This four-week course will orient you towards some of the skills needed to share thoughts and express ideas that are accessible and of interest to others. The same skills are useful for writing about your own psi experiences, those of others, fictionalized versions of your own experiences, or straight-up fiction. Class sessions will cover basic writing concepts such as purpose, audience, genres, narrative voice, setting, imagery, dialogue, style/tone, and narrative structures – in parapsychological contexts, with examples focused on psi experiences.
Through exercises and critiquing, you'll explore your own writing with the instructor and with other students. You'll post it in an online forum each week, reviewing it online and in class discussions. Through the above process, you’ll develop your writing in ways that will interest potential readers. This four-week course is Part I of a two-part series. Part II will involve longer or more involved written work, to take place at a future date. You must take Part I to qualify to register for Part II, but you can also take Part I by itself. (Students taking this course to complete a certificate program must take both Part I & Part II.)
Students who are taking the course for a grade will be assessed using a letter grade based on the standard letter grade format.
Participation in the forums is a large component of the grading, and substantive postings are necessary to get full credit for each discussion topic.
The following activities will be considered to contribute to the courses as follows:
Christianity is the world’s largest religion. Approximately one third of the global population identifies as Christian, and it had an influential role in the development of parapsychology. Yet many have the impression that Christianity and parapsychology are incompatible and that all psychic phenomena are demonic deceptions. Even many Christians have the impression that “it’s always demons.” However, the scope of Christian thought is actually broader, and historic Christian thinkers have been open to psi phenomenon.
This course surveys the scope of Christian thought on parapsychological topics including extra-sensory perception (ESP), psychokinesis (PK), the survival of bodily death, and Church-sponsored field investigations of paranormal phenomena like apparitions, miracles, and spirit possession.
There is no specific text for this class, however, students will be provided with short readings or videos which will help them to better understand content of the lectures.
This will consist of multiple choice questions (scored automatically by the computer) and short answer/short essay questions (scored manually by the instructor). Total 60 points.
Evaluations and Grading
Students who are taking the course for a grade will be assessed based on thier participation and performance on the assigments.
Participation in the forums is a large component of the grading, and substantive postings are necessary to get full credit for each discussion topic.
The following activities will be considered to contribute to the courses as follows:
Discussions (Total 40%): 10 points for each of the 4 weeks including responses to other people's posts
Final Quiz (60%)
This 4-week online course explores the history and evolution of parapsychology as a scientific discipline. Beginning with early psychical research and J.B. and Louisa Rhine’s pioneering studies, we will trace the development of experimental methods and major discoveries in areas such as telepathy, remote viewing, and psychokinesis. The course also examines the field’s integration into mainstream science, including the Parapsychological Association’s affiliation with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), as well as ongoing debates and controversies. Finally, we will explore recent trends in implicit psi research and its potential applications in various fields
By the end of this course, students will:
There is no specific text for this class, however, students will be provided with short readings or videos which will help them to better understand content of the lectures.
Evaluations and Grading
Students who are taking the course for a grade will be assessed based on thier participation and performance on the assigments.
Participation in the forums is a large component of the grading, and substantive postings are necessary to get full credit for each discussion topic.
The following activities will be considered to contribute to the courses as follows:
Discussions (Total 40%): 10 points for each of the 4 weeks including responses to other people's posts
Final Project (60%)
What do musical artists Alice Coltrane, Willie Nelson, John Cage, RZA, and Billie Eilish have in common? They've all drawn from paranormal language to describe their creative process. From séance hymns and orchestral meditations to dream pop, cosmic country, and spiritual jazz, the relationship between music and psi phenomena is far more than novelty—it's at the center of the creative process. Throughout music history, we encounter the paranormal at every turn. Music has always been used as a tool for inducing psi states, and for centuries musicians and composers across all genres have derived creative agency from psi experiences, metaphysical philosophy, and related disciplines of intuition.
This 4-week course explores how musicians and composers have drawn inspiration from intuitive disciplines and the psi states they facilitate. We'll begin with a reflection on traditional psi music research getting familiar with related phenomena and concepts, then explore three fascinating perspectives on psi music in practice: Altered States (clairaudience, trance, synaesthesia, psychedelia), Symbolism & Synchronicity (dreams, divination, sacred geometry, myth), Magick & Meditation (ceremonial magick, prayer/mantra, meditation, and healing). Along the way we'll listen to incredible music and reflect on the creative process of paranormally inspired artists. Each week's course will offer a suggested short reading and a creative exercise.
This course is open to all creatives in any medium—no musical training, knowledge of theory, or spiritual beliefs are required (and all are welcome).
There is no specific text for this class, however, students will be provided with short readings, videos, and audio clips in the courseroom.
Evaluations and Grading
Students who are taking the course for a grade will be assessed based on thier participation and performance on the assigments.
Participation in the forums is a large component of the grading, and substantive postings are necessary to get full credit for each discussion topic.
The following activities will be considered to contribute to the courses as follows:
Discussions (Total 40%): 10 points for each of the 4 weeks including responses to other people's posts
Weekly Assignments (30%)
Final Project (30%)
This 4 week course will explore some of the important people who helped to build the field of parapsychology and who made major breakthroughs that revolutionized the sciences. This course focuses on the people, their lives and their contributions, to give depth to our understanding of the evolution of parapsychology from the 19th century through modern times.
This course will include some of the original psychical researchers, the early years of parapsychology in academic environments, major contributors through the mid to late 20th century, and some more recent researchers who have made thier marks on the field.
The focus of this course will be the people of parapsychology, but the list of people who are included may change each time it is taught based on the preferences of the instructor.
There is no specific text for this class, however, students will be provided with short readings or videos which will help them to better understand content of the lectures.
Evaluations and Grading
Students who are taking the course for a grade will be assessed based on thier participation and performance on the assigments. The coures is evaluated on a passing or no credit basis. A score of 70 is a passing grade.
Participation in the forums is a large component of the grading, and substantive postings are necessary to get full credit for each discussion topic.
The following activities will be considered to contribute to the courses as follows:
Discussions (Total 72%): 18 points for each of the 4 weeks including responses to other people's posts
Final Project (30%) - brings the total to 102%
Page 9 of 10