Goetheanum School of Spiritual Science General Anthroposophical Section Anthroposophical Studies in English 2008-2009 What Is Anthroposophy? In Rudolf Steiner's words „Anthroposophy is a path of knowledge which leads the spirit in the human being to the spirit in the universe“. One of Rudolf Steiner's central insights arose out of his own supersensible perception that the human being incorporates body, soul and spirit. He demonstrated in many areas of life that this threefold understanding offers a new and practical approach to such fields as education, medicine, pharmacy, agriculture, the different branches of the arts and sciences as well as life in social structures. In each field central emphasis is on the human being who is recognized as integral to the divine crea- tion. A study of Anthroposophy (Greek „anthropos = human being and sophia = wisdom“) begins with applying our natural logical capacity for thinking to the results of spiritual science. This study, however, need not remain merely in the realm of intellectual prowess, but may be transformed into new abilities in the realm of thinking as well as in a deeper, more encompassing life of feeling and in a strengthened sphere of will-power. Rudolf Steiner, scientist, philosopher, artist and esotericist, provides people with the means for self-development appropriate for life in modern civilization. Goetheanum – A Unique Opportunity A special aspect of this program is its location at the Goetheanum. Students will have ample opportunity to experience the unique building itself as well as the many regular cultural events which take place. For younger participants the Youth Section at the Goetheanum offers many interesting events. Virginia Sease, Ph.D. Director General Program Information The flexibility of the studies program permits both the beginner in Anthroposophy as well as the more experienced person to acquire new orientation and depth in the pursuit of Anthroposophy. Not only does each term focus on a major work by Rudolf Steiner, but also the student experiences Eurythmy, Speech Formation, Painting and Drawing, Clay Modeling and Singing on a regular basis. Other presen- tations augment the basic anthroposophical studies and the artistic courses in order to introduce a wide spectrum of activities and cultural impulses resulting from Rudolf Steiner's work. Weekly Schedule Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 8:00-9:00 a.m. Basic Study with Virginia Sease 9:30-10:45 a.m. Painting Speech Painting Speech Cultural Lecture with with or Excursion Esther Gerster Sophia Walsh (optional) and Sylvia Baur 11:15-12:15 a.m. Star-Wisdom and Drawing Individual Individual Faculty Anthroposophy with Study Study Student Meeting with Esther Gerster Projects Projects as scheduled M. Trío Maseda 2:30-3:30 p.m. Special Themes (see separate schedule) Monday through Thursday/Friday 4:00-5:15 p.m. Eurythmy Clay Modeling Eurythmy Singing with with with Bevis Stevens Mirela Faldey Astrid Prokofieff and Astrid Prokofieff Longer Trips and Excursions Visit to Chartres Cathedral Sculpted in stone on the exterior, modeled in brilliantly colored glass windows inside, an earthly history of humanity may be seen through the vision of the Middle Ages. The Old Testament from the story of creation up through the kings and prophets culminates in the birth of the Messiah. His life on the earth, the disciples, the events of the Mystery of Golgatha and the Last Judgment have spo- ken to countless people throughout many centuries. Besides the marvels of the Cathedral which was built on an ancient druidic site, we also consider significant aspects of the medieval Platonist School of Chartres. Sojourn in Florence The entire city of Florence is considered a unique cultural monument filled with innumerable masterpieces of art especially from the early Christian centuries, through the Romanesque and Gothic periods and culminating in the Renaissance. To experience the immense golden mosaic ceiling of the Basilica, the frescoes of Fra Angelico in the San Marco cloister, the mighty sculpture of David by Michelangelo, the vast number of paintings by the Masters of many centuries in the Uffizi Gallery and in the Pitti Palace can take the beholder on a journey through many great manifestations of human creativity. Also Florence as a city with its Ponte Vecchio over the Arno river, its many specialty shops and market places and its friendly atmosphere provides for a special experience. The trip is preceded by lectures on specific important artistic and historical aspects. Shorter Excursions – A Selection • Sonnenhof, Special School for Children (Arlesheim) • Ita Wegman Klinik (Arlesheim) • Lukas Klinik (Arlesheim) • Painting Studio of Ninetta Sombart (Arlesheim) • Painting Exhibition of Gérard Wagner (Dornach) • Albert Steffen House (Dornach) • Model of the First Goetheanum (near Dornach) • Basel Cathedral and City • Theodor Schwenk Water Institute (Black Forest, Germany) • Isenheim Altar in Colmar (France) • Strasbourg Cathedral (France) • Freiburg Cathedral (Germany) Fall Term – September 15th to November 28th 2008 • The Basic Study with Virginia Sease will center on Rudolf Steiner's book Theosophy which offers an introduction to a spiritual understanding of human nature, reincarnation and what it means to live in the worlds of body, soul and spirit. • Eurythmy, Speech Formation and Painting take place twice a week. Clay Modeling, Drawing and Singing once a week. • Special Themes comprise lectures on various subjects related to Anthroposophy by competent persons from the field. Four times a week. • Individual Study Projects offer the student the possibility to work on a subject of her / his choice. This may be a theme within Anthroposophy, a cultural theme, an artistic endeavor or something of a more practical nature. The other option comprises free time to deepen the various course offerings. • Special Excursions to sites of historical and cultural relevance will be prepared by introductory lectures before the excursion. Special Themes: 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. 15-19 Sept. Student Week at the Goetheanum 22-25 Sept. The Goetheanum in Context of Its Surrounding Buildings, Hans Hasler 29 Sept-2 Oct. From Theosophy to Anthroposophy, Virginia Sease 6-9 Oct. New Social Impulses Inspired by Rudolf Steiner, Paul Mackay 13-16 Oct. Experiencing the Biodynamic Farm as an Individuality, Manfred Klett 21-24 Oct. Goethe – Rudolf Steiner – and the Goetheanum, Douglas Miller 27-31 Oct. Rudolf Steiner's Four Mystery Dramas, Herbert O. Hagens 3-6 Nov. Rudolf Steiner's Christology, Philip Martyn 10-14 Nov. The Medieval School of Chartres, Virginia Sease 17-21 Nov. Trip to Chartres 24-27 Nov. Presentation of Individual Projects Winter Term – January 12th to March 20th 2009 • Basic Study: Knowledge of the Higher Worlds with Virginia Sease. „The capacities by which we can gain insights into the higher worlds lie dormant within each one of us.“ Rudolf Steiner describes practical steps towards awakening these capacities. • Other studies as in the Fall Term. Special Themes: 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. 12-15 Jan. Developing a Culture for the Transition from life to Death, Päivi Lappalainen 19-22 Jan. The Language of Form and Color in the Goetheanum, Esther Gerster 26-29 Jan. The Quality of Money, Paul Mackay 2-5 Feb. Geometric Drawing, Oliver Conradt 9-12 Feb.. Geometric Drawing, Oliver Conradt 16-20 Feb. Student Days at the Goetheanum with the Faculty of the School of Spiritual Science 23-26 Feb. Hygienic Eurythmy, Jeanne Winstanley 2-5 March Light and Color: A Goetheanistic Approach, Johannes Kühl 9-12 March The Significance of the Parsifal Legend, Thomas Didden 16-19 March Presentation of Individual Projects Spring Term – April 14th to June 19rd 2009 • Basic Study with Virginia Sease: An Outline of Esoteric Science by Rudolf Steiner offers insight into the vast processes of cosmic evolution and humanity's place within them. • Other studies as in Fall and Winter Terms. Special Themes: 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. 14-17 April Pre-Christian Mysteries and the Mystery of Golgatha, Virginia Sease 20-23 April Rudolf Steiner's Carved Group, Caroline Chanter 27-30 April Living and Working with People with Special Needs, Cornelius Pietzner 4-7 May Experiencing the Art of Florence, Italy, Thorwald Thiersch 11-15 May Trip to Florence 18-20 May Rudolf Steiner's Meditations and Mantras, Virginia Sease 2-5 June Scientific Developments and Ethics, Nikola Fuchs 8-11 June The Founding of the Anthroposophical Society at the Christmas Conference 1923/24, Sergej Prokofieff 15-18 June Presentation of Individual Projects Goetheanum Staff Virginia Sease, Ph.D., Director-Coordinator Anthroposophical Studies, Member of the Executive Council of the General Anthroposophical Society Paul Mackay, Anthroposophical Studies, Member of the Executive Council of the General Anthroposophical Society Cornelius Pietzner, Anthroposophical Studies, Member of the Executive Council of the General Anthroposophical Society Sergej Prokofieff, Anthroposophical Studies, Member of the Executive Council of the General Anthroposophical Society Sylvia Baur, Speech Formation Thomas Didden, Business Administrator Mirela Faldey, Clay Modeling Esther Gerster, Painting and Drawing Astrid Prokofieff, Singing Bevis Stevens, Eurythmy Mechthild Theilmann, Program Administrator Sophia Walsh, Speech Formation Angela Wirth, Student Secretary Office Jeanne Winstanley, Student Assistance and Guest Lecturer Guest Lecturers Caroline Chanter, Dornach Oliver Conradt, Ph.D., Goetheanum Thomas Didden, Goetheanum