~ A PROPOSAL ~

Leading to a B.I.S In Neo-Pagan Clergy Studies

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Since I am now in San Diego, I am continuing my education through San Diego schools.
I will post an updated proposal for those schools when I have completed it.

One of the things that I feel very strongly about is that the Pagan Community is sorely lacking in formally trained Clergy. While many of our Clergy do very well without formal training, many more, in my opinion, who are sadly lacking in the skills necessary to lead our community. A Pagan Clergy member needs training in group dynamics and leadership, psychology and sociology (to run our covens, groves and churches), history, folklore, anthropology, (to understand our heritage and mythology) cosmology, the physcial sciences, (to understand more clearly the magick of the universe within and without) theatre, music (to enhance our ritual skills) and comparative religion (to put it all together and provide our framework). Not everyone can do everything well, but our community is often lacking in people who are able to do what they need well.

What follows is my proposal for creating a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Neo-Pagan Clergy Studies. In keeping with the purpose of the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies to "provide educational opportunities not available under the existing, traditional degree programs", I've designed a program which would permit me to study to become a member of the Clergy in my NeoPagan church, the Church of All Worlds.

To create this program, I have taken the outline of the university's (Georgia State University) requirements and then used our church's training guidelines, which is known as the RINGs system, to create a program which I feel serves to enhance the training of a CAW Clergy member. Of course, my own specialized interests also flavor the program. For example, I am very interested in the development of beliefs and religions, the theatrical dynamics of ritual, the use of music in ritual and in interpersonal dynamics and counseling, so all of that is included in the program. This is consistant with our church's training program as the RINGs are designed.

I've tried where possible, to make even the core consistant with the rest of my program. For the degree itself, I've chosen the "2 areas of concentration" and added an allied field to get the broadest possible blend. In the core curriculum I've chosen Latin as my language, although Greek would be more advantageous (because I had 3 1/2 yrs of Latin in High School and feel that I can probably re-learn that language without a formal course and more of the classic myth texts are in Greek) and if possible I will be requesting permission to take Greek at another school (GSU does not currently offer Greek).

I have submitted the first draft of this proposal to one of the senior Clergy members in our church and it meets with her approval. I have attached her comments on another form. If it would be helpful, I can also submit a letter from this Clergy member showing her support of this program of study.

PROPOSAL : B.I.S in NeoPagan Clergy Studies

College of Arts and Sciences Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies Program Plan:
Two Areas of Concentration

CORE CURRICULUM

Area A: Essential Skills (6 hrs)
1. English Composition Requirements:
Eng ENG 1101* / ENG 1103 English Composition I* / Advanced Composition 3
Eng/Hum ENG 1102* / ENG 2110 English Composition II* /World Literature 3
2. Mathmatics (3-4 hrs.):
Math MATH 1111* College Algebra* 5
Area B: Institutional Options (4 hrs.)
Philosophy PHIL 2410 Critical Thinking 2
Speach SPCH 1000 Human Communication  
Area C: Humanities and Fine Arts (6 hrs.)
Humanities PHIL 2010 Great Questions of Philosophy 3
Fine Arts THEA 2040 2040 Introduction to Theatre 3
Languages      
Area D: Science, Mathmatics and Technology (11 hrs.)
Sciences (2 courses from one series)
Sciences ASTR 1010 Astronomy of the Solar System 4
Sciences ASTR 1020 Stellar and Galactic Astronomy 4
Elective:
Sci / Math GEOL 2001 Geologic Resources and the Environment 3
Area E: Social Science (12 hrs.)
1. US History and US Government:
US Hist HIST 2110 Survey of United States History 3
US Govt POLS 1101* American Government* 3
2. World History:
Wrld Hist HIST 1111 Survey of World History to 1500 3
3. Social Science Elective:
Soc Sci ANTH 1102 Introduction to Anthropology 3
Area F: Courses Appropriate to the Major (18 hrs.)
Language LAT 1002 Elementary Latin II 3
Language LAT 2001 Intermediate Latin 3
Language LAT 2002 Latin Prose 3
Psychology PSY 1101 Introduction to General Psychology 3
Philosophy PHIL 2420 Logic Laboratory 3
Classics CLAS 2201 Greek Drama 3
Classics CLAS 2202 Classic Epic 3
Classics CLAS 2203 Greek and Roman Mythology 3
Theatre THEA Acting I 3

 

Area G: Area of Concentration: Religion, Culture and the Evolution of Beliefs

Conc RELS 3050 Introduction to Religion 3
Conc RELS 3230 Philosophy of Religion 3
Conc RELS 3200 Consciousness and the Paranormal 3
Conc RELS 4600 Metaphysics: Nature, God and the Self 3
Conc SOC 4360 Religion and Society 3
Conc ANTH 4070 Beliefs, Symbols and Systems of Thought 3
Conc ANTH 4090 Language and Culture 3
Conc ANTH 4300 Human Evolution 3
Conc PSY 4020 Social Psychology 3

 

Area G: Area of Concentration: NeoPagan Clergy Skills

Conc PSY 3560 Leadership and Group Dynamics 3
Conc PSY 4240 People in Organizations 3
Conc SOC 3346 Drug Use and Abuse 3
Conc SOC 3156 Sexuality and Society 3
Conc THEA 3100 Play Analysis 3
Conc THEA 3210 Acting II 3
Conc THEA 4070 Western Theatre History 3
Conc THEA 4080 Non-Western Theatre History 3
Conc MUS 3960 Introduction to World Music 3

 

Additional Allied Field: Pagan History, Culture and Folklore

Alfd HIST 3500 The Ancient Mediterranean 3
Alfd HIST 4510 Greek Civilization 3
Alfd FOLK 4100 British Folk Culture 3
Alfd FOLK 4110 Irish Folk Culture 3
Alfd WST 4370 Women and Religion 3

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