PHIL 344 - Mysticism

Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-3
Survey of mystical and religious experiences and mystical texts and traditions in world religions including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism.

Breadth Area(s) Satisfied: GE-UD-3 - Upper Division Arts or Humanities
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Areas 1A, 1B, 1C and GE-2 with grade C- (CR) or better (GE Areas A1, A2, A3 and B4 for students on the 2024-25 or earlier catalogs).
Strongly Recommended Preparation: Upper division status (greater than 60 earned semester units) and completion of lower division Area 3 requirements (lower division Area C requirements for students on the 2024-25 or earlier catalogs).
Possible Instructional Methods: On-ground, or Hybrid, or Online-Asynchronous, or Online-Synchronous.
Grading: A-F or CR/NC (student choice).
Student Learning Outcomes - Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

describe a variety of approaches to mystical experience across the world’s major religions;
understand and apply methods in research from religious studies to various phenomena related to mystical experience;
develop strong arguments, both written and oral, relating to understanding the contents of mystical and religious experience;
appreciate the differences and similarities that exist across various religious traditions;
empathize with others through an understanding of a phenomenological approach to experience.
demonstrate an understanding of and ability to apply principles, methodologies, value systems, and thought processes employed in the arts and humanities;
analyze cultural production as an expression of, or reflection upon, what it means to be human; and
demonstrate how the perspectives of the arts and humanities are used by informed, engaged, and reflective citizens to benefit local and global communities.

GE-UD-3. Upper-division Arts or Humanities Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate an understanding of and ability to apply principles, methodologies, values systems, and thought processes employed in the arts and humanities.
Analyze cultural production as an expression of, or reflection upon, what it means to be human.
Demonstrate how the perspectives of the arts or humanities are used by informed, engaged, and reflective citizens to benefit local and global communities.