1. What are the Wilmette Institute distance learning courses and how are they organized?
2. What topics are covered in the distance learning courses?
3. What is the focus of the "World Religion" series?
4. How much does each course cost?
5. Why are the courses so expensive?
6. Are Financial Aid, Scholarships and other discounts available?
7. What is the refund policy?
8. What does it mean that the courses are offered at introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels?
9. Can I recieve college credit for my work at the Wilmette Institute?
10. Can I receive a certificate for your programs?
11. What are the deadlines for applying to a distance-learning course?
12. What is the Spiritual Foundations for a Global Civilization program?
    1. Where is the residential session of the Spiritual Foundations program held?
    2. Is attendance at the residential session of the Spiritual Foundations program mandatory?
    3. Why is the residential session a key component of the Spiritual Foundations program?
    4. What teaching activities are associated with the home-study course, and what is the nature of the training for teaching at the residential session?
    5. What service opportunities are available during the residential session?
    6. How can I prepare to participate in the Spiritual Foundations program?
    7. How can Spiritual Foundations students keep in contact with faculty members and with each other after the residential session is over?
    8. How much time should I set aside for the home-study part of the Spiritual Foundations course?
    9. How does one get college or graduate credit for the Spiritual Foundations program?
    10. How much does the Spiritual Foundations program cost?
    11. Are local study group discounts available for the Spiritual Foundations program like they are for the distance-learning courses?
    12. Can students of the Spiritual Foundations program take one of the distance-learning courses?
    13. Is financial aid for the Spiritual Foundations program available?
    14. Do you have a faculty listing for the Spiritual Foundations program?
    15. What is being studied this year?
    
    
13. How can I support the Wilmette Institute's efforts?
14. How can I receive more detailed information about the Wilmette Institute's programs?
15. How can I help promote the Wilmette Institute?

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Q: What are Wilmette Institute distance learning courses and how they are organized?

A: Wilmette Institute distance learning courses are based on web-based instruction. Each course lasts three months. Within the first week of the course each student receives a binder full of the reading materials needed to complete the course or download materials from a course website. As students read the material they also in engage in discussion through the Wilmette Institute website forums. Our three-month distance-learning courses typically involve this structure: Unit 1, One week: Everyone introduces themselves, says hello, reads the syllabus, asks basic questions about the course and its setup on the web-based forum for the unit. We explain how forums work then, too. Units 2-6, Usually two weeks each. Students read about 50-100 pages per unit (less if it is scripture, more if the reading is fast and easy) and ask questions on the forum. We try to provide some study questions. We have 2-5 faculty in each course and they are supposed to post comments to the listserver and answer students' questions posed there. Local study groups meet once every two weeks and discuss study questions. Once a month, the group's mentor calls them and asks how they are doing and answers questions. Once a month there is a conference call everyone can join if they want. Unit 7, The last two weeks of the course. Students have to do two things: (A) do a presentation related to the course and report it to their mentor. It can be a fireside, deepening, or children's class; it could be a ballet, if the student can relate it to the topic of the course. (B) do something that can be evaluated by the mentor. It can be the written aspect of the presentation. It can be a learning self-assessment; the Institute has a form the student can complete. It can be a research paper. The student chooses the type of evaluation component he or she wants. The longer and more complex, the more the student learns. Students can finish up any time in the next two months and can get a longer extension if needed. Students who complete the course get a certificate of completion. The certificate says whether they completed the course at the advanced (graduate), intermediate (undergraduate), or introductory (adult education) level (almost everyone is at the latter level) and whether the work is excellent, very good, or satisfactory. A short learning self-assessment is sufficient to get a "satisfactory" at the introductory level; an "excellent" at the advanced level would require a mentor who can evaluate work at that level, a detailed plan between the student and mentor, and a 15-25 page research paper or equivalent that demonstrated grasp of the topic, defense of a thesis statement, and familiarity with the body of relevant scholarly literature. As you can see, we have defined a variety of completion levels and thus can accommodate a range of students. While our courses typically last three months, we let the course forums continue an extra two months so that people can complete their work late. After the forums are closed, students can still complete their course work if their mentor agrees to the extension. That's the formula as it has evolved over the last few years. It is still evolving as we try new approaches. Another way of summarizing the Wilmette Institute's distance-learning courses is by considering the four components that all courses include: The reading component, which is the principal way to acquire new knowledge in the course. The reading component dominates units 2-6. The consultation component, where students consult about the course material with fellow students and faculty to reinforce and clarify their learning. The consultation component is found in all units; students are expected to post to the listserver at least once per unit. The sharing and service component, where students present some aspect of what they have learned to at least one other person through a fireside, deepening, children's class, youth or adult class, artistic presentation, or some other effort (even a ballet expressing a theme of the course will do). This component is found in the last unit or later (because students complete the course as much as two months after the official ending date). The assessment component, where students share their assessment of their learning, or a sample of their learning, with their mentor, so that he or she can determine whether the student has completed the course requirements. Note that a written copy or summary of one's presentation might be adequate for the assessment. The assessment determines at what level the student has completed the course. This component is also found in the last unit, or later.

Q: What topics are covered in the distance learning courses?

A: The Wilmette Institute offers a variety of courses on all aspects of Bahá'í history and study:

1. Our history and biography series consists of one course on the Bab and the Babi Faith, one on the life of Bahá'u'lláh, one on the life of Abdu'l-Bahá, one on the life and ministry of Shoghi Effendi, and history courses roughly covering the periods 1844-53; 1853-92; 1892-1921; 1921-63, and 1963 to the present.
   
   
2. Our series of courses on the Authoritative Texts include one each on Bahá'u'lláh's early mystical writings, the Kitab-i-Iqan, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, Kitab-i-Aqdas, Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh Revealed after the Aqdas, and the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf; one on Abdu'l-Bahá's Secret of Divine Civilization,; and one each on Shoghi Effendi's World Order of Bahá'u'lláh, Advent of Divine Justice, and Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh. Our other Sacred Texts courses include The Bible and The Qur'an. Some of these courses are offered in conjunction with deepening programs advocated by the United States National Spiritual Assembly to American Bahá'ís.
   
   
3. We also offer a series called "World Religions for Deepening and Dialogue," which offers a course each on Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, the Bible, Islam, the Quran, and Chinese Religions.
   
   
4. Finally, we offer courses on general topics, such as Bahá'í Theology, The Development of the Individual, and Living the Spiritual Life.

Up-to-date information on these can be found on the main page and on the calendar.

Q: What is the focus of the "World Religion" series?

A: The Wilmette Institute is offering a series of three-month courses on the various religions. The series is called "The World Religions: An Integrative Approach," "integrative" referring to an emphasis on the interrelatedness of the religions as parts of God's evolving religion for humanity. Individual courses are anticipated for Hinduism, Buddhism, Chinese Religions, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrianism, and the Bahá'í Faith. The purpose of the courses are to bring about deepening--that is, study of both the other religion and the Faith in greater depth--and dialogue, that is, the ability to explain the Bahá'í Faith more clearly to members of other religions and understand the experiences of the followers of the other religions more profoundly.

Up-to-date information on these can be found on the main page and on the calendar.

Q: How much does each course cost?

A: Three-month courses cost $150 for an individual and $300 for a local study group, which can have an unlimited number of members.

Q: Why are they so expensive?

A: Actually, by comparison with other institutes, they're very cheap. This is because all staff and faculty of the Institute perform their services as a "labor of love" and are willing to work for minimal or even no wages, whereas many if not most other online institutes function as businesses and hence must be acutely concerned with profit. A brief survey through some of the distance learning courses listed at Yahoo (click here) shows that such courses routinely cost $500-$1000 (the cheapest are as little as $50 and the most expensive are a few thousand). However, this does not really answer the question as to why such courses cost what they do. The Wilmette Institute's courses are professional quality, and that costs money. There are two main reasons our courses cost what they do: hiring professional faculty, and maintaining an administrative infrastructure. First, faculty must do a certain amount of preparation, mentor students, and read and assess homework assignments. We only hire faculty with training and experience, and thus must offer a minimal honorarium. (Many generously volunteer to help for free, but these are not always people with the necessary academic training and professional experience we require in our staff.) Courses must be prepared by professionals who know how to create them, and these are often not in a position to work for free. Second, because the courses are formal, students must register, and thus a staff is needed to process inquiries, perform data entry, and maintain professional financial accounting. Getting the information about the courses to their potential audience requires photocopying, editing, and postage. A professional website, the actual "campus" of the Wilmette Institute, must be constantly maintained and updated. A quarterly newsletter is put out to maintain communication and spread awareness of the Institute. A toll-free number has greatly improved communications with the Institute but must be paid for. The Institute does all these things with no subsidy from the National Bahá'í Fund, thus it must charge tuition. Nevertheless, because of considerable sacrifice by volunteers and some generous donations, especially from former students, the Wilmette Institute manages to offer its courses for 1/3 to 1/10 the cost of similar courses offered by private universities. Furthermore, it can offer students some financial assistance, based on their need. For more information on financial aid, see that section.

Q: Are Financial Aid, Scholarships and other discounts available?

A: The Wilmette Institute is able to provide a small number of scholarships. Financial aid is available to all, regardless of race, sex, religion, or nationality. If a student feels she needs assistance, write to the registrar stating (1) the reason for the need and (2) the amount needed. The Wilmette Institute also arranges payment plans for those not able to pay the tuition in full all at once. The Wilmette Institute also encourages students to seek scholarships from local spiritual assemblies and the Wilmette Institute can write a letter encouraging their support of you. Contact the registrar, for more information. In addition we also offer two specific discounts. Senior citizens (aged 65 and over) will receive a 20% discount on Wilmette Institute tuition. Overseas pioneers in third-world or others whose work for the Faith puts them at an economic disadvantage may receive a 20% discount. These discounts are not cumulative; that is, if you are a senior citizen and a pioneer you will only receive a 20% discount, not a 40% one. However, if for any reason the basic 20% discount to which you're entitled is not sufficient, you may contact us and request financial aid and thereby receive a greater discount.

Q: What is the refund policy?

A: We'll be glad to refund any money charged to students who withdraw. If a student withdraws shortly after registering, there is no charge at all. If a student withdraws after we have copied and mailed out the course materials, we have to charge a flat rate of $25 — this covers our administrative time and basic expenses. If a student withdraws two to four weeks after registering and after the course has started, we can refund 50% of the tuition. We do not offer refunds for students who withdraw after the fourth week of a course (or four weeks after registering, if they registered late). Exceptions will gladly be made in cases of financial hardship or unexpected circumstances; please contact the registrar for more information or if you would like to ask for a full refund due to special circumstances.

Q: What does it mean that the distance-learning courses are offered at introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels?

A: Distance-learning courses can be taken at the introductory level (a basic course that will help students teach the Faith more effectively), the intermediate level (study with the rigor and difficulty expected of university students), or the advanced level (equivalent to graduate-level study). Students at all three levels do the same reading, but the final projects differ in length and sopistication. Introductory students can fill out learning self-evaluation forms at the end of the course in which they address questions such as "what new skills did you acquire or improve" and "what new feelings or attitudes have you experienced?" Intermediate students prepare a more detailed final project, such as a 10-14 page paper or an artistic project. The work is also expected to exhibit some critical distance (detachment) from the subject. Advanced students prepare a 15-25 page research paper or equivalent. Those wishing to take the courses at an "advanced" (graduate) level or those seeking university-level credit should contact the Institute administrator, Robert Stockman, rstockman@usbnc.org for more information.

Q: Can I recieve college credit for my work in the Wilmette Institute course?

A: Not automatically since the Wilmette Institute is not an accredited college, but some of our students have received college credit. If you are registered at a distance learning school or a university that accepts life experience credit, you may be able to obtain credit. Ask your registrar. The Wilmette Institute can provide your university with a syllabus and letter of explanation on request.

Q: Can I receive a certificate for the Wilmette Institute through its Distance-Learning program?

A: Students receive certificates of completion when they finish the requirements of a course. The Institute may eventually create certificate programs that require completion of various groups of courses.

Q: What are the exact deadlines for applying to a distance-learning course?

A: We prefer that students apply to a course at least two weeks prior to its start date. This will also allow the students of the "World Religions" courses sufficient time to complete those courses' two-week preparatory study. However, applications will be accepted up to a month after each course starts, or until it fills up. For students applying late, the exact deadline is largely determined by how quickly the student feels he or she can catch up.

Q: What is the Spiritual Foundations for a Global Civilization program?

A: Spiritual Foundations for a Global Civilization is a four-year program designed to raise up a new generation of diverse, knowledgeable, articulate teachers and administrators of the Bahá'í Faith by imparting knowledge; developing various skills, particularly teaching skills; inculcating a spirit of service; fostering Bahá'í identity; and imparting a sense of community. A major requirement of the program is the student's commitment to practical service and teaching activities.

Each academic year consists of a one-week residential session, ten months of home study, and one month off. One year is devoted to each of the following four modules: World Religions and Philosophies and Bahá'í Theology; the Individual and the Family; Community and Governance; and the Challenges of Establishing a Global Civilization. These are offered in a four-year cycle. In addition, four other modules are taught during each of the four years of study: Bahá'í History, the Bahá'í Writings, Research and Communication Skills, and Teaching the Bahá'í Faith. Students begin their studies in any year of the program.

Q: Where is the residential session of the Spiritual Foundations program held?

A: The residential session is held in Wilmette and Evanston, near the Bahá'í House of Worship and the Bahá'í National Center. In 2003, students will be staying at Baker Hall, a dormitory of National-Louis University. Classes will be held at the former Bahá'í Home a mile away.

Q: Is attendance at the residential session of the Spiritual Foundations program mandatory?

A: Yes, it is mandatory to attend the residential session. All graduates of the program must attend all four residential sessions. However, the Wilmette Institute is flexible. If for some reason you cannot attend the session one year, you may be able to make it up another year. Special circumstances may be dealt with individually.

Q: Why is the residential session a key component of the Spiritual Foundations program?

A: The Spiritual Foundations course is structured so that the residential session provides a foundation and context for the home-study program. Therefore, anyone who misses the residential portion will be at a disadvantage, having missed many hours of intensive preparatory study. Such students are more likely to get discouraged, less likely to be successful with the program, and will not fully experience the program.

Moreover, the residential program allows students the opportunity to work together as a Bahá'í community in action to learn and practice Bahá'í community life and to study, serve, hone teaching skills, and practice Bahá'í consultation. A side benefit is having a "family" of fellow students to call upon for help with assignments during the residential session and during the home-study portion of the program. This feeling of Bahá'í community is essential to the course.

Q: What teaching activities are associated with the home-study course, and what is the nature of the training for teaching at the residential session?

A: During the year you will have many opportunities to create firesides based on the home-study materials, and you will be asked to send in regular reports. During the residential session you will be taking a workshop designed to enhance and deepen your teaching skills. Spiritual Foundations students have given the workshops in their areas, and some of them have also used the techniques they were taught to develop teaching workshops of their own.

Q: What service opportunities are available during the residential session?

A: During the residential session students can perform service each week at the Bahá'í National Center, the Bahá'í Publishing Trust, the Bahá'í Home, and the Bahá'í House of Worship. Because the residential session is short and intensive, service is not required.

Q: How can I prepare to participate in the Spiritual Foundations program?

A: When you are accepted into the Spiritual Foundations program, you will receive in advance of the residential session a package that includes preparatory study assignments. The purpose of these exercises is to assist you to review and come to the residential session with an overall knowledge about the Bahá'í Faith and its history and to have a background in common with your fellow students for starting your studies in the program.

Q: How can Spiritual Foundations students keep in contact with faculty members and with each other after the residential session is over?

A: All students receive a directory with addresses, phone numbers, and e- mail addresses of the faculty members and the students who attended the residential session. In addition, the Wilmette Institute has set up a web-based forum for the Spiritual Foundations students so that students with e-mail accounts can exchange news and plan teaching events over the internet.

Telephone conference calls provide another forum for group interaction during the home-study months. Held once a month for about an hour, these conference calls allow a professor to be on the line with students for a small discussion section. These sessions help to consolidate feelings of community begun in the residential session.

Q: How much time should I set aside for the home-study part of the Spiritual Foundations course?

A: The time it will take any one individual to complete the home-study assignments varies greatly depending upon the person. The assignments are designed to take around five to ten hours per week. However, you may find that it takes more or less time for you, depending on many factors such as how familiar you are with college-level work, your ability to read with speed and depth, your essay-writing abilities, your previous knowledge of the subject matter, and the quality of your working environment.

Q: How does one get college or graduate credit for the Spiritual Foundations program?

A: The Spiritual Foundations program is not intended as a full-time college or university course. Its goal is to raise up knowledgeable, articulate teachers of the Bahá'í Faith. But some of the Spiritual Foundations course work is eligible for undergraduate or graduate credit. If you wish to obtain credit, you can work through the college or university in which you are currently enrolled. For a graduate degree you can enroll in Capella University, which offers flexible degree programs for M.A. and Ph.D. degrees. Depending on your field, all or part of the Spiritual Foundations program can be accreditable through the Capella University. Theoretically, completion of all four years of the Spiritual Foundations program fulfills about half the requirements for a Master's degree. Other institutions may or may not accept the Spiritual Foundations program for credit. However, in the past, after submission of an official course description from the Wilmette Institute, the Spiritual Foundations program has been accepted by most colleges and universities. The Wilmette Institute will be glad to help you seek credit in any way we can, such as by writing to the registrar of your college on your behalf.

Q: How much does the Spiritual Foundations program cost?

A: For 2003-04, the costs of the Spiritual Foundations program will be follows:

$450

Annual Tuition (covers home study and residential session)

$120

Dormitory fee

$120

Meals (mostly restaurants); cost approximate

$50

Textbooks (approximate)
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$740 Approximate annual Cost

Q: Are local study group discounts available for the Spiritual Foundations program like they are for the distance-learning courses?

A. No. We offer discounts for the distance-learning courses to encourage students to create community study environments, for such environments are instrumental in improving the learning experience. However, the Spiritual Foundations program already has such a community, in the form of the summer residential component. Therefore there is no need to offer such an incentive.

Q: Can students of the Spiritual Foundations for a Global Civilization program take any of the distance-learning courses?

A: Yes, and Spiritual Foundations students get a special rate: $25 per course.

Q: Is financial aid for the Spiritual Foundations program available?

A: A limited number of scholarships for the residential session are available. Students who have completed at least one year of the program and have shown that they are able to do well in the program are more likely to receive scholarships. Of course, each case will be examined individually. (It doesn't hurt to ask!) In the future (and with the help of donations) we hope to offer more scholarship opportunities. The Institute will also write a letter to the student's local spiritual assembly, requesting that the assembly consider giving the student a scholarship as well.

Q: Do you have a faculty listing for the Spiritual Foundations program?

A: Yes. Consult the Wilmette Institute Catalogue for full information.

Q: What will be studied in 2003-04?

A: The 2003-04 program focuses on the fourth of the four annual themes of the Spiritual Foundations program. The course of study, which includes both home and residential study, is divided into five modules.

1. CARRYING FORWARD AN EVER-ADVANCING CIVILIZATION

Bahá'u'lláh revealed numerous social teachings, which `Abdu'l- Bahá and Shoghi Effendi subsequently interpreted and elaborated. Since about 1980 the Universal House of Justice and its agencies have elucidated and applied the Bahá'í social teachings further through a series of statements, including a statement on social and economic development (1983), The Promise of World Peace (1985), The Bahá'í Statement on Nature (1987), a statement on literacy (1989), The Prosperity of Humankind (1995), and Turning Point for All Nations (1995). In addition, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States has issued The Vision of Race Unity (1991) and Two Wings of a Bird: The Equality of Women and Men (1996). Collectively, these statements identify a series of issues facing humanity, emphasize their mutually reinforcing and overlapping natures, and outline the spiritual principles necessary for resolving them. Among the issues are: racism, economic disparities, unbridled nationalism, religious strife, equality of the sexes, universal education, and the need for a universal auxiliary language. Module D will focus on these issues and issues of science and the environment. The module will be based on the statements listed above and relevant background information. It will explore them through lectures, discussion, and group work.

2. HISTORY OF THE BAHÁ'Í FAITH, 1957-present

Historical study begins with the passing of Shoghi Effendi and the custodianship of the Hands of the Cause of God; includes election of the Universal House of Justice and the plans it has promulgated (1964-73, 1974-79, 1979-86, 1986-92, 1993- 96, 1996-2000); and considers such issues as the spread of the Faith in the Third World, the persecution of the Faith in Iran, the emergence of the Faith from obscurity, and the expansion of the Bahá'í World Centre.

3. BAHÁ'Í WRITINGS ON GLOBAL CIVILIZATION

The Bahá'í Writings relating to global civilization, such as tablets of Bahá'u'lláh revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, The Secret of Divine Civilization, The Advent of Divine Justice, The Promised Day Is Come, and various messages of the Universal House of Justice, its agencies, and the American National Spiritual Assembly, will be studied.

4. COURSE AND CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT SKILLS

Skills building will focus on course and curriculum development skills, to help the students become proficient as teachers in such formal settings as local study circles and adult deepening classes.

5. TEACHING THE FAITH

A series of seminars on teaching the Faith will focus on improving personal teaching efforts and moving toward entry by troops. Teaching and deepening projects are a part of the home study as well.

Q: How can I support the Wilmette Institute's efforts?

A: The Institute and its "Spiritual Foundations for a Global Civilization" and "Studies in the Bahá'í Faith" programs need to be publicized, and there is much an individual can do to help. If you would like to be considered to teach in the Wilmette Institute's programs, please send us your resume or c.v. with a cover letter explaining your experience in your area of expertise. If you would like to make a financial contribution, please make out your check to "National Bahá'í Fund" but send it to the Wilmette Institute for processing.

Q: How can I receive more detailed information about the Wilmette Institute's programs?

A: Further information can be obtained through or left at our automated toll-free 24-hour information line 1-877-WILMETTE.

You can contact the Wilmette Institute at 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, IL 60091- 1811; call toll-free 877-WILMETTE; or fax 847-733-3563; info@wilmetteinstitute.org.

Q: How can I help promote the Wilmette Institute?

A: We provide poster-ready copies of our course brochures, general posters for the Wilmette Institute, and PowerPoint presentations. All of these can be found in our Press Room.