Sophia Institute online Waldorf Certificate Studies Program
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Course: The Festivals and Their Meaning 1The celebration of festivals is an important part of Waldorf/Steiner education. A festival is a joyous celebration of life, and has the quality of lifting us out of the ordinary and into the mysteries and magic of the rhythm of the seasons. Throughout history, festivals have emerged from people’s connection with their spiritual life and their search for the meaning of human existence. The celebrations are interwoven with the life of the earth and the cycles of nature. Many faith-based traditions recognize the spiritual realities behind different passages during the year, and that is why special observances cluster together on the calendar. In the Waldorf tradition, festivals are meant to reflect the spiritual reality of what is happening to the earth during important passages during the year. For example, we can experience the autumn in a natural way as we watch the colorful changing of the leaves, feel the crispness in the air, and taste the tartness of a newly picked apple. We can experience it also, in a spiritual way, if we begin to perceive the beauty around us. The awe of a special sunset can quicken a sense of reverence, stir us to voice a few poetic lines, or feel an inner peace. A common experience of joy and reverence is what allows a festival at a particular time of year to unite a whole community. Singing, dancing, stories, food and sharing are all a part of the festivals of the year.
The Waldorf/Steiner teacher should develop an inner appreciation and knowledge of the deep mysteries connected with the festivals. This inner experience of and reverence for the festivals can then flow outward into the celebration of the festivals with the children and the school community. The Waldorf/Steiner teacher needs to become a guide to and guardian of the festivals. The inner joy that we can experience when we approach the festivals and their celebration with a devotional attitude can spread outwards and inspire others: the children, colleagues, and the whole the school community. |
Course Outline
The Festivals and Their Meaning 1
Lesson 1: Michaelmas (Part 1) Lesson 2: Michaelmas (Part 2) Lesson 3: Christmas (Part 1) Lesson 4: Christmas (Part 2) Lesson 5: Reflection and Final Paper/Festivals and Their Meaning 1 The Festivals and Their Meaning 2
Lesson 1: Easter (Part 1) Lesson 2: Easter (Part 2) Lesson 3: Ascension and Pentecost (Part 1) Lesson 4: Ascension and Pentecost (Part 2) Lesson 5: Reflection and Final Paper/Festivals and Their Meaning 2 |
Tasks and Assignments for The Festivals and Their Meaning 1 Lesson 5In order to complete the course The Festivals and Their Meaning 1, please create a Research Paper/Final Paper. The subject of the research paper/final paper should concern the theme of festivals. You may choose a specific festival, several festivals, a specific culture and their festivals, a specific theme (for instance puppetry and festivals), or another theme related to festivals and their meaning.
Please see the following for guidelines for the research paper/final paper that is required for your course of study. We believe it is best to choose a subject that is of great interest to you and where you have resources available. Guidelines for Writing a Scientific (Scholarly) Paper: An effective scientific paper should be at a minimum 9 pages, include genuine research and should be presented in the following format: A. Abstract/Summary: An abstract or summary is a succinct (one paragraph) summary of the entire paper. The abstract should briefly describe the question posed in the paper, the methods used to answer this question, the results obtained, and the conclusions. It should be possible to determine the major points of a paper by reading the abstract. Although it is located at the beginning of the paper, it is easiest to write the abstract after the paper is completed. B. Introduction: The Introduction should describe the question tested by the experiments or research described in the paper, and explain why this is an interesting or important question, further describe the approach used in sufficient detail that a reader who is not familiar with the technique will understand what was done and why, and finally very briefly mention the conclusion of the paper. C. Materials and Methods: The Materials and Methods section should succinctly describe what was actually done. It should include a description of the techniques used so someone could figure out what experiments or research were actually done. The details of a published protocol do not need to be reproduced in the text but an appropriate reference should be cited – e.g., simply indicate “were done as described by Hughes et al. (4).” Any changes from the published protocol should be described. It is not appropriate to indicate volumes of solutions added – instead indicate the relevant information about the experiment or research such as methods used, etc. D. Results: Begin each paragraph with an opening sentence that tells the reader what question is being tested in the experiments or research described in that paragraph. E. Conclusion: The conclusion should be the final chapter and include a summary of the results and conclusions reached concerning the research project. F. Table of Content: A table of content should be included either at the beginning of the paper (preferable) or at the end of the paper. The table of content should clearly list the different chapters and titles thereof, abstract, introduction, citations, etc. G. Illustrations and Images: Depending on the subject matter, illustrations and images should be included with the different chapters of the paper. H. Resources: A listing of citations, quotes and sources including literature used should be placed at the end of the paper. Please submit the completed assignment via the submission form or via email. |
A famous festival in Paro, Bhutan is ‘Tsechu’ which literally means day 10. According to the Tibetan calendar, this festival occurs on the 10th day of the Tibetan lunar month. The festival is celebrated in the month of October. This is mainly a Buddhist festival but you will find people from all beliefs present. This festival is one of the biggest festivals in Bhutan.
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