Since my graduate program doesn't offer any Jungian courses regularly, I'm getting ready to draft a proposal for an independent study course that focuses specifically on Jung.  There's a couple of faculty members that have an interest in Jung that may agree to be the overseer and mentor for me on this.  I figured if I came up with a proposed course of study that it would only help my chances of getting one to agree, but I'm having a very hard time narrowing down what the proposed readings for the course should be (there's just so many possibilities and so much I'm interested in).  I'd appreciate any suggestions on the readings I should propose to be done in the course.

Thanks in advance for any input.

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  • Sara,

    Hope I'm not too late in adding to the list. Once I get close to my library, I'll give you my list as well.

    Ed

    PS. Glad to hear from you again. :)

  • Sara, hi:

    I recommend that you begin by deciding on a focus. For example, are you interested in primary texts written by Jung? Introductory summaries by other authors?  Where Jung fits into contemporary academic study? Jung and alchemy, theology, psychotherapy?

    I think having a clear goal for your study program will help you decide which texts will guide you to a successful conclusion.

    All the best,
    James

    • I definitely want to go with primary texts by Jung, and maybe a biography of him.  I'm planning on doing more focused directed study courses in later semesters, but basically what I'm wanting with this one is just a primer and overview.

    • Sara, hi:

      You will probably get many suggestions, here are a few from me:

      Both of these two books are nice introductory collections of Jung's writings:

      The Portable Jung (edited by Joseph Campbell)
      The Basic Writings of C. G. Jung (Violet Staub. De Laszlo Editor)

      Murray Stein's book, Jung's Map of the Soul: An Introduction is also a fine guide to Jung's key ideas and where to find them in Jung's Collected Works.

      Of course, Jung's "autobiography" (actually, heavily edited interviews), Memories, Dreams, Reflections is important.

      On Jung by Anthony Stevens is also a nice combination of biography and explication of Jung's most important ideas.

      I hope these are helpful.

      All the best,
      James

    • Hi Sara. Great question--I'm so glad you posted it here in the Alliance community. I absolutely understand your consternation about where to start--Jung's body of work is so prolific and broad, and I also strongly echo Jame's suggestions--all GREAT ways to start. I would also add, by personal bias, two more suggestions depending on your own interests.

      The first is "The Earth has a Soul"edited by Meredith Sabini which is almost 100% a collection of Jung's writings about nature, culture, and technology and has been an absolutely profound book for me. The second recommendations (of which there are two) may be viable if you have any interest in shamanism. Though not writings from Jung specifically (so perhaps more appropriate for a follow-up course), Jung and Shamanism by C. Michael Smith, and Shamanism and the Psychology of C.G. Jung: The Great Circle by Robert E. Ryan both do a wonderful job of correlating Jungian thought with shamanic theory and practices. 

      Does anyone else have ideas for this?

      Good luck, Sara. Do let us know the outcome if you're willing to share....

    • Thank you so much!  I'll be sure to keep you updated on how the process of getting the directed study underway goes.

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