Course: Study of Mysticism in Comparative Perspective

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Course title Study of Mysticism in Comparative Perspective
Course code KRE/ZFIL1
Organizational form of instruction Seminar
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter
Number of ECTS credits 5
Language of instruction English
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements unspecified
Recommended optional programme components None
Course availability The course is available to visiting students
Lecturer(s)
  • Lisý Štěpán, Mgr. M.A. Th.D.
Course content
The term "mysticism, its meaning, interpretation and use in different religious traditions and cultures.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Work with text (with textbook, with book)
  • unspecified - 30 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
The objective of this course is to introduce students to the study of mysticism, origin of the term "mysticism" and its use in different religious traditions or cultures.
Students will be able to handle a variety of modern English texts dealing with the term "mysticism", and they will get the basic overview of scholar literature about mysticism and mystical experience in comparative perspective.
Prerequisites
English Language.

Assessment methods and criteria
Creative work analysis

The exam will be given according to the regular preparation of the source texts (see section bibliography), 80% presence on sessions, and reading the secondary literature recommended during the sessions. For the exam students have to study one mystical tractate (primary source) and one theoretical study about mysticism (secondary source). Both have to be discussed and approved by the lecturer.
Recommended literature
  • Elior, Rachel. Jewish Mysticism: The Infinite Expression of Freedom. Portland, 2007. ISBN 978-1-906764-04-3.
  • Garb, Jonathan. Shammanic Trance in Modern Kabbalah. Chicago, 2011. ISBN 978-0-226-28207-7.
  • Gerson, P. Lloyd. Plotinus. London, 1994. ISBN 0-41517409-0.
  • Hollenback, J. Byron. Mysticism, Experience, Response, and Empowerment. Pennsylvania, 1996. ISBN 0-271-01552-7.
  • Idel, Moshe. Kabbalah New Perspectives. New Haven and London, 1988. ISBN 0-300-04699-5.
  • Katz, T. Steven. Mysticism and Philosophical Analysis. New York, 1978. ISBN 0-19-520027-6.
  • Katz, T. Steven. Mysticism and Religious Traditions. New York, 1983. ISBN 0-19-503314-0.
  • McGinn, Bernard. The Foundations of Mysticism, vol I.. New York, 1991. ISBN 0-8245-1121-2.
  • Otto, Rudolf. Mysticism East and West a comparative analysis of the nature of mysticism. New York, 1957.
  • Schäfer, Peter. The Origins of Jewish Mysticism. Princeton, 2009. ISBN 978-0-691-14215-9.
  • Scholem, G. Gershom. Major Trends in Jewish Mysticism. New York, 1961.
  • Staal, Fritz. Exploring Mysticism. Berkeley, 1973. ISBN 0-520-02726-4.
  • Zaehner, C. Robert. Hindu and Muslim Mysticism. Oxford, 1960. ISBN 1-85168-046-2.
  • Zaehner, C. Robert. Zen, Drugs and Mysticism. New York, 1972. ISBN 0-394-48540-8.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Philosophy Study plan (Version): Religious Studies (2013) Category: Philosophy, theology 2 Recommended year of study:2, Recommended semester: Winter