Bachelor of Arts in Daoism

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🎓 Bachelor of Arts in Daoism (Taoism)

  • Program Duration: 3–4 years (6–8 semesters)
  • Total Credits BA: ~120 credits for the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Daoism (84 credits + 36 credits in General Education) or
  • Total Credits: ~90 credits for the Bachelor of Daoism (84 credits + 6 Electives)
  • Language: English or Italian


📘 Year 1: Foundations of Daoism (Taoism)

Semester 1

Semester 2


📗 Year 2: Daoism in Culture and Practice

Semester 3

Semester 4


📙 Year 3: Modern Engagements and Applications

Semester 5

Semester 6


📕 Year 4: Integration and Capstone (Optional Final Year)

Semester 7

Semester 8


🎯 Capstone Project Options

  • Academic Thesis (Textual Analysis or Philosophical Synthesis)
  • Applied Project (e.g., Taoist Garden Design, Meditation App)
  • Translation & Commentary (Original classical Chinese text)
  • Field Study (e.g., time in a Daoist temple or ecological retreat)


🎓 Career Pathways

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🎓 Bachelor of Daoism – Full Syllabus


🔹 Year 1: Foundations of Daoism

Semester 1

1. Introduction to Daoist Thought

Explore Daoism's origins, core ideas, and relevance today.

  • Laozi and Zhuangzi overview
  • Wu Wei, simplicity, and spontaneity
  • Daoism vs. Confucianism & Buddhism

2. Classical Chinese I

Introduction to reading ancient Chinese, focusing on Daoist texts.

  • Basic grammar and sentence structure
  • Key Daoist vocabulary
  • Introduction to brush script

3. Tao Te Ching: Text and Commentary

In-depth study of Laozi’s Tao Te Ching.

  • Historical context
  • Philosophical themes (non-action, harmony, paradox)
  • Traditional commentaries

4. Fundamentals of Chinese Philosophy

Survey of ancient Chinese schools of thought.

  • Confucianism, Legalism, Mohism
  • Yin-yang theory and Five Elements
  • Pre-Qin philosophical debates

5. Academic Writing and Critical Thinking

Develop analytical and writing skills.

  • Argument structure
  • Writing philosophical essays
  • Research skills

Semester 2

1. Zhuangzi and the Philosophy of Spontaneity

Study the works and worldview of Zhuangzi.

  • Relativism, transformation of things
  • Dream of the butterfly, skill mastery
  • Humor and paradox

2. Classical Chinese II

Continue deepening reading skills in classical texts.

  • Grammar practice with Zhuangzi
  • Translation exercises
  • Advanced idioms

3. Comparative Religion: East and West

Study of Taoism in relation to global religions.

  • Taoism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism
  • Mysticism and metaphysical inquiry
  • Practices and cosmologies

4. Taoist Cosmology and Nature

The universe as seen through Taoist eyes.

  • Qi, Dao, and Yin-Yang theory
  • Nature as teacher and mirror
  • Heaven–Earth–Human unity

5. Meditation and Breathwork I (Practicum)

Practice-based introduction to Taoist internal cultivation.

  • Breath awareness
  • Sitting and standing meditation
  • Basic Neigong


🔹 Year 2: Taoism in Culture and Practice

Semester 3

1. Internal Alchemy: Origins and Development

Introduction to Neidan (inner alchemy).

  • Jing-Qi-Shen transformation
  • Role of body-mind-spirit
  • Early texts: Cantongqi, Zhong-Lü Chuan Dao Ji

2. Daoist Ritual and Liturgy

Study and experience of traditional rituals.

  • Invocations, offerings, and space cleansing
  • Music and dance
  • Ethical preparation of the priest

3. Yijing (Book of Changes) and Divination

Study of I Ching in Taoist context.

  • Hexagrams and trigrams
  • Symbolism, synchronicity, decision-making
  • Practice-based learning

4. Chinese Calligraphy and Symbolism

Artistic expression of Taoist values through brushwork.

  • Learn key ideograms (Tao, Wu, De, etc.)
  • Calligraphy meditation
  • Symbolic language of Chinese art

5. Tai Chi / Qi Gong I (Practicum)

Foundation in body-mind movement practices.

  • Basic forms and flow
  • Taoist breathing
  • Movement as meditation

Semester 4

1. Taoism and Ecology

Explore the Taoist approach to nature and ecological balance.

  • Simplicity and sustainability
  • Landscape and fengshui
  • Daoism and deep ecology

2. Ethics of Non-Action (Wu Wei)

Philosophical inquiry into non-doing and effortless action.

  • Non-coercive governance
  • Flow states in ethics
  • Wu Wei in leadership

3. Health and Longevity in Taoist Tradition

Explore Taoist medicine and health practices.

  • Diet, herbs, and breathing
  • Taoist sexual practices
  • Prevention-focused wellness

4. Classical Chinese III: Taoist Texts

Read original texts in depth.

  • Selections from Huangdi Neijing, Liezi
  • Close readings and group translations
  • Annotation and commentary

5. Tai Chi / Qi Gong II (Practicum)

Refine movement practices.

  • Intermediate forms
  • Partner work and martial applications
  • Taoist walking


🔹 Year 3: Modern Engagements and Applications

Semester 5

1. Taoism and Modern Psychology

Bridge ancient insight and modern mental health.

  • Ego, self, and spontaneity
  • Mindfulness and trauma
  • Taoism and cognitive reframing

2. Comparative Mysticism

Study Taoism alongside other mystical traditions.

  • Zen, Sufism, Christian mysticism
  • Unity and transcendence
  • Non-duality and language

3. Daoism and Chinese Medicine

Foundations of TCM from a Taoist view.

  • Meridian theory
  • Organ-energy correspondences
  • Taoist healing rituals

4. Spiritual Ecology and Sustainability

Deepen ecological engagement.

  • Taoist agriculture and permaculture
  • Sacred geography
  • Activism without aggression

5. Research Methods in Religious Studies

Prepare for thesis or applied project.

  • Fieldwork, textual research
  • Citation and academic standards
  • Ethnography and hermeneutics

Semester 6

1. Taoism and Politics: History and Resistance

Examine Taoism's political expressions and quietist stance.

  • Governance by non-governance
  • Recluses and hermits
  • Taoist critique of empire

2. Applied Taoism: Leadership and Design

Practice Taoism in leadership, life design, and creativity.

  • Simplicity in systems
  • Taoist business ethics
  • Innovation through stillness

3. Daoist Ethics in Contemporary Society

Examine modern ethical dilemmas through Taoist lenses.

  • Technology and attention
  • Gender and duality
  • Taoism in urban life

4. Elective I

Examples:

5. Independent Study Prep

Research proposal or community project design.


🔹 Year 4 (Optional): Integration and Capstone

Semester 7

1. Advanced Seminar in Taoist Texts

Select one classic for deep reading and dialogue.

  • Intensive text study
  • Individual presentations
  • Advanced commentary

2. Daoism and Global Wisdom Traditions

Cross-cultural dialogues.

  • Native traditions, Stoicism, Vedanta
  • Integral theories
  • Comparative methodology

3. Capstone Project I

Research, fieldwork, or artistic/experiential component begins.

4. Elective II

Examples:

5. Teaching Taoism

Develop workshops or educational content.

  • Pedagogy
  • Curriculum design
  • Taoism for youth or public workshops

Semester 8

1. Capstone Project II: Presentation and Defense

Finalization and publication/presentation of capstone.

2. Taoism and Technology

The digital world through a Taoist lens.

  • Attention economy
  • Technological overreach
  • Harmony with tools

3. Career Pathways

Tailored guidance for applying Taoism professionally.

  • Resume for spiritual professionals
  • Translating Taoist insight to modern workspaces