We have seen the highest circle of spiraling powers. We have named this circle God. We might have given it any other name we wished: Abyss, Mystery, Absolute Darkness, Absolute Light, Matter, Spirit, Ultimate Hope, Ultimate Despair, Silence. But we have named it God because only this name for primordial reasons, can stir our hearts profoundly. And this deeply felt emotion is indispensable if we are to touch, body with body the dread essence beyond logic.­Kazantzakis

1. Purpose and Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

2. Syllabus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2­3

1. Structure of Course . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

[THE REMAINDER OF THIS MANUAL IS AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO ARE IN PEDAGOGY TRAINING TO TEACH THIS COURSE.]

4. Lectures

a. Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

b. Art Forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .6

5. Study

a. Charting Methodology . . . . . . .. .7­8

b. Assignments usually used . . . . . . . . 9

6. Seminars

a. Seminar planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

b. Seminar orchestration . . . . . . . . . . 11

7. Conversations . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12­13

8. Meal Celebrations . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

9. Art Forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

a. Guernica

b. Movie

10. Worship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. 16

11. Short Courses

a. Preface and Outline . . . . . . . . .. . . . 17

b. Methodologies

Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Theological . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . 21

12. Pedagogy Outlines . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

13. Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

14. Sample of Teaching Guild Structure. 24

15. Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 25

RS­1 is one of fourteen core courses in the curriculum of the School of Religious and Cultural Studies of the Ecumenical Institute. This is a five unit course in which the problem and possibility of living as a full human being will be examined. Such questions as. What is life all about? How can I understand myself in this world? How can I genuinely and humanly participate in the activities of life? How can I be and act so that history itself is affected? will be the underlying queries determining the development. The ultimate aim will be understanding the meaning of the Christian Gospel for our lives in the twentieth century. This course is introductory to the full Theological Curriculum and is also prerequisite to the eight courses of the Culture Curriculum.

The course will involve independent study, seminars and lectures. In four units a lecture will be given for the whole group upon the subject to be dealt with in that unit. Each member of the seminar will read the assigned article for the particular seminar and will fill in a chart form. The intention in the seminar will be to come to grips with the articles read by engaging in the kind of open discussion which enables each one to do his own thinking in the area under consideration.

The supplementary readings listed under each unit are not a part of the assignments but are provided for those who will have some extra time for reading upon returning home. All of the readings, one theological and one from contemporary literature, are pertinent to the seminar subjects. It is recommended that the works be read in the order in which they are listed.

There are also included in the supplementary readings for each unit those books which deal generally with the tonic to be discussed in the seminar one is theological; one is philosophical and one is a literary work.

It is expected that everyone who registers for the course will participate without absences, read the assigned work, prepare the chart form and involve himself completely in every area of that course.

first session EXISTENCE IN DEPTH God

Orientation ­ The Program of the School of Religious Studies

LECTURE I ­ THE LIMITS OF LIFE OR THE FINALITY OF GOD

Seminar One ­ What am I finally up against in life?

Assignment for the seminar: Bultmann, Rudolf: The Crisis of Faith (RS)

Supplementary reading for the week:

Articles from RS

Niebuhr, H. R.: The Nature and Existence of God (RS)

Orgel, Irene: Jonah

Books:

Tillich Paul: The Courage To Be; New Haven: Yale University Press (Paperbound Y­11, 1959)

Wilson, Collin: The Outsider, Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1959

Camus, Albert: The Plague, New York: Alfred A/ Knopf, 1948

second session EXISTENCE IN AUTHENTICITY Christ­Event

LECTURE II ­ THE POSSIBILITIES FOR LIFE OR THE CHRIST­EVENT

Seminar Two ­ Is there any word of possibility for life?

Assignment for seminar:

Tillich, Paul: You Are Accepted (RS)

Supplementary reading for the week:

Articles from RS

Knox, John: The Event and The Story (RS)

Sartre, Jean­Paul: The Wall

Books:

Bultmann, Rudolf Jesus Christ and Mythology; New York, Scribner Paperbound (SH 74)

May, Rollo: Existence, New York Basic Books, 1958

Serling, Rod: Requiem for a Heavyweight, New York; Bantam Book (J 2373), 1962

third session EXISTENCE IN FREEDOM Spirit

LECTURE III ­ THE AMBIGUITY OF LIFE OR DECISIVENESS THROUGH CHRIST

.

Seminar Three ­ How can I make decisions about what to do?

Assignment for the seminar:

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich: Freedom (RS)

Supplementary reading for the week

Articles from RS:

Barth, Karl: The Gift of Freedom

Camus, Albert: The Guest

Books:

Barth, Karl: The Humanity of God, Richmond: John Knox Press, 1962

DeBeauvoir, Simone: The Ethics of Ambiguity, New York, Philosophical Library, 1948

Hansberry, Lorraine: A Raisin in the Sun, New York; Random House, 1948

fourth session REQUIEM FOR A HEAVYWEIGHT

Motion Picture Play

The movie will be shown and then followed by a seminar where conversations will be held as to how one is addressed in the categories of the Christian understanding by a life situation drama.

fifth session EXISTENCE IN COMMUNITY Church

LECTURE IV ­ THE REVOLUTIONARY CADRE OR THE CREATION OF HISTORY

Seminar Five ­ How can I contribute significantly to history?

Assignment for the seminar:

Niebuhr, H. R.: The Church as Social Pioneer (RS)

Supplementary reading for the week:

Articles from RS

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich: Christ. the Church and the World

Sartre, Jean­Paul: The Philosophy of Revolution

Books:

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich: The Communion of Saints, New York: Harper and Row, 1963

Sykes, Gerald: The Hidden Remnant, New York: Harper Brothers, 1962

Anouilh, Jean: Becket, New York; Signet Book (P 2453)