Certificate Programs in Magoist Studies

Available classes:
(MS 001) Introduction to Magoism
(KMS 100) Korean Historical Dramas 
(KMS 200) Korean Shamanism (forthcoming)
(MMT 1200-1202) Reading the Budoji 

Special Topics courses may include Monthly Salon, Nine Mago Celebrations, New Year/Solstice Celebrations, and Mago Pilgrimage.

Pursue Your Vision as a Mago Scholar or Mago Associate in Magoist Studies!

Why Magoist Studies? Because it provides one with the perspective of the Whole, Being Here and Now for all, that has begun from the Great Goddess and guides us through our cosmic and personal time/space. Magoist Studies Programs aim at promoting the consciousness of WE that is derived from the knowing of the Great Goddess/Primordial Mother/Creatrix. All programs and activities are designed to awaken one’s innate power to self-teach (de-educate), self-heal, and self-transform. Reading/researching/writing/creating is our guide to enter S/HE Reality or the Way of the Great Goddess (Mago). By cultivating/sharpening/refining gynocentric intellectuality, we re-member oneself and the terrestrial eco-community to the Original Story of WE/HERE/NOW at the time of rapid changes brought by doomed patriarchy.

Mago Scholars: Participants and co-facilitators in Mago Studies Programs with an aim of attaining a certificate. Meet our Mago Scholars here.  

Mago Associates: Participants in Magoist Studies Programs without an aim of attaining a certificate. Nonetheless, the classes taken can be redeemed toward one of the following three Certificate Programs in Magoist Studies at a later time.

As we are at the beginning stage founded in 2015, applicants are encouraged to begin with researching a topic that can fall on one or more of the following course topics with consultation with Dr. Hwang. Program guidelines are subjected to modification and will be notified to individual members in a timely manner.


Magoist Studies Programs

Track 1: Magoist Korean Culture and Spirituality Certificate

Coursework: 5 Elective Courses and 4 Special Topics Courses (You may choose and modify course topics from Elective Courses)

Required for the Certificate: Three Required Courses as part of Coursework (#1 Introduction to Magoism and two of the four options in #2, see below). One research paper (minimum of 2400 words) or three essays (minimum of 800 words each), or the equivalent creative work. All should be in publishable quality for the Return to Mago E-Magazine standard.

Track 2: Magoist Peace and Activism Certificate

Coursework: 5 Elective Courses and 4 Special Topics Courses (One may choose and modify course topics from Elective Courses)

Required for the Certificate: Three Required Courses as part of Coursework (#1 Introduction to Magoism and two of the four options in #2, see below). One research paper (minimum of 2400 words) or three essays (minimum of 800 words each), or the equivalent creative work. All should be in publishable quality for the Return to Mago E-Magazine standard.

Track 3: Magoist Cross-cultural Studies Certificate

Coursework: 5 Elective Courses (to be decided with the consultation with Dr. Hwang) and 4 Special Topics Courses (You may choose and modify course topics from Elective Courses)

Required for the Certificate: Three Required Courses as part of Coursework (#1 Introduction to Magoism and two of the four options in #2, see below).  One research paper (minimum of 2400 words) or three essays (minimum of 800 words each), or the equivalent creative work. All should be in publishable quality for the Return to Mago E-Magazine standard.


Magoist Studies Courses

All courses belong to the following four focuses: Korean Magoist Studies, Magoist Mythology and Thought, East Asian Magoist Studies, Comparative Magoist Studies.

All courses comprise 2 modules or the equivalent. Each module lasts 9 weeks or the equivalent.

All Special Topics courses should be decided with the consultation with Dr. Hwang.

All courses include background reading materials on related topics such as Goddess Studies, Feminist Studies, and East Asian Studies from a trans-disciplinary approach to history, mythology, art, folklore, anthropology, archaeology, music, science, and culture to name a few.

Course materials may include Korean sources. Fluency in reading and writing in Korean will be counted as prerequisites for one’s research for Special Topics courses.

The Required Courses (Introduction to Magoism and two of the four options):

  1. MS 001 Introduction to Magoism
  2. Choose two from the following:
  • Option 1: MMT 1050 Mago Pilgrimage to Korea (two weeks travel to Korea, you may take it twice or more as Special Topics course)
  • Option 2: 2 MMT 1051 Virtual Mago Pilgrimage Courses (previous and current virtual pilgrimages)
  • Option 3: EAMS 3000 Primary Sources and Methods
  • Option 4: 3 Exams about and in Korean Language (One or more exams may be taken orally)

Required Courses

MS 001 Introduction to Magoism

Four Focuses 

Korean Magoist Studies Elective Courses:

KMS 100 Korean Historical Drama (Open to public, Registration available, ongoing since Feb. 11, 2016)

KMS 200 Korean Shamanism and its Magoist Origin (TBA)

KMS 250 Korean Goddesses, Queens, and Heras (TBA)

KMS 300 Korean Art and Culture I

KMS 301 Korean Art and Culture II (prerequisite: KMS 300)

KMS 350 Korean History I

KMS 351 Korean History II (prerequisite: KMS 350)

KMS 400 Korean Female Myths I

KMS 401 Korean Female Myths II (prerequisite: KMS 400)

KMS 450 Korean Traditional Religions I

KMS 451 Korean Traditional Religions II (prerequisite: KMS 450)

KMS 500 Korean Language I

MKS 501 Korean Language II

MKS 502 Korean Language III

MKS 800 Special Topics

Magoist Mythology and Thought Elective Courses

MMT 1000 Mago, Goma, and History of Old Korea/East Asia

MMT 1050 Mago Pilgrimage A (10-14 days in Korea, actual travel involved)

MMT 1051 Mago Pilgrimage B (virtual visit to Korea, no traveling involved)

MMT 1200 Reading the Budoji I (prerequisite:

MMT 1201 Reading the Budoji II (prerequisite: MMT 1200)

MMT 1202 Reading the Budoji III (prerequisite: MMT 1201)

MMT 1300 Magoist Cosmogony

MMT 1400 Magoist Mytho-History (prerequisite MMT 1300)

MMT 1500 Goddess Goma/Gom/Ungnyeo and the Nine-Mago Religion

MMT 1800 Special Topics

East Asian Magoist Studies Elective Courses

EAMS 3000 Primary Sources and Methods

EAMS 3001 Magoism in East Asia (Korea, China, Japan)

EAMS 3002 Korean Magoism

EAMS 3003 Chinese and Japanese Magoism (prerequisite EAMS 3002)

EAMS 3004 Magoist Folklore and Place-names

EAMS 3100 Magoist Art and Literature I

EAMS 3101 Magoist Art and Literature II (prerequisite EAMS 3100)

EAMS 3200 Magoist Seonins (Immortals), Shamans and Priestesses

EAMS 3800 Special Topics

Comparative Magoist Studies Special Topics Courses

CMS 8000-8900

Option 1: One may create a course by choosing one of the topics of Elective Courses from three other focuses (Korean Magoist Studies, Magoist Mythology and Thought, East Asian Magoist Studies) and compare it with one’s own research interest.

Option 2: One may create a course based on one’s own research interests including the Female Divine or women in a particular religion, Nine Goddesses, Xiwangmu, Amaterasu, Mazu, Gaia, Callieach, Muses, Durga etc. and their cultural, mythological, historical contexts.

Option 3: One may consider undertaking one or more of the Mago Work projects such as copy-editing Return to Mago E-Magazine, Planning Nine Day Mago Festival, Moderating Mago Work social media including The Mago Circle (Facebook Group), Gynapedia: Mago Wickedary of Goddess Feminism, Activism, and Spirituality, and Spiral Journey in the Cosmic Mother, and copy-editing a collective writing projects (She Rises series, Celebrating Goddess series and more) to be published by Mago Books.


How to Apply

Email all submission materials to Mago Academy (magoacademy@gmail.com):

  • Mago Scholar: One who has a Bachelor’s or Master of Art degree in a relevant field, had an equivalent work or publication experience, taken three Magoist Studies courses, or volunteered in a Mago Work project or a related project can apply. Submit your CV and the application form via email.
  • Mago Associate: Anyone can apply. Upon registering one Magoist Studies online course, one gains the status of Mago Associate. Submission of the application form is optional.

Teaching Opportunities for Mago Scholars

While completing the certificate program in Magoist Studies, 

  • Mago Scholars begin co-teaching an Elective Course with Dr. Hwang.
  • With the consultation with Dr. Hwang, they can continue to co-teach Elective courses.
  • Mago Scholars can develop one or more special topic courses with the consultation of Dr. Hwang. Those courses may be adopted as an Elective Course in Magoist Studies.
  • Mago Scholars can present a research paper or a creative project to Mago Conferences to be held in Korea during Mago Pilgrimage to Korea or other events hosted by Mago Academy.
  • Mago Scholars can become a contributor to Return to Mago E-Magazine.

Upon completing the coursework for the certificate program,

  • Mago Scholars can co-facilitate Mago Pilgrimage to Korea with Dr. Hwang. Scholarship may be available for a portion of the expense.
  • Mago Scholars can teach one or more courses for Certificate Programs in Magoist Studies. As members of Mago Faculty, they can also propose new courses of their own interest outside Magoist Studies.
  • Mago Scholars are given priority to be chosen for Mago Academy’s search of future opportunities and positions.

Benefits

Mago Scholars: A Mago Scholar is considered as a member of Mago Academy Faculty. A Mago Scholar is entitled to no fee for Elective Courses that s/he co-teach and co-develop with Dr. Hwang. She may participate as a consultant in discussion of Magoist Studies program agendas such as a new Mago Scholar application and revision of Elective Courses. All benefits that Mago Associates are entitled.

Mago Associates: Membership of The Mago Circle, Mago Pool Circle, Mago Place, and Explore Hanguk/Mago social media spaces. Readership of the Mago Work publications including Mago Pod Newsletter, Return to Mago E-Magazine, Mago Academy events, and Mago Books. Participation in the projects that The Mago Work offers including She Rises, Mago Pool Circle, and Nine Day Solstice Celebration, etc.


Resources

Books and Articles

The Mago Way: Re-discovering Mago, the Great Goddess from East Asia (Vol 1) by Helen Hye-Sook Hwang

The Budoji Workbook (Volume 1): The Magoist Cosmogony (Chapters 1-4) by Helen Hye-Sook Hwang

Mago Almanac: 13 Month 28 Day Calendar by Helen Hye-Sook Hwang

Myths and Legends from Korea: An Annotated Compendium of Ancient and Modern Materials by Jame H. Grayson

Millenarian Themes in the White Lotus Society by Theresa J. Flower [https://macsphere.mcmaster.ca/bitstream/11375/7251/1/fulltext.pdf]

Falun Gong: The End of Days by Maria Hsia Chang

The Confucian Transformation of Korea: A Study of Society and Ideology by Martina Deuchler

Korean Impact on Japanese Culture by Joan Carter Covell

Dislocating China: Muslims, Minorities, and Other Subaltern Subjects by Dru C. Gladney

An Introduction to the Philosophy and Religion of Taoism: Pathways to Immortality (Sussex Academic Press, 2005) by Jeananne Fowler

Taoist Astral Healing: Chi Kung Healing Practices Using Star and Planet Energies (Destiny Books, 2004) by Mantak Chia and Dirk Oellibrandt

Popular Religious Movements and Heterodox Sects in Chinese Popular Religious Movements and Heterodox Sects in Chinese History (Boston, MA: Brill, 2003) by Hubert Seiwert

Popular Religion and Shamanism (Boston, MA: Brill, 2011) by Xisha Ma and Huiying Meng

Millenarian Rebellion in China: The Eight Trigrams uprising of 1813 (Yale University, 1976) by Susan Naquin

Online Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_mythology

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sin_Chaeho

Feminist Philosophies

For-Giving: Feminist Criticism of Exchange by Genevieve Vaughan

Beyond God the Father: Toward a Philosophy of Women’s Liberation by Mary Daly

Gyn/Ecology: The Metaethics of Radical Feminism by Mary Daly

Korean Shamanism include (selectively required)

“The Accommodation of Korean Folk Religion: An Example of Reverse Syncretism” JAMES H. GRAYSON https://nirc.nanzan-u.ac.jp/nfile/1731

Online Sources on “Mago”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magi

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_Magi

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/magus

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakaldwipiya

https://www.indiadivine.org/content/topic/1084501-buddhism-an-iranian-heresy/

Goddess Feminism, Activism, and Spirituality

She Rises: Why Goddess Feminism, Activism, and Spirituality? (Vol 1) ed. by Helen Hye-Sook Hwang & Kaalii Cargill

She Rises: How Goddess Feminism, Activism, and Spirituality? (Vol 2) ed. by Helen Hye-Sook Hwang, Mary Ann Beavis & Nicole Shaw

She Rises: What… Goddess Feminism, Activism, and Spirituality? (Vol 3) ed. by Diane Quarrie, Christine Courtade Hirsch, and Hye-Sook Hwang, Mary Ann Beavis

Celebrating Seasons of the Goddess (Volume 1) ed. by Helen Hye-Sook Hwang and Mary Ann Beavis

Journals and Websites (recommended)

S/HE: An International Journal of Goddess Studies (forthcoming 2021)

Return to Mago E-Magazine

Mago Books

Gynapedia, Mago Wickedary of Goddess Feminism, Activism and Spirituality

PaGaian Cosmology

The Gift Economy

Center for Global Non-Killing


Application Form

(Copy and Paste in your email or in Word to be attached in your email.)

a.      Name & Program that you are applying for: b.      Contact Info (email and mailing address) and Affiliation/occupation (CV with formal education and accomplishment records):
c.      Your interested courses of both Elective and Special Topics to take: d.      How did you get to know about Mago and Magoism?
e.      What motivates you for pursuing the certificate program in Magoist Studies? f.       When do you want to begin your program and anything important that you want us to know.

Contact Email: magoacademy@gmail.com