Wilmette Institute main page
Information or Application
Our Programs
Student Sign-In
Faculty Sign-In
Bulletin Board
Frequently Asked Questions
The Lamp newsletter
Catalogue
Calendar
Email the registrar
Email the Administrator
Search this website
Site map
USBNC homepage
 

    Apply for one of the Correspondence courses

    World Religions for Deepening and Dialogue Course Series

    Christianity for Dialogue and Deepening

    TOPIC:

    The course will cover the life of Jesus of Nazareth, the rise of Christianity, the formation of Christian scriptures, traditional Christian teachings, the issue of Christian prophecy, and the diversity of Christian groups. The subjects will be studied for the purposes of deepening and dialogue, that is, understanding the basics of Christianity as a divinely revealed religion (and by comparison, the Bahá'í Faith) and sharing one's faith perspective with the full variety of Christians in an informed and respectful manner.

    DATES:

    June 15 - September 15 2001

    TEXTS:

    Compilation of Bahá'í References to Christianity
          Prepared by Michael Sours, included at no extra charge

    Mary Pat Fisher, Living Religions (Christianity chapter).
          available for purchase from the Wilmette Institute for $35 (20% below cover price)

    James Fieser and John Powers, Scriptures of the World's Religions (Christianity chapter.
          available for purchase from the Wilmette Institute for $22 (20% below cover price)

    Note: The Fisher and the Fieser/Powers textbooks will not be automatically included; there is a place on the registration form where students can select whether they want to receive or not receive them.

    FACULTY (tentative):

            Ted Brownstein
            Dann May
            Susan Maneck
            Brent Poirier
            Michael Sours
            Robert H. Stockman

    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.

    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:
    1. Reading and using the knowledge you acquire. The course is divided into a series of units, each of which involves reading part of the Bible and related texts. The course offers a series of study questions, learning projects, and sample tests, including giving a deepening or fireside; doing an artistic project; or finishing a writing project about it.

    2. Assistance by a mentor/advisor, who reviews and comments on all homework you do, and answers your questions.

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

    4. Participation in "christianity" the course's email discussion group. Because of the speed and efficiency that email provides, all students are urged to acquire email for the course.

    5. Access to the course's password-protected web site, which includes additional study material and completed sample homework assignments.

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

    7. Completion of 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.

    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:

          Judaism (2/2/01-4/30/01)
          The Bible (12/1/01-2/28/02)

    Apply for one of the Correspondence courses

    Back to Top of Page