Inward Pilgrimage Thomas R. Rickards Episcopal Academy, Philadelphia Course Description: This course deals with the general topic of spirituality. It can be said that throughout all major religious traditions, the spiritual formation of an individual or community is best examined through the image of a pilgrimage. Throughout the term we will be exploring the essential features of different pilgrims and their journeys. We will note that in all of the pilgrimages we examine, there must be a move from some basis or status quo to a new destination. The students will be asked to name these different points that can be found in human experience and also answer questions dealing with the tools and obstacles that each pilgrim uses and faces along the way. The format of the course will also take on the structure of a self-reflective journey as the student examines her or his goals and accomplishments as we move throughout the term. Course Requirements: This course will take on a "seminar format." Each student in the class will take turns guiding discussion and preparing relevant questions from the reading. In this way, the reading assignments will be intensive and class participation will be absolutely required. The specific written requirements will take on the form of a Personal Course of Study, which is explained in detail on another handout. This may often involve more work than the usual test and paper format. In short, "be prepared!" Required Texts: Confessions. Augustine of Hippo On The Road. Jack Kerouac Siddhartha. Herman Hesse Tuesdays with Morrie. Mitch Albom Reading Schedule: Each book is scheduled to take two weeks, but I will be giving supplemental readings as well. Eight days for each book are mapped out (with weekends for catch up). You should be prepared to do an average of twenty of pages of reading a night (Tuesdays with Morrie will be a little more). You must make sure that keep pace in this course! Confessions of Augustine: average of 20 pgs a night Each day we will read a book (equivalent to our chapters) Day 1: Book One Day 2: Book Two On The Road (Part One): average of 20 pgs a night Day 1: Intro. Day 2: Ch 1-2 Day 3: Chs 3-4 Day 4: Chs 5-8 Day 5: Ch 9-10 Day 6: Ch 11 Day 7: Ch. 12-13 Day 8: Ch. 14 Siddartha: Average of 19 pgs a night. Day 1: "Brahmin's Son" and "With the Samanas" Day 2: "Gotama" and "Awakening" Day 3: "Kamala" Day 4: "Amongst the People" and "Samara" Day 5: "By the River" Day 6: "The Ferryman" Day 7: "The Son" and "Om" Day 8: "Govinda" Tuesdays With Morrie: Average of 25 pgs a night. Day 1: pgs 1-25 Day 2: pgs 26-52 Day 3: pgs 53-78 Day 4: pgs 79-107 Day 5: pgs 108-129 Day 6: pgs 130-158 Day 7: pgs 159-186 Day 8: pgs 187-192 If you have contributions for the list, please let us know at syllabi@rsiss.org