Join Raventree's Founding Community
An Academy Taking Form
Raventree Academy is still under construction, and myriad paths through the witchwood still remain to be charted and laid bare. Over the past several years, however, the curriculum and institutional scaffolding of Raventree has already been developed through an iterative process which draws upon the growing wealth of esoteric material available today. Our community, courses, and faculty body are still taking form.
Current Foundations
Over the past several years, a number of Raventree’s foundations have already been laid. Together, they provide the structure from which the wider life of the Academy may grow.
Curriculum
At the heart of Raventree are the seven disciplines, which provide the seven major groupings of the esoteric arts at Raventree. Across these disciplines are built the core Major pathways for students to pursue, along with additional Minor pathways to be incorporated into those programs of study. A rigorous course catalog provides the roadmap for future course development and writing, weaving together the tapestry of core course sequences and electives throughout the seven disciplines.
Organizational Architecture
Together with the core curriculum, the existing handbooks for students and faculty, alongside the planned offices and roles at the Academy, provide a structural architecture for the Academy at large. Alongside the founding vision, the structural vision provides a framework for the governance and operation of the Academy. These documents remain open to revision as the founding community takes shape, but provide enough structure for collaborators and future students to understand the institution they are entering.
Technical Architecture
Raventree already has a core learning platform developed through Moodle, which provides the platform for delivering our courses. Additionally, Raventree has an accompanying forum, archives site, and core website. These platforms form the bedrock of Raventree's ability to begin supporting a community with diverse interests and pursuits within the magickal arts, under the auspices of the Academy.
What Remains to Be Built
As we begin to open Raventree's first halls to the public, the experience is that of a cathedral still under construction. Certain chambers are well developed, the core foundations have been laid, and the outline of the Academy is clear. Much, however, remains to be built.
Courses and Syllabi
The curriculum has been mapped extensively, yet the majority remains to be written. The introductory course sequence has been written, with a few other introductory courses mostly completed. Syllabi for most 100 and 200 level courses are drafted.
Raventree therefore requires course writers, subject specialists, scholars, readers, and practitioners who can help develop lessons, lectures, bibliographies, and assignments for courses.
Faculty and Scholarly Community
Raventree does not yet possess an established faculty body. At present, the Academy remains largely the work of its founder, and its future will depend on a vibrant community of scholasticism.
The founding faculty need not emerge from any one background. Whether scholar, independent researcher, practitioner, writer, librarian, or student of the esoteric arts - all are welcome at Raventree, to contribute to advising, teaching, writing, research, or the shaping of a discipline.
Community Life
Raventree's goal is to serve as a crucible of ideas on the magickal and esoteric arts, providing a communal space for engaging discourse and research. The forums at Raventree are open to those interested in participating in reading groups, course discussions, seminars, research, and other forms of academic dialogue within the halls of the Academy.
The founding community will therefore not only help determine the academic direction of Raventree, but also how its members sustain a vibrant community of practitioners and scholars.
Publications and Research
Raventree's work is intended to extend well beyond the lecture hall. Its future publications, archives, translation projects, and research initiatives remain at an early stage and will require editors, translators, researchers, and archivists. Some may participate in the instructional side of the Academy, or engage under the auspices of the Academy as associated scholars.
These efforts may include essays, reviews, translations of neglected works, and contributions to The Raven's Feather, the proposed quarterly journal of the Academy.
Ways to Participate
Raventree welcomes many forms of participation in our founding work. Whether by developing or reviewing courses, advising on curricular matters, providing archival or bibliographic support, or simply participating in the forums to foster discussion, there are myriad ways to support Raventree's growth. Artistic, technical, and institutional support is also welcome as we design the platforms and structures upon which Raventree is built.
Founding Participation
Raventree is currently an independent, early-stage institution. Participation is voluntary and collaborative, and may range from a single contribution to a continuing role in the Academy - we welcome all levels of interest and engagement!
Invitation
Those whose path leads to Raventree are welcome to introduce themselves via the form below. We look forward to hearing from you.