Dearest friends,
A most loving welcome to the
first week of our course! There are over 40 registered participants so far, from
7 countries. It is a very diverse group as we will see from the introduction,
and will lead to very interesting interactions and discussions.
The first assignment, noted
on page 10 of the syllabus, is to:
Introduce yourself -- we are
all looking forward to getting to know each other in our virtual classroom.
1. number the paragraphs of
your book as per Appendix 1 of the Syllabus;
2. Review the entire
syllabus; please do ask for any clarifications;
3. Study thoroughly only the
first 2 pages of Century of Light entitled Foreword and Century of Light.
4. Make one or more very
simple visual presentations such as an outline, a diagram, or a graph that will
help explain the objectives of Century of Light as mentioned in the first 2
pages.
We have already received
several introductions -- they'll be sent out today in one email, and will be
updated as others are received.
Warmest Bahá'í greetings to
all,
Sylvia
____________________
Allah'u'Abha to all!
This is the second week of
our course, there are now over 60 registrants from 9 countries.
We are still receiving
introductions - if you haven't already sent yours in, it would be good if you
could as they are really helping everyone get to know each other. We will be
sending a complete list of all who are registered for the course, we've been
waiting a bit as registrations kept coming in last week.
The assignment for this week
is noted in the Syllabus, page 11, provided below as a guide to how we will be
using the thematic questions each week.
The optional questions from
the Study Guide in Appendix 2 are also listed.
Submission of assignments:
This is optional, and if you
do want to submit a written assignment, it will be sent to one of the tutors
for comments. Please decide what would be most helpful to you - sometimes
writing is useful, or posting questions for further discussion amongst our
class members. The Wilmette Institute requests their students to submit one
posting a week - this is good guide for us when considering how much to do, and
can vary in length and complexity depending on the level the student has
chosen. There are 3 levels - introductory, undergraduate, and graduate.
Discussion points and
questions:
Please do feel free to
submit, for general discussion, either a question or discussion points. Please
send them to me so that I can compile several emails containing the original
point and responses. This will keep our emails from becoming too overwhelming,
and hopefully will provide the facility to follow the threads of a discussion.
Unit 2 Assignment:
Reading: in Century of
Light: Pages 1*5. Paragraphs 1.1*2.19
Discussion suggestion:
Kindly respond to one or more of the following :
Thematic Question: 1. a;
2.; 3. a, b; 5.
**************************************************************
The Thematic questions are:
(pages 5-6 of the Syllabus)
1. What are the
unprecedented profound changes that the world underwent during the past
century?
Suggestion: When responding
to this question, you may wish to consider gradually gleaning from Century of
Light:
a. the political and
socio-economic conditions and attitudes, including spiritual orientation,
prevailing in the Western World and the rest of the human family,
at the beginning of the century.
2. What were the factors
that led to the emergence of the Bahá'í Faith from obscurity?
Suggestion: As you go
through the units of the course you may wish to note down the unfolding events
within and without the Cause that resulted in the following:
At the beginning of last
century, the Bahá'í Faith was, for all practical purposes, unknown in the
international arena. By the end of a mere hundred years, in addition to
numerous worldwide achievements, the Cause played an astoundingly high-profile
role in the international gatherings called for at the end of the millennium by
the United Nations, particularly during the Millennium Summit.
What led to this meteoric
rise?
3. What indicates that
during the last century "a fundamental shift in consciousness was under
way throughout the world" which
effectively is leading to a "crumbling" of "barriers"
standing in the way of the oneness of humankind?
Suggestion: A response to
this question calls for, among other matters, identifying in broad terms the
following:
a. What are some of the
distinguishing features of the oneness of humanity as expounded in the
Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh?
b. To what extent was the
mindset of humanity in agreement with these features at the beginning of last century?
5. What do you find to be
spiritually enriching in Century of Light?
Suggestion: This question is
best left to the discretion of each student. However, while you respond,
consider, among other matters, the acknowledgement that the Supreme Body made
in Century of Light concerning the positive contribution of many individuals
who are not Bahá'ís. How did this affect you?
----------------------------------------------
Optional assignment:
questions from the Study Guide (Appendix 2):
- How did humanity bring ruin upon itself during the last
century? paragraphs 1.1*1.2
- How was the majority of the human family victimized by the
western powers? 1.6-1.7
- What were the accomplishments of the peoples of the West? 1.8
- What was the spiritual situation of humanity at the turn of
the century? 1.9-1.10
- Compare the beginning of last century with the beginning of
this century.
Warmest Baha'i love,
Sylvia
_____________________
Allah'u'Abha to all!
Welcome to the 3rd week of
our course. We are now well underway, and the responses to the discussion
questions are extremely thoughtful and will be interesting to all. They are
being posted on the website, Personal comments from the tutor will be sent back
individually.
The assignment for this week
is noted in the Syllabus, page 11:
Century of Light: Pages 17*29.
Paragraphs 3.1*3.27.
Discussion suggestion: One
or more of the following:
Thematic Question: 2.;
3. a; 4.; 5.
2. What were the factors that led to the emergence of the Bahá'í
Faith from obscurity?
Suggestion: As you go
through the units of the course you may wish to note down the unfolding events
within and without the Cause that resulted in the following:
At the beginning of last
century, the Bahá'í Faith was, for all practical purposes, unknown in the
international arena. By the end of a mere hundred years, in addition to
numerous worldwide achievements, the Cause played an astoundingly high-profile
role in the international gatherings called for at the end of the millennium by
the United Nations, particularly during the Millennium Summit.
What led to this meteoric
rise?
3. What indicates that during the last century "a fundamental
shift in consciousness was under way throughout the world" which effectively is leading to a
"crumbling" of "barriers" standing in the way of the
oneness of humankind?
Suggestion: A response to
this question calls for, among other matters, identifying in broad terms the
following:
a. What are some of the
distinguishing features of the oneness of humanity as expounded in the
Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh?
4. How did the Bahá'í Cause demonstrate on a global scale its
unifying power?
Suggestion: Taking into
consideration the background of the manifold historical divisive traditions and
belief systems separating people before they embrace the Faith, and keeping in
mind the importance of maintaining the beauty of the diversity in the human
family, what are some of the unique features distinguishing the unity of Bahá'í communities worldwide.
In addition to what is in
Century of Light you may add other information you can substantiate.
5. What do you find to be spiritually enriching in Century of Light?
Suggestion: This question is
best left to the discretion of each student. However, while you respond,
consider, among other matters, the acknowledgement that the Supreme Body made
in Century of Light concerning the positive contribution of many individuals
who are not Bahá'ís. How did this affect you?
----------------------------------------------
Optional assignment:
questions from the Study Guide (Appendix 2):
What brought joy to the
heart of 'Abdu'l-Bahá? 3.1-3.1.1
Why is an appreciation of
the circumstances in which the Cause expanded in the West vital for us today? 3.2
Why is the heroism of the
early Western Bahá'ís as affecting as that of their Persian coreligionists? 3.3
In what way should our
response to the Five Year Plan be similar to the activity of the early Western
believers? 3.5-3.5.1
How qualified, in worldly
terms, was the Master when He embarked on His journey to the West? 3.6-3.6.1
What did the Master
proclaim? List His proclamation in points. 3.10
What are the means to
achieve the goals identified by 'Abdu'l-Bahá? How do they relate to the current
Five Year Plan? 3.11
How did 'Abdu'l-Bahá
demonstrate the way in which the spiritual and the practical must interact? 3.12
How were the Western Bahá'ís
able to grasp what the Cause required of them? 3.14
What was the secret bond
between the individuality of the believers and the community? 3.16
How does this relate to the
three components of "accelerating the process of entry by troops"? ?
What, in the final analysis,
is the revolutionary change required in the structure of society
and to what should human
nature submit? 3.18
How did 'Abdu'l-Bahá
announce that he was the Center of the Covenant?
(See drama in video of the
World Congress 92) 3.19-3.20.1
Who violated the Covenant?
What did they do? And what became of their efforts? 3.21-3.24
What do you think will be
the fate of the Covenant-breakers of today and tomorrow? ?
Warmest Baha'i love,
Sylvia
__________________________________
Dearest Friends,
Warmest greetings to all,
the 4th unit of our course.
The assignment for this week
is noted in the Syllabus, page 11:
Reading from Century of
Light: pages 29-42, paragraphs 3.28 *
4.9.
Discussion suggestion: One or more of the following:
1. a, b; 2; 3; 4; 5. (quoted
below)
--------------------------------------------------
1. What are the unprecedented profound changes that the world
underwent during the past century?
Suggestion: When responding
to this question, you may wish to consider gradually gleaning from Century of
Light:
a. the political and socio-economic conditions and attitudes,
including spiritual orientation, prevailing in the Western World and the rest
of the human family, at the beginning
of the century,
b. the events that caused these conditions and attitudes to change
throughout the century.
2. What were the factors that led to the emergence of the Bahá'í
Faith from obscurity?
Suggestion: As you go through
the units of the course you may wish to note down the unfolding events within
and without the Cause that resulted in the following:
At the beginning of last
century, the Bahá'í Faith was, for all practical purposes, unknown in the
international arena. By the end of a mere hundred years, in addition to
numerous worldwide achievements, the Cause played an astoundingly high-profile
role in the international gatherings called for at the end of the millennium by
the United Nations, particularly during the Millennium Summit.
What led to this meteoric
rise?
3. What indicates that during the last century "a fundamental
shift in consciousness was under way throughout the world" which effectively is leading to a
"crumbling" of "barriers" standing in the way of the
oneness of humankind?
Suggestion: A response to
this question calls for, among other matters, identifying in broad terms the
following:
a. What are some of the distinguishing features of the oneness of
humanity as expounded in the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh?
b. To what extent was the mindset of humanity in agreement with
these features at the beginning of last century?
c. What events led to the "shift in consciousness"
throughout the world towards some of the features you determined in question (a)
above?
d. What are some other features related to world unity towards which
the world is not yet converging?
4. How did the Bahá'í Cause demonstrate on a global scale its
unifying power?
Suggestion: Taking into
consideration the background of the manifold historical divisive traditions and
belief systems separating people before they embrace the Faith, and keeping in
mind the importance of maintaining the beauty of the diversity in the human
family, what are some of the unique features distinguishing the unity of
Bahá'í communities worldwide.
In addition to what is in
Century of Light you may add other information you can substantiate.
5. What do you find to be spiritually enriching in Century of Light?
Suggestion: This question is
best left to the discretion of each student. However, while you respond,
consider, among other matters, the acknowledgement that the Supreme Body made
in Century of Light concerning the positive contribution of many individuals
who are not Bahá'ís. How did this affect you?
Optional assignment
questions from the Study Guide: (Appendix 2)
What was the view of the
Communist Party regarding religion? 3.31
Compare the pressure that
science and technology were exerting on the prevailing order at the turn of last
century with its influence on the prevailing order today.
Why is President Woodrow
Wilson described as an extraordinary statesman? 3.36-3.39
What are the closely related
developments that are associated with the dawn of world peace? 3.41
Why was the League of
Nations stillborn? 3.41.1-3.42
What action did 'Abdu'l-Bahá
take to ensure the proclamation of the Faith all over the world? Explain. 3.44
How is our current Five Year
Plan related to the Tablets of the Divine Plan?
Who should play a leadership
role in establishing the Cause throughout the Planet? Who gave them this
responsibility? 3.44.1-3.45
What event dramatically
illustrates the spiritual triumph of the Master? 3.47
IV)
How long will it take for
the potentialities released in the Formative Age to unfold? 4.1
Who was 'Abdu'l-Bahá? 4.2
What were His achievements? 4.3
Explain the two conditions
for unity in the first paragraph on page 41. 4.4
How can these two conditions
be integrated in the teaching work today?
Explain the definition of
unity given in the second paragraph on page 41. 4.5
What will ensure the unity
of the Bahá'í Cause? 4.6-4.7
What is an important fact
for present day Bahá'ís to understand? 4.8
With warmest love to all in
our endeavour to study together,
Sylvia
______________________
Dearest Friends,
Welcome back after the break -- and
loving thanks to all who sent in such informative documents and thoughtful
comments.
The assignment for Unit 5 is (as
noted in the syllabus):
Readings: Century of Light: Pages 43–58. Paragraphs 5.1 – 5.34.
Discussion suggestion: One or more
of the following:
Theme
Question: 1. a, b, 2.; 3. b, c;
4.; 5.
Optional questions are in the Study
Guide (Appendix 2).
With warmest greetings to all,
Sylvia
_____________________________
Dearest friends,
The readings for Unit 8 are:
Century of Light: Pages 83–95. Paragraphs 7.01–8.21.
The discussion suggestions from the
theme questions are:
Theme Question: 1. b, c, d; 2.;
3. c, d; 4.; 5.;
7.
The optional questions (#s 84 - 91) are listed in Appendix 2.
With warmest Baha'i love,
Sylvia
_______________________________
Dearest friends,
We have the bounty of commemorating
the Birth of Baha'u'llah during this week -- happiest Holy Day to all!
The readings for Unit 9 are:
Century of Light: Pages 97–111. Paragraphs 9.1–9.34.
Discussion suggestion: One or more
of the following:
Theme Question: 1. b, c, d; 2.;
3. c, d; 4.; 5.;
7.
The optional questions (#s 92 - 119) are listed in Appendix 2.
With warmest Baha'i love,
Sylvia
_______________________________
Dear all,
Before all else, can we
please remember in our prayers our dearly beloved co-worker and co-member of
our course, Dr. M. Ahmadi, and for his dear family. Dr. Ahmadi, a long-term
pioneer and servant of the Cause in Swaziland, passed away on Sunday, 16th November.
Further details may be obtained from Debbie Dadgar, on behalf of the NSA of
Swaziland, at dadgar@realnet.co.sz. Sorry to start this email message with such
news.
Now, our readings for the
week are:
Century of Light: Pages 113*125.
Paragraphs 10.1*10.28.
Discussion suggestion: One
or more of the following:
Theme Question: 2.; 3.
c; 4.;
5.
Optional questions are, as
noted in the appendix:
page paragraph
120. Beyond the building of Bahá'í Community, what is the mission of the
Revelation of God? 113 10.1
121. What efforts were made by Bahá'u'lláh, 'Abdu'l-Bahá, and Shoghi
Effendi in the field of external affairs? 113-115 10.1-10.7
122. What crises greatly advanced Bahá'í involvement with the Larger
Society? 115, 117 10.5,10.10
123. When was the "Bahá'í International Community" accredited
at the UN? Who established it? What role did it play?116*117 10.6,10.8
124. Throughout the history of the Faith, at moments it was subjected to
great oppression and injustice, outstanding individuals and nations have arisen
in verbal defense of its central figures and/or its oppressed communities. Briefly, give an outline history of this
process. 117
125. In general terms, what prompted these individuals and nations to
arise in the defense of the Faith?
126. What effect did the steadfastness of the believers in Iran have on
the Bahá'í and non-Bahá'í world? 118*120 10.12-10.17
127. How has the human rights system of the United Nations benefited
from the long struggle of the Bahá'ís? 121*122 10.18-10.19
128. What was the effect of The Promise of World Peace on the Bahá'í
Community? 122 10.20
129. What was the effect of The Promise of World Peace on the
relationship between the Bahá'í International Community and the UN? 127*128 10.22-10.25
130. What victories did the National Spiritual Assemblies of Germany and
Brazil win? 124-125 10.26-10.27
131. What do you think the effect of Century of Light will be on the
Bahá'í Community?
132. What type of effort can be identified as being part of external
affairs?
133. What are the objectives of external affairs?
134. Have you carried out any activity that can be considered "external
affairs"? (If yes, what, when?) Is there any external affairs activity
that you can carry out? (If yes, what, when?) ?
With warmest Baha'i love to
all,
Sylvia
_______________________________
Dear all,
Almost to the end of the course! It
may be a good time to think about the projects. Appendix 4 has information and
suggestions about this optional assignment. Some options are:
Literary Projects:
Self-evaluation
Essay
on one of themes or objectives
Essay
on an aspect of Century of Light
8
– 14 page write-up: research paper on one of the themes
Curriculum
for presentation
Applied projects:
Artistic
Poetry
Short
story
Song(s)
Painting
Sculpture
Dance
Dramatic
Presentations - Skit, Monologue, Other theatrical
Presentational Projects:
Fireside-talk
to a mainly non-Bah*’* audience
Deepening
class
Slide
presentation
Knowledge Maps:
Chart
Graph
Illustration
Timeline
A literary project may be combined
with an applied project.
Appendix 4 has details on these
options, and we will also try our best to offer suggestions. It will be
wonderful to see all the diverse projects as they will help us in our own
understanding and in seeing how to make additional use of the Century of Light
in our teaching efforts.
The readings for this week are:
Century of Light: Pages 127–136. Paragraphs 11.1–11.22.1.
Discussion suggestion: One or more
of the following:
Theme
Question: 1. b, c, 2.; 3. c; 4.;
5.; 6.; 8.
Optional questions are in appendix
2.
With warmest Baha'i love to all,
Sylvia
_______________________________
Dear all,
We have reached the last reading
assignment for our course -- the very last assignment will be the projects, due
by the 21st December. They no doubt will be extremely enlightening, after that,
a well-deserved rest for all!
The final reading assignment is:
Century of Light: Pages 137–145 Paragraphs
12.1–12.18.2
Discussion suggestion: One or more
of the following:
Theme
Question: 1. c, d; 2.; 3. b, c, d;
4.; 5.; 6.;
7.; 8.
With much love to all,
Sylvia