Jungian Psychology Course

Instructor:  Tammy Liu 

Course Objectives

1. Help students understand the core concepts and theoretical framework of Jungian psychology.

2. Explore the practical applications of Jungian psychology in personal growth, psychological healing, and cultural analysis.

3. Learn how to integrate Jungian psychology with modern psychology, artistic creation, and color therapy.

Course Structure and Content

Module 1: Foundations of Jungian Psychology

1. Jung’s Life and Academic Background

      • Jung’s relationship and divergence with Freud.

      • The development of Jungian psychology.

2. Collective Unconscious and Archetypes

      • Definition of the collective unconscious and its distinction from the personal unconscious.

      • The concept of archetypes and their manifestation in culture, mythology, and art.

3. Psychological Structural Model

      • Key components: Self, Ego, Shadow, Persona.

      • Inner duality: Anima and Animus.

Module 2: Core Concepts of Jungian Psychology

1. Individuation

      • Definition and significance of individuation.

      • The process and challenges of achieving individuation.

2. Shadow Work

      • The meaning of the Shadow and its influence on personality development.

      • Methods to accept and integrate the Shadow.

3. Persona and Authentic Self

      • The role of social masks and personas.

      • The advantages and disadvantages of the Persona and its relationship to the authentic self.

4. Anima and Animus

      • Balancing gender and internal psychological traits.

      • Identifying the Anima/Animus in dreams and the subconscious.

Module 3: Jungian Psychology and Dream Analysis

1. The Meaning and Interpretation of Dreams

      • Jung’s interpretation of dreams compared to Freud’s.

      • How to identify archetypes, symbols, and imagery in dreams.

2. Types of Dreams

      • Big Dreams vs. Small Dreams.

      • Prophetic dreams and trauma recovery dreams.

3. Practical Exercises

      • Students record and share their dreams.

      • Applying Jungian methods to interpret dreams.

Module 4: Jungian Psychology and Symbolic Systems

1. The Significance of Symbols

      • What is a symbol, and how does Jung interpret symbols?

      • Symbols and motifs in the collective unconscious.

2. Symbols in Mythology and Culture

      • Archetypes as they appear in mythology, literature, and art.

      • Cultural influences on the formation and interpretation of symbols.

3. Mandala Symbolism and Healing

      • The significance of the mandala in Jungian psychology.

      • Drawing mandalas as a tool for inner integration.

Module 5: Applications of Jungian Psychology

1. Psychological Healing

      • Applications of Jungian psychology in counseling and therapy.

      • Healing through shadow integration and the individuation process.

2. Artistic Expression and Psychological Analysis

      • Finding archetypes and symbols in painting, writing, and drama.

      • Using art to express the subconscious.

3. Color Psychology and Jungian Archetypes

      • Exploring the collective unconscious and the personal psyche through color.

      • Integrating mandala drawing with therapeutic color use.

Module 6: Jungian Psychology in Modern Life

1. Jungian Psychology and Personal Growth

      • Incorporating Jungian psychology into daily life.

      • Insights from Jungian thought for personal relationships and career development.

2. Cultural and Social Analysis

      • How Jungian archetypes help us understand societal issues and cultural phenomena.

      • Archetype analysis in media, advertising, and pop culture.

3. Spirituality and Modern Psychology

      • Jung’s understanding of spirituality and religion.

      • The relevance of Jungian psychology in contemporary spiritual exploration.

Teaching Methods

1. Lectures and Interaction

      • Case analysis and storytelling to simplify complex theories.

2. Practical Exercises

      • Mandala drawing, dream recording and analysis, and exploration of color symbolism.

3. Group Discussions

      • Discuss archetypes in myths and cultural stories.

      • Share personal experiences and psychological analyses.

4. Multimedia Support

      • Use of images, film clips, and artworks as teaching materials.

5. Course Assignments

      • Personal archetype drawings or essays.

      • Analyzing a film or literary work through Jungian theory.

Course Outcomes

1. Students will understand the foundational theories and practices of Jungian psychology.

2. They will be able to analyze dreams, artworks, and cultural phenomena using Jungian psychology.

3. Students will enhance self-awareness and psychological health through methods like mandala drawing and shadow integration.

Recommended Reading Materials

1. Jung, Introduction to Jungian Psychology and Analytical Psychology.

2. Jung, Self and Individuation.

3. Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way (suitable for the artistic therapy section).

4. Robert A. Johnson, He, She, Inner Gold.

This course combines theory and practice, offering students a comprehensive understanding of Jungian psychology and its applications in personal growth and everyday life.