June 10, 2004
New Course on Baha'u'llah's Revelation Starts June 15

The Wilmette Institute's course "Baha'u'llah's Revelation: A Systematic Survey" starts in five days. A four-month distance-learning course, it begins June 15 and runs through October 15. In that time, the course will quickly but systematically examine the Hidden Words, Seven and Four Valleys, Kitab-i-Iqan, Suriy-i-Haykal, Kitab-i-Aqdas and various tablets revealed after it, the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, and various shorter works. Students will read all or portions of the works (it is impossible to read all them in four months, but the Guardian often created selections from them), read descriptions and summaries of them, use study questions to further their understanding of the works, and participate in electronic discussion of the works with faculty and fellow students via email and the web. At the end of the course students will pursue a final project of their own design and will receive a certificate of completion.

The course is part of the Wilmette Institute's "Basic Courses" package, four courses designed to cover major aspects of the Baha'i Faith. It is offered every two years. The study materials will provide students with reference works to review and consult for many years.

To sign up for the course, go to

https://regmain.usbnc.org/

More details can be seen below.

TOPIC: The course seeks to provide a brief but thorough and systematic introduction to a selection of Bahá'u'lláh’s most important works. While Bahá'u'lláh revealed approximately 15,000 tablets over a forty-year period (1853-92), most are short, personal works. About 350 tablets have been named and adequate information exists on 120 of them in English. The course will explore eight of the most important in some depth and discuss about six others. It will consider their themes, the topics that Bahá'u'lláh progressively revealed, and related works. The course is designed to meet the needs of students wishing basic information, new Bahá'ís wishing further context, and veteran Bahá'ís seeking deeper understanding.

DATES: June 1, 2001 to Aug. 31, 2004

TEXTS: A special compilation of texts from tablets of Bahá'u'lláh as well as descriptions and commentaries about them assembled by the Wilmette Institute.

FACULTY: Necati Alkan and Ismael Velasco

COST: $150 (individual); $300 (group)
Financial aid is available.

STUDY GROUP: Any individual can plan a local study group (of two or more) in consultation with the Wilmette Institute or with a Bahá'í institution. The group must have an official correspondent, who will copy course materials and distribute them to the group. Members must commit to attending two meetings per month. Every member will have full course privileges (copies of materials, access to the course's web site, help from a mentor, and so on).

HOW IS THE COURSE TAUGHT? The course is conducted primarily via the Worldwide Web. There are no residential requirements.

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

A. Reading and discussion. The course is divided into a series of units, each of which involves reading from various texts and articles and discussing them either on the course's web-based "discussion boards," or on the course's email-based listserver, or by voluntary participation in conference calls. Because of the speed and efficiency of e-mail, students must have an e-mail account to take the course.

B. Discussion assignments (two per month) for study groups.

SUPPORT PROVIDED:

C. Contact with fellow students and faculty through the discussion boards and the listserver.

D. Assistance from a mentor/advisor, who reviews and comments on all homework you submit and answers your questions.

E. Access to the course's password-protected web site, which includes additional study materials.

F. Assistance in planning a presentation (fireside, deepening, or local study class) on the course's subject and in completing a final written project.

LEVEL OF STUDY: The course may be taken at the introductory level (an overview to help you teach the Faith more effectively), the intermediate level (the equivalent of a first-year university course), or the advanced level (equivalent to graduate school work). The Wilmette Institute can help you obtain college credit for the intermediate level if you are a university student.

GRADING OPTIONS: The course is usually taken pass/fail with review and comments by your mentor but may be taken for a grade (A, B, C, D, F).