Graduation Requirements
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Message -----
From: Farzin
Aghdasi Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2002 7:51 AM Subject: Graduation requirements Dear All, As we near the final
phase of our course, I would like to spell out what may be called the
graduation requirements. Of course in a Baha'i deepening class there are no
such requirements and the smallest thing that you did for the course is still
beneficial for yourself. But if this was a university course there would be
some way of measuring the level of progress. Naturally in this course we will
rely on self assessment. My only request is that you should not be too hard on
yourself. Remember the words of the beloved Guardian that we should be infinitely
patient with others and with our own poor selves. The requirements
are: (1) reading assignments, (2) participation in the class discussions,
(3) a written output, and (4) an oral output. If you read
most of the primary reading (i.e. once skim over half the Book of Certitude)
and at least some of the secondary readings, then you have satisfied the
reading requirements. The maximum would be to have read the entire book and all
of the secondary readings that you received in emails. Participation in a
class is not only talking, but also listening and thinking. So If you have read
and thought about some of the questions that were posted, then you have
satisfied the participation requirements. The maximum would be to have raised
several questions or answers to questions by others. The writing
requirement is more difficult: you are required to write at least a 1-2 page
(or longer if you are so inclined) something on the course material. This is
similar to a term paper. This could be in the form of: a) a summary of one
of the topics, or it could be b) an analysis, or
commentary (remember the personal commentary on the tablet of true seeker) c) the script for a
drama, or d) a short story
that can be published in your national newsletter, or a short story for
children that can be shared in a Sunday class, or e) any other
literary or artistic expression As I wrote in the
beginning of the course, those of you who formulated questions of a block of 25
paragraphs have already satisfied this written requirement. A few people
did for two blocks. If you have done the questions and still would like to do
one of the written outputs above, please do it. The sky is the limit. If between now and
the formal end of the course at the end of December you do produce this
written requirement please share these with the class. If you have a written
output and would like me to comment on it, I will be happy to give you
feedback. The final
requirement is for an oral output. You are required to either give a talk on
what you have learnt, or to organize and conduct a deepening on it. The maximum
is to create and conduct a study class on the Book of Certitude. Classes which are organized to go
on for ever rarely go past the first 2-3 sessions! so plan to have a definite
beginning and end, say a weekly class for 6 sessions. You can call it a half
semester course and do it for the youth. But do produce a syllabus, lesson
plans etc. Be formal and systematic! I will ask you to
please send me a brief report assessing your own progress in terms of the above
four requirements. I will not share this with the class if you do not want me
to. If you stayed with the course for say one third and then got too busy, give
yourself a bare pass. If you did the minimum requirements outlined above give
yourself a good pass. And if you did the maximum explained above please give
yourself a pass with distinction. You have until the
end of December to complete the requirements. If you have never sent in a
question or a comment, or if you wish to do more in order to pass with
distinction you still have time. With warmest love Farzin