Colloquium on World History
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Proceedings Colloquium on World History Symptomatolgy and Shifts in the Evolution of Consciousness Sponsored by the Waldorf High School Research Project 3 Also Available from AWSNA Publications: Research Project #1: Survey Report (Portfolios, College Alternatives, Scholarship Websites, Social Emotional Skills) Research Project #2: Proceedings of the Chemistry Colloquium Research Project #3: Proceedings of the Mathematics Colloquium Research Project #4:: Proceedings of the Colloquium on the Computer and Informational Technology Research Project #5: Proceedings of the Colloquium on Life Sciences and Environmental Studies Research Project #6:The Andover Proceedings: Tapping the Wellsprings of Health in Adolescence Research Project #7: Proceedings of the World History Colloquium—Symptomatology Research Project #9: Proceedings of the English Colloquium Soon to be released: Research Project #8:: Proceedings of the Colloquium on United States History Title: Colloquium on World History—Symptomatology and Shifts in the Evolution of Consciousness © AWSNA Publications Planning Group: Andy Dill, Douglas Gerwin, David Mitchell, Leonore Russell, and Betty Staley May: 2004 Compiled and edited by Betty Staley Layout and final edit: David Mitchell Proofreader: Colleen Shetland Colloquium Participants: Meg Gorman, Anne Greer, David Sloan, Eric Philpott, Karl Fredrickon Douglas Gerwin, Betty Staley, John Wulsin 4 Table of Contents Waldorf High School Research Project- Description and Mission Statement ........................... 7 Schedule .................................................................................................................................. 9 Introduction to Teaching History in a Waldorf High School ................................................... 12 Introduction to the Colloquium on World History ................................................................ 14 The Symptomatological Approach in the Teaching of History ................................................ 15 Four Goals of the Colloquium ................................................................................................. 16 The Role of Humanities in Waldorf High Schools: Thoughts from Colloquium Members ....... 17 Teaching Ancient History in the Tenth Grade: Exploring Egypt through Symptoms: A Vignette – Eric Philpott ........................................................................................... 21 Thoughts by the Participants Following the Presentation on Ancient History ......................... 27 Jan Hus: A Vignette – Eric Philpott Summation and Planning of Next Steps .......................... 36 What is Modern? - Karl Fredrickson ........................................................................................ 43 The Printing Press as Symptom of Change of Relationship between the Individual and Outer Authority: A Vignette – Betty Staley ............................................................ 46 A Conversation about the Consciousness Soul and the History of Reading ............................. 51 A Conversation on the Teacher’s Role Concerning Contemporary Issues .................................. 55 The Middle Ages and the Advent of the New Mysteries: Medieval English – John Wulsin ........ 59 Thoughts about Symptoms and Examples: Karl Fredrickson .................................................... 64 Thoughts and Symptoms: Anne Greer .................................................................................... 65 Symptoms: David Sloan ......................................................................................................... 69 Symptoms: John Wulsin ......................................................................................................... 71 5 Symptoms: Betty Staley .......................................................................................................73 Symptoms: Douglas Gerwin ................................................................................................ 75 Summation and Planning of Next Steps ................................................................................ 79 Appendix:............................................................................................................................. 83 History by Eugen Kolisko ........................................................................................ 84 What is History About? by A.C. Harwood ............................................................... 89 History Bibliography ................................................................................................ 96 Participants Back: Meg Gorman, Anne Greer; Middle: David Sloan, Eric Philpott, Karl Frederickon; Front: Douglas Gerwin, Betty Staley, John Wulsin 6 AWSNA Waldorf High School Research Project Description of project: The Waldorf High School Research Project Since its inception in the summer of 1998, the Waldorf High School Research Project has focused on three areas of research related to Waldorf high schools and the teenagers of today: The Project is asking What is different about today’s teenagers? What changes are needed in Waldorf high schools today? • First, the Project has invited leading teachers and international experts in Waldorf educa- tion to take part in three-day colloquia around the country on the Waldorf high school curriculum, specifically on the teaching of chemistry, history, mathematics, and move- ment (eurythmy and spacial dynamics), environmental sciences, and computer science. Further colloquia are planned in literature and the arts. Proceedings from these colloquia are being published so as to benefit the broadest possible range of Waldorf high school teachers. • Some 30 veteran teachers from across North America have undertaken original research in topics related to Waldorf high school issues and the needs of teenagers today. • The Project sponsored a large-scale research conference in Andover Massachusetts, October 18-22, 2001, on the theme of adolescent development and the Waldorf high school program. • The Committee planned the North American Waldorf Teachers Conference in Kimberton, Pennsylvania June 2002 on the theme “Ascending the Developmental Staircase” covering kindergarten through high school. Over four hundred teachers attended. A publication of the lectures has been printed. 7 WHSRP Mission Statement Formed in August 1998, the Waldorf High School Research Project is charged with strengthen- ing the Waldorf high school movement by creating an updated picture of adolescents today and stimu- lating curriculum development within the Waldorf high schools. As a designated committee of the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA), the Planning Group of this project is specifically responsible for • identifying and articulating changes in the needs of North American teenagers • formulating research questions concerning adolescence; commissioning qualified educa- tors and other professionals to undertake research into these questions • sponsoring subject colloquia as well as conferences on adolescent development and needs for those working in Waldorf high schools • preparing North American conferences for those working in Waldorf high schools – to share and deepen research; to stimulate dialogue; to activate meaningful change for youth in the twenty-first century • developing publications and other media resources to assist those working in Waldorf high schools • stimulating Waldorf high school educators to examine and strengthen their programs • seeking funds to support the commissioned research, colloquia, publications, confer- ences, and follow-up initiatives in the Waldorf high schools in coordination with AWSNA Development in line with the overall AWSNA priorities. 8 Colloquium on Symptomatology 9-12 March 2000 Purpose: To explore a symptomatological approach to the study and teaching of the humanities in the Waldorf high schools of North America. Goals: To invite experienced Waldorf high school humanities teachers for a three-day colloquium in March 2000. Participants will bring to this colloquium prepared vignettes of the Ancient Egyptian and Medieval/Renaissance historical periods, as well as connections between these two historical epochs and modern times. By ‘”vignettes” is meant living moments in history of an event, encounter, individual, group, invention, literary work, experience, or artifact which reveal the changing consciousness of that time, place, or culture. By means of a round-table conversation we will begin to articulate a symptomatological ap- proach to the teaching of the humanities. The colloquium will include exercises in drama. Results of this conversation will be circulated among all North American Waldorf high schools for further suggestions. These will be incorporated into a published monograph on symptomatology. Participants: Karl Fredrickson (Green Meadow), Douglas Gerwin (Center for Anthroposophy), Meg Gorman (San Francisco), Anne Greer (Toronto, retired), Eric Philpott (Toronto), David Sloan (Green Meadow), Betty Staley (Rudolf Steiner College), John Wulsin (Green Meadow). Henry Barnes (emeritus) and Jim Staley (Sacramento) were invited but unable to attend due to health issues. Schedule: 9-12 March 2000: Colloquium in Spring Valley, New York. Start with shared supper Thursday at 7:00 p.m., continue all day Friday and Saturday (three sessions per day), finish by lunchtime Sunday. Thursday 9 March 7:00 p.m. Shared supper 8:30-10:00 Session I: Vignettes on “Ancient Egypt and the Collapse of the Old Mysteries”