Course Information

Welcome to the CFI Institute Online

The CFI Institute Online offers CFI courses entirely online -- everything about the course is provided on a CFI website. You will read the course lectures, follow links to other webpages, ask your questions, and participate in class discussion with the instructor and other students on our website. There is no specific time that you must be online. There is no "live" aspect to these courses, and you cannot miss anything even if you can only get online at 6am, or 11pm -- you can log in and participate anytime day or night, 24/7.

As a general rule, you should be able to devote a minimum of 5 hours per week to a course. The typical course runs for 2, 3 or 4 months in length. CFI courses do not currently carry any type of college credit or continuing education credit. There is no grading and no final grade, only a sort of a "pass/fail" judgment. You will receive a certificate of completion for a course if the instructor determines that you have consistently participated throughout the entire course (each instructor can offer their own specific criteria for participation).

CFI courses are either on the basic "Proficiency" (enrichment) level or the higher "Expertise" level (like an intro college course). You can learn more about CFI Institute courses by downloading our Institute Catalog: Institute_Catalogue_2011.pdf

CFI Institute Online uses course software by Moodle. Moodle is an Open Source Course Management System (CMS), also known as a Learning Management System (LMS) or a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It has become very popular among educators around the world as a tool for creating online dynamic web sites for their students. Visit the Moodle website to learn more about Moodle (you will leave the CFI website when you click this link).

Online courses are now jointly advertised by the Center for Inquiry and the American Humanist Association, and both organizations encourage their members/affiliates to consider taking them. Online courses are the most visible sign that CFI and the AHA have entered a cooperative relationship on some educational programming. That cooperation is facilitated by Dr. John Shook, who now serves as education coordinator for both CFI and AAH.

Already registered for a course? You can enter Moodle now.

UPCOMING COURSES: 

 

CURRENT COURSES: 
  • Transhumanism (SEC 238-0512) (May '12) 
    This one-month, four-module seminar will provide an introductory survey of Transhumanism, a forward-looking philosophy and ethics that advocates technological improvements to fulfill hopes for better living. 

    Instructors:     George Dvorsky, bioethicist, futurist, and Chairman of the Board of the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies; John Shook, PhD, CFI director of education, AHA education coordinator. 
    Course Topics: This four week, four-module short course, running from May 1 to May 31, introduces the philosophy and socio-cultural movement that is Transhumanism. We will survey its core ideas, history, technological requirements, potential manifestations, and ethical implications. Topics to be discussed include: the various ways humans have tried to enhance themselves throughout history; the political and social aspects of Transhumanism; the technologies required to enhance humans (including cybernetics, pharmaceuticals, genetics, and nanotechnology); and the various ways humans may choose to use these technologies to modify and augment their capacities (including radical life extension, intelligence augmentation, and mind uploading). Along the way we will discuss social and ethical problems that might be posed by human enhancement.
    Readings: Students will have access to the primary readings inside our online education software, along with supplemental texts and audio/visual materials, all available online at no extra cost. 
    Class Dates: May 1, 2012 to May 31, 2012. 
    Cost: $70 for general registration, $60 for CFI Friends of The Center, $30 for students (Valid educational institution email address required)

 PAST COURSES:
  • Practical Humanism (SEC 235-0312) (March-April '12) 
    This two-month, eight-module course will focus on the practical life skills Humanists use, and that anyone can benefit from regardless of their beliefs. Topics to be discussed will include: what Humanism is, the Humanist approach to happiness, Humanist ethics, freethought techniques, reality-based decision making, and personal responsibility.  

    Instructors:     Jennifer Hancock, humanist activist, author, speaker, and journalist; John Shook, PhD, CFI director of education, AHA education coordinator. 
    Course Topics: To introduce participants to the philosophy of Humanism and its history; To help participants understand the important role ethics plays in every day decision making; To introduce participants to a variety of critical thinking techniques; To help participants understand how and why these critical thinking techniques can help them make better decisions; To explore the role compassion plays in personal happiness; To explore altruism and its effects on the practitioner; To explore the role personal responsibility has in creating happiness; To explore various coping techniques for when things go wrong.
    Readings: Students will get access to Jennifer's new set of six instructional videos via online streaming, along with her new book, Jen Hancock's Handy Humanism Handbook. Students may purchase her other book, The Humanist Approach to Happiness: Practical Wisdom, at a discount. Supplemental writings will be available online at no extra cost. 
    Class Dates: March 1, 2012 to April 30, 2012. 
    Cost: $100 for general registration, $90 for CFI Friends of The Center. No student discount is offered for this course. 
  • Was Jesus Resurrected? (SCI 221-0112) (January '12) 
    This one-month, four-module course examines Christianity's claims about the divinity and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

    Instructors:     Robert M. Price, PhD, author and professor of theology and scriptural studies, Johnnie Colemon Theological Seminary; John Shook, PhD, CFI director of education. 
    Course Topics: Skepticism towards the New Testament; the implausibility of Jesus' resurrection; refuting theological defenders of resurrection; the mythical and theological invention of the figure of Jesus. 
    Readings: Students will purchase their own copies of the following book: Jesus is Dead (American Atheist Press, 2007) by Robert M. Price. Supplemental papers and lectures will be made available online at no extra cost to students. 
    Class Dates: January 1, 2012 to January 31, 2012. 
    Cost: $60 for general registration, $50 for CFI Friends of The Center, $10 for students (valid .edu email address required). 

  • *REPEATED DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND* - The Real Origins of Christianity (SCI 233-1211) (December '11)
    • This one-month, four-module course examines the historical origins of the Christian religion from a secular and skeptical perspective.
    Visiting Lecturer: Richard Carrier, PhD, philosopher, historian, and author. Course Topics: The origins and composition of the New Testament; Sociological, cultural, and religious context and how they caused early Christian beliefs; Discerning the historical, mythical and theological Jesus; Explaining early belief in his resurrection.
    Readings: Students will purchase their own copies of the following book: Not the Impossible Faith (2009) by Richard Carrier (also available in Kindle or PDF format). Supplemental papers and lectures will be available online at no extra cost to students.
    Class Dates: December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.
    Cost: $60 for general registration, $50 for CFI Friends of The Center, $10 for students (valid .edu email address required). 
  • Science and Religion in Islam (SCI 255-1111)
    This one-month, four-module course investigates the vexed relationship between modern science and traditional religion as it is played out in the context of Islam today.

    Instructors: Taner Edis, PhD, physicist and author, Truman State University; John Shook, PhD, CFI director of education.
    Course Topics: To Seek Knowledge in China/A Usable Past, Finding Science in the Quran, Created Nature, Redeeming the Human Sciences/A Liberal Faith?
    Readings: Students will purchase their own copies of the following book: An Illusion of Harmony: Science and Religion in Islam (also available on Kindle). Supplemental papers and lectures will be available online at no extra cost to students.
    Class Dates: November 1, 2011 to November 31, 2011.
    Cost: $60 for general registration, $50 for CFI Friends of The Center, $10 for students (valid .edu email address required).

  • The Real Origins of Christianity (SCI 233-0911)
    This one-month, four-module course examines the historical origins of the Christian religion from a secular and skeptical perspective. 

    Visiting Lecturer: Richard Carrier, PhD, philosopher, historian, and author. 
    Course Topics: The origins and composition of the New Testament; Sociological, cultural, and religious context and how they caused early Christian beliefs; Discerning the historical, mythical and theological Jesus; Explaining early belief in his resurrection. 
    Readings: Students will purchase their own copies of the following book: Not the Impossible Faith (2009) by Richard Carrier (also available in Kindle or PDF format). Supplemental papers and lectures will be available online at no extra cost to students. 
    Class Dates: December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. 
    Cost: $60 for general registration, $50 for CFI Friends of The Center, $10 for students (valid .edu email address required).

  • Evolution vs. Creationism (SCI 234)
    This two-month, eight-module course “teaches the controversy” between science and religion over life’s origins and development. This "controversy" doesn’t belong in schools (thanks to the Constitution) but secularists have to be prepared to defend science in the public square and politics. This class offers a brief review of Darwinian evolution, an explanation of the scientific method, a skeptic’s toolbox of ways to distinguish biology from pseudoscience, and a critical examination of creationism and intelligent design.

    Visiting Lecturer: Massimo Pigliucci, biologist, philosopher, and author. 
    Readings: Students will purchase their own copies of these two books: Massimo Pigliucci, Denying Evolution: Creationism, Scientism and the Nature of Science, and John Shook, The God Debates: A 21st Century Guide. Supplemental papers and lectures will be available online at no extra cost to students.

  • What is Atheism? (SEC 107)
    This four-module short course, running from April 1 to April 30, introduces the worldview of atheism by explaining its core definitions and stances, examining what it is good for, and illustrating why it is a useful position to take against religious faith in general and supernaturalism in particular.

    Course Topics: The correct definitions of who is an "atheist" and what is the stance of "atheism"; The reasons why people leave religion and become agnostics and atheists; Why atheism is a necessary and vital stance to take in today's world; How educated atheism can make a difference against religious belief and religion's politics. 
    Instructor: John Shook, PhD, CFI director of education
    Visiting Lecturer: John Loftus, MDiv, ThM, philosopher and author. 
    Readings: John Loftus' Why I Became an Atheist: A Former Preacher Rejects Christianity (2008), John Shook's The God Debates: A 21st Century Guide (2010), and online lectures on atheism by John Shook. Students will purchase their own copy of Loftus' and Shook's books. Additional lectures will be provided electronically at no cost to students.

  • Naturalism (SEC 224)
    This four-module short course, running from March 1 to March 31, introduces the philosophy of naturalism by explaining its core ideas, what it is good for, and why it is a better view of reality than any supernatural, mystical, or idealistic worldview. 

    Course Topics: The correct definitions of who is an "atheist" and what is the stance of "atheism"; The reasons why people leave religion and become agnostics and atheists; Why atheism is a necessary and vital stance to take in today's world; How educated atheism can make . 
    Instructor: John Shook, PhD, CFI director of education; 
    Visiting Lecturer: Richard Carrier, PhD, philosopher and author. 
    Readings: Richard Carrier, Sense and Goodness without God: A Defense of Metaphysical Naturalism (2005), and online lectures on naturalism by John Shook. Students will purchase their own copy of Carrier’s book. Additional lectures will be provided electronically at no cost to students.

  • Examining Christianity (SEC 221)
    This course examines the religion of Christianity, questioning its claims about such things as scripture, Jesus, salvation, the afterlife, and God. 

    Course Topics: The composition of the New Testament, the mythical and theological invention of Jesus, the implausibility of miracles and the resurrection, the criticism of Christianity for its immorality and injustices, and the general refutation of Christianity in light of reason and science. 
    Instructor: John Shook, PhD, CFI director of education; 
    Visiting Lecturer: Robert Price, PhD, religion scholar and author. 
    Readings: The Incredible Shrinking Son of Man (2003) by Robert Price and  The God Debates (2010) by John Shook. Students will purchase their own copies. Additional lectures will be provided electronically at no cost to students.

  • Freethought (SEC 203)
    This course discusses the prominent secular movements and major figures of freethought across American history down to the present day. 

    Course Topics: The role of freethought and secularism during the Revolution and the composition of the Constitution; abolition and feminism; defending evolution; the rise of agnosticism and atheism; the "golden age" of freethought in the 20th century; and the recent culture wars and struggles against fundamentalisms. 
    Instructor: John Shook, PhD, CFI director of education; 
    Visiting Lecturer: Susan Jacoby, scholar and author. 
    Readings: Freethinkers: A History of American Secularism (2004) by Susan Jacoby (Students will purchase their own copies). Lectures by John Shook and copies of supplementary articles will be provided electronically at no cost to students.

  • Nature and Morality (SEC 240)
    This course discusses the human place in the natural world and how we can naturalistically understand human morality. 

    Course topics: Understanding humans as entirely natural organisms using culture; Explaining religions as cultural supplements to human needs and activities; Scientifically understanding the natural intellectual capacities necessary for moral agency and moral responsibility; Why nothing religious or supernatural is required for explaining morality or for living a moral life; and How humanism offers a natural replacement for religious ethics. 
    Instructor: John Shook, PhD, CFI director of education;
    Visiting Lecturer: Dr. Jeff Schweitzer, scientist and author. 
    Readings: Beyond Cosmic Dice: Moral Life in a Random World (2009) by Jeff Schweitzer (Students will purchase their own copies). Lectures by John Shook and copies of supplementary articles will be provided electronically at no cost to students.

  •  Secularism (SEC 202)
    This course examines the idea of "the secular" and tracks the expansion of the secular realm of life into all areas of culture and society. 

    Course topics: Defining "secularity" and "secularism"; The demographics of secularism's growth; The mutual support between secularism, naturalism and humanism; The politics of secularism; The U.S. Constitution and separation of church and state; The development of church/state separation through key court cases; Current challenges to secularism in the U.S; Secularism in Europe; and Future challenges for secularism.
    Instructor: John Shook, PhD, CFI VP. 
    Readings: Why the Religious Right Is Wrong About Separation of Church & State (Prometheus Books, 2003; students will purchase their own copy of this book, for sale in bookstores and online) and free copies of articles by secular scholars, including authors publishing in Free Inquiry magazine. 
    Visiting lecturers & guests: Derek Araujo, JD, CFI Vice President and General Counsel and Director of Legal Programs, will regularly participate in the discussion areas of the course. Ronald Lindsay (CFI CEO) and Tom Flynn (CSH Exec. Dir.) will also participate as occasional contributors.

  • The History and Philosophy of Humanism (SEC 200)
    This course provides a general survey of the humanist perspective, including classical philosophies, the scrutiny of religious belief after the Renaissance, Enlightenment challenges to authoritarian religious and political structures, and contemporary developments in humanist thought. The course also charts the impact of humanist and scientific thinking on education, ethics, and politics.

    Instructor: John Shook, PhD, CFI VP.
    This course contains six lectures by Shook, from his next book on Humanism. 
    Course topics: Humanism Defined, Humanism and Naturalism, Humanism and Ethics, Humanist Ethics and God, Principles of Humanist Ethics, and Humanism’s Destiny. 
    Visiting Lecturers: Nica Lalli (during March) and Dale McGowan (during April) will participate in the discussion areas of the course.

For more information about online courses contact John Shook.  Questions about registration and technical support can be answered by the CFI Education Administrator.

Visit CFI Education to learn about CFI's many educational opportunities.

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