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                                    The Untethered Soul: Mindfulness in Turbulent Times 
                                          IDH 2930 (Un)Common Read      Spring 2020 
                   
                  Instructor:  Mark Pacheco, Ph.D. 
                  Email:  mpacheco@coe.ufl.edu 
                  Office Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday, 9am-11am, Norman 2-289 
                  Meeting Times: Wednesdays, 12:50-1:40; Little 117 
                   
                  Course Goal and Description: The Untethered Soul, written by Michael A. Singer, explores what it 
                  means to be mindful, what it means to be spiritual, and what it means to be human. This course will 
                  explore the main ideas of the text in relation to what it means to be a 21st century college student at 
                  University of Florida. Through close reading of the text and other articles about mindfulness and 
                  spirituality, this course will provide an opportunity for students to learn more about their true selves 
                  during a formative time in their lives. 
                   
                  Required Text: 
                   
                  Singer, M. A. (2007). The untethered soul.  Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications.  
                   
                                      Additional required readings are available through the course website. 
                   
                  Course Objectives: 
                   
                       •   identify central ideas of mindfulness and place them in theoretical and historical contexts 
                       •   apply major themes from the text to relationships with self and others 
                       •   understand mindfulness in relation to philosophical and religious schools of thought 
                       •   apply lessons learned from text to personal vision and goals 
                                                                 Assignments 
                   
                  Below are general descriptions of the assignments for this course. More detailed information will be 
                  provided for each assignment on the Canvas site.  
                   
                  Important Note: This syllabus, along with course assignments and due dates, is subject to change. Any 
                  changes will be clearly noted in course announcements. Please remember that the any changes reflected 
                  on CANVAS will be the most updated information.  
                   
                  1. Weekly Reflections (10 points each) Each week you will submit a reflection that engages with main 
                  ideas from the reading. Prompts will be posted on Canvas where you will submit your assignment.  
                   
                  2. Mindfulness in Action (100 points) You will identify a challenge that you face in your daily life 
                  and explore ways in which mindfulness can help you in facing this challenge. You will create a 
                  multimedia presentation that you will share with your classmates. Part of this assignment will also include 
                  providing feedback on a classmate’s presentation. More details to follow on Canvas.  
                   
                  3. Personal Vision Statement (100 points). The final assignment for this course will be a 1200-1500 
                  word personal vision statement in which you apply the major themes from the reading, class discussion, 
                  and learning experience to your life goals. More details to follow on Canvas.  
                   
                  4. Attendance & Participation (5 points per class). Attendance and active participation is necessary not 
                  only for your own learning in this course, but the learning of your classmates. You must attend class to 
                  receive attendance points for each class session.   
                   
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                                               Major Assignment Due Dates & Schedule 
                    
                   #      Date       Reading Completed Before Class                                 What’s Due? 
                   1      Jan 8                                                   Reading Reflection #1 submit by Jan 7, 11:59pm 
                   2      Jan 15     The Voice Inside Your Head                                             
                                                                                 Reading Reflection #2 submit by Jan 14, 11:59pm 
                   3      Jan 22     Your Inner Roommate                         Reading Reflection #3 submit by Jan 21, 11:59pm 
                   4      Jan 29     Who Are You?                                Reading Reflection #4 submit by Jan 28, 11:59pm 
                                     The Lucid Self 
                   5      Feb 5      Infinite Energy                              Reading Reflection #5 submit by Feb 4, 11:59pm 
                   6      Feb 12     The Secrets of the Spiritual Heart          Reading Reflection #6 submit by Feb 11, 11:59pm 
                   7      Feb 19     Transcending the Tendency to Close          Reading Reflection #7 submit by Feb 18, 11:59pm 
                   8      Feb 26     Leg Go Now or Fall;                         Reading Reflection #8 submit by Feb 25, 11:59pm 
                                     Removing Your Inner Thorn 
                   9      Mar 4                    No Class                     Mindfulness in Action Project Due Feb 28, 11:59pm 
                                     Stealing Freedom for Your Soul 
                                     Pain, the Price of Freedom 
                                      
                   10     Mar 11     Taking Down the Walls;                      Reading Reflection #9 submit by Mar 10, 11:59pm 
                                     Far, Far Beyond 
                                      
                   11     Mar 18     Letting Go of False Solidity               Reading Reflection #10 submit by Mar 17, 11:59pm 
                   12     Mar 25     The Path of Unconditional                  Reading Reflection #11 submit by Mar 24, 11:59pm 
                                     Happiness; The Spiritual Path of 
                                     Nonresistance 
                   13     Apr 1      Contemplating Death                        Reading Reflection #12 submit by Mar 31, 11:59pm 
                   14     Apr 8      The Secret of the Middle Way                Reading Reflection #13 submit by Apr 7, 11:59pm 
                   15     Apr 15     The Loving Eyes of God                     Reading Reflection #14 submit by Apr 14, 11:59pm 
                   16     Apr 22     Conclusion                                  Personal Vision Statement due by Apr 21, 11:59pm 
                    
                                                    Assignment                                      Points 
                                            Attendance & Participation                            75 points 
                                          Mindfulness in Action Project                           100 points 
                                            Personal Vision Statement                             100 points 
                                                Reading Reflections                               140 points 
                                                   Total Points                                   415 points 
                    
                                                         Grade                                      Percentage 
                                                           A                                        92.5-100% 
                                                           A-                                        90-92.4% 
                                                           B+                                        89-89.9% 
                                                            B                                       82.5-88.9% 
                                                           B-                                        80-82.4% 
                                                           C+                                        79-79.9% 
                                                            C                                       72.5-78.9% 
                                                           C-                                        70-72.4% 
                                                           D+                                        69-69.9% 
                                                           D                                        62.5-68.9% 
                                                           D-                                        60-62.4% 
                                                            F                                        0-59.9% 
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          Attendance and Assignments: Requirements for class attendance,make-up assignments, and other 
          work are consistent with university policies that can be found at: 
          https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/attendance.aspx. You are required to attend class 
          each week. This means active participation. Excused absence requires prior approval from the instructor. 
          In case of an emergency, written documentation must be furnished at the time you return to class.  
                                        
          Academic Integrity: All students registered at the University of Florida have agreed to comply with 
          the following statement: “I understand that the University of Florida expects its students to be honest in 
          all their academic work. I agree to adhere to this commitment to academic honesty and understand that 
          my failure to comply with this commitment may result in disciplinary action up to and including 
          expulsion from the University.” In addition, on all work submitted for credit the following pledge is either 
          required or implied: “On my honor I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this 
          assignment.” If you witness any instances of academic dishonesty in this class, please notify the instructor 
          or contact the Student Honor Court (392-1631) or Cheating Hotline (392-6999). For additional 
          information on Academic Honesty, please refer to the University of Florida Academic Honesty 
          Guidelines at: http://www.dso.ufl.edu/sccr/honorcodes/conductcode.php. Cheating, lying, 
          misrepresentation, or plagiarism in any form is unacceptable and inexcusable behavior and may result in a 
          reduction of course grade and a report to university officials. 
           
          Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: If you require classroom accommodation because 
          of a disability, you must first register with the Dean of Students Office (http://www.dso.ufl.edu/drc). The 
          Dean of Students Office will provide documentation to you, which you then give to the instructor when 
          requesting accommodation. The College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to assist 
          students in their coursework. 
           
          Counseling and Student Health: Students with academic concerns related to this course should 
          contact the instructor in person or via email. Students also may occasionally have personal issues that 
          arise in the course of pursuing higher education or that may interfere with their academic performance. If 
          you find yourself facing problems affecting your coursework, you are encouraged to talk with an 
          instructor and to seek confidential assistance at the UF Counseling & Wellness Center, 352-392-1575. 
          Visit their web site for more information: http://www.counseling.ufl.edu/.  Also, crisis intervention is 
          always available 24/7 from: Alachua County Crisis Center: (352) 264-6789. 
           
          Resolving Technical Difficulties: If technical difficulties arise, please contact the help desk at 
          http://helpdesk.ufl.edu 
           
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