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%)
Students who complete this course with a passing grade will receive a certificate of completion from the Rhine Education Center.
This 8 week course is designed to introduce students to the field of Parapsychology and what parapsychologists study. Topics will include an overview of the phenomena (Telepathy, Clairvoyance, Precognition, Psychokinesis, and Survival Issues), history, research methodologies in the lab and for field investigation, and related issues that make up the vibrant field of scientific parapsychology. Also covered will be the major criticisms and critics of Parapsychology and a look at fraud as it applies to professionals and to consumers. The course textbook is Introduction to Parapsychology, 5th edition by Harvey Irwin and Caroline Watt, and will be supplemented by additional articles.
Required Text: Introduction to Parapsychology, 5th ed. by Harvey J. Irwin & Caroline A. Watt. McFarland & Company: 2007. Available from Amazon.com and other booksellers.
Additional articles will be assigned and provided in the classroom, or linked from the classroom.
Week 1: INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW: What is Parapsychology?
Week 2: A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY: An Overview
Week 3: EXTRASENSORY PERCEPTION: An Overview
Week 4: PSYCHOKINESIS: An Overview
Week 5: PSYCHOKINESIS: Special Topics AND PSYCHIC FRAUD OVERVIEW
Week 6: SURVIVAL OF BODILY DEATH: An Overview of Concepts and the Evidence
Week 7: FIELD RESEARCH AND INVESTIGATIONS
Week 8: EXPLANATIONS, CORRELATIONS, CRITICISMS, IMPLICATIONS & APPLICATIONS and WRAPPING UP
All students are considered to be auditing the courses, but students may choose to take this course for a letter grade. Whether being graded or not, all students are encouraged to participate fully in this class and join in the online discussions. This provides an opportunity to get the full experience of the online class and learn the most about the topics that are presented.
Students taking this course for a letter grade will be evaluated using the following information and every student who completes the course with a passing grade will be awarded a Certificate of Completion from the Rhine Education Center.
| Grading and Assessments | |
| Discussion Participation (40% of your grade) | |
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Engagement with discussion forums throughout the course (total 40%)
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Assessment I (30% of your grade)
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Multiple Choice and/or short answer test (submitted online).
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Assessment II (30% of your grade)
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Multiple Choice and/or short answer test (submitted online).
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Instructor: Loyd Auerbach
This unique eight week course will be broadcast live on Wednesday evenings, but many students choose to watch the recordings of the classes if they cannot attend them live. The first broadcast will be on Wednesday, February 7th through March 27th. Besides the weekly class broadcasts, there is an online discussion forum for students to share their ideas, answer questions about the lectures, and communicate with the instructors.
This survey course will examine altered states of consciousness (ASC) including those induced by meditation, hypnosis, sensory deprivation, music, and substances. ASCs will be explored from the perspectives of neuroscience, psychology, consciousness research, parapsychology, and anthropology. As this is a survey course, it provides essentially an overview of a spectrum of ASCs, with a deeper exploration/focus on dreams.
Week 1: INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW
Overview of the Course
What is Consciousness?
What is an Altered State of Consciousness (ASC)?
The Importance of Perception to ASCs
Overview of Specific ASCs and Techniques to Induce Some of Them
Week 2: Meditation, Hypnosis, & Sensory Deprivation
Types of Meditation
Effects of Meditation on States of Consciousness
Effects of Meditation on the Brain
Hypnosis: An Overview
Is the Hypnotic State Really an Altered State?
Effects of Hypnosis on Perception, Memory and the Body/Brain
Sensory Deprivation Techniques
Effects of Sensory Deprivation on States of Consciousness
Week 3: Sleep and Dreams
Sleep and Dreaming in General
Cycles of Sleep and Dreaming
Types of Dreams
Lucid Dreaming in Brief
Nightmares and Night Terrors
Hypnogogic and Hypnopompic States
Normative, Repetitive, and Impactful Dreams
Brief Theories of Dreams and Dreaming
Week 4: Psychic Dreaming (Part I)
Psi Dreaming: Overview
Healing Dreams
Visitation Dreams
Telepathic and Mutual Dreaming
Past Life Dreams
Week 5: Psychic Dreaming (Part II)
">Real-Time Dreams
">Precognitive Dreams
">Deja Vu in Dreams
Dreams and Out of Body Experiences
Lucid Dreaming
Week 6: Sleep Disorders & Working with Dreams
Overview of Sleep Maladies
Sleep Paralysis & Hynagogic Visions
Dream Recall
Dream Incubation
Dream Symbols
Creativity and Dreams
Working with Psychic Dreams
Week 7: Consciousness Altering Substances and Technology
Overview of Mind-Altering Substances
How is the Brain Affected?
Food & Nutrition
Alcohol
Psychedelics & Hallucinogens
Stimulants & Depressants (Legal and Illegal)
PsychoTechnology: Biofeedback, Magnetic Fields (Natural & Man-Made) and More
Week 8: Additional ASC Inductions, Summary, & Wrap-up
Music/Sound as an ASC Induction Technique
Movement/Dance as an ASC Induction Technique
Disease and Illness as Inducing ASCs
Overview of Uses of ASC Induction: from Shamans to Modern Medicine
Parapsychology and ASCs
Summary and Wrap-Up
Final Quiz
All students are considered to be auditing the courses, but students may choose to take this course for a letter grade. Whether being graded or not, all students are encouraged to participate fully in this class and join in the online discussions. This provides an opportunity to get the full experience of the online class and learn the most about the topics that are presented.
Students taking this course for a letter grade will be evaluated using the following information.
| Grading and Assessments | |
| Discussion Participation (40% of your grade) | |
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Engagement with discussion forums throughout the course
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Mid-Term quiz: Short answer/essay (30% of your grade)
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Final quiz: Short answer/essay (30% of your grade)
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