I came across this announcement on the Grand Lodge of California's website. Rather than paraphrase, I'll let the story speak for itself.
Across countries and centuries, Freemasonry has shaped governments and societies. But only limited academic research and coursework has been devoted to the subject – until now.
Thanks to the Grand Master’s Project to Advance the Study and Understanding of Freemasonry, the Grand Lodge of California has cemented a partnership with the University of California at Los Angeles. The academic world is now positioned to define Masonry’s history in credible, fact-based terms.
Project funds will be used in one or more of the following ways at UCLA:
• Faculty research in the history of Freemasonry
• Support the costs of research related to the history of Freemasonry and democratic society; establish a permanent chair for Masonic studies
• Curriculum development*
• Support development of a course in the history of Freemasonry and democratic society
• Graduate student support
• Support graduate student work and interest in the history of Freemasonry and democratic society
• Lectures on the topic of Freemasonry
• Support public lectures on topics related to Freemasonry delivered by invited scholars
*A spring 2010 curriculum is already being developed for two separate classes, led by Dr. Margaret C. Jacob, professor of history at UCLA and one of the world’s foremost Masonic scholars.
For information about how you can support the Grand Master’s Project, call the Office of Philanthropy at 415/292-9117.