validated by Calamus International University
B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
HOLISTIC STUDIES is
one of the multi-disciplinary degrees offered by Calamus
International University. It is similar to the degree programmes in
Personal Development. There will be several specially selected core
units on the philosophy and applications of holistic principles to
life, work and politics. The remainder of the degree is made up of
selected options from the range of mind-body-spirit subjects we
offer.
HOLISTIC STUDIES
is an interdisciplinary subject focusing on the interrelationship
between human beings and other people, society, and environment, and
also such concerns as wellness and spirituality. The programme
encourages the development of individual interests. It may be
studied for personal interest or as a professional development
degree for counsellors, therapists, life and personal coaches, “New
Age” practitioners, holistic teachers and trainers, holistic
business owners, etc. A unique study plan will be agreed with each
student. This degree is ideal for those interested in a wide range
of topics without wanting a narrower specialisation such as
counselling psychology, metaphysics, or contemporary spirituality.
A core book on
holism is: Soulution: The Holistic Manifesto by William
Bloom. (Hay House, London, 2004) You may wish to read this book
in advance of starting the course, though it is not necessary to do
so. This key text is used for the CIU course unit CSP 206 – Holism
for Today’s World. Here is an extract from the course description
for this unit:
…
a holistic approach to life is the optimistic and positive way
forward for the global community. Holism is defined in great detail
and it is shown that the principles of holism are excitingly
relevant to all aspects of our being: physical, mental, emotional
and spiritual. All life is interdependent and connected and we are
all responsible for each part of the whole. Health, success and
spiritual development work hand-in-hand with each other and we are
all called to be responsible, not only to ourselves, but to the
welfare of the environment and for all people and animals in the
global village. Recommended methods are set out to achieve holistic
goals in a dynamic and practical way.
The Holistic Studies
major can make use of course units from any of the following fields
(and any similar fields):
-
Holism
-
Personal
Development,
-
Counselling,
-
Psychotherapy,
-
Hypnotherapy,
-
Psychology,
-
Wellness
Studies/ Healing Studies,
-
Life Coaching,
-
NLP,
-
Stress
Management,
-
Organizational
Behaviour,
-
Creative
Writing,
-
Workplace
Spirituality,
-
Contemporary
Spirituality,
-
Religious
Studies,
-
Shamanic
Studies,
-
Metaphysics/Esoteric Studies/ New Age Studies,
-
Regression and
Reincarnation Studies,
-
Parapsychology,
-
Social Studies
-
Environmental
studies (units under development)
(You do NOT have to
take units from ALL of these fields).
Other electives can
be taken from different subject areas subject to approval, and the
student can also suggest areas of independent special study.
The range of courses
offered (subject to availability) can be found in our course unit
list which is available for download at
www.unicalamus.org/downloads.htm
Students for a
degree in Holistic Studies will normally draw from both
non-spiritual and spiritual areas of study to create a balanced
syllabus, but if such a combined syllabus does not suit you and you
wish to concentrate exclusively, for ideological reasons, on
spiritual or on non-spiritual fields, you can discuss an appropriate
degree path with the course admissions advisor. We will do our best
to fit in with your preferences and needs.
The first step is to decide what level of degree you
are seeking (normally BA or MA). The level of degree depends largely
on your previous qualifications and experience.
Our Bachelor’s degree is by distance learning only,
and is meant for people who have already some education and/or
training. It is normally an accelerated programme equivalent to
second-year or third-year entry to a full-time degree. The student
should have a range of credit already. This can be from any field
and can include university credits, further education, skilled work
experience, and other documentable skilled experience.
If you are not sure if you have enough credit for an
accelerated degree, please send us your full resume or CV so we can
advise you further.
Other options that could provide a route to a
Bachelor’s, if you do not have enough credit now, are:
- Studying one or more short courses that we can
help you select
- Enrolling on an extended Bachelor’s degree (which
will cost more than the accelerated degree, and take longer).
The exact programme
of study will negotiated between the personal tutor and the student
after enrolment, depending on amount and type of transfer credit,
interests and professional needs. Credit transfer will be given as
appropriate. The student may also select content-rich internet sites
of his or her choice, subject to approval, on which course units may
be based. If the student is in an ongoing practical training
programme, completed modules of that programme may be submitted for
additional credit. You will have the opportunity to devise your own
personal project.
Higher degrees
The BA in Holistic Studies can provide access to the
CIU MA in Holistic Studies and also to other related MA degrees
provided the student has a suitable background. It is then possible
to go on to certain doctoral degrees – depending again on the
student’s background and interests.
The MA is open to applicants with most approved
Bachelor’s degrees and also to certain professionals – such as
nurses, teachers and social workers – who do not have a Bachelor’s
degree.
A PhD by research and dissertation is available;
however this degree demands sound academic writing and research
skills and those without such skills may be asked to take a special
course. If you are a published author in a holistic field, it could
be possible to use ongoing research for your next project as the
basis of a Ph.D, subject to approval.
The D.H.Sc. (Doctor of Holistic Sciences) is degree
by taught courses (and optional dissertation) for those in
holistic-related professions. For further details please see the
Doctor of Holistic
Sciences leaflet.
Textbooks and coursework
The tuition fees do not include textbooks. Students
normally buy their books from on-line bookstores such as Amazon.
Second-hand copies of textbooks can often be found via Amazon or
www.abebooks.co.uk or
www.abebooks.com It is impossible to indicate the cost of books
as prices vary and fluctuate all the time. Each course unit will
typically require one course textbook. The typical degree programme
will require between 15 and 20 books.
After enrolment a questionnaire is issued to help the
student and the college to co-design an individualised study plan.
At this point a choice of course units is made and the student is
given details of the appropriate books.
Most units are completed using written work based on
the textbooks and other set exercises, and written work may be
emailed to the college for assessment.
The programmes work on the basis of continuous
assessment and there is no final examination. The programmes are
totally by distance learning and there is no attendance required of
any sort at any time.
