PROSPECTUS 2012-2013

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Where I Can Study at the Heart of Europe

Discover a Spiritual Environment in a Hectic World

Bhaktivedanta College is situated in the undulating Ardennes region of Belgium, an hour’s drivesouth-east of the national capital. Brussels itself is a major transport hub, no more than two hoursfrom Paris, London, Frankfurt and Amsterdam. The College is one hour from the medieval city ofLeuven (Louvain), home to the world’s oldest Catholic university, and two hours from Bruges,world famous for its perfectly preserved medieval architecture. The closest town is historicDurbuy, locally described as ‘the smallest city in the world’. The College campus lies adjacent tothe picturesque Chateau de Petite Somme.

The River Ourthe runs throughhistoric Durbuy, locally describedas ‘the smallest city in the world’.

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W h e r e I C a n F e e l a t H o m e

Live on a tranquil campus with like-minded people

With its scenic, secluded environment, the campus is ideal for study, research and reflection.Students may take advantage of the College’s recently refurbished residential facilities. Dominatingthe landscape is the impressive Chateau. It houses a gorgeous Radha-Krishna shrine, renowned forits high standards of puja (worship) and kirtan (musical meditation).

Up-to-date facilities now include:- Student lounge - Pure vegetarian restaurant- Gym, sauna and laundry room - Library specialising in Hindu Studies- Wireless Internet connection - Shop and bakery- Interactive classrooms - Shrine and meditation room

Ariel view of the campus, showing theChâteau de Petit Somme, the guesthouse and the vegetarian restaurant

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W h e r e I C a n E x p r e s s M y s e l f

Discover a compelling sense of individual purpose

College life is a defining stage in personal growth: a time to discover and express one’s self, meetnew friends and explore novel ideas, opinions and opportunities. The College provides amplespace to develop discernment and a sense of individual purpose. Academic courses challengestudents to develop self- assurance, character and independent thought. Students areencouraged to write a personal mission statement and to make a social contribution.

Theologically, the College aims to foster an appreciation of the spiritual equality of all peoples anda corresponding respect for Earth’s natural resources and the sanctity of all life.

The College campus provides an idealsetting for each student to develop apositive sense of purpose and identity.

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W h e r e I C a n M a k e N e w F r i e n d s

Establish Lifelong Relationships and Social Networks

Students attend Bhaktivedanta College from throughout the world. Despite a rich ethnic andcultural diversity, they share a sense of belonging that extends well beyond the lecture theatreand into the local and extended communities.

Social life is very different here. Students are renowned for their expertise in the performing arts,such as drama, kirtan and classical Indian music. Most popular are the festive days, spiritualretreats and sumptuous vegetarian feasts. Popular recreational activities include walking,swimming, canoeing, cycling and cultural visits. Our students also share a keen interest in currentsocial trends and in philosophical debate.

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W h e r e I C a n B e M o t i v a t e d

Develop excellent career and economic prospects

Bhaktivedanta College welcomes students who are inquisitive, motivated and responsible. It offers awide range of ethical, exhilarating routes to personal and professional success. Specialised coursesintegrate academic excellence with spiritual vision, and lofty ideals with real-world relevance. Theyenable graduates to walk away with both enriching experience and a practical, prestigious award.

Students are offered full support through personalised mentoring and career guidance. TheCollege maintains strong links with its international partners, and many students undertake a workand research based placement, relevant to both their worldly and spiritual aspirations.

College Students are supported todevelop a strong sense of purpose: topositively engage with the world whilemaintaining strong spiritual and ethicalideals.

The College promote academic andpersonal challenge as opportunities todevelop courage and character.

Careers linked with our two main degree courses are shown on the following pages.

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W h e r e I C a n F i n d a R e w a r d i n g C a r e e r

Lay foundations for social, personal and economic fulfilment

Bhaktivedanta College offers personalised career advice, enabling each student to move at theirown pace and in the direction best suited to their individual talents and aspirations.

Over the last eight years, Theology and Religious Studies graduates have found success in thefollowing fields:

- Teaching (often after obtaining a PGCE) - Chaplaincy- Counselling - Social work- Conflict management and Mediation - Communications / Public Relations / Journalism- Translation - Consultancy in Asian issues (e.g. in industry)-library work (e.g. specialist libraries) - University admin staff (in related disciplines).

Others have pursued careers inside their faith community, often within:

- Leadership & Management - Training & Education or Outreach- The Priesthood (performing puja & samskaras) - Pastoral Care and Community Development.

Priests bathe the deities of Rama and Sita in aMumbai temple. Graduates of Theology andReligious Studies often choose careers withinISKCON, as priests, ministers and leaders.

Others choose rewarding careers in the widerworld, especially as related to education.

For employability, education courses are oftenranked top. In many colleges and universities,up to 85% of graduates immediately enterrelated, meaningful employment.

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Where I Can Prepare for a Career in Education

Join a team of dedicated professionals

Many Education Studies graduates enter initial teacher training and thereafter primary andsecondary education as teachers (or teaching assistants). Others, well equipped to engagecritically with education, move into school or college leadership. Graduates in Educational Studiesalso regularly succeed in careers linked to:

- Nurseries - Colleges and Universities- Charitable work related to education - Youth work- Various forms of social work - Human resources development and training- The human potential market - Educational consultancy- The civil-service and policy making - Libraries- Educational publishing - Museums, the Prison Service (as Education Officers)-Non-compulsory sector teaching - The voluntary sector

The environmentally-friendly KrishnaAvanti Primary School near Londonoffers many opportunities forsuccessful students.

College graduates readily succeed incareers that favour the ethical, spiritualand multicultural aspects of education.

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Careers linked to ISKCON

Diverse possibilities also exist directly within ISKCON, especially as linked to:

- ISKCON’s private schools - Adult education initiatives- Leadership of educational projects - Temple/Community staff training and development- Strategic Planning and Policy making - Youth projects- Devotee support services - Child-protection and related services- Mature outreach programmes - Counselling

Exciting opportunities are increasingly available in those areas spanning devotional andprofessional life (e.g. ISKCON-backed, state-funded schools). These forums offer most opportunityfor dialogue and mutual exchange. ISKCON members can enhance their professionalism whilepractically demonstrating the value of Vaishnava truths to contemporary issues, debates andchallenges within the education world.

Bhaktivedanta College has established International Partnerships with organisations whosuccessfully negotiate both devotional and professional concerns.

A student and teacher in a school sponsored by thei-Foundation, which oversees in the UK an expanding‘family’ of state-funded schools.

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W h e r e I C a n B e a T e a c h e rThe Faculty of Education Studies

Build a rewarding career in education

Education Studies aims to provide a broad, critical perspective on education, and opens up a widerange of career opportunities.

The BA (Hons) in Education Studies, Theology and Religion has two distinct features. First, it equipsstudents with direct experience of learning and teaching. Second, it examines the ethical and spiritualdomains of education, integrating contemporary theory and practice with Vaishnava-Hindu insight. Itexplores the diverse contexts in which education meets ethics, religion and spirituality.

Many graduates enter the teaching sector. Others become trainers, school leaders and educationofficers within charity and business sectors. Close collaboration with employer organisations, suchas the UK-based i-Foundation, opens opportunities for employment in schools promoting not onlyeducational achievement, but also character formation and spiritual insight. The award also opensdoors to post-graduate programmes, such as a Post Graduate Certificate in Education, and toother ITT (Initial Teaching Training) schemes such as the Graduate Teacher Programme.

The three year single honours course isvalidated by Chester University, and hasfour main pathways, as follows:

1. Primary Education2. Secondary Education3. Tertiary and Adult Education4. Educational Leadership

To apply (2012-2013), refer to page 22

For details on the i-Foundation andcareers in its schools, see page 24

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BA in Education Studies, Theology and Religion: Course Modules

Students must achieve 120 credits each year. During years 2 and 3, they select one 20 credit module fromfour options, usually according to their chosen pathway. Year Two includes a work and research basedplacement, in which students spend a few weeks in an educational institute, partnered with the Collegeand usually linked to ISKCON (or a similar faith/spiritual organisation).

YEAR ONE Credits StatusIntroduction to Education Studies 20 CoreCore Skills for Teachers 1 10 CoreIntroduction to the Philosophy of Education 10 CoreContemporary Issues 10 CoreEducation and Faith 10 CoreTheory and Method in Study of Religion 10 CoreApplied Ethics 10 CoreWorld Religions 20 CoreIntroduction to Hinduism 20 CoreYEAR TWOTeaching through Creativity and the Arts 20 CoreLearning through ICT 10 CoreEducation Research Methods 10 CoreWork and Research Based Placement 20 CoreChildhood Studies 1: Learning in the Early Years 20 OptionalAdult Education 1: Motivation to Learn for a Lifetime 20 OptionalEducational Leadership 1: Politics, Policy and School Organisation 20 OptionalWestern Philosophy & Ethics and Hindu Approaches to Ethical Issues 20 OptionalThe Sociology of Religion 20 CoreHindu Theories of Knowledge & Learning 10 CoreScience & Religion 10 CoreYEAR THREECore Skills for Teachers 2 10 CoreAssessment: Issues and Practices 10 CoreEducation: Values, Identity and Inclusion 20 CoreChildhood Studies 2: Promoting and Ensuring Children’s Wellbeing 20 OptionalAdult Education 2: Distance Learning and Advanced Use of ICT 20 OptionalEducational Leadership 2: Key Skills for Educational Leaders 20 OptionalClassical Indian Philosophy 20 OptionalModern Hinduism 20 CoreDissertation 20 Core

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W h e r e I C a n B e c o m e a S c h o l a rThe Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies

Develop personal insight; share it with others

The Theology & Religious Studies Faculty lies at the heart of the College. Students focus onVaishnavism, especially as represented through the teachings of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami. TheCollege attracts leading scholars, especially from the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies.

The Bachelor of Arts degree, accredited by Chester University, provides students with a profoundunderstanding of Vaishnava culture, heritage and theology, from both traditional and academicperspectives. Graduates enter professions linked to ISKCON, academia and a range of ethical,multicultural and people-centred initiatives. The Theology Faculty also offers a range ofenrichment courses, with online options.

Theology Students browse the shelvesat the College library: one of the best inEurope for Indic, Hindu and VaishnavaStudies.

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The BA in Theology and Religious Studies

The TRS BA degree programme spans three years of full-time study, structured as short-termmodules followed by individual study time. The programme is designed to develop studentsacademically, vocationally and spiritually. It features four main areas of study, as follows:

1. Philosophy and TheologyIntroduction to Philosophy, History of Vaishnava Thought, Pre-modern Indian Theologians: Rupaand Jiva Goswamins, Science and Religion, Classical Indian Philosophy: Vedanta

2. Religious StudiesTheory and Method in the Study of Religion, Introduction to Hinduism, World Religions, ModernHinduism, Sociology of Religion

3. Scriptural StudiesClassical Indian Literature: Ramayana and Mahabharata, Sanskrit for Scriptural Study, Vedas andUpanishads, Sacred Texts: the Bhagavata Purana

4. Practical TheologyPastoral Care, Community Development

Students have facility to study Sanskrit,especially useful in studying primary texts.

Whilst theoretically rigorous, the degreecourse also stresses the core needs ofpractical application and characterformation.

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W h e r e I C a n L e a r n O n l i n eThe Faculty of Online Learning

Gain a qualification from the comfort of your own home

Bhaktivedanta College offers a dynamic, convenient way to learn. Under the motto "swift access tolifetime success", the Online Faculty provides innovative, easy-to-access programmes focussing onthe relevance of ethics and spirituality to post-modern lifestyles. The vibrant online communityboasts over 600 registered users from 64 countries.

Current courses include:- Leadership from the Bhagavad-gita- Business Ethics- Science and Religion- Vaishnava Vedanta- Bhakti Shastri

Our online department offers the samestandards of academic excellence, butconveniently from your own home.

To register and for more details, please go to: www.bhaktivedantaonline.com

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W h e r e I C a n E x p l o r e B u s i n e s s E t h i c sThe Faculty of Business Administration

Understand the spiritual dimensions of ethical enterprise

The business world is in crisis. 20th century management techniques are no longer viable. Societyhas recognised the consequences of personal and corporate greed, and their detrimental impacton our environment and quality of life.

Many progressive business schools and corporations have created a spate of training programmes,advocating sustainability and socially-responsible enterprise. Yet they often address the issuessuperficially, sidestepping more profound topics such as personal ethics and spiritual integrity. Anew paradigm is clearly needed. Some thinkers are looking eastward, using traditional Vedic andIndic concepts to cope with stress, and promote self-mastery and productivity. One new trend,called karma capitalism, has trained executives from successful corporations such as DuPont,Sprint Nextel General Electric through courses such as The Bhagavad Gita on Effective Leadership.

The School of Business Management stands at the forefront of this new trend. It aims to showhow ethical approaches to enterprise don’t merely constrain profit and productivity but factuallyenhance them. The College’s ethical approaches provide real tools for sustainable prosperity.

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W h e r e I C a n S t u d y S h a s t r a i n D e p t h

Gain spiritual maturity through open and honest enquiry

The word shastra refers to the sacred texts of ancient India, understood via the translations andcommentaries of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, after whom the college is named.

The Shastric Studies programme, resulting in a Vaishnava Training and Education Certificate, isdesigned to familiarise students with the theological background underpinning Vaishnavism andthe practices of bhakti yoga. The course stresses the assimilation and the application ofknowledge, enabling students to develop personal insight and realisation.

The Bhakti Shastri Course

The main course, called ‘Bhakti Shastri’, focuses on foundational bhakti (devotional) texts.Students are familiarised with the College’s theological background and the principles andpractices underlying the adjacent Radhadesh community. The on-campus course lasts fourmonths, while the online version can be completed at the student’s own pace

Guided by the best tutors, Bhakti Shastristudents undertake an in-depth study of fourtexts: Bhagavad Gita, Nectar of Instruction, SriIsopanisad, and Nectar of Devotion

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Wh e re I Can M a ke L i fe - c h a n g i n g Ch o i c e s

Select courses for personal and professional enrichment

In addition to its degree programmes, the College offers a wide range of short and casual courses.Most are open to residential students and a wide spectrum of visitors. Some welcome onlineparticipation (see page 14). In co-operation with the local Radhadesh Community, the Collegestages a range of social and cultural events.

Current offerings include:

Residential Business ConferencesVTE Teacher Training CoursesAnnual Education ConferenceYoga and Mediation RetreatsSummer Youth EventsRadhadesh Community EventsPersonal Music TuitionResidential Courses for Teachers

To easily register and for moredetails, please go to:www.bhaktivedantaonline.com

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Wh e re I Can S tu d y w i th th e Be s t Tu to r s

E x p e r i e n c e t o p - q u a l i t y l e a r n i n g a n d t e a c h i n g

In 2003, the University of Wales Lampeter accredited the College’s first academic course,culminating in a Bachelor of Theology degree in ‘Vaishnava Studies’: the first ever in the English-speaking world. Since then, the College has sought to recruit the best minds, especially throughworking collaboratively with academic partners, such as the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies(OCHS), a recognised independent centre of the University of Oxford. Many current academicstaff have received their doctorates from Oxford.

Quality Assurance

The College enlists tutors who are expert not only in their respective subjects and disciplines, butalso in learning and teaching. The Faculty of Education has recently established a QualityAssurance Team to support tutors, promote positive experiences for students and maintain thehighest standards of academic and professional excellence. Courses are designed with academicrigour, based on the core principle that challenge builds character. Students with English as theirsecond language must meet entry requirements and are subsequently offered ongoing support inboth spoken and written English.

Dr. Ravi Gupta, who gained hisdoctorate degree from OxfordUniversity, is renowned as anenthusiastic and stimulating tutor.

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Academic Staff

The College requires that teaching staff demonstrate personal integrity, competence as teachers,lecturers and mentors, and world-expertise in their respective fields. The following list includes somekey faculty members and lecturers attending Bhaktivedanta College between 2002 and 2012.

Dr. Jose M. Fornos, Ph.D. (University of Barcelona)Dr. Jonathan Edelmann, Ph.D. (Oxford University)Dr. Kenneth R. Valpey, Ph.D. (Oxford University)Dr. Kiyokazu Okita (Oxford University)Dr. Pranava Dasa, Ph.D. (University of Gothenburg)Dr. Ravi Gupta, Ph.D. (Oxford University)Dr. Rembert Lutjeharms, Ph.D. (Oxford University)Dr. Edith Best, D.Ed., (University of North Carolina)

Claire Robison, M.A. (Cambridge University)Seth W. Spellman, Juris Doctor (UCLA School of Law)Ana Knez, M.A. (Jesuit College, Zagreb)Anne Marie Dooney, M.St. (Oxford University)Brian Bloch, M.A. (Eastern Mennonite University, Virginia)Cristina Casanova, M.Ed. (Columbia University)Rasamandala Das, M.A. (University of Warwick)

Mladen Balabanov, B.Sc. (London School of Economics)Evgenia. C. Andrew, B.A. (Oxford Brookes University)Huber H. Robinson, B.A. (University of California)Kartamasa Delaney, B.A. (University of Florida)Linda Hickey, B.A. (SUNY, Buffalo)

Dr. Kenneth Valpey specialises inVaishnava ritual and liturgy

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W h e r e I C a n S t u d y a n d S a v e M o n e y

Gain a prestigious award at an excellent price

Bhaktivedanta College is a non-profit organisation and aims to offer competitive prices, especiallyfor its UK-validated degree courses. In the UK, current prices stand at between £7,500 and £9,000per annum. Please note that scholarships may be available for the two degree courses, and moredetails are available from the Undergraduates Office.

The College aims to support all its students, but especially second-generation ISKCON Members. Ifyou would like to sponsor a student (according to your own criteria), then please do contact theCollege for more information of our sponsorship scheme.

Accommodation and Nutrition

Students enrolled full-time can either arrange their own meals and accommodation or takeadvantage of the on-campus annual package, covering accommodation and three meals per dayduring term time. Nominal additional fees can be paid to also cover the Christmas, Spring andsummer breaks

The restaurant, next door to the Chateaus de PetitSomme, maintains the highest standards of aesthetictaste.

For ethical and health reasons, all meals on campusare purely vegetarian

For more details of all fees, please refer to the next page.

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Current Fees (2012-13)

Course FeeDegree Courses (Levels 4 to 6)

BA (Hons) in Theology and Religious Studies €2,900/year

BA (Hons) in Education Studies, Theology and Religion €3,950/year

Meals and Accommodation

Full-time degree courses (on campus prices only) €2,000/year

Day-to-day basis: please refer to the website or the Radhadesh Guesthouse athttp://www.radhadesh.com/en/facilities/accommodation-ardennes

Short Education CoursesVTE Teacher Training Course 1 (six days on-site course. Level 4) €120.00

VTE Teacher Training Course 2 (six day on-site course. Level 6) €180.00

INSET (per full-day: travel and materials are extra) €370.00

For online programs go to www.bhaktivedantaonline.com

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W h e r e I C a n B e a S u c c e s s f u l S t u d e n t

Apply now for the following courses:

- BA (Hons) in Education Studies, Theology & Religion (2012-13)- BA (Hons) in Theology & Religious Studies (2012-13)

Please apply online, or download the application form. Final applications must be received by 31st

May 2012. For information in visas, please refer to the College website.

For online courses, please apply at: www.bhaktivedantaonline.com

To make further queries, please contact the admissions department on 0032 (0)86 323277(Monday to Friday, 10.00 to 12.00 hours).

Alternatively, please write to: Bhaktivedanta College, Petite Somme 10, Durbuy 6940, Belgium

College students apply from all around the world.

Final applications (for 2012-13 degree courses only) must bereceived by 31st May 2012.

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W h e r e I C a n H a v e a V o i c e

Share your experience with others

“My time in Radhadesh wasfascinating and inspiring. Iimmersed myself in Krishnaconsciousness whilst earninga degree relevant to mychosen career.”

Brajabiharini (Paris)

“ “My experiences at BhaktivedantaCollege have been life changing.

Most importantly, I have learnedmuch about myself. The courses

are challenging but relevant.”

Maddy (Australia)

“I’ve made some fantastic friendsand can now look forward tousing my music and drama skillsin my educational career.”

Sharadiya Rasa(Cape Town, South Africa)

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Whe re I Can Be an Inte rnat ion a l Partne r

Work Co-operatively for our Second Generation Children and Youth

From 1st January 2012, the Faculty of Education at Bhaktivedanta College (Radhadesh, Belgium) isseeking International Partners: forward-thinking organisations that share its dedication toestablishing a long-lasting, exemplary educational heritage within and beyond the Society. Detailsof this new initiative are included below:

Partnership Aims:

The principal aims are three-fold:

1. To collaboratively promote the contribution of formal education to the wellbeing andmaturation of ISKCON communities, and all their members, supporters and offspring.

2. To provide qualified staff (teachers and leaders) to ISKCON-related educational institutes.

3. To enhance enrolment of highly-qualified students at the College.

The recently-opened Krishna AvantiPrimary School in Leicester.

The College works in close co-operationwith the sponsoring body, the I-Foundation, especially in providing andsupporting staff.

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Partner-related Activities:

To help achieve its shared aims, Bhaktivedanta College commits to:

1. Invite partners to send speakers and delegates to its Annual Education Conference.2. Each spring, send them a list of forthcoming graduates from the College.3. Allocate second-year students to work- and research-based placement.1

4. Invite partners to include BC in their career guidance.5. Share educational information, resources and good practice.

Who Might Become an International Partner?

1. ISKCON-related educational institutes (Primary, Secondary, Tertiary and Adult/Lifelong)

2. ISKCON Employers (especially those valuing or requiring qualifications in education).

3. Non-ISKCON Employers who share or otherwise resonate with our aims and ethos2

4. ISKCON parenting organisations

5. ISKCON child and youth organisations.

Partnership is free, and is based on commonality of vision, purpose and ethos.

If you’d like to register as an International Partner with the Faculty of Education, then we’d love tohear from you. Please contact Rasamandala das (Course Director) onmandala.education@pamho.net For partnerships with the Faculty of Theology & ReligiousStudies, please contact the College Secretary at: college@pamho.net

1 These ‘internships’ last about five weeks, most likely in the summer term (around May) but the College would beinterested to hear from its partners and potential partners what period they might consider best.2 There is an increasing number of employer organisations (e.g. ISKCON-backed state-funded schools) which

cannot be clearly classified as either ‘within’ or ‘without’ ISKCON. The College considers that such bodiesoften provide the best employment opportunities for its graduates, as they most often blend the best of bothprofessional and devotional standards.