#10 Continuum of Humanist Education debuts

By MARY ELLEN SIKES
Humanist Network News
First published June 9, 2004

In a general announcement Tuesday, 8 June, IHS executive director Matt Cherry opened the virtual doors of the Institute's Continuum of Humanist Education to the public.

"Today, our mission to spread the humanist message far and wide has suddenly gained new momentum," wrote Cherry. "We hope you'll experience the excitement firsthand by visiting our newly unveiled Continuum of Humanist Education (COHE) Website at http://HumanistEducation.com."

COHE is the world's first online, interactive humanist educational program. Using twenty-first century technology, COHE strives to explore and advance humanist thought in fresh and stimulating ways. Interactive exercises, student-controlled glossary options, and a community bulletin board are just a few of the innovative tools COHE students will use to enrich their humanist education experience. The COHE motto is Sapere Aude -- Dare to Know.

COHE debuts with courses in humanism, psychology, religion, science, ethics, and politics. Modules are immediately accessible to anyone, anywhere in the world, with an Internet connection. Some, like the Introduction to Humanism demo course, are open to the public at no charge whatsoever. Others are available at low introductory rates.

The courses offered through COHE are not found anywhere else on the Internet. During this introductory period, they are available at a fraction of the cost of most other online courses. This reflects the Institute's commitment, as an innovative not-for-profit, to remove as many barriers as possible from the advancement of humanism. But it is also a way for IHS to thank the first wave of students.

COHE students will become partners in this new adventure in humanist learning. Since new courses and features will be added in response to student demand, student support and feedback will help COHE develop and flourish. IHS looks forward to working with its students as the Continuum evolves. Forwarding COHE news and linking to the COHE Website are strongly encouraged.

HNN readers can sign up now, using COHE's free, automated, no-obligation registration procedure, or dive straight into the free demonstration course, An Introduction to Humanism. Also available to new site visitors are a Get Started tour, a course catalog, and more.

Mary Ellen Sikes, associate director of the Institute for Humanist Studies, is site designer and technical project leader for the Continuum of Humanist Education.