Applications now open: Social Transformation Certificate Program--deadline 8 January, 2024
Social Change: Bahá'í Approaches

Deepen your understanding of the role of religion in social evolution, its conceptualization of the direction of social progress and how the Bahá’ís are engaging in social action.

Social Transformation
Duration
9 weeks
Weekly Study
4-6 HOURS
Dates
Apr 8-Jun 9
Register By
April 13, 2021

This course considers some of the most controversial issues of the day -- politics, economics, human rights, the environment -- and what can be done about them from the point of view of the Bahá’í Faith. It provides an overview of the Bahá’í perspective on the nature, purpose and evolution of society; the role of the individual, the community and its institutions in carrying forward an ‘ever-advancing civilization’; and the value of social action. Each unit provides an introduction to the Bahá’í texts and principles on the topic, the tools used by Bahá’ís to translate these into their own thinking, social discourse and action, and case studies of the implementation of these at the grassroots. It examines the Bahá’í view of history, its understanding of the role of religion in social evolution, its conceptualization of the direction of social progress and how the Bahá’ís are engaging in social action at present, using the tools of education and training, reflection, service to humanity and consultation. Course participants will be encouraged to make use of what they learn in the conversations they have with others and as they participate in public discourses in spaces such as interfaith meetings or meetings or conferences of civil society organizations. Individual units look at power, politics, governance and law; economics, work and business, poverty eradication and wealth; human rights, gender equality; justice, eliminating prejudice; the environment; unity, peace, development; education, service to humanity, consultation.

Topics
Meet Your Faculty
teacher
Barney Leith, OBE, BA

I have been a Bahá’í since February 1966 and have served on various institutions, including Local Spiritual Assemblies, the Auxiliary Board (for Protection), and the National Spiritual Assembly of the UK. In the early 1970s, I trained as a high school teacher of history and English and taught in state... See Faculty Bio

teacher
Wendi Momen, MBE, PhD
Governor, London School of Economics

I was born Wendy Cunningham Wirtshafter in Hollywood, California, one of the few people who can actually claim that. My parents, Buddy Worth and Carol Morris were nightclub entertainers and jazz musicians and until I went to school I did not know my real last name, only the professional one... See Faculty Bio

teacher
Dan Wheatley, MA
Adjunct Professor, London programs of Arcadia and Syracuse Universities

Dan Wheatley worked on global governance issues in British Parliament for five years and is currently employed by the Bahá’í community of the UK as Senior Diplomatic Officer. His work covers defence of Bahá’í communities facing persecution, and discourses in UK society. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Sociology at... See Faculty Bio

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