Study circle
From Free net encyclopedia
- For the system of study in the Bahá'í Faith, see Bahá'í study circle
A study circle is a small group of people who meet multiple times to discuss an issue. Study circles may be formed to discuss anything from politics to religion to hobbies. They are differentiated from clubs by their issue focus.
Study circles are typically created directly by persons who discover a common interest; the Study Circles Resource Center is an organization that encourages the creation of study circles to help solve various social and political problems.
Study circles are also being leveraged as a change process and development activity within corporations. Some of the same ideas and concepts of community study circles can be applied to internal issues such as diversity, race relations and community focused giving.
Philatelic study circles
Philately has a large number of study circles (or "study groups"). Typically these are groups of collectors with a specialized interest, such as the postage stamps of Gibraltar. The study circle may have up to several hundred members, meet regularly, and issue a newsletter. Groups that grow beyond this size tend to rename themselves an "association" or "society", although there is no formal rule.
Reference
- Leonard P. Oliver, Study Circles: Coming Together for Personal Growth and Social Change (Seven Locks Press, 1987)