Learner-Centered Programs
Introductory Short Course
The Pranām Introductory Short Course includes 9 modules that cover some of the basics and give participants a taste of collaborative learning. Those who later decide to continue their collaborative learning journey get a discount on the Level 1 Program or Level 1+2 Combo Program.
$99/person + $50 for 8 Spiritual Practice Guides & supply kit
Group discount: $792 for 8-12
2-4 online modules/week for 3-5 weeks
Level 1 Program
Level 1 explores some of the defining aspects of Hindu communities and American Christian communities and some of the most acute sensitivities between them. It facilitates both critical self-reflection on subconscious cultural biases and appreciative inquiry to foster deeper understanding and more open and authentic relationships between these communities. It includes 22 online modules, 8 Spiritual Practice Guides & supply kit, and a 3-day onsite practicum with 20-28 hours of guided community interaction.
$300/person
Group discount: $2,400 for 8-12
2-4 online modules/week for 6-11 weeks
Level 1+2 Combo Program
Level 2 explores more complex difficulties that Hindu communities and American Christian communities face when they begin to interact in more collaborative ways. It exposes participants to cultural skills they can develop to overcome these difficulties. It includes 12 additional online modules.
$400/person
Group discount: $3,200 for 8-12
2-4 online modules/week for 9-17 weeks
What Makes our Programs Unique?
Our programs use a cohort model of 6-12 colearners working together through a careful progression of learning modules and program levels that build on each other.
Modules use collaborative learning methods which are learner-centered, meaning the traditional role of an instructor who lectures as an expert is replaced by the role of a facilitator who guides the progression of group learning activities as an experienced colearner along with the cohort.
We arrange new cohorts year-round and work to accommodate the scheduling needs of all participants.
Our Level 1 Program and our Level 1+2 Combo program conclude with a 3-day onsite practicum that can be organized and hosted in any location in North America that meets two simple requirements: there must be a large Hindu temple nearby and some relational connections between local communities of Hindus and Christians.
Program levels that gradually lead learners into deeper understanding
•
Program levels that gradually lead learners into deeper understanding •
INTRODUCTORY SHORT COURSE MODULES
100.Orientation: Meet fellow colearners and facilitators to collaboratively define a safe learning environment and share personal goals and expectations for the cohort.
101. Cultural Glasses: Participate in a simulation that experientially illustrates our natural unawareness of our own cultural bias and the critical self-reflection required to move beyond it.
102.What is Hinduism?: Hinduism is not a religion or a unified philosophical system, so what is it, and why does it matter how we define it?
103. What is Christianity: The word “Christianity” is not found anywhere in the literature of the Bible, so where did it come from and why does it matter?
104. Hindu Society: Explore the structure of traditional Hindu society and the traditional responsibilities and expectations in different stages of life.
106. Collectivist & Individualist Identity: Learn how Western individualist identity represents a threat to traditional Eastern collectivist identity and how to navigate these sensitivities.
110. Christian Sacred Literature: Explore how print-culture has completely changed the way Christians interact with their scriptures only in the last 600 years. Before that, all cultures were oral-dominant cultures that interacted with their scriptures in oral-dominant ways, as Hindu cultures still do.
113. Sacred Objects, Sacred Space: Learn the importance and the holistic sensorial meaning of sacred objects and sacred space within Hindu civilization and various Christian civilization.
119. Bounded & Centered Sets: Consider the practical applications of a simple yet profound diagram comparing two distinct frameworks for defining membership in social groups. How does our understanding shape perceived identity?
125. Vocabulary Matters: Learn to recognize untranslated words that have been imported from one language and culture to another as well as the complex impact that can have. Learn how simple translations of these words eliminate unnecessary cultural barriers.
FULL COURSE LIST OF MODULES COMING SOON!
Schedule
1-2 video meetings are scheduled with cohort each week for 2.5 hours to cover 2 modules in each meeting
3-day onsite practicum will be scheduled at a location most convenient for each cohort to conclude Level 1 Programs and Level 1+2 Combo Programs
Workload
30 pages per module of required reading on average
Additional Cohort Interaction
8 online interactive Spiritual Practice Guides to go through on your own with supplies provided
Guided sessions of spiritual practice during onsite practicum, incorporating traditional Hindu cultural forms with the teachings and life example of Jesus
Private discussion forum for cohort members and facilitators to interact outside of weekly video meetings
Community Interaction
During the onsite practicum: community exploration, temple tours, Q&A with Hindus, traditional Indian meals, and a public gathering for spiritual practice incorporating traditional Hindu cultural forms with the teachings and life example of Jesus
Cost
Pricing for Level 1 Program and Level 1+2 Combo Program includes food and local travel for onsite practicum but not lodging or travel to/from practicum
Contact us for groups of 13+ people
On multiple occasions we have worked with schools where participants are enrolled in order to arrange for them to receive academic credit for completing a program with Pranām. You must receive approval from your school and from the Pranām directors before beginning the program. You must then complete both Level 1 & 2 consecutively along with additional writing assignments.
Academic Credit
Pranām Community Membership
When you participate in any Pranām program, you become part of the Pranām Community with ongoing access to a private discussion forum with your cohort as well as an exclusive discussion forum for all of our alumni and donors. All Pranām alumni are welcome to repeat any level at up to a 90% discount!