SOPHIA INSTITUTE
Waldorf Teacher Training and Adult Education Courses
Foundation Studies Courses in Anthroposophy and the Arts
NAVIGATION
Semester 1
Foundation Studies Courses in Anthroposophy and the Arts
Online Course
Independent Studies
Part 1 - Semester 1
Lesson 1
Introduction
The Foundation Courses in Anthroposophy were originally developed by myself primarily with an eye towards those individuals who want to become Waldorf grades teachers. Over the years of offering and teaching these courses, I encountered a wide variety of interests, and many of my students were early childhood or Kindergarten teachers, parents of students in the Waldorf schools, grades teachers, high school teachers, people interested in bio-dynamic farming, administrators, fundraisers, development coordinators, etc. All had a deep interest in learning more or deepening their understanding of Anthroposophy.
Nurturing Arts session at Sophia Institute
As I believe in and practice a collaborative learning style, where the group of students, together with their teachers, forms a temporary learning community, the contributions that each individual brings to the learning community is an integral part of the learning experience, and determines the course’s direction. The Foundation Courses in Anthroposophy as presented here have been influenced and shaped by this process of collaboration.
Tamara Slayton (1950 - 2003)
Another inspiration to the creation and practice of these courses has been given by Tamara Slayton (1950 – 2003), Waldorf educator, author, and workshop leader. I was fortunate to learn from Tamara, and regard her as one of my guides in this work of bringing about temporary collaborative learning communities, that strive towards the experience of spiritual insights in a participatory and inclusive learning style both in adult education and in teaching children.
The Sophia Institute Foundation Studies Courses in Anthroposophy and the Arts are adult education courses based on the Anthroposophical Foundation Courses offered by the Waldorf Teacher Training Centers in North America. Participants earn a Foundation Study certificate. The Foundation Studies Courses are designed to meet the needs of those individuals who want to develop their artistic abilities, and acquaint themselves with, or deepen their understanding of the basic world-view of Anthroposophy brought by Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925). The achievements inspired by Anthroposophy can be seen today throughout the modern world. It is attracting those people who wish to work out of new impulses in the fields of agriculture, the arts, education, curative education, social therapy, natural sciences, and medicine.
Foundation Studies in Anthroposophy and the Arts, while providing a background for those wishing to become teachers in Waldorf Schools, also offers the same opportunity to others who are interested in learning more about how they may work in the world, guided by a foundation in Anthroposophy. In the Foundation Studies Courses broad themes of the essential nature of the human being and human development are taken up on many different levels. The courses concern themselves with the study of evolving consciousness and personal growth, through conversation, on-going group work, artistic activities, guided studies, and workshops.
Part I:
Introduction to Waldorf Education
Introduction to the Path of Self Development as given in Anthroposophy
Artistic Courses
Part II:
Introduction to Waldorf Education (continued)
The World View and Psychology of Anthroposophy
Artistic Courses (continued)
The Foundation Studies in Anthroposophy and the Arts are scheduled over the period of 1—3 years. Students will be able to fulfill the requirements on an individual basis. Foundation Studies typically include a variety of artistic courses, independent studies and group study courses. Students learn about the different arts, and about the influence of Anthroposophy that has enriched, and transformed traditional art forms, and created new ones, like Eurythmy. Students have the possibility to practice the arts, learn new skills, or deepen their understanding of the arts. Besides Eurythmy, courses in music, speech, painting, drawing, handwork, modeling, and spatial dynamics are being offered. The study courses include in-depth study of the basic works of Anthroposophy, and offer the student the opportunity to explore the philosophical and psychological basis of the world-view of Anthroposophy and of Waldorf Education. Students will be challenged to critically examine the concepts and issues addressed in this world-view, which offers a modern path of knowledge and self-transformation.
The Foundation Courses in Anthroposophy presented in this online course reflect and are influenced by the work that I have done with the Sophia Institute. The Sophia Institute was founded in 2000 when a group of parents and teachers requested a foundation course in Anthroposophy and Waldorf Education in the Viroqua area. Conrad Rehbach, a certified Waldorf teacher with many years of teaching experience in Waldorf grade school teaching, Waldorf High School teaching and therapeutic work in the Camphill Movement, founded the Viroqua Foundation Courses in Anthroposophy and the Arts. Anne-Marie Fryer, long time class and Kindergarten teacher at Pleasant Ridge Waldorf School took on the organization of the artistic program and within a year's time the first group of students graduated from the course. Over the years a diverse faculty has contributed to the growth of the foundation courses and summer intensive courses, which became successful programs attracting students from the Midwest region and preparing them for Waldorf teaching and/or deepening their understanding of Waldorf pedagogy and Anthroposophy. Eventually the name "Sophia Institute" presented itself and became the official name of this training program.
The Sophia Institute's mission is to further the work of educators, therapists, parents and others working out of the impulse of Anthroposophy. The Sophia Institute provides courses in Waldorf Pedagogy, Adult Education Courses, Foundation Studies Courses in Anthroposophy and the Arts, Online Courses, Workshops and Retreats, Renewal Courses, Consulting Services, Puppet Theatre, Puppetry Courses, Counseling and Publications.
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Windsurfers on the Columbia River near The Dalles, Oregon, USA
Sophia Institute online Foundation Course Semester 1 Lesson 1
One of the mysteries that we all encounter in our lives, even though we might not always be aware of it, is indeed our own biography. In our day to day life, we might pay little attention to this mystery, and only if dramatic events enter our life and cause us to stop and reflect, we may become aware of underlying currents or tendencies that reveal themselves to us upon examining our life.
Using a diary or journal, or at least to reflect from time to time on our life, is an important practice in becoming more conscious of our biography.
In this first lesson, we try to turn to our life’s story in a particular way, trying to detect patterns and gain insights into our biography by looking at it through the lens of the seven year periods. While during the first three seven year periods obvious and significant changes occur at the transition from one into the next, as the change of teeth around age seven, and the entry into grade school at that time, or the onset of puberty around age fourteen, later in life we might not be so aware of these transitions, and we might need to make extra efforts in order to become conscious of these changes in ourselves and in our biography.
Please concern yourself for a period of time with your own background, motivation, and career choices. Describe - like you would do in a group of like minded students that are all interested in Anthroposophy - your own path in life up to this present moment with special attention towards questions and experiences that led you to this interest in Anthroposophy.
Please structure your description in such a way that you try to describe each 7 year period of your life (0 to 7, 7 to 14, 14 - 21, etc) separately, as if forming a unit in itself, within your biography. At the end of the description of each 7 year period, try to state a motto that sounds true for your life experience during this period, and compose a poem that tries to express your feelings and significance about this period.
Please send your description via email, either directly or after having composed your writings on a separate sheet of paper or journal or word document. Please put your name and lesson number on the top of each page.