An Exciting Winter Line-Up

The Wilmette Institute is marking the tenth anniversary of its first on-line course—January 1998—with a series of exciting on-line courses, some new, some revised, and some venerable repeats. The first quarter of the year offers a new course and two revamped courses.

The first revised course—Islam for Deepening and Dialogue—begins on February 15. This popular course studies the life of Muhammad; reviews the revelation of the Qur’án and the central teachings of Islam; considers the role of hadith and the creation of shari’a law; examines the Sunni/Shiite split over issues of succession and authority; explores the sophisticated and tolerant civilizations of Islam’s Golden Age; and surveys the complexities of practicing Islam during the last two centuries. To help Bahá'ís understand the foundational role of Islam in Bahá'í teachings and terminology, a portion of the course on Islam examines the relationship of the Bahá'í Faith with Islam. The faculty includes Duane Troxel, the lead faculty member, Susan Maneck, and Peter Terry.

Science and Religion, a new course, will begin on March 1. Developed by Dr. Marleen Chase, the course will look at the relationship between science and religion and will examine the connections between the two topics; look at their dynamic relationship over time—especially since the advent of Christianity and Islam; compare their similarities and differences; consider how current discussions of scientific topics relate to the Bahá'í writings; and relate the Bahá'í writings to the larger debates between science and religion in society. Readings on science and religion will be drawn from the Bahá'í authoritative writings, works by Bahá'ís, and works by contemporary scholars. Dr. Chase, a scientist investigating infectious diseases and immunological responses, brings to the course a background in the history of science and medicine.

The final course for the first quarter of the year, starting on March 15, is another one that has been revised: Kitáb-i-Íqán and Gems of Divine Mysteries.  This course combines two previously offered courses, one on each work, to focus more effectively on the themes the two books share. The course is being taught by Hossein Achtchi, Ted Brownstein, and Helen Wilson.