Dark Side Degrees

Dark Side Degrees are a method of rewarding those who put forth extended time and effort at the Shadow Academy. Originally created by Headmaster Kaiann, the system of degrees was expanded upon under the reign of Anshar Kahn Tarentae.

Degree Levels and Types

There are four levels of Dark Side Degrees, as originally created by Headmaster Kaiann, and were adopted to fit the new system. The levels of degrees, with college level equivalents where applicable, are as follows:

• Dark Maven (Bachelors)
  • The basic level, these degrees typically require only passing certain exams with certain scores. Some practical portions may be included.
  • A minimum of 3-4 courses will be required for a Dark Maven Degree to be created. If only 3 courses are used, then some type of practical portion to the exam will be implemented.
• Dark Savant (Masters)
  • Somewhat harder, these degrees require two Dark Maven degrees (specific to each subject area), plus a certain number of electives, and they may also include a practical portion.
• Dark Sage (PhD)
  • The highest level most members can obtain, Dark Sage degrees denote great skill and hard work that goes above and beyond typical Shadow Academy work.
• Master of Dark Lore
  • Awarded only to current and former Headmasters at the order of the Grand Master.

With the exception of Master of Dark Lore, the degrees are open to the general membership and the only thing preventing a member from obtaining a degree will be the member.

General Rules

For all academic degrees, the following rules apply:

• An exam grade of 85% or higher is required for the course to count toward the degree.
  • If an exam grade is below 85%, the member will be given one chance to retake the exam and score a grade of 85% or higher.
    • Before retaking the exam, the member must email either the Headmaster or Praetor to the Headmaster and have the old score removed from their dossier. If they do not do this, the retake will not be logged in the database.
    • If a member fails to achieve a grade of 85% or higher after retaking the exam, they will be ineligible for that degree for three months, after which they may retake the exam again, and so on and so forth.
• Once all the requirements for a degree have been completed, the member is to email the Headmaster and Praetor to the Headmaster requesting the degree.
  • The Headmaster and Praetor will verify all scores.
    • Under no circumstances will copies of previous course submissions be provided to members.
• Once the request for the degree has been sent, members should wait at least one week before emailing the Headmaster again to verify that the request was received.
• For Service degrees, you must be a member of the Shadow Academy staff.

Revocation

At any point deemed necessary by the Headmaster, a member's degree may be revoked and removed from his/her dossier. Cheating on any Shadow Academy exam is automatic grounds for revoking of degrees, as is any Chamber of Justice conviction. Revoking degrees is handled on a case-by-case basis by the Headmaster, however, and it is entirely up to the Headmaster rather or not to remove the degree. If a Dark Maven is removed, however, then the Dark Savant that follows, is obtained, will also be removed.

Adding/Removing Degrees and Electives

As more courses open in the Shadow Academy, more degrees may be added to the available options. However, extra “filler” courses will not be created simply to allow the creation of a degree, even if it means that a certain subject area must remain without a degree. All courses must meet certain quality standards.

As the Shadow Academy is constantly changing and adapting, there is a possibility that a course will be removed, thus negating a degree. In this event, the previously awarded degrees will still stand, and a list of no longer existing degrees will be maintained.

Any course (except Brotherhood Basics) that is not established as part of a degree will be considered an elective course. Once a course becomes part of a degree, it will no longer be considered an elective, but those who used it as such will not have to take a new course.

SA Degree Requirements

Dark Maven

Dark Maven degrees are the most basic degrees offered at the Shadow Academy and are essentially the Shadow Academy equivalent to a bachelor’s degree. They require basic courses to be passed, although some also have practical requirements.

Leadership (DML)

• Pass General Leadership
• Pass Leadership Fundamentals
• Pass Conflict Mediation
• Serve in a leadership position (BTL or higher) for at least four months. Leadership in multiple positions counts, but only if the positions are held consecutively

Writing (DMW)

• Grammar Studies
• Poetry Studies
• Run-On Studies

Philosophy (DMP)

• Sith Core
• Krath Core
• Obelisk Core
• Force Philosophy

General History (DMH)

• Pre-Republic History
• Old Republic History
• History of the Sith Empire I
• History of the Sith Empire II
• History of the Sith Empire III

Flight (DMF)

• Freighters/Transports
• Capital Starship Studies
• Starfighter Studies
• Astronomy

Service (MVN)

• Serve as a member of the Shadow Academy Staff for at least 5 months
  • Positions include: EP, Envoy (not including assistant envoys), Magistrate, Praetor, and Headmaster

Dark Savant

Dark Savant degrees are the second tier of degrees offered at the Shadow Academy and are essentially the Shadow Academy equivalent to a master’s degree. In general, they require one or more Dark Maven degrees (specific to each Dark Savant degree) and electives. Certain practical tests may be included.

Service (SVT)

• Serve the Shadow Academy in multiple positions for an extended period of time
  • Approximately 8 months or more
  • Grading multiple exams counts for this
  • Working on special SA projects will count towards overall time and may be “banked” for up to one year.
  • Any combination of SA related positions (Envoy, EP, Magistrate, Praetor, and HM) may be used.
• Serve as a magistrate or as the praetor for 8 months or more
• All positions require excellent service. The immediate superior shall determine the awarding.

Leadership and Communication (DSLC)

• Dark Maven: Leadership
• IRC Basics
• IRC Channel Operators
• Chamber of Justice
• Two Electives
• Serve in a leadership position (BTL or higher) for at least six months. Leadership in multiple positions may count, but only if held consecutively

Writing and Philosophy (DSWP)

• Dark Maven: Writing
• Dark Maven: Philosophy
• Test of Wisdom
• Two Electives

Electives

Electives are used as extra courses in Dark Savant degrees. While the 85% passing rule still applies, the person applying for the degree chooses which courses he or she would like to use as electives. In the email applying for the degree, the courses being used must be listed. The courses avaliable as electives are:

• AOL Instant Messenger
• DB Basics
• ICQ Studies
• MSN Messenger
• Sith Alchemy
• Marksmanship
• Safe Computing
• Dark Jedi Meditation
• Photoshop
• Enemy Starfighter Eng/Tech
• Imperial Starfighter Eng/Tech
• Leadership Applications
• Leadership Proposals
• Starfighter Tactics
• Wiki Basics
• Force Cults

Dark Sage

Dark Sage degrees are the third tier of degrees offered at the Shadow Academy and are essentially the Shadow Academy equivalent to a PhD. Dark Sage degrees require great effort and are not offered very often.

Writing (DSW)

This highly specialized course is offered once or twice a year by Oberst. One must sign up for the class and can only do so at certain times as announced by the Headmaster. You must successfully pass the course as outlined by the instructor to earn the degree.

Service (SGE)

• Provide long term, superior service to Academy while not holding a position above EP. This includes writing multiple exams, being involved in multiple projects, and maintaining constant activity at the Academy. This will be very rare, but specific members may be worthy of this.
• Serve as a Magistrate for at least 18 months
• Serve as Praetor for at least 14 months
• Serve as HM for at least 12 months
• All positions require excellent service. The immediate superior shall determine the awarding.

Law (DSL)

• Dark Savant: Leadership and Communication
• Advanced Chamber of Justice
• ACC Basics
• Wiki Basics
• Practical: Serve in a position on the Chamber of Justice for a full term

Disclaimer, Conclusion, and Credits

The Headmaster reserves the right to alter degree requirements at any time, so long as they are applied equally across the Brotherhood.

It is hoped that the degree system will give the membership an additional feature that adds to their fictional and practical experience in the Brotherhood. The degree system will also allow for a reorganization of the courses under different categories, which is essentially required given the new fictional situation we find ourselves in.

This system described above resulted largely from the ideas of Dacien "BubbaX" Victae, though they were inspired by the original degree system created by Kaiann, which was further refined by Spears and Anshar Kahn Tarentae, and then expanded by Aabsdu.