Western esoteric currents and traditions tend to place a strong emphasis on personal religious experiences as an avenue towards true knowledge about the nature of human beings, the world, and the divine or spiritual reality that is believed to exist behind the screen of appearances. Because such 'mystical' knowledge is assumed to go beyond rational understanding and common language, esoteric currents often express themselves through symbols and myths. This combination has often been seen as problematic by the representatives of mainstream Christian theology, rational philosophy, and modern science. Nevertheless, esoteric spiritualities have been highly influential throughout Western culture – not just in the domains of religion and philosophy, but also in the visual arts, literature, music, and even the natural sciences.
This minor is offered by the Faculty of Humanities. The faculty’s minors consist of 30 ECTS credits and earn you a second qualification that will be listed on the transcript accompanying your degree certificate.
Study schedule
-
Secrets of the West 1: Culture and Counterculture before ModernityPeriod 16
-
Secrets of the West 2: Culture and Counterculture in the Modern PeriodPeriod 26
-
Secrets of the West 3: Culture and Counterculture Research ProjectPeriod 36
-
Western Esotericism in the Early Modern PeriodPeriod 46
-
Western Esotericism from the 18th CenturyPeriod 56
Related Master's programmes
This minor may serve as a good preparation for academic Bachelor’s students who want to apply for admission to a Master's programme in Religious Studies, e.g.: Spirituality and Religion or Religious Studies (Research Master's). Always check the entry requirements on the Application and Admission page of the Master’s programme you are interested in.
Entry requirements
This minor is open for application to students who have obtained an academic first-year diploma or a positive Binding Study Advice from an academic Bachelor's programme.
The minor is also open for application to students from a Dutch University of Applied Sciences (HBO) who have completed their propaedeutic year. If you are an HBO student and if you are looking to do a Master's programme at the UvA, please check out our pre-Master's programmes, as completing a minor is not enough to grant you access to Master’s programmes.
Application
The enrolment for the academic year of 2023-2024 will start 15 May 2023.
Unfortunately, you can no longer register for this minor for the 2023-2024 academic year, as the maximum number has been reached.