NATURAL HISTORY
The Department of Natural History is designated as the place for courses in the physical sciences, as distinct from metaphysical studies which are included in the Department of Philosophy. The faculty does not intend that these courses should serve as preparation for careers in scientific research, but rather that they increase and enrich students' understanding of various branches of natural history for the benefit of their Druidic and other spriitual practices. Nature is central to Druidry and to other Earth-centered spiritualities, and knowledge of Nature includes not only ancient folklore but also the fruits of many centuries of careful emprical observation.
NAT 101. Druidry and Science.
Approaches to the natural sciences and their methods from the perspective of modern druidry and its acceptance of the belief in spirit and divinity. Fact versus truth and evidence versus belief. Historical approaches to the philosophy of science and its break with magical philosophy. Areas of study considered particularly valuable to druids in general, as distinguished from scientific professionals.
NAT 102. Arbology: The Forest and the Trees.
Tree and forest ecology and biology. Identification and classification of trees and plants from a scientific perspective.
NAT 103. Geology: The Bones of the Earth.
Scientific classification of the mineral kingdom. Physical properties of minerals. Plate tectonics and geological strata as a means to dating artifacts and events.
NAT 104. Local Flora.
Approaches to getting to know your local plants, flowers, and fungi. An ecological and botanical approach to the natural history of your own home region. The course will help identify each student's local environment and compose a botanical notebook as well as papers and data to share with the rest of the class.Learning goals: Knoweldge of the most common fifty species of plants, flowers, and fungi in one's own home area; the ability to sketch and identify them; knowledge of their habitat, life cycle, and edible or poisonous character.
NAT 104. Local Fauna.
Approaches to getting to know your local animals, insects and birds. An ecological and zoological approach to the natural history of your own home region. The course will help identify each student's local environment and compose a field notebook as well as papers and data to share with the rest of the class. Learning goals: Knoweldge of the most common fifty species of animals, insects, and birds in one's own home area; the ability to sketch and identify them; knowledge of their habitat, life cycle, and migrations.
NAT 105. Local Watersheds.
This course will help you to identify and study the local watersheds in your home town and region. Learn the way water works and the ecology of watersheds. Students will conduct field research and keep a field notebook which identifies local lakes, rivers, streams, creeks, seasonal water routes, snow melt, desert sources of water, etc. depending on location. Learning goals: Knoweldge of local waterways and ability to draw maps of local watersheds; knowledge of water ecology of one's home area.
NAT 110 Introduction to Astronomy
Study of basic astronomical concepts: planets in our solar system, stars, galaxies, the universe as a whole. Discussion of theoretical concepts such as parallel universes.
NAT 111 Introduction to Archaeoastronomy
Prerequisite: NAT 110. Introduction to the study of astronomical knowledge through archaeology. Stone age alignments and magalithic culture. What we don't know and what we can surmise from the evidence.
NAT 112 Druid Archaeoastronomy.
Prerequisite: NAT 111. Speculation on ancient astrology and Stone Age megalithic monuments and alignments. Study of theories and evidence and implications for today's druid practice.
NAT 201. Dendrochronology.
Methods of dating by use of tree rings. The science and methods of bog study and its application to prehistoric and historic studies.
NAT 202. Advanced Arboriculture.
Prerequisite: NAT 102. Advanced work with trees with emphasis on planting and growing trees in one's local ecosystem. Study of tree diseases and other challenges to tree health from a biological perspecive. Learning Goals: Knowledge of local trees in the student's home area, their ecology, diseases, and cultivation. Tree-planting or tending project required.
NAT 203. Introduction to Ecology and Environmental Science.
Prerequisite: NAT 101. Further study in the science of ecology and how the study of natural systems connects with modern druidry and other nature spirituality. The emphasis in this course is on the science rather than the spirituality, but there will be some consideration of Deep Ecology as a philosophy and how it relates to the actual field study of ecosystems and environmental science.
NAT 301. Chaos Theory
Chaos theory and the principles of order and chaos as described and considered by modern physicists. An ideal counterpoint and supplement to the study of Chaos Magic.
NAT 302. Multiple Dimensions and String Theory
Introduction to theories and evidence proposed for multiple dimensions, parallel universes, string theory and other topics on the forefront of physics today.
