What you get
with this Module

Module 1 -Text and
Assessment Tasks

1. DVD
   
   1. ABC Compass Program
   2. Morba-Gould Rehearsal
   3. MorbaGould Wedding/ROV
   4. Wedding of
   Kirsty & Cameron

DVD

The Obama Inauguration Ceremony

Ceremony Book

Ceremonies and Celebrations
by Dally Messenger
Weddings
Funerals
Namings
Other Ceremonies

Module 1

The History, Nature and Development of Ceremony

David Oldfield
in Louise Mahdi's book "Crossroads"

Learning aims of this Module
Unless celebrants know about and are convinced of the worth of ceremony, there is little point in their continuing in this work. Students who complete this unit should:

• be aware of the history of Ritual and Ceremony from primitive times to the present, seeing a variety of ways in which people express themselves ritually and ceremonially in different cultures.
  
  
• understand the importance of history and tradition, and the equal importance of personalisation and flexibility.
  
  
• recognise the place of the visual and performing arts in ceremony and ritual.
  
  
• understand how ceremonies signpost the culture and are measuring sticks of the culture.
  
  
• see the importance of ceremony in everyone's lives including those with no religious beliefs of any kind.
  
  
• understand how society benefits from the development of better ceremonies.

Why is this Module so necessary?
The History, Nature and Development of Ceremony is a very deep and demanding subject, but I believe it is basic for anyone aspiring to become a professional celebrant.

The gain basic understanding, inspiration (and indeed motivation) for this work a celebrant needs some knowledge of the insights of the marvellous authors who have studied culture at this deep level.

For example, outstanding celebrants and writers such as Arnold van Gennep (The Rites of Passage), Mary Hancock,  David Oldfield, Juliet Batten, Mircia Eliade,  Margaret Meade, Joseph Campbell, Ronald Grimes, and Robert Fulford.

It is also basic to understand the historical evolution of secular ceremony in the Western world, the struggles that it has had, and continues to have, as it attempts to emerge as a culturally enriching force for non-church people.  

On the practical side, we require our students to send in detailed analysis of ceremonies they have actually attended (even though we do allow DVDs in some circumstances). This careful analysis, we have found, raises the awareness to a very important level for the professional.

Most celebrants, I have observed, have their strong points and their blind spots. The general public is very forgiving of even the most inept efforts. Observing ceremonies, actually doing them in the real, or by simulation, becomes very essential to the learning process.

In Module 1 we are talking about secular ceremony, which has been very rarely analysed. In this Module we require you to look closely at secular ceremonies such as Graduations, Citizenship Ceremonies, or even the launching of ships and the opening of freeways!

As the International College of Celebrancy considers this a very basic study, we are extremely reluctant to encourage people to apply for RPL – recognition of prior learning –or RCC – recognition of current competencies.

Our experience has been that there are very few courses which even go close to teaching what we know is necessary. No matter how good a celebrant is, or how good she thinks she is, we know that this Module really contributes to professionalism. For this reason, we strongly request, that students commit to a good grounding in this Module as an essential part of the full Diploma Course. To convince you further why not read our testimonials.


• Assessment
  is by the following methods:-
  
• Learning Journal.
  
  
• Search questions on selected written material (provided in Module Text and DVDs).*
  
  
• a structured analysis of three different community ceremonies. Required reports.
  
  
• a structured interview with a celebrant.

Workload/Due Dates

• The time envisaged for working on each unit is equivalent to 10 weeks at 8 hours per week.
  The College has not set dates for submission of individual items. However, unless special permission to extend is granted, this module should be completed within 6 months.
  
  
• Temporary suspensions of enrolment are negotiable; however, fees for courses which have not been completed are not refundable.
  

Readings/Questions/Assignments
The texts and DVDs, as illustrated in the column on the left, are provided - including the book "Ceremonies and Celebrations".

College Texts, Books, DVDs and other items are posted immediately we recieve payment for the Module. Assessment Tasks are in a special section at the end of the College Text.

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WARNING TO CONSUMERS

Celebrancy courses vary widely in quality, substance, and depth. Consumers are advised to proceed with care.