Course Description:
For the past three hundred years or so, science has viewed the universe as essentially non-living at its foundations. A non-living view of the universe has led to rampant materialism and global environmental degradation. To transform our planetary crises we need to move past a paradigm of separation and exploitation and learn to live sustainably on the Earth, in harmony with one another, and in communion with the living universe. This course will explore humanity’s journey to look beyond our many differences, and galvanize our efforts in building a promising future. This foundational course explores three, major questions:
- Where are we? Are we living within a living system—or a non-living system?
- Who are we? What is the nature of our identity?
- Where are we going? As we awaken into aliveness and a more spacious view of our identity, how does that inform our evolutionary journey?
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the course you will be able to:
- understand a broad survey across both science and wisdom traditions and their respective views of the universe, bringing critical thinking into this exploration;
- see the shift from a non-living to a living universe represents an integral aspect of the “Great Transition” underway in the world;
- recognize the new skill sets and capacities required for our changing world, and see more clearly the true gifts and great talents that we can each bring to this time of transition;
- explore a topic or theme of your choice with emphasis on the implications of a living or non-living view of the universe; and,
- see the key resources needed to deepen your own inquiry into the universe.
Faculty:
Dr. Duane Elgin specialises in speaking and consulting on: 1) global trends and the dynamics of great transition for the human journey; 2) sustainable ways of living, both personal and collective; 3) social media for social change; and 4) the meeting of science and spirituality. Since 2010, he has been the executive director of the “Great Transition Stories” project that offers new narratives to guide us toward a sustainable and meaningful future. He has written a number of books including “The Living Universe,” and “Voluntary Simplicity.” He has an MBA from Wharton (1968) and an MA in economic history from the University of Pennsylvania (1969).
Course Modalities:
Non-Credit Options
Lite Level – This course is delivered on-demand with no faculty interaction and is perfect for lifelong learners who want to go at their own pace and who are not interested in academic credit but still want to experience the course.
Audit-No Credit – If you would like to participate when this course is offered in our Live Virtual Classroom mode, you may attend the live faculty webinars but will not be required to submit assignments for credit.
If you take a few courses and decide you want to officially enroll in a degree program, you can gain academic credit for Lite versions or Audit-No Credit versions by paying the difference between these course fees and a normal academic fee, successfully completing quizzes, submitting your reflection journals, and delivering a Final Creative Assignment that will be graded.
For-Credit Options
Live Virtual Classroom: Study that takes place within Ubiquity University, in which Ubiquity academic coursework is accomplished through attendance in Live Webinars, with faculty and student interaction being a part of the Live Webinar content. To receive academic credit, you must not miss more than 3 live sessions, you must complete the quizzes and submit any other required assignments (if any), and a final creative assignment for grading at the degree level you are enrolled in.
Internal Online Independent Study: Study that takes place within Ubiquity University, in which Ubiquity academic online coursework is engaged in independently on one’s own and does not include faculty interaction. To receive academic credit, you must complete the quizzes and submit your reflection journals and final creative assignment for grading at the degree level you are enrolled in.
Pricing:
- BA Level: $300
- MA Level: $600
- PhD Level: $900
- Audit-No Credit: $240 (only if offered in Live Virtual Classroom Mode)
- Lite: $50 (no credit, access to course materials only)
Our shopping cart is simple and easy to understand. If you do not have a user account, you will be able to create one upon purchase. Save your username and password as you will need it to login to access course materials later. For more detailed, step-by-step instructions you can review our tutorial How to Purchase a Course. Again, if you experience any issues, please email Veronica Saldias at registrar@ubiquityuniversity.org.
We allow students at all academic levels to participate in our online courses. However, those students who are enrolled in MA or PhD programs are expected to offer a more sophisticated analysis on reflection tasks, writing assignments, and in the final creative assignment. You will be graded commensurate with your degree level. Except for the Final Creative Assignment, word counts are offered as guidelines. If you need to exceed the word counts to submit an MA or PhD level response, you may feel free to do so as long as the word count expansion is reasonable and necessary.
Course Contact Information:
Live Virtual Classroom macrocourses are delivered by faculty in live Zoom sessions. You will have a course facilitator who is available to answer questions and offer additional assistance and that information will be provided to you upon registration. Please do not email faculty directly with any technology or registration issues.
For on-demand lite or Internal Online Independent Study versions, click the “Chat” button down on the left-hand side of the screen for any technical issues or questions you may have about the content.
LU - Module 1 - Welcome and Introduction
- LU – Week 1 – Welcome and Introduction – Course Learning Resources
- LU – Week 1 – Welcome and Introduction – Video
- LU – Week 1 – Welcome and Introduction – What It Means to Live in a Living Universe – Video
- LU – Week 1 – Welcome and Introduction – What Can You Expect in This Course? – Video
- LU – Week 1 – Welcome and Introduction – Contrasting a Dead and Living Universe – Reading Assignment
- LU – Week 1 – Welcome and Introduction – The Living Universe – Video
- LU – Week 1 – Welcome and Introduction – The Universe as a Living System – Video
- LU – Week 1 – Welcome and Introduction – Worldview Literacy – Video
- LU – Week 1 – Welcome and Introduction – Understanding Scientific and Indigenous Paradigms – Video
- LU – Week 1 – Welcome and Introduction – Nature and Humans with Thomas Berry – Video
- LU – Week 1 – Welcome and Introduction – Thomas Berry and the Earth Community – Video
- LU - Week 1 – Welcome and Introduction – Reflection Task
- LU – Week 1 – Welcome and Introduction – Self-Mastery Task: Benefits of Meditation in Nature
- LU – Week 1 – Welcome and Introduction – Group Discussion
LU - Module 2 - Beginning the Journey
- LU – Week 2 – Beginning the Journey – Introduction – Video
- LU – Week 2 – Beginning the Journey – The Living Universe – Reading Assignment
- LU – Week 2 – Beginning the Journey – The Living Universe (Neil deGrasse Tyson, Terence McKenna) – Video
- LU – Week 2 – Beginning the Journey – Stories of the Universe – Video
- LU – Week 2 – Beginning the Journey – The New Cosmic Story – Video
- LU – Week 2 – Beginning the Journey – The Journey of the Universe – Video
- LU – Week 2 – Beginning the Journey – Reflection Task
- LU – Week 2 – Beginning the Journey – Self-Mastery Task
- LU – Week 2 – Beginning the Journey – Group Discussion
LU - Module 3 - The Universe Seen By Science (Part 1)
- LU – Week 3 – The Universe Seen By Science (Part 1) – Transition From the “Long View” to the “Now View” - Video
- LU – Week 3 - The Universe Seen By Science (Part 1) – Hubble Deep Field - Video
- LU – Week 3 – The Universe Seen By Science (Part 1) – We are Giants/Cosmic Ruler - Video
- LU – Week 3 – The Universe Seen By Science (Part 1) – Dark Matter and Dark Energy - Video
- LU – Week 3 – The Universe Seen By Science (Part 1) – The Large and Small Perspective: “Powers of Ten” - Video
- LU – Week 3 - The Universe Seen By Science (Part 1) – We are Giants: “The Living Universe” - Reading Assignment
- LU – Week 3 – The Universe Seen By Science (Part 1) – Jean Houston, “Why We Are Here” - Video
- LU – Week 3 - The Universe Seen By Science (Part 1) – “The Science Delusion” - Reading Assignment
- LU – Week 3 - The Universe Seen By Science (Part 1) – Thomas Berry interview, “The Mystique of the Earth” - Reading Assignment
- LU – Week 3 - The Universe Seen By Science (Part 1) – Reflection Task
- LU – Week 3 - The Universe Seen By Science (Part 1) – Self Mastery
- LU – Week 3 – The Universe Seen By Science (Part 1) – Group Discussion
LU - Module 4 - The Universe Seen By Science (Part 2)
- LU – Week 4 - The Universe Seen By Science (Part 2) – Introduction to Paradigms - Video
- LU – Week 4 - The Universe Seen By Science (Part 2) – The Universe Seen By Science (Duane Elgin) - Video
- LU – Week 4 - The Universe Seen By Science (Part 2) – Non-locality and Entanglement - Reading Assignment
- LU – Week 4 - The Universe Seen By Science (Part 2) – Synchronicity and the Holographic Universe – Thinking Allowed (Part I) - Video
- LU – Week 4 - The Universe Seen By Science (Part 2) – Dark Energy, Dark Matter - Reading Assignment
- LU – Week 4 – The Universe Seen By Science (Part 2) – “Quantum physics, music, & consciousness” - Video
- LU – Week 4 - The Universe Seen By Science (Part 2) – Ervin Laszlo & Deepak Chopra: “Cosmic Consciousness and The Holographic Universe” - Video
- LU – Week 4 - The Universe Seen By Science (Part 2) – Duane Elgin, “The Science of a Living Universe” in The Living Universe - Reading Assignment
- LU – Week 4 - The Universe Seen By Science (Part 2) – Quiz
- LU – Week 4 - The Universe Seen By Science (Part 2) – Reflection Task
- LU – Week 4 - The Universe Seen By Science (Part 2) – Self-Mastery Task
- LU – Week 4 – The Universe Seen By Science (Part 2) – Group Discussion
LU - Module 5 - The Universe Seen By Science (Part 3)
- LU – Week 5 – The Universe Seen By Science (Part 3) – Finding Consciousness in Nature Part 1 - Video
- LU – Week 5 – The Universe Seen By Science (Part 3) – Finding Consciousness in Nature Part 2 - Video
- LU – Week 5 – The Universe Seen By Science (Part 3) – The Mind of the Dolphin (Part I) - Video
- LU – Week 5 – The Universe Seen By Science (Part 3) – The Mind of the Dolphin (Part 2) - Video
- LU – Week 5 – The Universe Seen By Science (Part 3) – Reflection Task
- LU – Week 5 – The Universe Seen By Science (Part 3) – Self-Mastery Task, Part 1
- LU – Week 5 – The Universe Seen By Science (Part 3) – Self-Mastery Task, Part 2
- LU – Week 5 – The Universe Seen By Science (Part 3) – Self Mastery Task, Part 3
- LU – Week 5 – The Universe Seen By Science (Part 3) – Group Discussion
LU - Module 6 - The Universe Described By Wisdom Traditions (Part 1)
- LU – Week 6 – The Universe Described By Wisdom Traditions (Part 1) – Biblical Wisdom Traditions (Duane Elgin and Jim Garrison)
- LU – Week 6 – The Universe Described By Wisdom Traditions (Part 1) – Islamic Wisdom Traditions (Duane Elgin and Jim Garrison)
- LU – Week 6 – The Universe Described By Wisdom Traditions (Part 1) – “Judaism, Christianity, and Islam” in The Living Universe - Reading Assignment
- LU – Week 6 – The Universe Described By Wisdom Traditions (Part 1) – Reflection Task: Journaling
- LU – Week 6 – The Universe Described By Wisdom Traditions (Part 1) – Hindu Wisdom Traditions (Duane Elgin and Jim Garrison)
- LU – Week 6 – The Universe Described By Wisdom Traditions (Part 1) – Buddhist Wisdom Traditions (Duane Elgin and Jim Garrison)
- LU – Week 6 – The Universe Described By Wisdom Traditions (Part 1) – Hinduism and Buddhism, The Living Universe - Reading Assignment
- LU – Week 6 - The Universe Described By Wisdom Traditions (Part 1) – Reflection Task
- LU – Week 6 – The Universe Described By Wisdom Traditions (Part 1) – Self-Mastery Task
- LU – Week 6 – The Universe Described By Wisdom Traditions (Part 1) – Group Discussion
LU - Module 7 - The Universe Described By Wisdom Traditions (Part 2)
- LU – Week 7 – The Universe Described By Wisdom Traditions (Part 2) – Taoist, Confucian Wisdom Traditions (Duane Elgin and Jim Garrison)
- LU – Week 7 – The Universe Described By Wisdom Traditions (Part 2) – Indigenous Wisdom Traditions (Duane Elgin and Jim Garrison)
- LU – Week 7 – The Universe Described By Wisdom Traditions (Part 2) – “Taoist, Confucian, and Indigenous Views” in The Living Universe - Reading Assignment
- LU – Week 7 – The Universe Described By Wisdom Traditions (Part 2) – Reflection Task: Journaling
- LU – Week 7 – The Universe Described By Wisdom Traditions (Part 2) – Western Wisdom Traditions (Duane Elgin and Jim Garrison)
- LU – Week 7 – The Universe Described By Wisdom Traditions (Part 2) – Duane Elgin, “Western philosophical views of the universe” in The Living Universe - Reading Assignment
- LU – Week 7 – The Universe Described By Wisdom Traditions (Part 2) – “Harvesting the Wisdom of Human Experience” in The Living Universe - Reading Assignment
- LU – Week 7 – The Universe Described By Wisdom Traditions (Part 2) – “Being Present – Native Perspectives on Sustainability” - Video
- LU – Week 7 – The Universe Described By Wisdom Traditions (Part 2) – Bob Randall: “We are the Caretakers” - Video
- LU – Week 7 - The Universe Described By Wisdom Traditions (Part 2) – Reflection Task
- LU – Week 7 – The Universe Described By Wisdom Traditions (Part 2) – Self-Mastery Task
- LU – Week 7 – The Universe Described By Wisdom Traditions (Part 2) – Group Discussion
LU - Module 8 - The Combined Understanding of Science and Wisdom Traditions
- LU – Week 8 – The Combined Understanding of Science and Wisdom Traditions – Integration of Science and Wisdom Traditions - Video
- LU – Week 8 – The Combined Understanding of Science and Wisdom Traditions – A Mother Universe - Video
- LU – Week 8 – The Combined Understanding of Science and Wisdom Traditions – “The Mother Universe” – The Living Universe – Reading Assignment
- LU – Week 8 – The Combined Understanding of Science and Wisdom Traditions – Three Areas of Oneness - Video
- LU – Week 8 – The Combined Understanding of Science and Wisdom Traditions – Science and Spirituality, Part I (Duane Elgin and Peter Russell)
- LU – Week 8 – The Combined Understanding of Science and Wisdom Traditions – Science and Spirituality, Part II (Duane Elgin and Peter Russell)
- LU – Week 8 – The Combined Understanding of Science and Wisdom Traditions – Science and Spirit Converge in the Now – Reading Assignment
- LU – Week 8 – The Combined Understanding of Science and Wisdom Traditions – Reflection Task
- LU – Week 8 – The Combined Understanding of Science and Wisdom Traditions – Self-Mastery Task
- LU – Week 8 – The Combined Understanding of Science and Wisdom Traditions – Group Discussion
LU - Module 9 - Who Are We?
- LU – Week 9 – Who Are We? – Video
- LU – Week 9 – Who Are We? – “The Soul’s Body and Our Cosmic Identity.”-The Living Universe - Reading Assignment
- LU – Week 9 – Who Are We? – MUSIC: “Body of Music”-The Living Universe - Reading Assignment
- LU – Week 9 – Who Are We? – MUSIC: Amazing Resonance Experiment!
- LU – Week 9 – Who Are We? – MUSIC: The Universe Is a Symphony of Vibrating Strings
- LU – Week 9 – Who Are We? – LIGHT: “Body of Light.”-The Living Universe - Reading Assignment
- LU – Week 9 – Who Are We? – LOVE: “Body of Love.”-The Living Universe - Reading Assignment
- LU – Week 9 – Who Are We? – LOVE: Juan Mann: “Free Hugs Campaign”
- LU – Week 9 – Who Are We? – LOVE: Leo Buscaglia -Speaking of Love pt 1 of 6
- LU – Week 9 – Who Are We? – KNOWING: “Body of Knowing”-The Living Universe - Reading Assignment
- LU – Week 9 – Who Are We? – KNOWING: “Seeking a Self”
- LU – Week 9 - Who Are We? – Reflection Task
- LU – Week 9 – Who Are We? – Quiz
- LU – Week 9 – Who Are We? – Self-Mastery Task, Part 1
- LU – Week 9 – Who Are We? – Self-Mastery Task, Part 2
- LU – Week 9 – Who Are We? – Self-Mastery Task, Part 3
- LU – Week 9 – Who Are We? – Group Discussion
LU - Module 10 - Where Is the Universe Going?
- LU – Week 10 – Where Is the Universe Going? – Video
- LU – Week 10 – Where Is the Universe Going? – Human Toroidal Connectivity: Center to Center - Video
- LU – Week 10 – Where Is the Universe Going? – “Exploring the Architecture of the Universe”- Reading Assignment
- LU – Week 10 - Where Is the Universe Going? – Reflection Task
- LU – Week 10 – Where Is the Universe Going? – Self-Mastery Task, Part 1
- LU – Week 10 – Where Is the Universe Going? – Self-Mastery Task, Part 2
- LU – Week 10 – Where Is the Universe Going? – Self-Mastery Task, Part 3
- LU – Week 10 – Where Is the Universe Going? – Group Discussion
LU - Module 11 - The World in Great Transition (Part 1)
- LU – Week 11 – The World in Great Transition (Part 1) – Where is Humanity Going? - Video
- LU – Week 11 – The World in Great Transition (Part 1) – Our World in Transition, Part 1 - Video
- LU – Week 11 – The World in Great Transition (Part 1) – Our World in Transition, Part 2 - Video
- LU – Week 11 – The World in Great Transition (Part 1) – We are in a Time of Great Transition, Part I: The Living Universe - Reading Assignment
- LU – Week 11 – The World in Great Transition (Part 1) – We are in a Time of Great Transition, Part II: Promise Ahead - Reading Assignment
- LU – Week 11 – The World in Great Transition (Part 1) – David Korten: The Great Turning - Video
- LU – Week 11 – The World in Great Transition (Part 1) – Change the story to change the world - Reading Assignment
- LU – Week 11 – The World in Great Transition (Part 1) – Joanna Macy: “The Great Turning” - Video
- LU – Week 11 – The World in Great Transition (Part 1) – The Great Turning Film: Joanna Macy on Uncertainty - Video
- LU – Week 11 – The World in Great Transition (Part 1) – “Bounce or Crash: Will Humanity Wake up in Time?” - Video
- LU – Week 11 – The World in Great Transition (Part 1) – The Roots of Our Crisis, Part 1 - Video
- LU – Week 11 – The World in Great Transition (Part 1) – The Roots of Our Crisis, Part 2 - Video
- LU – Week 11 - The World in Great Transition (Part 1) – Reflection Task
- LU – Week 11 – The World in Great Transition (Part 1) – Self-Mastery Task
- LU – Week 11 – The World in Great Transition (Part 1) – Group Dsicussion
LU - Module 12 - The World in Great Transition (Part 2)
- LU – Week 12 – The World in Great Transition (Part 2) – Humanity in Great Transition—Initiation and Beyond, Part 2, Sec. 1 - Video
- LU – Week 12 – The World in Great Transition (Part 2) – Humanity in Great Transition—Initiation and Beyond, Part 2, Sec. 2 - Video
- LU – Week 12 – The World in Great Transition (Part 2) – Sobonfu Some: “The Natural Way”-Indigenous Voices - Video
- LU – Week 12 – The World in Great Transition (Part 2) – Paul Hawken: “Blessed Unrest” - Video
- LU – Week 12 – The World in Great Transition (Part 2) – Nipun Mehta: “Designing For Generosity” - Video
- LU – Week 12 – The World in Great Transition (Part 2) – Ubuntu - Video
- LU – Week 12 – The World in Great Transition (Part 2) – “Archbishop Desmond Tutu on Forgiveness” - Video
- LU – Week 12 – The World in Great Transition (Part 2) – The Human Journey - Video
- LU – Week 12 - The World in Great Transition (Part 2) – Reflection Task
- LU – Week 12 – The World in Great Transition (Part 2) – Self-Mastery Task
- LU – Week 12 – The World in Great Transition (Part 2) – Group Discussion
LU - Module 13 - Personal Skills for Living in a Living Universe
- LU – Week 13 – Personal Skills for Living in a Living Universe – Video
- LU – Week 13 – Personal Skills for Living in a Living Universe – PURPOSE: Eckhart Tolle: Finding Your Life’s Purpose - Video
- LU – Week 13 – Personal Skills for Living in a Living Universe – PURPOSE: How to Know Your Life Purpose in 5 Minutes with Adam Leipzig - Video
- LU – Week 13 – Personal Skills for Living in a Living Universe – SIMPLICITY: “How Does Simplicity Support Engaging Aliveness?” - Reading Assignment
- LU – Week 13 – Personal Skills for Living in a Living Universe – SIMPLICITY: “Cool Lifestyle for a Hot Planet” Voluntary Simplicity - Reading Assignment
- LU – Week 13 – Personal Skills for Living in a Living Universe – AWARENESS: Jack Kornfield: Forgiveness Meditation - Video
- LU – Week 13 – Personal Skills for Living in a Living Universe – AWARENESS: “Cultivating Reflection and Reconciliation,” - Reading Assignment
- LU – Week 13 – Personal Skills for Living in a Living Universe – AWARENESS: “Living Voluntarily,” Voluntary Simplicity - Reading Assignment
- LU – Week 13 - Personal Skills for Living in a Living Universe – Reflection Task
- LU – Week 13 – Personal Skills for Living in a Living Universe – Group Discussion
LU - Module 14 - Social Skills for Living in a Living Universe
- LU – Week 14 – Social Skills for Living in a Living Universe – Social Skills for a Living Universe - Video
- LU – Week 14 – Social Skills for Living in a Living Universe – VISION: Stories of Great Transition - Video
- LU – Week 14 – Social Skills for Living in a Living Universe – VISION: Is Humanity Growing Up? - Video
- LU – Week 14 – Social Skills for Living in a Living Universe – VISION: “Becoming a Global Eco-Civilization” - Reading Assignment
- LU – Week 14 – Social Skills for Living in a Living Universe – VOICE: Can Television Awaken a Healthy World? - Reading Assignment
- LU – Week 14 – Social Skills for Living in a Living Universe – VOICE: A New Superpower: An ‘Earth Voice’ Movement - Reading Assignment
- LU – Week 14 – Social Skills for Living in a Living Universe – VOICE (R): Take Back the Airwaves, Part I - Video
- LU – Week 14 – Social Skills for Living in a Living Universe – VOICE (R) Take Back the Airwaves, Part II - Video
- LU – Week 14 – Social Skills for Living in a Living Universe – COMMUNITY: Creating New Kinds of Community” - Reading Assignment
- LU – Week 14 – Social Skills for Living in a Living Universe – COMMUNITY: “Thriving in a Post-Consumerist Society” - Reading Assignment
- LU – Week 14 – Social Skills for Living in a Living Universe – COMMUNITY: Drew Dellinger: “Hieroglyphic Stairway” - Video
- LU – Week 14 – Social Skills for Living in a Living Universe – Final Multiple-Choice Quiz
- LU – Week 14 – Social Skills for Living in a Living Universe – Self-Mastery Task
- LU – Week 14 – Social Skills for Living in a Living Universe – Reflection Task
- LU – Week 14 – Social Skills for Living in a Living Universe – Group Discussion
LU - Module 15 - Review and Integration - Bringing Closure and Moving On
- LU – Week 15 – Review and Integration – Bringing Closure and Moving On – Video
- LU – Week 15 – Review and Integration – Bringing Closure and Moving On – Meditation: Adyashanti: What Is The World Calling You To Do? - Video
- LU – Week 15 – Review and Integration – Bringing Closure and Moving On – Gretchen Lieberum: “Do You Realize?” - Video
- LU – Week 15 - Review and Integration – Bringing Closure and Moving On – Reflection Task
- LU – Week 15 – Review and Integration – Bringing Closure and Moving On – Self-Mastery Task
- LU – Week 15 – Review and Integration – Bringing Closure and Moving On – Group Discussion