ESSWE Thesis Workshop: 'Alterations of Consciousness'

A one-day workshop for graduate and postgraduate students organised by ESSWE in conjunction with the Chair for History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents, University of Amsterdam, on Saturday 10 May 2014.

Throughout the day, international scholars from varying perspectives will present papers, discuss issues around framing research questions, and reflect on developing the skills necessary to successfully carry out research. This workshop will provide an opportunity for graduate and postgraduate students to engage with specialists in the study of Alterations of Consciousness, and other subjects more broadly based in the field of Western Esotericism.

It should be stressed that while the focus of our specialist speakers is on Alterations of Consciousness, time will be available for students to interact with the scholars and discuss more general strategies for research, such as the issues of definitions, typologies, disciplinary boundaries and interdisciplinarity, questions of primary and secondary sources, publication, networking and other practical matters of a scholarly life. The chronological focus will not be restricted to the Early Modern period, but will range from the Middle Ages to the 21st Century.

Doors open for registration at 10:30 and the event begins at 11:00.

The day will be divided into three main parts:

1) Oratory: Presentations by guest speakers (Chairs: Peter J. Forshaw & Mike A. Zuber)

11:00-11:10 Welcome to the Workshop from ESSWE President Prof. Andreas Kilcher (ETH Zurich)
11:10-11:30 > Prof. Wouter J. Hanegraaff (University of Amsterdam): 'Gnosis and Alterations of Consciousness'
11:30-11:50 > Prof. Birgit Menzel (Universät Mainz): 'Alterations of Consciousness in Russia and their Scholarly Investigation'
11:50-12:10 > Dr Egil Asprem (University of California, Santa Barbara): 'Reverse Engineering Astral Projection'
12:10-12:20 Short Break
12:20-13:00 > Keynote Speaker: Prof. Ann Taves (University of California, Santa Barbara): 'What just happened? [Sudden] Alterations of Consciousness and Other Experience Events'
13:00-14:30 Lunch Break - As this is a free event, lunch is not provided, but there are many cafes and restaurants nearby in the Spui.

2) Laboratory: ESSWE board members and guests split into groups in order to discuss various themes related to research.

14:30-15:30 - Students have the opportunity to discuss practical research issues with the following scholars, in addition to the speakers: Henrik Bogdan, Jean-Pierre Brach, Peter Forshaw, Boaz Huss, Andreas Kilcher, Sophie Page, Mark Sedgwick, Gyorgy Szonyi, & Helmut Zander.

15:30-15:45 Coffee Break

3) Roundtable Discussion (Chair: Christian Greer)

15:45-16:15 - Themes that have arisen during the workshop

16:15 Workshop Close, followed by ESSWE Members' Meeting until 16:45 and then wine and nibbles in a local bar (Genootschap der Geneugten, Kerkstraat 54)

Please note: this is a free event.

Venue: Doelenzaal, University Library, University of Amsterdam, 425 Singel, Amsterdam. Click HERE for directions to the Doelenzaal on Google Maps.

Click HERE to download the Workshop Flyer.

For more details, or to book a place, contact Nadine Faber:

Address: Doelenzaal,
University Library,
University of Amsterdam,
425 Singel
Amsterdam,
Netherlands