EcoPsychology, Spiritual Ecology & Human Development ~ Course Descriptions

 

Level I

Creating a World That Works for Us All!
 
“Only when the student is able to identify its own center with the center of the Universe
does education really begin.”
~Maria Montessori
 
 
The Human and Our Sacred Living Universe
EcoT 600 ~ 3 Credits
 
Readings
                        The Great Work by Thomas Berry Core Book  (book info)
 
                        The Living Universe by Duane Elgin Core Book  (book info)
 
                        The Universe is a Green Dragon by Brian Swimme Core Book (book info)
 
Course Description:
 
This course should be offered at every university...thank you.”
~UE Student
 
Our orientation course serves both as a stand-alone course for the general public and as an introductory course for our degree programs. 
 
When universities were first created in the 12th century their original intent was to help students find their meaning and place in the universe. U of Earth reclaims that original intent with these insightful and provocative courses.*
 
In light of the more recent discoveries of science and a greater understanding of the world’s wisdom traditions students explore new answers to humanity’s perennial questions; the answers of which have always served as a guide to human behavior. “Where did we come from? Why are we here?  How should we live? Who am I."
 
In addition, students will be introduced to our integral three worlds model of human development and our greater human potentials identified in current research which serves as the context in which the human development component of the curriculum is studied.  Through introducing the major stages of human development from egocentric to cosmocentric students will become familiar with a map that leads us to a more satisfying life while fulfilling our life’s purpose.
 
 
*EcoT 700 Our Sacred Work: Discovering Your Life Purpose and Greater Potentials is our companion course with our orientation course for the general public.
 
 
 
 
The Foundations of EcoPsychology: An Introduction
EcoT 601 ~ 3 Credits
 
Readings:
 
                        Ecopsychology: Restoring the Earth – Healing the Mind - Core Book (book info)
                        by Mary Gomes, Kanner & Roszak
    
                      Wild Mind: A Field Guide to the Human Psyche - Core Book (book info)
                      by Bill Plotkin
             
                        Thomas Berry Dreamer of the Earth  - (book info)
                        by Ervin Laszlo & Allan Coombs
 
                        The Voice of the Earth: An Exploration of Ecopsychology  (book info)
                        by Theodore Roszak
 
                      
 
Course Description:
Prerequisite: EcoT 600
This course is designed to give students a broad overview of the field of Ecopsychology. Tracing the history of the development of the field students will gain an understanding of the fundamental principles that guide the discipline while being introduced to work of its founders. In addition, students will begin to experiment with Ecopsychology practices in natural areas as they begin to develop their art as a practitioner. Emphasis in this course is on developing our relationship with nature and our own inner nature.
 
 
 
The Essentials of EcoTherapy: An Introduction 
EcoT 602 ~ 3 Credits
 
Readings:
 
                        Ecotherapy: Healing with Nature in Mind - Core Book (book info)
                        By Linda Buzzel & Craig Chalquist
 
                        Communing with Nature: A Guide Book for Enhancing Your Relationship
                        with the Living Earth by John Swanson Core Book  (book info)
 
                        Nature-Guided Therapy: Brief Integrative Strategies for Health and Well Being
                        by George Burns (book info)
 
Course Description:
Prerequisite EcoT 600
This course is designed to introduce students to the therapeutic application of the field of Ecopsychology known as Ecotherapy. Through exposure to various concepts, methods, practices and processes the student will understand the breadth of the field. Through personal experience students will begin to develop the tools of the trade and create a sense of their own individual style as a practitioner of EcoPsychology. Emphasis in this course is on developing a deeper relationship with nature and our own inner-nature.
 
 

 Level II

Mastering the Three Worlds: Ego, Soul & Spirit

 
"The great tragedy of our times is that we have gravely underestimated what humans can be."
~Roger Walsh Ph.D, M.D.
 
 
 
 
Our Sacred Work: Discovering Your Life Purpose & Greater Potentials
EcoT 700 ~ Credits
 
Readings:*
                     
                       True Purpose: 12 Strategies for Discovering the Difference You Are Meant
                        to Make by Tim Kelly Core Book  (book info)
 
                        The Great Work of Your Life: A Guide to the Journey to Your True Calling
                      by Stephen Cope Core Book (book info)
                     
                     The Genius Myth by Michael Meade Core Book (book info)
 
 
Course Description:
Prerequisite: EcoT 600
“Everyone has been made for some particular work,
and the desire for that has been put in every heart.”
~Rumi
 
This is the complimentary course to our orientation course (EcoT 600).  In the history of humanity there has never been a greater need for each of us take up our sacred work.  In this course students learn methods to assist clients/students in discovering their “particular work.” Understanding our individual typologies accelerates our self-discovery and personal development. Using a unique system of identifying personal archetypes (deep patterns) and enneatypes (personality structures) students discover their typology, investigate their life purpose and our greater potentials in the context of a changing definition of work within a changing society.
 
 
 
Nature & Psyche: Recovering the Soul 
EcoT 701 ~3 Credits
 
Readings:
 
                        Nature and the Human Soul: Cultivating Wholeness and Community in a
                        Fragmented World by Bill Plotkin Core Book (book info)
 
                        Soulcraft by Bill Plotkin Core Book (book info)
 
                        Coming Back to Life by Joanna Macy (book info)
 
                   

Course Description:

In this course students will be introduced to an innovative and hopeful nature-based human development model. Students will learn the value of, as well how to create ritual, ceremony and rites of passage for self and others. In addition, students will perform deep nature practices designed to help clients/students discover and develop their personal soul gifts.  Emphasis is on understanding the “Three World’s” model, especially the underworld (lower world) component, the realm of soul (our individuated potential).
 
 
 
  The Natural History of Personality and Ego: The Enneagram
                                                        EcoT 702 ~ 3 Credits
  
Readings:
 
                        The Wisdom of the Enneagram by Don Riso Core Book  (book info)
                      
                       The Integral Enneagram by Susan Rohdes Core Book (book info)
                       
                       Facets of Unity: The Enneagram of Holy Ideas by A. H. Almaas  (book info)
 
                       
 
Course Description:
This course explores a deeply insightful and liberating psychology of personality and introduces potential pathologies and the unconscious defense mechanisms particular to each type. Students will learn about the often misunderstood purpose of the ego and identify repressed or shadowed aspects of the ego self, both positive and negative, that inhibit the development of a healthy and mature ego. The healthy and mature ego is an aspect of the psyche that is essential for our integration with our higher natures. Emphasis in this course is on the ego and the middleworld.
 
 
 
Archetypes, Allies & Ancestors: Embracing the Mythic Self 
EcoT 703 ~ 3 Credits
 
Readings:
 
                        The Shamanic Astrology Handbook by Daniel Giamario (Core Book) (book info)
                          
                          Sacred Contracts: Awakening Your Divine Potential by Carolyn Myss
                      (Core Book)  (book info)
 
                        Animal Speak by Ted Andrews (book info)
 
                        Nature Speak by Ted Andrews (book info)
 
Course Description:
In this course students deepen their understanding of the power and value of story/myth in shaping worldviews and fulfilling one’s greater potentials. Students will learn how to help clients understand and utilize individual, as well as cultural archetypes and myths. Awareness of these subtle, but powerful energies, energies that inform and pattern our lives is extremely advantageous to self-actualization. Emphasis in this course is on integrating the three worlds, the worlds of ego, soul and spirit, upperworld (spirit), underworld (soul) and middleworld (ego) through the archetypes and allies.
 
 
 
Level III
The Integral Human: Reinventing Society by Reinventing the Human

“Think of the great yogis, saints [mystics] and sages…These great movers and shakers were not small egos; they were, in the very best sense of the term, big egos…they were also plugged into the soul and spirit, the ultimate source of their power, but they expressed that power, and gave it concrete results…”

~Ken Wilber
 

 

The Integral Self I: Reinventing the Human
EcoT 800 ~ 3 Credits
 
Readings:                       
 
                        Spiral Dynamics by Don Beck Core Book (book info)
                       
                        Integral Life Practice by Ken Wilber Core Book (book info) 
 
                        Ever-Present Origin by Jean Gebser (book info) 
                      
 
Course Description:
In this course students will expand their understanding of the natural evolution of the human psyche and explore the nuances of our inspiring model of Integral of Human Development. Students will be introduced to the multiple lines of development and explore the new concept of vertical and horizontal enlightenment or self-realization.  
 
In addition, students will gain an understanding of the evolution of human values and worldviews; identify intrinsic problems associated with each value structure and how to effectively deal these obstacles. It is these obstacles that are the primary blocks to a cooperative effort in creating a life-sustaining society. Emphasis is on understanding the evolution of the human psyche and implementing practices designed to further the development of the student’s greater potentials.
  
 
 
The Integral Self II: Integrating the Shadow 
EcoT 801 ~3 Credits
 
Readings:
 
                        Meeting the Shadow: The Hidden Power of the Dark Side of Nature 
                        by Susan Zwieg & Jeremiah Abrams  (book info)
 
                        The Denial of Death by Ernest Becker Core Book  (book info)
 
                         Spiritual Bypassing: When Spirituality Disconnects Us from
                        What Really Matters by Robert Masters (book info)
 
Course Description:
This course offers an in depth investigation of aspects of our human nature that are often repressed, avoided and denied, aspects known as our shadow self. Students will learn to identify the major defense mechanisms humans employ to avoid these hidden aspects of the self and learn how cultures influence shadow. The course introduces methods and practices for incorporating both the negative and positive shadow aspects bringing greater health and wholeness as the Integral Self. Emphasis in this course is on understanding and integrating our human polarities, light and dark, masculine and feminine and our inner and outer natures.
 
 
 
 
The Integral Self III: Integrating Body, Heart & Mind
EcoT 802 ~ 3 Credits
 
Readings:                       

                        The Heartmath Solution by Howard Martin & Doc Childre Core Book (book info)
 
                        The Developing Mind: How Relationships and the Brain Interact to
                        Shape Who We Are by Daniel Siegel Core Book (book info)
 
                        Focusing by Eugene Gendlin (book info)
 
Course Description:
In this course students study the current research on the natural wisdom of the body, heart and mind. Students will gain an understanding of how the mind and the brain develop solely through relationships to one’s environment; a very important consideration for Ecopsychology and human development. Students will learn to access the wisdom of the body, learn about the “little brain in the heart” and how development of the heart holds the key to a sustainable and just future. Emphasis is on understanding and integrating body, heart and mind, a work essential to fulfilling our greater potentials.
 
 
 
Counseling & Coaching: The Basics of Theory & Practice
EcoT 803 ~ 3 Credits
 
Readings:
Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy by Gerald Corey - (book info)
 
Becoming a Professional Life Coach (book info)
by Diane Menendez & Patrick Williams
 
Four Steps to Building a Profitable Coaching Practice (book info)
by Deborah Brown-Volkman
 
An Introduction to the History of Psychology by B. R. Hergenhahn (book info)
 
 
Course Description:
In this course students are introduced to the differing counseling theories as they emerged from the major psychological theories. The student will gain mastery of conventional counseling and coaching skills, ethical standards, learn to perform an intake interview and examine how conventional theories might enhance their EcoTherapy/EcoLife Coach practice. In addition, students will be introduced to successful entrepreneurial skill for creating a sustainable practice. Emphasis is on understanding conventional methods and how they might be integrated with nature-based methods.