• Skip to Content
  • AZ Index
  • Catalog Home
University of Mary Washington logo University of Mary Washington logo
  • Request Info
  • Apply
  • Visit
    • Admissions
    • First Year
    • Transfer to UMW
    • Graduate Admissions
    • Continuing and Professional Studies
    • Visit UMW
    • Academics
    • Majors, Minors and Programs
    • Library & Academic Resources
    • Study Abroad
    • Beyond the Classroom
    • Tuition & Aid
    • Financial Aid
    • Types of Aid
    • Tuition & Costs
    • Life at UMW
    • Arts and Culture
    • Residence Life
    • Campus Dining
    • Clubs & Organizations
    • Health & Wellness
    • Police & Public Safety
    • Career & Professional Development
    • Commencement
    • Athletics
    • UMW Eagles
    • Campus Recreation
    • About UMW
    • Our Mission
    • Our Principles & Values: ASPIRE
    • Our History
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Leadership
    • Maps & Directions
Quick access
  • Email
  • Directory
  • Calendar
I am a...
  • UMW Student
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Parent & Family
  • Alumni
  • Request Info
  • Apply
  • Visit
Academic Catalog

Contemplative Studies

  • Home/
  • Undergraduate/
  • Minors/
  • Contemplative Studies

2024-2025 Edition

  • Undergraduate
    • Admission and Enrollment
    • Academic Policies
    • Undergraduate Degrees
    • General Education
    • Majors
    • Minors
      • Actuarial Science
      • African American Studies
      • Applied Mathematics
      • Applied Statistics
      • Arabic Studies
      • Arts Administration
      • Asian Studies
      • Biology
      • Business Administration
      • Business French
      • Business German
      • Business Spanish
      • Chemistry
      • Climate Science
      • Computer Science
      • Contemplative Studies
      • Cybersecurity
      • Data Science
      • Digital Studies
      • Disability Studies
      • Economics
      • English Literature
      • Entrepreneurship
      • Environmental Sustainability
      • Financial and Quantitative Analysis
      • French
      • Geographic Information Science Certificate
      • German
      • Global History
      • History
      • Journalism
      • Latin American Studies
      • Law and Philosophy
      • Linguistics
      • Mathematics
      • Middle Eastern Studies
      • Museum Studies
      • Music
      • Musical Theatre
      • Neuroscience
      • Physics
      • Practical Ethics
      • Pre-​Conservation in Fine Art Minor
      • Professional Writing
      • Security and Conflict Studies
      • Social Justice
      • Spanish
      • Spanish for Health Care Professionals Certificate
      • Sports Management
      • Urban Studies
    • Special Programs
    • Course Descriptions
    • College of Arts &​ Sciences
    • College of Business
    • College of Education
  • Graduate
  • Courses of Study
  • The University
  • Fees and Financial Aid
  • Academic Resources
  • Student Life
  • Administration and Faculty
  • Academic Calendar
  • Search Courses

Search Catalog

Catalog Resources

  • Programs
  • Undergrad Courses
  • Grad Courses
  • A-Z Index
  • Overview
  • Requirements
  • Faculty

The Contemplative Studies minor is broadly interdisciplinary, incorporating coursework in the humanities, arts, and sciences to explore the theory, practice, history, and scientific study of diverse contemplative traditions. In addition to the intellectual study of these topics, students train in the daily application of secularized contemplative techniques. Critical reflection on subjective experience is a key component, and research as well as creative expression are encouraged and supported.

The minor offers students a foundation in four primary areas:

1) the theory of contemplation across traditions and history
2) the application of contemplation in various human endeavors, including philosophy, religion, art, and performance
3) the scientific study of meditation, its cutting-edge technologies, and the modes of gathering quantifiable psychological data to document its effects on the brain and well-being
4) significant training and experience in contemplative practice towards the development of concentration, empathy, stress-reduction, creativity, etc.

Minor Requirements

Course List
Code Title Credits
CPRD 104Meditation and Contemplative Practices3
CPRD 304Contemplative Practice II3
PSYC 100General Psychology 3
Select three courses of the following: 1, 29
ARTH 350A
Neoclassicism to Impressionism
ARTH 351A
Post-Impressionism to Abstract Expressionism
ARTH 352A
American Art
ARTH 354A
Pop Art to the Present
ARTH 355
Modern Architecture
ARTH 356
Global Modernisms in East Asian Art
ARTH 470
Seminar: Special Studies in Art History
ARTS 311A
Ceramics II
ARTS 331B
Sculpture II
ARTS 341
Multiple Imaging
ARTS 342
Painting II
BIOL 410
Neurobiology
CLAS 202C
Ancient Tragedy
GEOG 335
Sacred Spaces
PHIL 201
Ancient Greek Philosophy
PSYC 273
Cognitive Psychology
PSYC 274
Biological Psychology
PSYC 305
Cognitive Neuroscience
PSYC 351
Positive Psychology
PSYC 372
Sensation and Perception
RELG 283
Hinduism
RELG 284
Buddhism
RELG 298
Ethics of Religion and Violence
RELG 342
Neuro Theology
RELG 384
Death and Rebirth in Tibetan Buddhism
THEA 111
Theatre and Society
THEA 112
Principles of Acting
THEA 218
Voice and Body Movement
THEA 318
Stage Dialects
THEA 321
Acting I
THEA 322
Acting II
Any 491 (with approved topic)
Total Credits18
1

At least six (6) credits at the 300/400-level

2

Special topics courses in related fields (ANTH 271 Special Studies in Ethnography, ANTH 371 Special Topics in Anthropology; ARTH 470 Seminar: Special Studies in Art History; ARTS 381 Special Topics in Studio Art; ARTS 470 Special Studies in Studio Art; CPRD 100 Topics in Classics, Philosophy, and Religion; CPRD 299 Mysterium Humanum Studies; IDIS 350 Study Abroad; PHIL 231 Topics in Philosophy, PHIL 331 Topics in Philosophy; RELG 231 Special Studies in Religion, RELG 331 Special Studies in Religion) as well as other courses with relevant content may be substituted with permission, including towards the 300/400-level requirements, with approval of the program coordinator.

Contemplative Studies Program

Angela L. Pitts, Program Coordinator, Department of Classics, Philosophy, and Religion

Affiliated Faculty

Kalpesh Bhatt, Department of Classics, Philosophy, and Religion
Joseph G. Dreiss, Department of Art and Art History
Caitlin C. Finlayson, Department of Geography
Miriam N. Liss, Department of Psychological Science
Deborah A. O’Dell, Department of Biological Sciences
Angela L. Pitts, Department of Classics, Philosophy, and Religion
Holly H. Schiffrin, Department of Psychological Science
Hilary E. Stebbins, Department of Psychological Science

University of Mary Washington logo

Find Us

  • Maps & Directions
  • Campuses
  • Directory

Services

  • Library
  • Careers at UMW
  • News
  • Events

Resources

  • Title IX
  • Non-Discrimination
  • Privacy
  • Disclaimer
  • Hazing Policy
  • Consumer Information
University of Mary Washington logo
Connect
  • FacebookFacebook Icon
  • TwitterTwitter Icon
  • InstagramInstagram Icon
  • LinkedInLinkedIn Icon
  • YouTubeYouTube Icon
Social Media Directory Internal Communications
University of Mary Washington 1301 College Avenue Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401
© 2024-2025 University of Mary Washington. All rights reserved.
Back to top

Print Options

  • Send Page to Printer

    Print this page.

  • Download Page (PDF)

    The PDF will include all information unique to this page.

  • 2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

    All pages in Graduate Catalog.

  • 2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

    All pages in Undergraduate catalog.