File 2176 - Handout originals for 1984 and 1985 lecture courses

1.2 cm of textual records

File consists of typed, handwritten, annotated and photocopied handouts. These handouts are the original copies which Nouwen used to photocopy and distribute. Some of the documents appear to be early drafts of summary lecture notes that were later edited and distributed to the 1985 lecture class. This includes material written by Nouwen's teaching assistants. There are original newspaper clippings which were later photocopied as handouts. Also contains material from Nouwen's 1984 lecture course Introduction to the Spiritual Life and may also be used to develop his 1985 summer course as well.

Related files include 2177, 2146, 2224.

Title based on contents of the file.

Introduction to the Spiritual Life (course code 2543), offered during the spring semester of 1985, was the last course Nouwen taught at Harvard Divinity School. It was held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9:30 am - 11:00 pm. The course was based on the previous year's course but with the Gospel of John replacing the Gospel of Luke as the core text. The course emphasized the relationship between The Word and spiritual life and the second term used a thematic approach to discuss intimacy, fecundity and ecstasy. Students were asked to keep a journal of reflections on John, class presentations, group debates and lecture topics. They were also required to attend small group discussions of six to eight people and write a mid-course response. Unlike the 1984 course, students were only required to have two people read their journal and write a response. No grades were given for the course. In March, Nouwen organized a trip to Haiti for four students to assist the L'Arche community there. Teaching Assistants included David LeBlanc, Stephen Pavy, Peter Weiskel, Barbara Ernst, Michael O'Laughlin, and Jim Smith.

Revised by L Joson, 15 November 2018