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HIgher Education Projects
Master Of Arts
MA in TRANSPERSONAL ARTS AND PRACTICE
Distance learning or Saturday study days
at the University of Chichester
Imagination as a path of knowledge
with Dr Marie Angelo & guest lecturers, to include
Dr Angela Voss (University of Kent), alumni and colleagues
If your interests and vocational practice involve archetypal and imaginal themes that you would love to understand in more depth, this unique MA could be ‘the degree of your dreams’ - Imagination is enlivened through core studies from the Humanities, Archetypal Psychology and the Arts; individual projects are developed ‘hands on’ through participative research and reflection; and your studies are flexible, either on campus or via distance learning.
As a path of knowledge, imagination offers places & images, methods & marvels; the mundus imaginalis of Henry Corbin, the imaginatio vera of Paracelsus, the memory theatres of the Renaissance magi, the mythic imaginal of Post-Jungian James Hillman... To set the scene, we invite you to join a transformative educational journey through the imaginal cosmos, guided by illuminations and ideas from the esoteric philosophies and practices of the Western traditions, particularly those of the transpersonal, Hermetic Arts. Taking these ‘transpersonal arts’ in their widest sense, we learn from philosophers, visionaries and adepts of the art of living, and from their cosmological practices; alchemical, astro-logical, mantic and mystical. The classical themes come alive for us through lenses such as the Platonic tradition (embracing both Neo-Platonism and Hermeticism), the classical Liberal Arts, Renaissance art, magia and music, and Jungian and Archetypal studies which “dream the myth onward” into cultural and ecological awareness – so important for ethical living today.
Through such imaginal eyes we look deeper into the transformative potential of these cultural movements for our own work, in whatever sphere, whether the cosmological arts are part of our practice, or operate as an inspiring backdrop of anima mundi, ‘Soul of the World.’ Over one to three years of monthly study days, or by distance learning, you create an imaginative journal of the journey, with accompanying essays, and artefacts of your choice - depending on what inspires you; case studies perhaps, art-works in different media, collage, meditations, memory theatre, videos, dance performance or ritual... We call it ‘dreams into practice.’
Some Questions and Answers
Can I apply?
A good first degree is expected, but we are also happy to consider non-standard entry for those with equivalent experience or qualifications, or via a portfolio (please ask for details.) We do not specify subject area or qualifications, since we know that these studies speak to people from a wide range of professions, including arts, psychotherapy, teaching, ecology, and spiritual, healing and Traditional practices. No formal ‘arts’ background is required, but it is important that all course members share a love of imaginative ideas, a feel for metaphor and myth, and a willingness to explore active imagination, hands-on image making or contemplation. All students need to be comfortable with email (or willing to learn) and distance learning students will require regular access to the internet.
How will I study?
All students, whether on campus or distance learning, begin your studies in September. We share the same detailed course materials, linking us together as a community of learners. These materials are specially written by course tutors to give colourful and stimulating presentations of our topics. They invite you into imaginal worlds of exploration, give examples of projects, and offer a variety of tasks to help you explore, focus and discuss your imaginal journey and its applications to your individual practice. On-campus presentations at monthly Saturday study days are posted on-line for distance learners, enabling all to join a range of email discussion-groups between sessions. Individual tutorials help you develop your own project ideas, and each year we plan optional Summer School days around Mid-June, to coincide with an end of year student exhibition and conference.
What will I study?
Four taught modules and a Dissertation Project are offered part-time, one module per semester, September-January, and February-June. Each module stands alone, but together they create an integrated sequence of transpersonal, transformative research - from Post-graduate Certificate (two modules), Diploma (four modules), to MA (Dissertation Project):
- Re-imagining Research: ‘Elements of Inquiry’ introduce ways into the imaginal, to activate imagination through metaphor & symbol.
- Arts in Practice 1: ‘Ancient Academies of Imagination’ open their doors as we travel up through time, exploring images & ‘hi-stories’ of myth and cosmos.
- Arts in Practice 2: ‘A Renaissance School of Imagination’ leads us on a creative descent through the branches of the philosophical tree, exploring traditions of the Liberal Arts.
- Individual Projects: ‘In the Light of new Knowledge’ we review and deepen the imaginal, initiatory journey, cultivating practical applications to your individual art.
- Dissertation Project: (Double module) Supported by individual tutorials, you study independently to create your own story of the journey from Apprenticeship to Mastery.
Distance Learning
Distance learning information is now available to enrolled students with approved access in the new Distance Learning area.Student Showcase
The following list comes from the catalogue of one of the Open Day student exhibitions at the University of Chichester, giving a flavour of what is to come as this page develops. There is a wealth of imagery to add, including video footage, thanks to the pioneering work of alumnus ‘Friend of the Feast’ Edwina Milner, who collated everything for the earlier version of this site which was only for student use. You see a page from Edwina’s Dissertation (a very high Distinction) in the picture opposite. I’ve asked current students and alumni to update and develop their entries, so watch this space.
- Andrew John Burridge, Alumnus ‘Perseus and the Art of Imaginal Dialogue’- Five Magical Gifts for the Journey.
- Lesley Bradley, Alumnus ‘Doors of Perception – Contemplation is Participation: A Journey with Icons.’
- Steve Carrier, second year student: ‘Cosmic Eggstacy’ An Anima Mundi Project on the theme of the Egg aided, among others, by Hermes and Eros.
- Amelia Christophides, second year student: ‘Jupiter and the middle region between spirit and matter’ An Anima Mundi Project to research/insearch the many correspondences of this most Beneficent Wandering Star.
- David Clemson, Alumnus: ‘Journeying from the Galactic to the Centre: the Mercurial Story of the Scallop, Outside to In, Inside to Out…. a pilgrim’s peregrinatio’.
- Kate Compston, Alumnus and tutor: ‘Beachcombing: Hermes’ Gifts’ - Come and join me on the beach, a magical, liminal place of questioning and discovery!
- Ivan Daggart, first year student: ‘Orphic Orator: an exploration of the Orpheus, Demeter and Persephone myth through art and dream.’
- Richard Davis, Dissertation work-in-progress: ‘Aphrodite’s Bath’ As Rilke advises: "... whoever wants to have a deep love in his life must collect and save for it and gather honey."
- Carol Duncan, Alumnus: ‘The Labyrinth at Chartres. Seeking a common thread: a brief study of some different views and experiences of the labyrinth in the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Chartres.’
- June Marsh Lazar, Dissertation student: ‘A Hoopoe Initiation.’ Images, journals, costumes and artifacts – inviting you to An Alchemical Dance Theatre Presentation of ‘Hoopoe and the Alchemy of the Birds’, to be performed in Dance Studio One at 3.30 this afternoon.
- Edwina Milner, Alumnus and Tutor: ‘Friend of the Feast: an alchymical approach to working with chronic pain as the unwelcome guest.’ Mercurial websites, workshops and multimedia experiments.
- Patricia Newman, second year student: ‘The Pomegranate: its Myth and Meaning’ An Anima Mundi Project to seek ‘the essence, the significance, the magic of the pomegranate.’
- Elisabetta Noto, Dissertation work-in-progress: ‘Art and Play’ A series of plays, interviews and dialogues in an imaginal/alchemical setting.
- Monica Otton, Alumnus: ‘A Tapestry of Spirit’ Making Robes for the Subtle Bodies of a Healer’s Art.
- Ana Rezende, Alumnus: ‘A School for Fools: Imaginal learning from the Dream.’ Also, ‘Transpersonal Art in the Practice of Clay Modeling of the Platonic Solids’, an Anima Mundi Project.
- Sarah Roche, Alumnus: ‘Hestia and Secret Fire’ Making ‘Place’ by Sewing the Worlds Together.
- Anthony Stapleton, Alumnus and Tutor: ‘The Fool’s Present.’ A metaphor in spells, being an hermetic study of language and time with the written word as visual art-form.
- Fiona Taylor, Alumnus: ‘Psyche’s Journey into Hades.’ Poetry and image exploring elements of Psyche’s entry into Hades, her experience therein and her return to Eros.
- Ian Thorp, Alumnus: ‘A Journey into Myth and Cosmos through the Cairns of Carrowkeel, Co. Sligo, Ireland.’
- Alex Tyrie, Alumnus: ‘Making Earth out of Water’: Transformative inquiry through Painting the Alchemical Drowning and Reborn King of the Splendor Solis.’
- Alumni study group: Andrew Burridge, Patricia Claxton, Varianne Cowan, Carol Duncan, Irene Seager, and Heather Williams. ‘New Projects’
Research & Development
Lighting up the new territory... The picture is from the interior of the final illumination in the sequence of the Splendor Solis.
* A welcome step in the development of Imaginal Studies will be to offer PhD Research. We are actively pursuing this idea with the University and hope to report on some developments for the next academic year.
* A current project is to make a bridge between the university and the community by running some open courses that can be studied for interest, but then if wished converted into study for post-graduate credits. A newly named pathway of ‘Professional Development’ now offers this option locally, with Distance Learning planned. The initial courses will best suit those in the healing professions such as counselling and the creative arts therapies, but our wider vision means we can offer opportunities to any group who practice with and within the imaginal – so we would also welcome alternative, complementary and cosmological practitioners.