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UF Graduate & Undergraduate Mindfulness Courses
The list of courses is not exhaustive. UF curricula are dynamic and change from year to year. Here only the last time a course is/was offered are listed. Check the UF Course Schedule.
Course Mind-Body Practices and Spiritualities
SDS 6938 Special Topics for Graduate Level
MHS 3930 Special Topics for Undergraduate Level
When: Summer semester, 2024 (Mondays; periods 3-5 (9:35 am to 12:35 pm).
Where: UF Norman Hall. Room 1707A.
Instructor: Sabine Grunwald, Ph.D. in Integral and Transpersonal Psychology, Director of the UF Mindfulness Program (sabgru@ufl.edu).
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Course Description: In this course we will explore contrasting mind-body constructs and practices from Western psychological, modern spiritual, and Buddhist perspectives. We will immerse ourselves in the study of select mind-body practices, explore their theoretical underpinnings and traditional roots as well as benefits for wellbeing, health, and human flourishing. Such learning approach discovers the ‘Why’, ‘What’, and ‘How’ that undergirds mind-body practices. Mind-body meditation practices bring forth transpersonal and transbody states of consciousness and embodiment which will be discovered, observed, and studied. We will explore mind-body interactions, psycho-spiritual experiences, and potential liberative transformation paths and goals. To embody the lived experience of a particular moment through mindfulness and body awareness means to viscerally feel sensory, motor, emotional, and imaginal experiences rather than to funnel arousal into mental concepts, ideas, and categories (“chatter mind, ruminating mind”). Evidence-based research and phenomenological qualitative research studies that have assessed the effects of mind-body practices on health, well-being, and spiritual/mystical experiences will be given special attention in form of student projects and papers. This course is highly experiential and stresses engagement and study of various mind-body practices and spiritualities.
The course is open to all students at UF; it counts toward the UF Certificate in Spirituality and Health.
Course Objectives: From Western psychological, modern spiritual, and Buddhist perspectives 1)Understand the purpose of prominent mind-body constructs and practices. 2)Discover the view and traditional roots of diverse mind-body constructs. 3)Unpack mind-body interactions, psycho-spiritual experiences, and potential liberative transformation paths and goals. 4)Explore the effects of mind-body practices on health, well-being, and human flourishing. 5)Discuss how mind-body practices support and nurture one’s own personal development and how to integrate these practices into counseling, psychotherapy, trainings, and the academy.
Courses Center for Spirituality and Health
Course SDS 6938 The Mindful Trauma Therapist
Instructor: Keri Johnson, PhD, LMHC, NCC, CDWF, E-RYT
When: Spring semester 2022 (and following years). Wednesdays, 9:35 am - 12:35 pm (Periods 3-5).
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This class explores the interface between Western psychology and the world's contemplative practices. In particular, we will examine how engaging in mindfulness meditation can enhance one's personal and professional life. We will explore how these practices, when applied to a therapeutic setting can enhance well-being, as well as foster wholehearted authentic presence - the quality of being that research has repeatedly found to be one of the most important therapeutic agents of change. A foundational component of this course will be to address the importance of being "trauma-informed," "trauma-sensitive," and "trauma-responsive" when inviting mindfulness into the clinical setting. The prevalence of trauma, impact of trauma on the body, as well as trauma theory and somatic psychology will be explored. Lastly, this course will introduce Dr. Brené Brown's research on authenticity, vulnerability, and wholeheartedness including the qualities that get in the way - such as shame, blame, guilt, and humiliation.
The course objectives are to:
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experience how to meditate and work with one’s mind;
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learn how to apply these ancient wisdom principles to the practice of psychotherapy;
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examine the components of becoming "trauma-informed" providers; and
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explore how to integrate Dr. Brené Brown's principles from her research-based curriculum, in one's personal and professional life.
*This course will be highly experiential, combining the practice of sitting meditation, mindfulness meditation, and other somatic (mind-body) practices that foster radical integrity, compassionate curiosity, and nervous system regulation.
Course MHS 3930 Mindful Living
Instructor: Kerry Alyson Parks
When: Spring semester 2022 (and following years). Thursdays 9:00 am - 12:00 pm.
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“Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment, nonjudgmentally” ~Jon Kabat-Zinn
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Mindful Living is geared to teach students about various approaches of how to live a more “mindful” life. The holistic approach focuses on the various mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual conditions that arise when confronted with stressful or traumatic situations throughout one’s lifespan. In this course, we will explore mindfulness in everyday life. Rather than seeking extraordinary, or “peak”, experiences, we will consider what it means to be mindful of the sacredness in “ordinary” life events. This class has been designed to allow you to reflect upon your journey in life and the role that mindfulness can play in your optimal holistic wellbeing.
Course is part of the UF Certificate in Spirituality and Health Certificate.
Instructor: Monika Ardelt, PhD., Professor of Sociology. Email.
Course: IDH2930, Section 0182, Class #26267.
When: Fall 2020; Fall 2022.
Where: Fridays, 9th period, in Little 117.
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The book Philosophy for Life and Other Dangerous Situations makes ancient Greek philosophies easily accessible and relevant for modern day life. It is divided into different “teaching sessions,” starting from “Morning Roll Call: Socrates and the Art of Street Philosophy” and the “morning session” (Epictetus and the Art of Maintaining Control; Musonius Rufus and the Art of Fieldwork; Seneca and the Art of Managing Expectations) to the “noon session” (Epicurus and the Art of Savoring the Moment), “early-afternoon session” (Heraclitus and the Art of Cosmic Contemplation; Pythagoras and the Art of Memorization and Incantation; Skeptics and the Art of Cultivating Doubt), “late-afternoon session” (Diogenes and the Art of Anarchy; Plato and the Art of Justice; Plutarch and the Art of Heroism; Aristotle and the Art of Flourishing), and finally “Graduation: Socrates and the Art of Departure.” Because I am a big believer in experiential learning, students will practice living according to the philosophy (or philosophies) we discuss each week and write about and discuss their experiences.
Course NCR 6930 / NUR 4930 Spirituality & Creativity in Healthcare
Instructors: Mary Rockwood Lane, Ph.D., RN, FAAN; Co-instructor: Taylor S. Vasquez, MA.
When: Fall semester 2021 and following years.
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Integrate spirituality and passion into your professional and academic life through experiential classes that explore your own unique creativity in healing. Enjoy music, art, guided imagery, writing, movement, relaxation, drama,, and more during this class.
