Exploring the Ministry, Writings, and Talks of `Abdu'l-Bahá
`Abdu'l-Bahá: The Exemplar
TOPIC:
`Abdu'l-Bahá is unique in religious history, for He is not a Manifestation of God, but is closer in station to a Manifestation than to the station of humanity. Drawing off of statements by `Abdu'l-Bahá Himself and Shoghi Effendi, as well as writings by countless Bahá'ís, the course will explore His life, writings, talks, travels, station, various titles, accomplishments, relationship with Bahá'u'lláh, and the impact that He had on others.
DATES:
October 1 - December 31 2001
TEXTS:
Hasan Balyuzi's `Abdu'l-Bahá: The Centre of the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh; a statement by Shoghi Effendi about `Abdu'l-Bahá's station; pilgrim's notes; and a compilation of descriptions and commentaries on `Abdu'l-Bahá's writings and talks assembled by the Wilmette Institute. Most of these will be available both online and by mail.
FACULTY (tentative):
Dr. Iraj Ayman
Dr. Geoff Marks
Dr. Ahang Rabbani
Dr. Robert H. Stockman
Mr. Jonah Winters
others yet to be determined
COST:
$150
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) or to senior citizens (65 and older) or to those whose service to the
Faith engenders financial hardship. Larger discounts are available for even
larger groups who plan to study the course together. Financial aid is also
available. Students also have the option of saving another $10 by downloading course materials online only, rather than be sent a package in the mail.
There are no residential
requirements, for the course is conducted by correspondence and over the
internet. College credit and scholarships may be available. Contact the registrar for more information.
REQUIREMENTS:
The course is taught at the undergraduate level of difficulty. Therefore, it
is open to those with a high school degree or equivalent.
THE THREE-TIERED SYSTEM:
All of our distance-education courses can be taken at three difficulty levels: introductory (roughly equivalent to a late high-school or early college level), intermediate (roughly equivalent to a standard undergraduate college course), and advanced (graduate level). Students in all three levels are assigned the same reading, but prepare different types of homework. Introductory students prepare an informal self-evaluation at the end of each unit, discussing what they learned and their reactions to or thoughts about it. Intermediate students prepare a more formal learning project for each unit, such as an essay, presentation, fireside, or artistic project. Advanced students, who will be mentored only by a professor with a doctorate, will work with their advisor one-on-one to prepare an individually-tailored course of study. Students at all levels will participate in the same listserver and conference calls, and receive the same course materials.
WORK EXPECTATIONS:
The course will take five to
ten hours of work each week and will involve:
Reading and discussion. The course is divided into a series of units, each of which involves reading part of the textbooks assigned and discussing them with fellow students, either by e-mail (the course will have an e-mail listserver called "Exemplar") or by voluntary participation in conference calls. Because of the speed and efficiency of e-mail, students are urged to get it before taking the course.
Assistance by a mentor/advisor, who reviews and comments on all homework you do and answers your questions.
For those who are part of local study groups, discussion assignments may be provided.
Access to the course's password-protected web site, which includes additional study material and completed sample homework assignments.
Assistance with planning a presentation on `Abdu'l-Bahá (fireside, deepening, or local study class) and with a final written project.
GRADING OPTIONS:
The course is usually taken
pass/fail with review and comments about assignments by the instructor. It may
be taken for a grade (A, B, C, D, F).
RELATED COURSES IN 2001:
Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh Revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas (May 15-Aug 15)
Secret of Divine Civilization (July 1-Sept. 30)
Kitáb-i-Aqdas and Related Texts (Sept 1-Dec 31)
