Kepler College of Astrological Arts and Sciences

Kepler College of Astrological Arts and Sciences

Kepler College of Astrological Arts and Sciences, located in the Seattle suburb of Lynnwood, Washington, is the first college in the Western world in nearly 400 years authorized to grant bachelor’s and master’s degrees in astrological studies. The dream of returning astrology to the halls of academia began September 3, 1991, when a group of like-minded individuals in the Pacific Northwest met to discuss the possibility of creating a degree-granting college with its complete curriculum designed around astrological studies. On March 10, 2000, Kepler College was granted authorization by the Higher Education Coordinating Board of Washington to open its doors.

The college’s mission is twofold: 1) to provide a quality learning environment that promotes academic excellence while furthering education and research in the field of astrological studies; and 2) to promote the reintegration of astrological knowledge and history with modern academia. The college’s existence is likely to lead to greater understanding of what astrology can offer society in the twenty-first century.

The first class started July 20, 2000. The distance learning with symposia program enables students from every state and nation to attend Kepler College. The college’s interdisciplinary curriculum is comprised of history, philosophy, cultural anthropology, mythology, comparative religion, psychology, astronomy, mathematics, logic, statistics, ethics, and systems theory, with all subjects taught through the lens of astrology. Kepler students not only explore various astrological theories and techniques used throughout history to the present, but critical thinking and open debate are important aspects of the program as well. Kepler’s curriculum challenges its students to explore, reason, experience, research, create, write, publish, and become contributing members of society.

The bachelor’s program includes three terms of the history of astrology: ancient, medieval, and the modern world. Another three terms comprise a year of studies called “The Art and Science of Astrology,” and include an exploration of various traditions, schools of interpretation, and mathematical systems used in astrology. A third year offers each student an opportunity to choose a specialization track among the following five options: 1) astrology and psychology; 2) Eastern and Western astrological traditions; 3) astrology and health sciences; 4) astrology and the social sciences; and 5) the theory and history of astrology. The fourth year of the bachelor’s program includes the option of taking numerous electives, studying astrological literature and research, and developing a final project to demonstrate the student’s knowledge. Two master’s programs are offered: Astrology and Counseling Psychology and Astrology and the Social Sciences.

At least two faculty team-teach each course. The teaching team cocreates the syllabus, and works in partnership the entire term, both with the distance-learning portion of the curriculum, as well as at the on-site six-day symposium. All faculty have higher degrees from accredited institutions, with most holding doctoral degrees. While the curriculum is designed primarily as a full-time curriculum, part-time as well as auditing options are available.

The college uses the services of Blackboard.com for the distance learning aspect of the program. The web site includes an interactive online “classroom” where faculty present questions and challenges that the students are expected to discuss online. The symposium takes place at a residential site in the Seattle area, and includes lectures, seminars, student presentations, debates, and other activities throughout the day and evening.

Kepler College graduates may become practitioners, business consultants, writers, or researchers. In addition to acquiring an excellent astrological education and obtaining a degree, Kepler students also make lifelong colleagues.

Source:

Kepler College of Astrological Arts and Sciences. www.kepler.edu