Affiliated Courses
The Art and Science of Flourishing
PHIL 20203; RELI 30533
Professor: Mark Dennis, Blake Hestir
Major Credit: Philosophy or Religion
Minor Credit: Philosophy or Religion
Core Credit: HUM
Offered: Spring Semester
This course will explore perspectives from both the humanities and sciences in ways that are directly relevant to university life, and will also engage in contemplative practices drawn from various traditions that help develop the qualities and skills—such as the capacity to manage distraction—that are key elements of flourishing. The goal is to facilitate expanded self-awareness, enhanced social connectivity, and a greater ability to work with your own inherent capacity to change. In these ways, the course will help formulate a sense of what it means to lead a flourishing life that sustains meaningful and fulfilling engagement with studies, relationships, community, and career.
*Refer to TCU’s course catalog offerings to view class availability
Mindfulness and Modern Life
ADRN 20203
Professor: Mark Dennis, Blake Hestir
Core Credit: HUM; CA
Offered: Summer Semester
Much attention has been given to the stress college students are under today. To address this, the course considers what it means to live a “mindful” life today. What kind(s) of thinking and practice does such a life entail? How would it fit into a busy college student’s life? This course will address these questions through both theory and practice. It will range from traditional Buddhist ideas to modern science, from classic liberal arts reflection to contemporary mindfulness exercises. The course will consider how practice and reflection influence one another, and how we engage in personal relationships, society, and the natural world.
*Refer to TCU’s course catalog offerings to view class availability
Buddhism: Thought and Practice
RELI 30533
Professor: Mark Dennis
Major Credit: RELI
Core Credit: HUM
Offered: Fall, Spring & Summer Semesters
This course offers an introduction to Buddhism: its history, texts, doctrines, and practices, as well as some of its major schools and teachers. Students engage in various forms of the tradition’s meditation, mindfulness, and ethical practices. Additionally, using Buddhism’s basic ethical teachings, students will examine a particular form of suffering in today’s world.
*Refer to TCU’s course catalog offerings to view class availability
The Mindful Leader
MANA 40970-065
Professor: Mark Dennis
Offered: Specialty Limited Course
This course will examine effective leadership through the lens of mindfulness. Simply put, mindfulness is the practice of actively cultivating awareness of one’s mental, emotional, and physical environments. It is to be present, alert, and engaged, whether to one’s anger, anxiety, and frustrations, to one’s partner, child, or employees, or simply to the beauty of the natural world. Studies show that sustained mindfulness practice can help reduce anxiety and stress, foster a sense of connection to others, discover joy in daily life, and increase compassionate behavior. It can also help us investigate the thinking “I” and the variety of stimuli that constantly bombard us, often diverting us from being present to the task at hand.
*Refer to TCU’s course catalog offerings to view class availability
Mind Consciousness Self
PHIL 20343
Professor: Blake Hestir
Major Credit: Philosophy
Minor Credit: Philosophy or HARE
Core Credit: HUM
Offered: Fall and Spring Semesters
A philosophical and experiential exploration of various conceptions of mind, consciousness, and self. We discuss the nature of attention and awareness, mindfulness, embodiment, and interdependence, also with a dive into neuroscience and phenomenology, A.I., ecology, sustainability, and flourishing.
The experiential dimension involves engaging in various contemplative practices such as meditation and nature-based mindful movement as a first-person exploration of these ideas. The practices also deepen awareness of the interrelation between mind, body, and environment, as well as promote belonging and flourishing.
*Refer to TCU’s course catalog offerings to view class availability