- Kepler College
Kepler College (formerly Kepler College of Astrological Arts and Sciences) is an institution of higher learning approved by the state of Washington that focuses on interdisciplinary liberal arts with an emphasis on the history of
astrology (http://www.kepler.edu/catalog/KeplerCatalog2007-2008.pdf). It is located inSeattle, WA and is named afterJohannes Kepler .Description
Kepler College was founded in 1991 in Seattle as a private, liberal arts college [http://www.kepler.edu/mission.html] . Since the college opened its doors in 2000 Associate's, Bachelor's and Master's of Arts degrees have been authorized by the State HECB [http://www.hecb.wa.gov] , though this does not indicate endorsement. 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 [http://www.kepler.edu/Catalog2006-2008.htm] .
The Kepler College faculty have a background in both historical and modern practices of
astrology . [http://kepler.edu/newsletter/faculty.htm] 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. [http://www.robhand.com/about.htm] Another faculty member, Nicholas Campion, PhD, in conjunction with Patrick Curry, PhD, edits the "Culture and Cosmos" [http://www.cultureandcosmos.com/] journal, on the history of astrology and cultural astronomy. Others are interested in modern practices, both Eastern, such as Gary Gomes, MA [http://www.astrologyguild.com/jaimini.htm] and Western, such as Georgia Stathis, MBA [http://www.hpleft.com/stathispro.htm] .The Kepler College board consists of prominent astrologers, educators, and business leaders [http://kepler.edu/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=31&Itemid=120] .
Criticism and controversy
John Silber , the rather 'hard line' & controversial chancellor ofBoston 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 forErnest 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 theUniversity of Washington ,Alvin Kwiram , called the school "ludicrous", saying, "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]The choice of name is also somewhat ironic, as
Johannes Kepler actually took a rather dim view of astrology. Sir Oliver Lodge writes of Kepler that "He is continually attacking and throwing sarcasm at astrology, but it was the only thing for which people would pay him, and on it after a fashion he lived." [Lodge, O.J., "Johann Kepler" in "The World of Mathematics", Vol. 1 (1956) Ed. Newman, J.R., Simon and Schuster, pp. 231.]References
See also
*
List of unaccredited institutions of higher learning
*School accreditation External links
* [http://www.kepler.edu/ Kepler College] – Official website
* [http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/32348_astrology23.shtml Seattle Times] – Article
* [http://www.seattleweekly.com/news/0134/news-fefer.php Seattle Weekly] – Article
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
