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    Apply for one of the Correspondence courses

    Studying the Writings of Shoghi Effendi:

    Introduction to The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh

    click here to download The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh (offsite)

    TOPIC:

    The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh is perhaps the most important work by Shoghi Effendi. It consists of seven letters penned between 1930 and 1936 to the Bahá'ís of the United States and Canada. The letters treat some of the most important subjects addressed by the Guardian: the stations of Bahá'u'lláh, the Báb, `Abdu'l-Bahá, and the Administrative Order, which otherwise might never have been grasped clearly; the nature, and purpose of the Bahá'í Administrative Order and its relationship to other forms of organization, a matter vital to understanding the Faith's uniqueness; and the relationship between the Administrative Order and the Golden Age, crucial for understanding the future of the Faith. A clear understanding of these epistles is essential for a well-deepened Bahá'í.

    DATES:

    June 1 2002 through August 31 2002

    TEXTS:

    Students should purchase a copy of The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh. Students may also wish to purchase Morton Bergsmo's Studying Shoghi Effendi's Writings, but it is not required. The Institute will supply other study material.

    FACULTY (tentative):

          Rodney H. Clarken
          William Collins
          Laid Lundberg
          Geoffrey Marks
          Muhammad-Ali Mazidi
          Robert Stockman
          Jim Stokes

    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). Larger discounts are available for even larger groups who plan to study the course together. We also offer a 20% senior citizen discount, and a 20% discount for students who have taken one of the earlier courses in the Shoghi Effendi series.

    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 course may be taken at the introductory level (a basic course that will help students teach the Faith more effectively), the intermediate level (for more in-depth study) or the advanced level (equivalent to graduate-level study).

    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 Dispensation and related texts. The course offers a series of study questions, learning projects, and sample tests on Dispensation, 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 "Dispensation" 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).

    Apply for one of the Correspondence courses

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