50%): The format of the final exam will be announced later, but it will probably consist of one long essay questions (worth 25%) and five short essays (worth 5% each).

Small group discussions: The class will be divided into 4 discussion groups (10 people in each). Each group will meet twice in my office (C905) to share specific dreams and interpretations, and eight times in the classroom to discuss topics listed at the end of each chapter in the textbook. Groups that meet in my office will not attend the classroom discussion session that week (see schedule on next page). Groups that meet in the classroom must write a short report, describing the results of their discussions, and hand it in by 5pm on the same day. Participation in both types of small group meetings will be graded on a pass-fail basis, where absence and/or total lack of participation in half or more of the meetings constitutes failure. You must pass this part in order to take the final exam; so a failure means you fail the class.

Textbook and Readings

Each student will be expected to buy a copy of the textbook, Dreams of Wholeness ($80 from the Campus Bookshop). The assigned chapters should be read each week before the class session to which they correspond (see below). In addition, two copies of a Book of Readings will be on two hour reserve in the library. This book contains many of the “recommended readings” listed at the end of each chapter in the textbook. Most of these readings can also be found in other books in the college library. Students should be familiar with these Readings, especially before attending the discussion sessions, though no one is expected to read every selection.

The CED has a series of three 30-minute videos, called “The Story of C.G. Jung” (VC/169/ 1,2,3). These are well worth viewing, as they provide a good introduction to Jung’s life and ideas.

Schedule for Readings, Discussions, and Project Deadlines

The textbook, Dreams of Wholeness, contains in written form the content of my lectures for this subject in previous years. Since students are now able to read what used to be said in the lectures, I will give only brief reviews of each chapter/lecture in class. In this way, most of the class time can be devoted to discussion of questions (from students or the lecturer) concerning: (1) the content of the textbook and/or recommended readings; and (2) issues raised in dream interpretations and/or group discussion papers. This means you will need to read ahead in the textbook, and come to lecture and discussion sessions prepared with questions about the text. Otherwise, you might not be able to follow what is happening. The reading schedule (subject to change as needed) is given below. The dates for attending discussions and handing in your dream diary are also given:

Read syllabus on 4 September Buy textbook.

Read Chapter 1 by 7 September (Start recording dreams by 10 September.)

Read Chapter 2 by 11 September All groups meet together on 14 September.

Read Chapter 3 by 18 September Group 1 in C905; others meet 21 September.

Read Chapter 4 by 25 September Group 2 in C905; others meet 28 September.

No class/readings (Natl. Day) on 2 October Group 3 in C905; others meet 5 October.

Read Chapter 5 by 9 October *Group 4 in C905; others meet 12 October.

Read Chapter 6 by 16 October Group 1 in C905; others meet 19 October.

Read Chapter 7 by 23 October Group 2 in C905; others meet 26 October.

Read Chapter 8 by 30 October Group 3 in C905; others meet 2 November.

Read Chapter 9 by 6 November Group 4 in C905; others meet 9 November.

Read Chapter 10 by 13 November 16 November: no class (finalize dream diaries).

(Earliest date to finish recording dreams in dream diary: 18 November.)

Read Chapter 11 by (no class 20 Nov) *23 November: hand in DDs & Ch. 11 lecture.

Read Chapter 12 by 27 November 30 November review whole textbook.

on 4 December Graded dream diaries returned.

*Note: The dream diaries should be submitted at or before 5pm on Thursday, 12 October for an initial check. They will be returned during the class session on 16 October. The completed project will be due at 3:30pm on Thursday, 23 November; points will be deducted for late submissions and no projects will be accepted any later than 5pm on Friday, 1 December.

Contacting the Lecturer Outside of Class (Office Hours, etc.)

My office hours this term are: Mondays 10:30am-12:20pm and 2:30-4:20pm, and Fridays 11:30am-1:20pm. I will (normally) be in my office (CEC905) during those hours, so you may come without a prior appointment if you wish to discuss anything with me. If you need (or would prefer) to see me at a different time, please make an appointment first (phone: 2339-7289). Alternatively, you may send questions or comments to me by email (stevepq@hkbu.edu.hk); however, if my response is relevant to the whole class, I might wait to answer your question until the next class session. Alternatively, I might reply by email to the whole class, using the special address set up for that purpose (i.e., &R.P.1070-00001@net1.hkbu.edu.hk). NOTE: submission of classwork by email is NOT ALLOWED; please use email only as a method of communicating, not as a way of submitting assignments.