I Want You!

I appreciate your feedback, Stanley, and glad you had a chance to read Michael's posts.  He will be sharing more soon and will be engaged in the discussion threads a bit more too.  The Fielding cohort is in finals-mode...so his time has been pretty limited of late but I know he's looking forward to connecting soon.

I think your reflection about the program being "ego" focused is an interesting one.  I'm not entirely sure what you mean, so feel free to correct me if my response misses the mark.

My sense is that you're concerned that the program is merely an intellectual exercise focused on building the ego and that is certainly a valid critique given Michael's reflections.  A couple of quick thoughts...

First, keep in mind that Michael is sharing a small snapshot of the program itself and the assignments cover a great deal of material that isn't captured in his blog.  The program is designed to fit both the initiated and non-initiated...meaning there is a progression built into the entirety of the course work. 

Students are introduced to the basic system -- five elements -- in the first course and have the opportunity to engage the concepts and apply them through the assignments and the discussion threads.  The second and third courses continue that progression with each week bringing more aspects of the model into play...all-the-while deepening the students understanding and application of the concepts.  All of this culminates in a project that challenges the student to utilize the theory in a concrete way within their personal or professional life.

Secondly, you're absolutely right that integral is more than an egoic exercise.  But remember...integral is only a map...it is not the territory.  One way to engage the map is through intellectual exercises that require the individual to engage the concepts and then communicate what was understood.  This is certainly an "I" exercise -- a theoretical exercise -- and on that level I think you're right.  The challenge that the program has to address...and I think does so nicely...is that integral is indeed more than a map.  But before heading out to explore and enact the territory it helps to have a good working knowledge of the map.

Thanks again Stanley...hope that makes sense...I look forward to the continued dialogue.

I really appreciate you taking the time to fill out the survey and to share your thoughts in this forum.

I think you hit on some interesting points...not the least of which is what is the value of an integral education?  These programs are in their infancy, so there is definitely room to develop and evolve.  You might remember that not long ago there was a vision within Integral Institute to start Integral University...in fact we pulled that website very recently.  Integral University was intended to have specialities (i.e., integral business...law, medicine, education, spirituality, etc.) that were based within the integral framework.  That focus faded not for lack of passion but for practical reasons.  It's just really challenging to start your own academic institution.  That's where our partnerships with Fielding Graduate University and John F. Kennedy University came into play.

As for the program names being relevant or important for employment...that's a large topic to say the least.  I would say FGU's OMD program is a good example of what you describe...a specific field of study with an emphasis in Integral Studies.  Students at JFKU are also offered the opportunity to take electives with Integral Coaching Canada, which allows them a unique opportunity to come away with a very marketable certification as an Integral Coach.  In the end, however, I think it's a little tricky to discern whether a degree from a particular university or particular major provides someone an advantage in being hired or not.  More and more it's about your experience and what you can do for a potential employer.  I would say the value of an integral education is that it allows the person to expand their marketibility by giving them the tools to do more for employers or those they contract with.