Introduction to the History of Western Astrology (Required Course)
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14 Class Meetings
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| Course Description: |
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This course will cover the history of western astrology from its inception in the the Old Babylonian period to the 21st century. You will not learn astrological technique in this course. Instead, we'll be exploring the philosophical, cultural and historical developments that helped to shape astrology and its place in the world. |
| Syllabus: |
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Class Meeting 1: Definitions of Astrology To start the study of any historical topic a definition of what you're studying needs to be made clear. This week we'll learn what historians have meant by 'astrology' and how those definitions have shaped what and how they study it. Class Meeting 2: Mesopotamian Astrology We start our investigation at the beginning of recorded written history in the west, where astrology has its earliest roots. We'll examine the contributions of the Babylonians, as well as those of other Mesopotamian civilizations, to astrology. We'll also discuss our defitions from last week in the context of Mesopotamian astrology. Class Meeting 3: Egyptian Contributions By the 3rd century BC, we encounter the historical imprint of astrology in Hellenized Egypt. This week we examine the contributions of indigenous Egypt to astrology, as well as the transmission of Babylonian astrological concepts into the Hellenistic world. Class Meeting 4: Philosophical Influences This week we dig deeply into the philosophical foundations of Hellenistic astrology. To what extent does the atsrology of the Hellenistic and Roman periods reflect the ideas of classical philosophers? What religious and philosophical concepts of the Hellenistic world helped to shape the development and popularization of astrology? Class Meeting 5: Hellenistic Astrology What we call 'traditional' astrology today is rooted in the technqiues and innovations of two pivotal historical periods in astrology. The 1st of these occurs in Egypt after the conquest of Alexander. This week, we'll examine some of the astrologers practicing Hellenistic astrology and the techniques that form the basis of this type of astrology. Class Meeting 6: Rome and Astral Religions Two important developments affect the spread and popularity of astrology in Rome as well as set up future opposition to it from the Church. The 1st is a religious development, the second a political one. This week we look at the political applications of atsrology and the importation of astral religions from the east. This will set up the discussion for next week. Class Meeting 7: Early Christianity and Astrology Today, fundamentalist Christians are taught that astrology is wicked. The position of the early Christian Church was far more complicated. We'll examine some of the religious, political and philosophical issues confronting the Church with regard to astrology and look at how they wrestled with them. Class Meeting 8: The Islamic World The second great historical period of technical innovation in astrology occurs during the beginning of Islam. Much of what we know today as traditional astrology today comes from the writers of this period. Arabic astrologers also had a large impact on the transmission of astrology to the Christianized Latin west. It is to a large extent thanks to them that we know anything today about Hellenistic astrology. Class Meeting 9: The Latin West This week we pick up on the Arabic translation movement of the 12th century and examine its impact on the Latin western world. What new philosophical and religious problems were Church authorities faced with with regard to astrology? What role did the Universities have to play in the teaching of astrology? Class Meeting 10: The Renaissance Astrology has another ressurgence during the Renaissance. This week we examine the role of printing, the reformation, and the second wave of classical influences on the development and spread of astrology. In particular, we'll look at the influence of magical and alchemical ideas on the study and acceptance of astrology. Class Meeting 11: The Enlightenment It is often stated that astrology died with the discovery of the heliocentric solar system and with the advent of scientific thought. Did science kill astrology? Was the science of the 17th century incompatible with the magical-religious ideas of astrology? Class Meeting 12: Astrology in the 19th and 20th centuries This week we look at the transition from traditional astrology to what is known as 'modern' astology. We'll examine the role of the Theosophical movement, the discovery of new astronomical bodies, and the marriage of astrology with the psychological movements of the 20th century. Class Meeting 13: Writing an Historical Paper The last two weeks of the course will be devoted to writing. You'll be given writing guidelines and ideas for generating your own paper topics. We'll go over how the rules for citing sources and how to structure your writing in a clear and effective way. We'll also cover tips for doing research. Class Meeting 14: Final Paper We'll continue working on your papers. You'll have a chance to discuss your progress since last week and to clarify any problems encountered in your research or writing process. |
| Required/Suggested Materials: |
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Required materials: The following required materials are available through the IAA online shopping areas:
Suggested/supplemental materials: The following suggested and supplementary materials are available through the IAA online shopping areas:
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Class Offerings and Registration:
1 class offering is currently scheduled for this course. |
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Please note: In addition to the tuition fee, each class registration is subject to a non-refundable $75.00 administrative fee. Please also read our tuition refund policy.
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