The Sophia Center undertakes with integrity and depth the redeeming
work of our time and the historical mission to which all humanity
is called: the "great work" of our generation of transforming the entire
cultural paradigm to protect humanity and the planet from destruction
while encouraging a new era of well-being for the entire Earth
Community.
Sophia Center students engage in this transforming process: they
honor an approach that is rooted in courage, strength and compassion.
They join a highly respected international faculty of scholars and
spiritual practitioners who energize a world of living ideas and illuminate
the complexities of modern spirituality. Drawing on sources as
diverse as the medieval mysticism of Hildegaard of Bingen, the contemporary
prophecies of Teilhard de Chardin, the quantum physics of
Fritjof Capra, and the shamanistic insights of indigenous cultures, the
Sophia Center in Culture and Spirituality offers the students of the
world a meaningful immersion into and investigation of the convergent
forces of religion, art, justice, and science.
Sophia Center has established shared educational arrangements with
other institutions: the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) in
Berkeley, Genesis Farm Learning Center in New Jersey, and the
California Institute for Integral Studies (CIIS) in San Francisco.
At Sophia Center, students understand the New Cosmology through
core courses and seminars, experience it through creative processes
and forums, and express it through field placements, internships, and
projects, as they fashion a dynamic integration of the New Creation
Story and the Story of Geo-justice (personal, social, and ecological).
The Sophia Center draws upon the wisdom of yesterday and today
while preparing participants to meet the challenge of tomorrow as
they deepen their capacity to listen, recognize and respond to the
experience of the divine in self, other, and all creation.
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Master of Arts in Culture and Spirituality
Certificate in Culture and Spirituality
Sabbatical Programs
Master of Arts in Culture and Spirituality
(9-month Program Format)
The nine-month Master's program require 31 units of work and is
comprised of two semesters, each including required and elective
courses chosen by the student to augment her/his particular area of
interest.
The first semester Core Course - Spirituality of Earth, Art, and
Spirit - meets weekly. Students develop an overview of their place
within the dynamics of life and a spirituality of creation. They reflect
on the epic of the universe and their own story in the context of an
unfolding universe from the perspective of science, history, theology,
culture and contemporary events. The second semester Core Course
- Geo-Wisdom: Cosmology and the Human Spirit - meets weekly
and focuses on the student as a participant in the transformation of
self, society, culture, and ecology including the work of restructuring
and restoration. They explore their spiritual journey from the perspective
of Earth Literacy, Dream, Story, Geo-Justice, Mysticism, a Culture of Belonging, Liberation, and Action leading to their contribution
to the Great Work - humanity's historical mission and the
emergence of a planetary spirituality that balances intimacy and contemplation.
For each student, the nine-month curriculum is organized around one
of three areas of interest: Earth, Art, or Spirit. The student chooses
one as an area of emphasis, and each semester selects courses outside
the Core Course that emphasize that focus. She/he chooses a name for
the area of concentration. This name, along with the emphasis, will
appear on the degree when the program is completed and contributes
to their work of right livelihood upon graduation.
Facilitated group discussions (wisdom circles) on the universe story,
each participant's spiritual narrative, and in-field experiences provide
guidance, support, and critical reflection. The Public Forum, Friday
Night Conversations, and Special Events seminar present contemporary
mystics and prophets, including poets, ecologists, politicians,
dancers, scientists, shamans, feminists, mythologists, artists, ritual
leaders, and theologians. Semester students will participate in the presentations
by the key weekend program presenters and in the followup
dialogue process.
Additionally, Master's candidates are required to complete a Master of
Arts Project or an Integrative paper. The purpose of the Project is to
integrate the students' studies with their creative contribution to a
revisioning of our culture and ourselves through a research paper,
experimental project, art work, or combination of these approaches.
Students choosing the Integrative Seminar will present a paper integrating
the seminar's content with the creation spirituality explored in
the nine-month program.
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Certificate in Culture and Spirituality
Certificate students participate in the same courses as Master's candidates
(both in nine-month residential and two-year Weekend program
format); they do not create a final project nor write a major course
paper. They receive a credit/no credit grade in all classes. The
Certificate requires 27 units of coursework.
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Sabbatical Programs
One-term sabbaticals are offered both fall and spring. Students take
13 units of coursework and experience all the elements of the program.
Students receive a credit/no credit grade in all courses and do
not write the major course paper. A Sabbatical Certificate is granted
upon completion.
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The Culture and Spirituality programs include internationally
renowned scholars in all topic areas. Please contact the Sophia Center
at Holy Names College for a list of Visiting and Core faculty for the
program.
Sophia Center at Holy Names University
3500 Mountain Boulevard
Oakland, California 94619
Phone: 510-436-1046
Email: sophiactr@aol.com
