Mindfulness and Meditation: The Art and Science of Self-transformation



Overview

This course will teach participants the theory and practice of mindfulness/meditation practices, including techniques that involve breathing, visualisation, and recitation. We will move across Eastern and Western traditions focusing on how these techniques were created with the aim of transforming the self. We will also explore how these techniques have undergone significant transformation throughout the 20-21st centuries. 

The course is suitable both for those who have never tried meditation or those with previous experience who are interested in knowing more about the history, science, and experience of these practices. 

Programme details

Courses starts: 18 Jan 2024

Week 0: Course orientation

Week 1: Introduction to the study of mindfulness/meditation

Week 2: The tree of meditation: Varieties of East-West techniques

Week 3: Escape from the world: Meditation as tool for self-transcendence

Week 4: Secular mindfulness/meditation and the homeless self

Week 5: Matters of the heart: East-West meditations based on love and compassion

Week 6: The science of meditation: from relaxation to Transcendental Meditation and mindfulness 

Week 7: The clinical and social psychology of meditation: Wanted and Unwanted Effects

Week 8: Experiences of meditation: stages of meditation and self-transformation

Week 9: The politics and ethics of mindfulness/meditation: Modern debates and controversies 

Week 10: Deconstructing and reconstructing the self: Holy fools, mystics, meditating poets and narcissists

Digital Certification

To complete the course and receive a certificate, you will be required to attend and participate in at least 80% of the live sessions on the course and pass your final assignment. Upon successful completion, you will receive a link to download a University of Oxford digital certificate. Information on how to access this digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate or share it on social media if you choose to do so.

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee £257.00
Take this course for CATS points £10.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Dr Miguel Farias

Miguel Farias is an experimental psychologist, former Lecturer at Oxford University, founding director of the Brain, Belief, & Behaviour Lab, co-author of ‘The Buddha Pill: Can Meditation Change You?’, and lead editor of the Oxford Handbook of Meditation.

Course aims

To study the varieties of mindfulness/meditation practices in the East and West, including its various aims in changing the self, the multiplicity of techniques, and scientific studies on its effects. 

Course objectives:

  • To study the major types of mindfulness/meditation practices across the world.
  • To explore the aims of these practices within religious traditions and within a secular context.
  • To discuss the potential effects of these practices in transforming, healing, or enhancing the self.
  • To understand key developments in the scientific study of meditation.
  • To try out forms of mindfulness/meditation practices within the course.

 

Teaching methods

Presentation of materials (images and text) in a seminar format; class discussion; brief mindfulness/meditation exercises.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will be expected to:

  • understand and describe some of the major techniques of mindfulness/meditation practices;
  • understand and discuss the varieties of intended outcomes of these practices;
  • discuss the key elements in the scientific study of meditation and the more controversial findings;
  • articulate the differences between religious-based and secular therapeutic techniques, including the effects sought for transforming or enhancing the self;
  • have experienced various techniques from across Eastern and Western traditions. 

Assessment methods

Students will be assessed via a 750 word essay related to the content of the course (e.g. Describe two meditation techniques which use visualisation and what are their intended outcomes on the practitioner).

Students must submit a completed Declaration of Authorship form at the end of term when submitting your final piece of work. CATS points cannot be awarded without the aforementioned form - Declaration of Authorship form

Application

We will close for enrolments 7 days prior to the start date to allow us to complete the course set up. We will email you at that time (7 days before the course begins) with further information and joining instructions. As always, students will want to check spam and junk folders during this period to ensure that these emails are received.

To earn credit (CATS points) for your course you will need to register and pay an additional £10 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.

Please use the 'Book' or 'Apply' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form (Word) or enrolment form (Pdf).

Level and demands

Students who register for CATS points will receive a Record of CATS points on successful completion of their course assessment.

To earn credit (CATS points) you will need to register and pay an additional £10 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.

Coursework is an integral part of all weekly classes and everyone enrolled will be expected to do coursework in order to benefit fully from the course. Only those who have registered for credit will be awarded CATS points for completing work at the required standard.

Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process can either register for CATS points prior to the start of their course or retrospectively from the January 1st after the current full academic year has been completed. If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.

Most of the Department's weekly classes have 10 or 20 CATS points assigned to them. 10 CATS points at FHEQ Level 4 usually consist of ten 2-hour sessions. 20 CATS points at FHEQ Level 4 usually consist of twenty 2-hour sessions. It is expected that, for every 2 hours of tuition you are given, you will engage in eight hours of private study.

Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS)

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support