Kepler College
Kepler College (formerly Kepler College of Astrological Arts and Sciences) is an institution of higher learning which was permitted by the state of Washington to grant degrees between March 9, 2000 and March 9, 2010. It focused on interdisciplinary liberal arts with an emphasis on the history of astrology. However students attending Kepler College after March 9, 2010, unless they are completing a course of study,[1] are not awarded degrees but certificates of completion of a course of study.[2] Kepler is located in Lynnwood, Washington, a suburb of Seattle, and is named after Johannes Kepler. The degrees granted by Kepler are not recognized by national or regional accrediting agencies.[3]
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[edit] Description
Kepler College was founded in 1991 in Seattle as a private, liberal arts college [2]. Kepler College's integrated and coordinated programs of study focus on a cross-cultural comparison of the history, astronomy, social and cultural role of astrology for the past 3000 years, including how it has been used in the sciences, politics, medicine, literature and other social institutions. As part of this study, the mathematics and application of astrology is examined using techniques ranging from the Vedic to Western systems and from the Hellenistic period through to modern day [3]. Kepler awarded its first 8 Bachelor of Arts degrees in Astrological Studies in 2004.[4]
The Kepler College faculty have a background in both historical and modern practices of astrology.[4] Some are actively involved in re-examining the role astrology has played in history and in translating ancient texts. For example, Robert Hand, MA helps translate and preserve historical texts through Arhat.[5] Another faculty member, Nicholas Campion, PhD, is the author of the two-volume History of Western Astrology and, in conjunction with Patrick Curry, PhD, edits the Culture and Cosmos[6] journal, on the history of astrology and cultural astronomy. Others are interested in modern practices, both Eastern, such as Gary Gomes, MA [7] and Western, such as Georgia Stathis, MBA [8].
The Kepler College board consists of prominent astrologers, educators, and business leaders [9].
[edit] Criticism and controversy
The school and the Higher Education Coordinating Board approval have been criticized due to Kepler's focus on astrology. One critic affiliated with the University of Washington compared the study of astrology to the study of tae kwon do or quack medicine.[5] The school's name also has been a subject of comment. John Silber, the chancellor of Boston University suggested that the name "honored Kepler not for his strength but for his weakness, as if a society advocating drunkenness named a school for Ernest Hemingway."[5] Silber noted, "The fact is that astrology, whether judged by its theory or its practice, is bunkum. In a free society there is no reason to prevent those who wish to learn nonsense from finding teachers who want to make money peddling nonsense. But it is inexcusable for the government to certify teachers of nonsense as competent or to authorize — that is, endorse — the granting of degrees in nonsense."[6]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "Degree-Granting Authorization". Kepler College. http://www.kepler.edu/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17:kepler-college-authorization&catid=38:about-kepler-college&Itemid=153. Retrieved March 26, 2011. "Kepler College Authorization Degree-Granting Authorization Kepler College is authorized by the Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board and through March 9, 2010, the College met the requirements and minimum standards established for degree-granting institutions under the Degree Authorization Act. Students attending the college between March 9, 2000 and March 9, 2010 (and extended to March 9, 2012 to include students completing the teach-out of their degrees) earned Washington State authorized degrees in: Associate of Arts Bachelor of Arts Master of Arts in: Eastern and Western Traditions The History, Philosophy and Transmission of Astrology"
- ^ "Certificate Program Information". Kepler College. http://www.kepler.edu/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=100&Itemid=212. Retrieved March 26, 2011.
- ^ "Was your degree program accredited?". Kepler College. http://www.kepler.edu/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=142:are-you-accredited&catid=7:general-information&Itemid=121. Retrieved March 26, 2011.
- ^ "Kepler College First Graduation, October 10, 2004". StarIQ.Com. http://www.stariq.com/pagetemplate/article.asp?PageID=5789. Retrieved March 26, 2011.
- ^ a b McClure, Robert (July 22, 2001). "Astrology school sets off controversy". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. http://www.seattlepi.com/local/32348_astrology23.shtml.
- ^ [1]
[edit] External links
- Kepler College – Official website
- "Astrology school sets off controversy" article by Robert McClure in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer July 23, 2001
- The degree program offered 2007-2008
- Certificate program offered 2011-2012
