Introduction to The Epistle to the Son of the Wolf
TOPIC:
Bahá'u'lláh's last major work, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, is a recapitulation of many of the main themes in His writings, gives a restatement of His claim to be God's Manifestation for this day, and serves as a compilation of some of His most important statements, for Bahá'u'lláh re-revealed many passages to illustrate the breadth and depth of His revelation. The recipient was an arch-enemy of the Faith who assisted his father in bringing about the deaths of two prominent believers and who instigated the 1903 persecutions of the Bahá'ís of Yazd.
DATES:
January 15 to April 15, 2001
TEXTS:
The Epistle to the Son of the Wolf and a compilation of descriptions and commentaries on the work assembled by the Institute.
FACULTY (tentative):
Dr. Iraj Ayman
Mr. Habib Riazati
Mr. Michael Sours
Dr. Robert Stockman
Mr. Jonah Winters
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:
Reading and using the knowledge you acquire.
The course is divided into a series of units, each of which involves reading
part of the Epistle and related texts. The course offers a series of study
questions, learning projects, and sample tests on Epistle, including
giving a deepening or fireside; doing an artistic project; or finishing a
writing project about it.
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 are provided.
Participation in "esw" 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.
Access to the course's password-protected web
site, which includes additional study material and completed sample homework
assignments.
Voluntary participation in conference calls
with up to five other students and a faculty member.
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).
