Syracuse University offers several courses that involve contemplative practices. Additionally, the university now offers a Mindfulness and Contemplative Studies minor through the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics.

Please note that * indicates the course is a part of the mindfulness minor. Additional courses considered by petition


CRS 230 – Intergroup Dialogue

Crosslisted with: CFE 230SOC 230WGS 230 
Guided intergroup communication skills. Cycle of socialization; social identities, and social structures that create and maintain inequality; power of dynamic of racism, sexism, and other systems of oppression. Students explore conflict and enact collaboration to deepen understanding.

*HFS 458 – Science of Caring and Sharing

The ways caring and sharing develop and change across childhood and adolescence. Theories, research, and applied experiences that emphasize prosocial behavior, morality, gratitude, empathy, and compassion are discussed.
PREREQ: HFS 202 OR PSY 335 OR PSY 336

*REL 185 – Hinduism

Crosslisted with: SAS 185
Religious life of contemporary Hindus in India: gods, goddesses, and other divines; worship; sectarian movements; and rituals in the home, at temples, and at other holy sites.

*REL 186 – Buddhism

Crosslisted with: SAS 186
Buddhism as a world religion: its origin in India, its spread to other parts of Asia, and consequent changes in doctrine and practice through the ages.

*REL 327 – Yoga-Ancient Religion to Modern Practice

Crosslisted with: SAS 327
Consideration of yoga in the context of its origins in the Hindu tradition in India and then tracing the changes in the modern period when yoga developed anew in India and then Europe and America.

*HFS 452/652 – Mindfulness in Children and Youth

Importance of mindfulness for optimal development in children and youth; school- and community-based interventions that target mindfulness; mindful parenting. Additional work required of graduate students.

*CRS 336 – Communication and Organizational Diversity

Diversity issues in organizations. Self reflection on assumptions about difference. Organizations and differences as communicatively constituted.

PREREQ: CRS 181

*CRS 347 – Mindful Communication Skills

Develop communication skills including awareness of self-talk, anxiety/stress, listening and speaking habits, and sense of self that create and affect communication patterns. Responding rather than reacting in communication episodes.

*CRS 447 – Mindful Communication Theory

This course considers social constructionist communication theory and its relationship to mindfulness. Mindfulness practices encourage reflection on communication patterns, contexts, coordination, coherence, mystery, and the self.

PREREQ: CRS 347 or CRS 336

*PHP (HTW) 405/605 – Science and Practice of Mindfulness
This course explores the neuroscience, psychology, and physiology of mindfulness and its application to mental and physical health across various public health contexts. Students engage in direct practice of evidence-based mindfulness practices. Additional work required of graduate students.

*ARI 331 – Hand Eye Body Mind through Drawing

Integrate traditional and contemporary approaches, materials, and processes in drawing with mindfulness-based contemplative practices. Structured and open problems will challenge and enrich students’ ability to perceive, create, and think with whole body-mind awareness.

SWK 482/682 – Introduction to Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies

Therapeutic use of horses with children and adults experiencing various physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges; nature of horses in healing; research on EAAT. Classroom instruction and experiential learning onsite with an established therapeutic horsemanship program. Additional work required of graduate Students. (ONLY OFFERED DURING THE SUMMER)

SWK 402 – Strategies of Social Work Intervention II

Design, implementation, and evaluation of intervention strategies in social work practice. Intervention with individuals, families, and groups in the context of agencies, organizations and communities. Concurrent field practicum.

PREREQ: SWK 401 AND (SWK 326 OR WGS 326) AND (SWK 328 OR WGS 328)

COREQ: SWK 445 AND SWK 446

SWK 738 – Core Concepts in Trauma Treatment for Children and Adolescents

Introduction of core concepts that inform evidence-based assessment and intervention with traumatized children and adolescents. Addresses the level of functioning of primary caregiving environments and assesses capacity of the community to facilitate restorative processes.

PREREQ: SWK 601

SWK 781 – Alcohol and Other Drugs in Social Work Practice

Crosslisted with: MFT 781

Introduces theory and practice strategies appropriate to understand and address alcohol and other drug problems among clients in various human services settings. Prerequisite does not apply to MFT students.

PREREQ: SWK 601