Minor in anthroposophy
In September, Leiden University of Applied Sciences introduced the possibility of a semester of studying anthroposophy in theory and practice.
Bachelor students in the Netherlands have to choose a minor subject as part of their degree courses. This means that, for half a year, they study something that complements their major course at another university in the Netherlands or abroad. For this they receive 30 credit points, which is half of what they need to get in a year.
At the request of young people, lecturers at Leiden Hogeschool have developed a minor course in anthroposophy. In September the first eleven students (arts, social sciences, sports, education, law, theology, film and photography) embarked on this course in order to find out what anthroposophy can contribute to their studies and their life. Anthroposophy is new to most of them, but some know it from having attended a Waldorf School.
Guided by various lecturers they study Rudolf Steiner’s basic works as well as anthroposophical art and aspects of anthroposophical inner development (knowledge and practice). In addition they visit Waldorf Schools, the biodynamic training, the Anthroposophical Society in the Netherlands, anthroposophical healthcare institutions etc. The students even spent a week at the Goetheanum.
The minor course in anthroposophy includes individual pilot projects, in which the students work on aspects of anthroposophy that can make a practical and relevant contribution to what humanity and the world need in our time.