Virginia Sease, Ph.D.

Objectives
The flexibility of the «Anthroposophical Studies in English» 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 presentations augment the «Anthroposophical Studies» and the artistic courses in order to introduce a wide spectrum of activities and cultural impulses resulting from Rudolf Steiner’s work.

Schedule
Monday through Friday

08.00 – 09.00 a.m. Basic Study with Virginia Sease

09.30 – 10.45 a.m. Artistic Courses – Speech – Painting – Drawing– Clay Modeling

11.15 – 12.15 p.m. Individual Study Projects

02.30 – 03.30 p.m. Special Themes

04.00 – 05.15 p.m. Artistic Courses – Music – Eurythmy – Singing

Content
Basic Study with Virginia Sease centers on the following books by Rudolf Steiner:

•  «Theosophy» 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 (Fall Term)
• «Knowledge of the Higher Worlds»: «The capacities by which we can gain insights into the higher worlds lie dormant within each one of us.» Here Rudolf Steiner describes practical steps towards awakening these capacities (Winter Term).
• «An Outline of Esoteric Science» offers insight into the vast processes of cosmic evolution and humanity’s place within them (Spring Term)

Artistic Courses
Painting – Drawing – Music – Clay Modelling – Speech – Eurythmy – Singing

Individual Study Projects
offer the student the possibility to work on a subject of 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 Themes
comprise lectures on various subjects related to Anthroposophy by competent persons from the field four or five times a week.

First Term, September 17 – November 29, 2012:

Sep. 17 – 21: Student Week

Sep. 24 – 27: From Theosophy to Anthroposophy, Virginia Sease, Ph.D.

Oct. 01 – 04: The Language of Form and Color in the Goetheanum, Esther Gerster 

Oct. 08 – 11: The Goetheanum in Context of Its Surrounding Buildings, Hans Hasler

Oct. 15 – 18: Experiencing Plant-Life at the Goetheanum, Benno Otter 

Oct. 22 – 26: Rudolf Steiner’s Medical Impulse, Seija Zimmermann, Ph.D. 

Oct. 29 – 31: Death Culture, Päivi Lappalainen

Nov. 05 – 08 : Rudolf Steiner’s Four Mystery Dramas, Herbert O. Hagens 

Nov. 12 – 15: The Medieval School of Chartres, Virginia Sease, Ph.D. 

Nov. 19 – 22: Trip to Chartres 

Nov. 26 – 29: Presentation of Individual Projects

          

Second Term, January 14 – March 21, 2013:

Jan. 14  + 15: The Miracle of a Beehive, Johannes Wirz, Ph.D. 

Jan. 16  + 17: The Social Organism of a Farm, Ueli Hurter 

Jan. 18: Visit to l’Aubier

Jan. 21 – 24: Hygienic Eurythmy, Jeanne Winstanley 

Jan. 28 – 31: Light and Color: A Goetheanistic Approach, Johannes Kühl 

Feb. 04 – 07: An Artistic Appreciation Rudolf of Steiner’s Carved Group, Caroline Chanter 

Feb. 11 – 14: The Significance of the Parsifal Legend, Thomas Didden 

Feb. 18 – 28: Geometric Drawing, Oliver Conradt, Ph.D. 

March 04 – 07: Pre-Christian Mysteries and the Mystery of Golgatha, Virginia Sease, Ph.D. 

March 11 – 14: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Rudolf Steiner, Douglas Miller, Ph.D., Prof. em. 

March 15 – 17: Trip to Weimar

March 18 – 21: Presentation of Individual Projects

 

Third Term, April 15 – June 21, 2013:

April 15 – 25: Clay Modeling, Christian Hitsch 

April 29 – Mai 03: Experiencing the Art of Florence, Italy, Thorwald Thiersch 

May 06 – 08: The Significance of Ascension and Pentecost, Philip Martyn

May 13 – 17: Trip to Florence

May 21 – 24: Education as an Art Astrid Schmitt-Stegmann

May 27 – 30: Hygienic Eurythmy, Jeanne Winstanley 

June 03 – 06: Rudolf Steiner’s Meditations and Mantras, Virginia Sease 

June 10 – 13: The Founding of the Anthroposophical Society at the Christmas Conference 1923/24, Virginia Sease, Ph.D.

June 17 – 21: Presentation of Individual Projects

 

Special Excursions
Longer trips such as to Chartres Cathedral and Florence, Italy or shorter excursions to sites of historical and cultural relevance will be prepared by introductory lectures.

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 spoken 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.

Weekend Trip
Weimar, Germany: Discovering aspects of Goethe’s and Rudolf Steiners biography

Shorter Excursions
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), Weleda (Arlesheim), Basel Cathedral and City, Theodor Schwenk Water Institute (Black Forest, Germany), Isenheim Altar in Colmar (France), Strasbourg Cathedral (France), Freiburg Cathedral (Germany) and others.

The costs for the excursions will vary according to the method of travel and the duration. These costs are not included in the tuition-fee.