Novalis Institute has provided Foundation Studies to local adult learners for the past eight years. The Foundation Studies program is a foundation for Waldorf Teacher Training as well as a path of inner development through the light of Anthroposophy. Our Foundations Studies program (which is a pre-requisite to teacher training) has been accepted by many of the major Waldorf Teacher Training centers in the United States including Sunbridge College, Rudolf Steiner College and Antioch College.

The Foundation courses are an integral part of teacher training programs and considered to be fundamental to the development of a Waldorf teacher or administrative staff member. These courses are also considered to be a foundation for self-development and work in the arts, therapeutic or social fields, philosophy or communications. The Novalis Institute Foundation Studies Program has always had a strong emphasis on soul development in community.

Our program is modeled after the core foundation program of Rudolf Steiner College and consists of academic and artistic course work. Our Foundation Studies Program is designed so that part time students may easily complete the program in three years. Enrollment is open to new students each fall. The complete program consists of 13.5 credits.

Below is an outline of the three year program:

The Call      Year 2008-2009

Biography
Theosophy
Introduction to Waldorf Education
Life of Rudolf Steiner   (This course will be given 2010)
Communication
Clay
Wet on Wet Watercolor
Spacial Dynamics
Singing

The Quest      Year  2009-2010

Parzival
Knowledge of Higher Worlds
Cosmology
Classroom Observation
Clay
Handwork
The Life of Rudolf Steiner
Eurythmy

The Awakening       2010 – 2011

Inner Development/ Six Basic Exercises
Philosophy of Freedom
Festival Life
Classroom Observation
Black and White Drawing
Drama and Speech
Eurythmy
Recorder

The Quest Year
Cost: $1300

COURSES STARTING FALL 2009

Parzival: Biography through the Power of Story

” Each initiate has the task to love and heal the world actively, out of the knowledge of who she or he is.”  – Linda Sussman, author of The Speech of the Grail

Through immersion in Wolfram Von Eschenbach 12th century epic Parzival, we more fully find our selves.  This surprisingly modern story of the human soul comes to life as each student takes his/her part in telling the story. The course works with the initiatory journey of the human heart and its power to heal and be healed which is the work of our time.
Faculty: Linda Bergh

Dates: Fridays, September 25, October 9, October 23, November 13, March 5, 19, April 9, 23, May 7
Time: 7 – 10 p.m.
Location: 4315 Xerxes Ave. S., Mpls. 55410
Cost:  $340

Eurythmy
Eurythmy, an art form conceived by Rudolf Steiner, is an integral part of teacher training programs, for it opens us to the livingness of the word and sound through movement, and further enlivens the participants’ opening of the heart through connection to space.
Open to teacher trainees, parents, community members.
Faculty: Claudia Fontaine

Dates: Saturdays, October 24, 31, November 7, 14, 21
Time:  10 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: City of Lakes Waldorf School
Cost: $150

Courses starting Winter 2010

Knowledge of Higher Worlds: A Modern Path of Esoteric Knowledge

“Everyone must say to himself: in my own world of thought and feeling the deepest mysteries lie hidden.”   Rudolf Steiner

Students will explore the practices that lead to one’s own direct perception of soul and spiritual realities. The text describes fundamental attitudes, practices and exercises by which the human being may become a conscious observer and participant in the realities of soul and spirit.
Faculty: John Fuller

Dates: Saturdays, January 9, 16, 23, 30, at City of Lakes Waldorf School and  February 6, 13, 20, 27, at Minnesota Waldorf School
Time:  9 – 11 a.m.
Location:  City of Lakes Waldorf School
Cost: $240

Sculptural Arts
For the students the creative experience of working with their hands deepens the understanding of how children learn in Waldorf education. The focus for this course is sculptural – feeling the three dimensions.  Kevin Kane will take students through the process of educating the “will” in children by molding and carving.  This course is open to teacher trainees, parents and adults seeking an artistic experience.  A small materials fee is due at the first class. Faculty:Kevin Kane

Dates: Saturdays, January 9, 16, 23, 30,
Time:  11:15 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Location:  City of Lakes Waldorf School
Cost: $120

Handwork
Handwork is an important part of the Waldorf students day and the Foundation Studies program. Working with the hands engages the will as it activates thinking and feeling. It becomes a spiritual act when we strive to create works of beauty. Come explore aspects of the handwork curriculum, as we work with a variety of natural materials and experience for ourselves what a Waldorf student might experience.

Dates: Saturdays, Feburary 6, 13, 20, 27.
Time:  11:15 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Location:  Minnesota Waldorf School
Cost: $120

Child and Classroom Observation
Observing Waldorf Education and learning new skills of perception are integral parts of the foundation studies aspect of teacher training.  This course will include observing in classrooms during the year, and meeting together to hone the capacity to see and understand both the individual child and the classroom learning environment. Open to parents, teachers, teachers in training, community members.
Faculty: Kelly Larson

Dates: Saturdays, Jan. 9, Feb. 6, March 6, and April 10, from 2-4 p.m.

Location:  City of Lakes Waldorf School

Cost:  $120

The Life of Rudolf Steiner
This Course will cover a broad overview of Rudolf Steiner’s life and an introduction to his work.  The course is designed for participants to appreciate the breadth and depth of Steiner’s thoughts and contributions.
Faculty: Michael Holdrege

Dates: April 16 & 17
Time: Friday 7 – 9 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: City of Lakes Waldorf School
Cost: $100 workshop, Friday Lecture, $15