On-Line Distance Learning
April 14- August 1, 2008
Stories of the Grail Quest
From Celtic Myth to Christian Epic - The Archetypal Patterns of the Spiritual Journey
Listen to the Overview
A free 30 minute introduction to the seminar
Basic text for the course:
The Grail: from Celtic Myth to Christian Symbol by Roger Sherman Loomis (Orig. publ. 1963)

Lesson 1 - April 14 - Celtic Beginnings
Early Irish Myth of the Cauldron of Immortality, the Cup of Life.

Suggested Reading: The Mabinogion

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Lesson 2 - April 28 - Christian Apocrypha
Joseph of Arimathea & Mary Magdalene.

Suggested Reading: The Golden Legend
Selections on Joseph of Arimathea, Mary Magdalene, Martha, her sister Mary, and their brother Lazarus

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Lesson 3 - May 12 - The Mythic Landscape of the Grail Quest
Glastonbury, Tintagel, Camelot, Avalon

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Lesson 4 - May 26 - The Troubador's Telling of the Quest
Chretien de Troyes

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Lesson 5 - June 9 - The Knight's Telling of the Quest
Wolfram von Eschenbach

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Lesson 6 - June 23 - Feminine Archetypes
Morgan the Fey, Iseult the Fair, the Ldy of the Lake, and the Grail Maiden.

Lesson 7 - July 7 - Masculine Archetypes
Merlin the Magician, King Arthur, Sir Gawain, Sir Parsifal, and the Fisher King

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Lesson 8 - July 21 - The Spirituality of the Grail Quest
Celtic, Christian, and Jungian paths to the Grail Quest

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August 1 - Online Seminar Ends
Weekly Format - Every Other Monday the instructor emails a number of documents to the students. These include (1) a written text, (2) a sound-file, and (3) a short assignment. (Also, the weekly issue of the "Lectionary Storybook" which is an enrichment resource but not assigned reading or listening.) During the next few days the student completes this short written assignment and emails it back to the instructor. The instructor comments on the assignment, and sends both the original assignment and the comments to all of the students by email. There is open discussion over the two weeks. Estimated time per class every week is about 2 hours, determined and self-regulated by the student alone. There are no scheduled online meeting times - Everyone works at their own pace whenever they have the time. To receive credit, all eight assignments need to be submitted and accepted. There is no marking or grade system. Each course is a simple "complete" or "incomplete." Students who cannot complete assignments by the calendar date of ending can automatically request an 8-week extension. Key values in these courses are (1) one-to-one personalized learning between the instructor and each student, (2) Free and open discussion among the entire community of learners in the class. Key goals are (1) deepening knowledge and mastery of sacred storytelling skills, and (2) application of these skills to the student's life, work, or ministry. The online seminar is designed to be enjoyable as well as informative.
Credit towards the Apprenticeship in Sacred Storytelling
This online seminar consitutes one (1) unit toward completion of the Apprenticeship in Sacred Storytelling. A total of ten units (10) completes the requirements for graudation and award of a Certificate as Master Storyteller. The nine units include:
3 Master Classes (on site)
3 online preparations for Master Classes
3 elective seminars or retreats (on site or online)
1 independent apprenticeship project
Limited to Nine Participants.
Register Here for On-Line Seminar. Tuition is $495
(Includes a one-year subscription to the Lectionary Storybook, a $199 value, FREE)
Free One-Year Subscription to Parables Today: The Lectionary Storybook
As a registered student in the School for this online seminar, you will receive Parables Today for an entire year
For each additional online course, you receive an extension of your subscription for another year.
Parables Today, the Lectionary Storybook includes 156 stories for the Sunday lectionary readings over a three-year cycle.
Each issue contains written texts and audio sound-files
"The Small Print" - Online courses are tutorial, meaning that the instructor is committed to individualized instruction to help the student discover unique gifts and strengths as a storyteller. At the same time, a small community of learners, limited to 9 students, is at the heart of the seminar. In return for written and audio resources, and weekly discussion and evaluation, the student is expected to complete assignments and pay tuition. The tuition is due before class begins and is not refundable. Completion of course requirements can be delayed by agreement between the instructor and the student. All courses are applicable to the Apprenticeship or Fellows programs of the School of Sacred Storytelling for graduation and certification.