“Your level of consciousness determines the quality of your experience. Raise your consciousness, and you raise your life,” stated author and philosopher Ken Wilbur. The work of developing consciousness is often fundamental to education and having a growth mindset. However, exactly how we develop consciousness is a subject that’s rarely discussed and examined directly. In this class we’ll explore various models of consciousness development, such as Loevinger’s Nine Stages of Ego Development, Clare and Beck’s Spiral Dynamics, and Wilbur’s Integral Theory. We’ll also examine how different states and stages of consciousness are represented in works of art, literature, film, and philosophical and spiritual texts. Throughout our explorations, we’ll apply a practitioner’s approach by examining how different models relate to our own development. Central to this approach will be the ongoing engagement of a creative practice as a method for life-long personal development. The course will culminate with students developing a creative project that relates to their personal and professional interests.