Visit the Rhine Education Center for more information and to register for these great online courses! These online courses may be taken for credit towards a certificate (the Rhine has several certificate programs) or simply for fun/for your own information.
Here are the courses starting in February (through March):
Field Investigations: Investigating Apparitions, Hauntings, and Poltergeists (8 weeks) with Loyd Auerbach, MS
Tuesday, February 4th - March 25th
8:00pm - 10:00pm Eastern Time
The Field Investigations course is designed as an overview to introduce students to the methodologies of parapsychologists specifically with regard to the spontaneous occurrence of psychic experiences as they occur outside laboratory settings, with a main focus on cases of reported Apparitions, Hauntings and Poltergeists. Attendees will gain an understanding of the very basic skills and needed for investigation of ghosts, poltergeists, haunted places and related psychic experiences. The class will include:
- The conceptual models of the phenomena,
- How the scientific and psychic approaches can mesh together, and
- How to assess a situation, investigate it, and resolve the case to the satisfaction of the people having the experiences.
A Skeptical Approach to Parapsychology (8 weeks)
with Loyd Auerbach, MS & Kenny Biddle
Monday: February 3rd - March 24th
8:00pm - 9:30pm Eastern Time
Every good scientist recognizes the importance of taking a skeptical perspective to research and study results. From examinations of early spiritualists to recent psi challenges, skeptics have played an active role in the progress of parapsychology and our understanding of psi phenomena.
This course will discuss parapsychology from a skeptical perspective including an evaluation of how skeptics have helped and hindered the progress of the science. Important concepts of critical thinking will be introduced, including how true skeptical thinking has been a part of the parapsychological process both in and out of the lab.
This course will also look at popular misunderstandings and misconceptions about psi phenomena, the onset of pseudo-skepticism, and the role of true skepticism in scientific investigations.
Paranormal Phenomena: EVP, ITC, and Technology (4 weeks>
with Loyd Auerbach, MS
Monday, March 5th - March 26th
8:00pm - 10:00pm Eastern Time
This 4-week course will focus on the technology used to examine paranormal phenomena. We will explore Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP), Instrumental Transcommunication (ITC), and other technology that is often used in the investigation of paranormal phenomena.
Theories of Psi: An Introduction (8 weeks)
with John G. Kruth, MS
Tuesday: February 4th - April 1st (No class 2/11)
2:00pm - 4:00pm Eastern Time
Many people claim that there is no theoretical foundation for psi phenomena, but over a century of research has involved many theories of psi activity and the best way to demonstrate psi phenomena. From theories of animal magnetism to quantum physics to astrology, researchers have been testing the validity of theories that may contribute to the events that so many people experience in their lives.
This course is an introduction to the theories that guide psi researchers in their quest to better understand how psi works. It includes practical theories like the experimenter effect and the decline effect, psychological theories like the sheep-goat effect, and more recent theories like Decision Augmentation Theory, First Sight Theory, and even an exploration of similarities between psi phenomena and quantum physics.
Students should have a foundation in parapsychology with a focus on reviewing research articles. It is an introduction to the theories of psi, but does not include an introduction to parapsychology.
Writing About Your Experiences - Part I (4 weeks)
with Sally Ann Drucker, PhD
Monday: February 3rd - February 23rd
2:00pm - 4:00pm Eastern Time
This course is a seminar course and has very limited enrollment.
Are you interested in writing about paranormal phenomena or psychic experiences?
Writing Sample - SpookyWhether writing about your own psychic experiences or those of others, in this course you'll go over some of the tools needed to share your thoughts and express ideas in ways that are accessible and interesting to others. These same skills are useful for writing fiction or fictionalized versions of your own experiences.
Class sessions will cover basic writing concepts such as purpose, audience, narrative voice, setting, imagery, dialogue, and style – but in parapsychological contexts, with examples focused on psi experiences. Through exercises and critiquing, you'll explore your own writing with the instructor and with other students. Each week you will provide a writing sample in an online forum and review your work in the online courseroom and in live class discussions.
This four-week course is Part I of a two-part course. Part II will involve longer or more involved written work, and it will be offered at a later date. You must take Part I to qualify to register for Part II, but you can also take Part I by itself. (Students taking this course to complete a certificate program must take both Part I & Part II.)