The New Life Seminary cycle of classes for 624/ (2009) is underway! The majority of our classes are held on Sundays at 9 am prior to our service. All classes are free to the public, and everyone is invited to participate. We welcome Africans who are generally sincere in their efforts to learn and "become". Classes generally meet for 6-7 weeks, with a 2-3 week break between classes.
Each Sunday, we also offer a wonderful course for children, named in honor of Steven Biko, and called the Biko class. Children learn about Our creation story, the Medu Neter, and our cosmology under the instruction of Mama Jumoke Hinton-Hodge. Anyone interesting in joining Wo'se should see the Director of Curriculum, Baba Aaron Jones, regarding the community's Orientation class.
Looking for previous courses and blogs? Click here for 6247 or 6248
Wo’se Community of the African Way: The House of Amen Ra is located at 8924 Holly Street (near 90th Avenue - see google map) in Oakland. Parking is available in the church’s parking lot. For further information, please call (510) 632-8230.
Class Excerpt
AFRICAN HISTORY COURSE :
A video excerpt from the year's first class
Orientation
DATE:
Various dates throughout the year, generally based on accomodating persons considering membership into Wo'se INSTRUCTOR: Baba Jahi Awakoaiye
LEVEL:
Introductory (perspective members) PREREQUISTE: None BRIEF: An orientation to Wo'se Church of the Sacred African Way: The House of Amen Ra. The history of Wo'se, its constitution, organizational structure, core beliefs, practices, membership requirements and services. This course is specifically designed for new members and visitors who have expressed an interest in possible membership.
African History
DATE: Jan 4 - Feb 15 (7 weeks) TIME: Sundays from 9 to 10:15 am LOCATION: Sanctuary (1st floor) at Wo'se INSTRUCTOR: Minister Greg Hodge LEVEL: Introductory seminar PREREQUISTE: None BLOG: Classes currently under session will have a blog for posting notes, assignments and for students in the class to share and exchange ideas. Anyone is free to view the blog, but only students in the course can post comments. [view blog] BRIEF (view the syllabus): This introductory class will provide learners with a broad overview of African History from Dynastic Kemet to the contemporary African Diaspora. The overall framework is inspired and informed by Ayi Kwei Armah's The Eloquence of the Scribes which organizes African history into three periods: 1) the scribes of Kemet; 2) the court Griots of Western Africa through European dominance of the continent; and 3) contemporary continental and diasporic history. The intent is to provide an understanding of the key events, actors, and circumstances that are the backdrop of our spiritual traditions. HANDOUTS: Selected handouts are available from time to time. If any handouts are available, they are listed below.
Rhythms of Nature
DATE: March 1 - April 12 (7 weeks) TIME: Sundays from 9 to 10:15 am LOCATION: Sanctuary (1st floor) at Wo'se INSTRUCTOR: Jahi Awakoaiye LEVEL: Introductory seminar PREREQUISTE: None BLOG: Classes currently under session will have a blog for posting notes, assignments and for students in the class to share and exchange ideas. Anyone is free to view the blog, but only students in the course can post comments. [view blog] BRIEF (view the syllabus): An introductory seminar on the cycles in nature and their influence on ancient ancestral ideas concerning the divine presence in our biosphere. The seminar will largely consist of pre-sentations by NLS teachers who will engage participants in lively conversations as to how this theme plays itself out in various facets of Earthlife. The course introduces students to some basic vocabulary in Blackland (Kemetic) Spirituality and lays a conceptual foundation for Spring Equinox activities which annually occur at Wo’se. HANDOUTS: Selected handouts are available from time to time. If any handouts are available, they are listed below. Session 1 Handout: VIDEOS (Cosmos) (Milky Way) READING (Kemetic Mythology) Session 2 Handout: VIDEOS (Seasons) READING (Global Warming and the Bay) (Effects of sunlight) (Mountains under ice)
The Creations
DATE: April 26 - June 7 (7 weeks) TIME: Sundays from 9 to 10:15 am LOCATION: Sanctuary (1st floor) at Wo'se INSTRUCTOR: Baba Ray Davis LEVEL: Introductory PREREQUISTE: None BLOG: Classes currently under session will have a blog for posting notes, assignments and for students in the class to share and exchange ideas. Anyone is free to view the blog, but only students in the course can post comments. [view blog] BRIEF (syllabus will be posted after the first session): An analysis of four major accounts of the creation of the gods, world and humans with an emphasis on the cosmogonies of Khemenu (Hermopolis), Iunu (Heliopolis), Mennefer (Memphis) and Waset (Thebes). The course provides the basic vocabulary, themes and controversies in Kemetic spirituality, including the foregoing, the death and resurrection of Asar (Osiris), the Declarations of Innocence, the journey of the soul, and the nature of the “Afterlife.” This offering provides the necessary foundation for further study of the Kemetic approach to spirituality.
The Husia
DATE: June 21 - August 2 (6 weeks) TIME: Sundays from 9 to 10:15 am LOCATION: Sanctuary (1st floor) at Wo'se INSTRUCTOR: Minister Greg Hodge LEVEL: Intermediate PREREQUISTE: None BLOG: Classes currently under session will have a blog for posting notes, assignments and for students in the class to share and exchange ideas. Anyone is free to view the blog, but only students in the course can post comments. [view blog] BRIEF (view the syllabus): Reading and analysis of the wisdom teachings of ancient Kemet with an emphasis on the principles of Maat as guidelines for the development of personal character.
Medu Netjer
DATE: November 1 - December 20 (6 weeks) TIME: Sundays from 9 to 10:15 am LOCATION: Sanctuary (1st floor) at Wo'se
INSTRUCTOR: Baba Tyrone Thornton PREREQUISTE: Introduction to the Medu Neter LEVEL:
Intermediate
BLOG: Classes currently under session will have a blog for posting notes, assignments and for students in the class to share and exchange ideas. Anyone is free to view the blog, but only students in the course can post comments. [view blog] BRIEF(view the syllabus): The second of a two-course sequence on the ancient language of Middle Kingdom Kemet. This section will give increased attention to interpreting the symbols in the context of brief written texts while reviewing and continuing to work on vocabulary building, grammar, language structure and syntax.
Sacred Rituals of Kemet
DATE: August 30 - Oct 4 (7 weeks) TIME: Sundays from 9 to 10:15 am LOCATION: Sanctuary (1st floor) at Wo'se
INSTRUCTOR: Baba Aaron Jones and staff PREREQUISTE:TBA BLOG: Classes currently under session will have a blog for posting notes, assignments and for students in the class to share and exchange ideas. Anyone is free to view the blog, but only students in the course can post comments. [view blog] LEVEL:
Advanced BRIEF (view the syllabus): Overview and practice of the fundamental rituals of Kemetic spirituality with emphasis on description, discussion, demonstration and personal practice. An important objective of the course is to provide participants with the necessary tools to engage in their own personal spiritual development as well as to better understand temple rituals employed at Wosé. Topics include “magic” (heka), hymns of praise, offering “formulas,” libation, healing practices and funerary rites.
Raising the African Family with Maat: Workshop/Seminar
DATE: Wednesday, Oct 4 - December 16 (7 weeks) TIME: 6 - 8 pm (childcare provided) LOCATION: Sanctuary (1st floor) at Wo'se
INSTRUCTOR: Minister Greg Hodge PREREQUISTE:None LEVEL:
Introductory
BLOG: Classes currently under session will have a blog for posting notes, assignments and for students in the class to share and exchange ideas. Anyone is free to view the blog, but only students in the course can post comments. [view blog] BRIEF (view the syllabus): The purpose of this course is to share information and ancestral wisdom regarding effective principles and practices for developing strong African families so that they produce confident, caring and competent children. The sessions will engage discussion on parenting practices and share practical advice for creating and maintaining healthy family lifestyles in our community.
CURRICULUM DIRECTOR :
Baba Aaron Jones is the New Life Seminary curriculum director
The New Life Seminary cycle of classes for 624/ (2009) is underway! The majority of our classes are held on Sundays at 9 am prior to our service. All classes are free to the public, and everyone is invited to participate. We welcome Africans who are generally sincere in their efforts to learn and "become". Classes generally meet for 6-7 weeks, with a 2-3 week break between classes. 
