File 2192 - Handout of a list of small discussion groups for 1985 lecture course

Title based on contents of the file.

Introduction to the Spiritual Life (course code 2543) was the last course Nouwen taught at Harvard Divinity School. The course was offered during the spring semester on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9:30 am - 11:00 pm. The course was based on the previous year's lecture course but with key changes. The key text of the course was the Gospel of John, not the Gospel of Luke of previous years. Nouwen placed an emphasis on the relationship between the Word and Spiritual Life and for the second term used a thematic approach to discuss intimacy, fecundity and ecstasy. During the March break, Nouwen organized a trip to Haiti for four students in the class to visit and assist the L'Arche community there. Students were asked to keep a journal of reflections on the Gospel of John as well as class presentations, group debates, and lecture topics. Unlike in 1984, students were only required to have two other people read their journal and write a response. Students were also required to attend small group discussions of six to eight people as well as write a mid-course response. No grades were given for the course, instead students who fulfilled the requirements received a half-course credit. Teaching Assistants for this course included David LeBlanc, Stephen Pavy, Peter Weiskel, Barbara Ernst, Michael O'Laughlin, and Jim Smith.