Handbook home
The Art and Science of Meditation (MULT10020)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Overview
Availability(Quotas apply) | Semester 2 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This subject draws on history, philosophy, anthropology, sociology, cognitive neuroscience, and psychology to explore the traditional contexts and contemporary application of mindfulness, meditation and other contemplative practices to day-to-day life. There will be an emphasis on evidence and rationale for the validity (or otherwise) of such practices to achieve individual and societal goals. The subject will integrate 1st person (experiential), 2nd person (intersubjective) and 3rd person (objective) forms of inquiry. This approach will help students build an integrated understanding of contemplative practices and their place in 21st Century existence.
Students will develop critical insight into the history and contemporary practice of meditation, and what we know about certain implementations (e.g. ritual practice, smartphone apps, online programs, healthcare-based courses). We will also raise important ethical questions about where and when such practices may or may not be appropriate (e.g. schools, business, military) and the diverse and potentially contradictory aims held by individuals, organisations and traditions in relation to them. Partnered with direct practice in types of meditation from varying religious and secular traditions, students will gain both academic and practical insight into how contemplative practices work and what they can and cannot offer.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Articulate and apply concepts from multiple disciplines to the critical understanding of contemplative practices
- Identify and interpret empirical research on mindfulness, meditation and other contemplative practices
- Use styles of reasoning and evidence from multiple disciplines to assess the role of contemplative practices in addressing individual and societal challenges
- Analyse disagreement and criticism relating to varying conceptualisations of meditation practices and their optimal applications to individual and societal challenges
- Evaluate their own values, goals and approach to meaning in relation to scientific, philosophical, sociological, and anthropological reasoning
- Engage with, and reflectively consider, forms of contemplative practice and meditative experience from a first-person perspective
Generic skills
- Critical thinking and reasoning;
- Written, spoken and interpersonal communication;
- Perspective taking;
- Global citizenship;
- Self-awareness and reflection;
- Evidence synthesis
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Corequisites
Non-allowed subjects
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Assessment 1: 1st person reflection on meditative experience and peer review 1000 words - 17% personal reflection; 250 words - 8% peer review)
| Week 4 | 25% |
Assessment 2: Oral presentation
| From Week 7 to Week 8 | 25% |
Assessment 3: Integrative essay
| During the examination period | 50% |
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Nicholas Van Dam Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 12 x 1 hour lecture = 12 hours 12 x 2 hour tutorials = 24 hours (weeks 1-12) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 24 July 2023 to 22 October 2023 Last self-enrol date 3 July 2023 Census date 31 August 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2023 Assessment period ends 17 November 2023
Time commitment details
Remaining time commitment (134 hours total): General study time (34 hours): • Readings: 12 hours • Discussion board activity: 8 hours • Group presentation meetings: 6 hours • Reflective practice and discussions: 6 hours Assessments (100 hours): • Assignment 1 (1250 words): 25 hours • Presentation (10 minutes): 25 hours • Assignment 1 (2000 words): 50 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Additional delivery details
Students must enrol in MULT10020 by the last application close date of 3 July 2023. Selection within 1 week of the application deadline. Students randomly sampled until N=50 is reached. Outcomes will be emailed out to students within 1-2 weeks after the application close date. Unsuccessful applicants will be withdrawn from the subject.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 31 January 2024