Wilmette Institute course on Christianity


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Posted by Jonah on July 24, 1999 at 03:55:12:

Greetings,

The Wilmette Institute is pleased to announce the next course in its "World Religions: An Integrative Approach" series, Christianity for Deepening and Dialogue. The course is conducted via email, the web, and telephone. It will run September 1 to October 30 1999. Please visit the website, http://www.usbnc.org/wilmette, or write to wilmette_institute@usbnc.org for more information or to apply.

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 Baha'i Faith) and sharing one's faith perspective with the full variety of Christians in an informed and respectful manner.

A more detailed description of the course is included below. A number of current and ex-students have also volunteered to answer questions about the course. Please feel free to write to
Joyce Raine (jarjar@mscomm.com) Joseph Magaditsch (ko6xb@mail.pe.ne), Moira Padfield (randpad@earthlink.net), or LeRoy Jones (Lemijones@compuserve.com) for a student's perspective.

We hope to see you in class! -Jonah Winters

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TEXTS: (All are available from the Institute.)
        Chapter on Christianity in Mary Pat Fisher, Living Religions, 3rd ed.
        Chapter on Christian scriptures in James Fieser and John Powers, Scriptures of the World's Religions
        Compilation of Baha'i references on Christianity

FACULTY:
Mr. Dann May
Mr. Michael Sours
Dr. Robert Stockman
Mr. Jonah Winters

COST: $100 (Textbooks NOT included)
A twenty percent discount available when registering as part of a local group of three or more (who pledge to meet together semimonthly to study the texts). Larger discounts are available for even larger groups who plan to study the course together.

There are no residential requirements, for the course is conducted by correspondence and over the internet. The course is not part of the Spiritual Foundations program, which has a residential component.

College credit and scholarships may be available. Contact the registrar.


WORK EXPECTATIONS: The courses will take five to ten hours of work each week and will involve:

A. Reading and using the knowledge you acquire. The course has four units involving reading about Christianity, its scriptures, its prophecies, and its relationship to the Baha'i Faith respectively. During each, study questions are provided. Students wishing to take the course at the "introductory" level complete a learning self-assessment; those wishing to be challenged further can take the course at the "intermediate level" by completing a "religion study outline" about Christianity. All students must also complete one other "learning project" of their choice: giving a fireside, creating curricular materials for a local study class, completing an artistic project, or writing an essay.

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

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

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

E. Access to the course's password_protected web site, which includes additional study material and completed sample homework assignments.

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

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). Those wishing to take it at the "advanced" (graduate-school) level should contact the Institute ahead of time.





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