Posted by Jonah Winters on June 05, 1999 at 01:55:42:

I'm pleased to announce that the next course in the distance learning (correspondence) series "Studying the Revelation of Baha'u'llah," an historical survey of His writings and Teachings, will begin soon. We are just wrapping up section one, 1853-63, and will now turn to section two, 1863-68. This course will run July 1-December 31, and we'll be accepting registrations until the second week of July.

This is the fourth time we've offered a course in this series, and both Baha'is and non-Baha'is who have taken it in the past have found it to be engaging and informative. Please visit the website, http://www.usbnc.org/wilmette , for more information or to apply to the course. You can read some comments past students have had at http://www.usbnc.org/wilmette/testimonials.html Please direct any further questions to wilmette_institute@usbnc.org

Thank you, we hope to "see" you in class! -Jonah

Wilmette Institute
General Studies in the Baha'i Faith Program
The Revelation of Baha'u'llah 1863-68
(Istanbul-Adrianople Period)

TOPIC: The Baha'i Faith is the best example of a religion of the book. Baha'u'llah (1817_92) revealed in Arabic, Persian, and a unique mixture of both; over 15,000 tablets are extant. Through English translations of Baha'u'llah's writings, summaries of some works, descriptions, and commentaries, the writings of Baha'u'llah will be surveyed. The course covers Baha'u'llah's revelation during the Istanbul-Adrianople period (1863-68). The earlier period of His revelation (1853-63) was surveyed in an earlier course and will be studied again in 2001; but the four courses on Baha'u'llah's revelation are independent of each other and do not need to be taken in order.

COURSE DATES: July 1, 1999 to December 31, 1999

TABLETS STUDIED:
Tablets revealed soon after Baha'u'llah's declaration
Arabic and Persian Tablets of Ahmad
Significant mystical tablets of Baha'u'llah
Tablet of the Branch (the earliest statement of `Abdu'l-Baha's station)
Kitab-i-Badi`
Sþriy-i-Ra'is
Tablets to the Kings

The course will use a special text developed by the Wilmette Institute, The Baha'i Scriptures: A Compilation of Descriptions and Commentaries, Volume 3: The Writings of Baha'u'llah, 1863-68. It draws from published descriptions of tablets by `Abdu'l-Baha, Shoghi Effendi, Hasan Balyuzi, Adib Taherzadeh, and others.

REQUIREMENTS: The course is available at the introductory level (for learners who want to focus on becoming better teachers of the Baha'i Faith) and the intermediate level (for those who want to be challenged to go more deeply into the writings, and study at an undergraduate college level). Those interested in taking the course at the advanced level (study at a graduate level) should contact the registrar. Students should plan to continue the course through to completion.

There are no residential requirements. The course is conducted by e-mail and correspondence.

COST: $225
Scholarships and college credit may be available.

***A twenty percent discount*** is available when registering as part of a local group of three or more (who pledge to meet together semimonthly to study the texts). Larger discounts are available for even larger groups who plan to study the course together.

WORK EXPECTATIONS: The course will take five to ten hours of work
each week and will involve:

A. For each of the course's eight units, completion of a reading assignment and a project of your choice. Possible projects include giving a deepening or fireside, doing an artistic project, finishing a writing project, and completing a self-assessment of your learning. Students are encouraged to complete a standardized "Tablet Study Outline" for each work studied.

B. Interaction with a mentor/advisor, who reviews and comments on all projects you do and answers your questions.

C. For those who are part of local study groups, discussion
assignments are provided.

D. Participation in "REV," the course's e_mail discussion group.
***Because of the speed and efficiency that e_mail provides, all
students are urged to acquire e_mail for the course.***

E. Access to the course's password_protected web site, which
includes additional study material and completed sample homework
assignments.

F. Voluntary participation in conference calls with up to five
other students and a faculty member.

G. Completion of a final self-assessment of one's learning (for the introductory level) or a final project that involves review of the material studied, evaluation of what one has learned, and
systematic application of it to teaching and deepening (for the intermediate level).

GRADING OPTIONS: The course is usually taken pass/fail with
review and comments about assignments by your mentor. It may be
taken for a grade (A, B, C, D, F). College credit is not available, but the Institute will help students arrange credit through their local university.

Wilmette Institute 536 Sheridan Rd., Wilmette, IL 60091
847_733_3415 (tel); 847_733_3563 (FAX)
847_733_3595 (automated 24_hour information line)
www.usbnc.org/wilmette (web site)

this topic is closed - post at bahai-library.com/forum