What do spiritual people believe and practice? What do astrology, Tarot, Theosophy, and Afro-futurism have in common? This course introduces students to the history and variety of the metaphysical tradition, which isoften called “spirituality” in the U.S. and other parts of the world. Readings and lectures trace connections across different beliefs and practices to show how they share common roots, while also explaining why the metaphysical tradition is so eager to appropriate from non-western cultures. Students will learn to recognize a tradition that remains subterranean despite its broad and varied influence.
4
UnitsOptional
Grading1, 2, 3
PasstimeUpper division only
Level LimitLetters and science
CollegeTake RGST13! Joseph is thought provoking and intelligent. The themes, and concepts presented in this class are applicable to our world on many different levels.The course is complicated and so are the readings and tests. Written tests, graded by TA's, therefore good grades are subject to TA, extra credit is necessary, do as much EC as you can!
Prof Blankholm is great, its clear he wants his students to succeed. His lectures are kinda speedy if you don't review beforehand and provide slides that are less detailed (more of a skeletal structure), so you can't miss class. DEFINITELY do the extra credit events and try to ace all the quizzes in the section.
I found this class to be very interesting and the professor to be a fair grader and funny during lecture. Just be aware that there are such things as stupid questions to him (during office hours). If you have a question during class, he will totally listen and give you the answers you need. I'm not sure why he acts differently during office hours.
Prof. Blankholm is so passionate about his work and it shows and makes it easier to understand what he's talking about in lecture. There's a weekly quiz in section on the readings, but it's just basic comprehension. The midterm and the final are based on what is described in the lecture, so you have to go to every class, but he makes it enjoyable.
Blankholm is an amazing speaker and seems like such a genuine and funny person. He definitely speaks in complex terms and can be hard to understand/focus on during lecture. For midterm and final, you just need to review everything in the lecture slides and you'll be fine, even if you may have zoned out a bit during lecture. Very interesting class!
This was the most interesting class I have ever taken in my life. Id warn you tho, that he does speak super fast in lectures. that really fast. He is an amazing teacher tho. Mandatory reading quizzes every section (super easy). i loved this class honestly, and im a stem major. gonna miss this ):