Kepler College: Difference between revisions
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'''Kepler College of Astrological Arts and Sciences''' is an [[school accreditation|unaccredited]] online institution of higher learning devoted to [[astrology]]. It is located in [[Seattle, WA]] and is named after [[Johannes Kepler]]. Currently, it is approved by the [[Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board]], but lacks accreditation from groups approved by the [[US Department of Education]]. {{unaccredited|Kepler College}} |
'''Kepler College of Astrological Arts and Sciences''' is an [[school accreditation|unaccredited]] online institution of higher learning devoted to [[astrology]]. It is located in [[Seattle, WA]] and is named after [[Johannes Kepler]]. Currently, it is approved by the [[Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board]], but lacks accreditation from groups approved by the [[US Department of Education]]. {{unaccredited|Kepler College}} |
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==Description and history of Kepler College== |
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'''Kepler College''' was founded in 1991 as a private, [[liberal arts]] college and the [[curriculum]] and [[instructional designs]] were developed by Gary Lorentzen, Joanne Wickenburg and Roxana Muise. The curriculum was approved in 1999 by the [[Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board]] and the school opened its doors in 2000. Since 2000 the [[Associate of Arts]], [[Bachelor of Arts]] and [[Master of Arts]] degrees have been approved by the Higher Education Coordinating Board. As a new institution of higher education, Kepler College is currently researching and developing its accreditation applications with a target date for application after 2007. Its integrated and coordinated curricula focus on the [[history]], [[mathematics]], [[astronomy]] and the social, political and scientific applications of [[astrology]] in world civilizations from the earliest historical cultures until today. Students are challenged to develop [[critical thinking]], analytical and academic writing skills through Kepler's uniquely integrated and coordinated academic programs. [http://www.kepler.edu] |
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==Criticism and controversy== |
==Criticism and controversy== |
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[[John Silber]], chancellor of [[Boston University]] wrote, "The promoters of Kepler College have honored Kepler not for his strength but for his weakness, as if a society advocating drunkenness named a school for [[Ernest Hemingway]]."[http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/32348_astrology23.shtml] 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."[http://www.astrologer.com/aanet/pub/mediawatch/july01.htm] The vice provost for research at the [[University of Washington]], [[Alvin Kwiram]], called the school "Ludicrous" because "If I set up a college of tae kwon do, would they approve it? ... What if we had a college of quack medicine?"[http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/32348_astrology23.shtml] |
[[John Silber]], chancellor of [[Boston University]] wrote, "The promoters of Kepler College have honored Kepler not for his strength but for his weakness, as if a society advocating drunkenness named a school for [[Ernest Hemingway]]."[http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/32348_astrology23.shtml] 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."[http://www.astrologer.com/aanet/pub/mediawatch/july01.htm] The vice provost for research at the [[University of Washington]], [[Alvin Kwiram]], called the school "Ludicrous" because "If I set up a college of tae kwon do, would they approve it? ... What if we had a college of quack medicine?"[http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/32348_astrology23.shtml] |
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Gary Lorentzen, in a letter to the editor of the Boston Herald in response to Dr. Silber, said, "I find it unbelievable and unacceptable that an academician like John Silber should attempt to denigrate a genuine effort to examine the role astrology has played in human intellectual development and the course of civilization." Both Silber and Kwiram also call into question the State of Washington and its role in approving the academic program at Kepler College. The academic program wouldn't have been approved by the Higher Education Coordinating Board if the the curriculum were not academically rigorous, intellectually valid and broad enough in scope and sequence to be considered college level study. One only needs to read through the Kepler College catalogue to see that the programs of study, the faculty and the degrees that are offered are appropriate for state authorization. |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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Revision as of 15:36, 2 October 2006
Kepler College of Astrological Arts and Sciences is an unaccredited online institution of higher learning devoted to astrology. It is located in Seattle, WA and is named after Johannes Kepler. Currently, it is approved by the Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board, but lacks accreditation from groups approved by the US Department of Education. Kepler College is not accredited by any accreditation body recognized by its country. According to the US Department of Education, unaccredited degrees and credits might not be acceptable to employers or other institutions, and use of degree titles may be restricted or illegal in some jurisdictions.[1]
Criticism and controversy
John Silber, chancellor of Boston University wrote, "The promoters of Kepler College have honored Kepler not for his strength but for his weakness, as if a society advocating drunkenness named a school for Ernest Hemingway."[1] 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."[2] The vice provost for research at the University of Washington, Alvin Kwiram, called the school "Ludicrous" because "If I set up a college of tae kwon do, would they approve it? ... What if we had a college of quack medicine?"[3]
See also
External links
- Kepler College – Official website
- Seattle Times – Article
- Seattle Weekly– Article