Mining the Gems: Individual Development
Weekly Assignments

Compiled by: W. Huitt
Last Revised:
November 2009


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General instructions:

 

Each week we will read and consider at least an article from a secular/scientific source and Baha段 scripture for the topic to be considered. You should make at least one posting on the selected readings. Your posting should provide information to your fellow students as to the value of the article and how it supports or differs from a Baha'i scripture you read. Some weeks you will also be invited to explore links to websites and articles on the topic written from a Baha'i perspective.

 

The following are some questions/issues to consider as you prepare your postings:

1.      Which article did you read? Why did you initially select that one?

2.      What is the major concept(s) or issue(s) the author is attempting to address?

3.      In your opinion, did the author achieve his/her purpose? Why or why not?

4.      What major concept, principle, issue, etc. specific to this topic do you believe is important based on your reading of the Baha段 scripture? Was this considered in the article you read?

5.      If you read an article or visited a website that you enjoyed, you might want to write a short description and state your reasons for recommending it to others.

6.      How do you think you could use this information in guiding your personal development? In guiding the development of children and youth?

 

Unit 1: Introduction (Part A; October 1 - 7)

 

Write a short introduction with some ideas about why you are taking this course and what you hope to get from the experience.

 

Read one of the following articles relating to issues of the relationship of religion, science, and philosophy. Write an overview/critique of the article; discuss how you agree or disagree with a major point the author is making.

Read scripture selections for an introduction to the course:

 

Read other articles linked above, articles from Baha段 sources, and/or explore weblinks as desired:

 

Unit 2: Introduction (Part B; October 8 - 15)

 

Read one of the following articles or view the webcast. These provide an overview to the topics to be discussed in the course:

Read scripture selections for introduction to the topics to be covered in the course:

 

Read other articles linked above, articles from Baha段 sources, and/or explore weblinks as desired:

 

Unit 3: Spiritual Development (October 16 - October 24)

 

Read one of the linked articles:

 

Read scripture selections for spiritual development:

 

Read other articles linked above, articles from Baha段 sources, and/or explore weblinks as desired:

 

Unit 4: Moral Character Development (October 25 - November 1)

 

Read one of the linked articles:

 

Read scripture selections for moral character development:

 

Read other articles linked above, articles from Baha段 sources, and/or explore weblinks as desired:

 

Unit 5: Personal Style (November 2 - 10)

 

Read one of the linked articles:

 

Read scripture selections for personal style:

 

Explore at least one of the personal style inventories:

 

Read other articles linked above, articles from Baha段 sources, and/or explore additional inventories as desired:

 

Unit 6: Cognitive Reasoning and Development (November 11- November 19)

 

Read one of the linked articles:

 

Read scripture selections for cognition and thinking:

 

Read other articles linked above, articles from Baha段 sources, and/or explore weblinks as desired:

 

Unit 7: Affect and Emotional Development (November 20 - November 28)

 

Read one of the linked articles:

 

Read scripture selections for affect and emotion:

 

Read other articles linked above, articles from Baha段 sources, and/or explore weblinks as desired:

 

Unit 8: Conative/Volitional Development (November 29 - December 7)

 

Read one of the linked articles:

 

Read scripture selections for conation and volition:

 

Read other articles linked above, articles from Baha段 sources, and/or explore weblinks as desired:

 

Unit 9: Social Development (December 8 - December 16)

 

Read one of the linked articles:

 

Read scripture selections for social development:

 

Read other articles linked above, articles from Baha段 sources, and/or explore weblinks as desired:

 

Unit 10: Awareness and Consciousness (December 17 - December 24)

 

Read one of the linked articles:

 

Read scripture selections for awareness and consciousness:

 

Read other articles linked above, articles from Baha段 sources, and/or explore weblinks as desired:

 

Unit 11: Summary and Reporting of Activities (December 25 - December 31 )

Discussion Questions: What have you learned about the subject of the course? What particularly struck or interested you? How will it help you in your own personal development and transformation? How will it assist you in completing the goals of the Five Year Plan?

Group correspondents: please send a report of your local study group痴 meeting to your group痴 mentor.

Final Two Projects: To complete the course, all students must do two things: a presentation of some sort, and a written exercise of some sort. If you are a member of a group you can do these two projects collaboratively, but everyone should turn in their own written description of what they did. Please make a post to the forum summarizing what you have done.