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BTI Consortium | Last Updated November 17, 2025 - 3:00PM
INTERRELIGIOUS LEADERSHIP
CERTIFICATE (PRE-APPROVED COURSES)
School
Hebrew College
PHI147
Inroduction to Buddhism for Jewish Leaders
BTI Category
Semester
Interreligious Learning
SP26
This course introduces the foundations of Buddhism in India, integrating doctrinal and meditative traditions while tracing their development through the three vehicles (yanas) throughout Asia. Topics include ethics and wisdom, emptiness and compassion, and the inherent wakefulness of all beings. Special attention will be given to Tibetan Buddhism, which has resonated with Judaism on such a fundamental level, including an introduction to the deity traditions of Tibet. The course will include a map of American Buddhist communities and a discussion of Jewish-Buddhist dialogue, double-belonging, and secular mindfulness. The week will close with a visit to a Boston Buddhist meditation center.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Dr. Amelia Hall and Dr. Judith Simmer-Brown
See notes
See notes
Grading Option
Audit
Professor
0
Online?
N
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
Tuesday-Friday, January 20-23, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (9:00 am – 1:00 pm on Friday 1/23)
School
Hartford International
TH-513-2
The Faiths as Formal Realities: God and the Nation
BTI Category
Semester
Interreligious Learning
SP26
One of three core courses in the MA in Interreligious Studies curriculum, The Faiths as Formal Realities explores how faith communities move from the text to practices with the use of structured beliefs and traditions, approaches and doctrines. This course is taught in a multi-faith classroom, with faculty of different faith traditions, and it builds knowledge and skills for study within a multifaith setting.
Course fulfills the following curricular requirements:
MAIRS - Core Requirement
MAC - Islamic Studies Elective
MAC - Chaplaincy elective
Professor
Class Day & Time
Grafton
M
5:00 - 6:50 PM
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Professor
3
Online?
Y
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Hartford International
TH-513-1
The Faiths as Formal Realities: God and the Nation
BTI Category
Semester
Interreligious Learning
SP26
One of three core courses in the MA in Interreligious Studies curriculum, The Faiths as Formal Realities explores how faith communities move from the text to practices with the use of structured beliefs and traditions, approaches and doctrines. This course is taught in a multi-faith classroom, with faculty of different faith traditions, and it builds knowledge and skills for study within a multifaith setting.
Course fulfills the following curricular requirements:
MAIRS - Core Requirement
MAC - Islamic Studies Elective
MAC - Chaplaincy elective
Professor
Class Day & Time
Grafton
M
5:00 - 6:50 PM
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Professor
3
Online?
N
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Boston College School of Theology & Ministry
TMTM7175
The Church and Interreligious Dialogue
BTI Category
Semester
Interreligious Learning
SP26
Dialogue between religions has become one of the urgent yet intractable challenges of our time. In this course, we will focus on the engagement of the Catholic Church and Catholic theologians in interreligious dialogue. The first part of the course will deal with topical issues, such as the history of, and the theological foundations for dialogue, intermonastic dialogue, scriptural reasoning, etc. The second part will focus on the particular dialogues between Christianity and Islam, Christianity and Judaism, Christianity and Hinduism, and Christianity and Buddhism
Professor
Class Day & Time
Cornille, Catherine M
M
02:00PM-04:50PM
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Professor
3
Online?
N
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Boston College Department of Theology
THEO5361-01
Contemporary Ethics in Christianity and Islam
BTI Category
Semester
Ethics (all traditions)
SP26
This course explores contemporary issues in Christianity and Islam through the lens of ethics. We will use textual, historical, social, cultural and gender analyses to examine and reflect on the sources and frameworks of ethics in both traditions and how they are applied to major themes today, including definitions of justice, treatment and understandings of the human person and body, representation in media and other imagery, environmental responsibility, water, food and energy source use and abuse, economic and financial models, just war theory, religious violence and extremism, conflict resolution, reconciliation and forgiveness, nonviolence, peacemaking, and cyberspace and artificial intelligence.
Professor
Class Day & Time
DeLong-Bas, Natana J
MWF
10:00-10:50 AM
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Professor
3
Online?
N
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
Both Grad and Undergrad
School
Boston University School of Theology
STHTY 815
Trauma-Informed Leadership and Relational Systems
BTI Category
Semester
Leadership Formation & Ministry Skills
SP26
This interdisciplinary course will survey theory, research, theology, and practice at the intersections of trauma, leadership, and relational systems (e.g., families, congregations, institutions). This course will emphasize (a) multidimensional conceptions of trauma and traumatic stress, (b) a systemic understanding of leadership and community, (c) considerations for trauma prevention and responsiveness, (d) practical applications in spiritual care, counseling, and congregational care, and (e) the self of the leader. You will also be invited to consider how you might use course content professionally in your respective contexts and will be encouraged to integrate theory and practice through writing assignments, self-reflection exercises, and classroom discussion.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Crabtree, Sara
ARR
Friday, February 27th 4-9pm and Saturday, February 28th 8am-5pm
Grading Option
Letter or P/F
Professor
1
Online?
N
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary-Hamilton
CO635
Crisis and Trauma Counseling
BTI Category
Semester
Practical/Pastoral Theology
SP26
This course will examine the foundations, contextual dimensions, and basic knowledge and skills of crisis and trauma counseling. The effects of developmental processes and transitions, disaster, situational crises and other trauma-causing events will be addressed. It will focus on trauma-informed counseling practices and interventions to conceptualize and treat client presentation. Additional emphasis will be given to crisis incident stress management, psychological first aid, spiritual first aid, and counselor self-care.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Kim, Angie
T
9:30am-12:30pm
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Professor
3
Online?
Y
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Harvard Divinity School
HDS 2935
Compassionate Care of the Dying: Buddhist Training and Techniques
BTI Category
Semester
Buddhist Studies
SP26
Traditional Buddhist monastics and teachers have long played a key role in helping others prepare for death. This course will explore the central approaches to death and dying in Buddhism, the Buddhist view of compassion, and how these are being adapted in the US for professional end-of-life care. Students will develop an understanding of basic skills in compassionate care of the dying, and tools to approach death as an opportunity for spiritual growth through readings, meditation exercises, listening practices, group work, and discussions with guest speakers. Some prior knowledge of Buddhism preferred. Prerequisite: Spiritual Care, Chaplaincy, or CPE required.This class has a limited enrollment to facilitate a personal group dynamic of safety and support around issues of death and dying, collective processing, and contemplative cultivation. Priority will be given to students who have completed one or more prerequisite courses with the instructors, have a basic knowledge of Buddhism and Buddhist practice, are third-year M.Div. students about to graduate, or will be in CPE or a field education placement working with end-of-life care. During the first class, Thursday, January 27, instructors will ask prospective students to write a one-paragraph summary of their readiness, aspirations for the class, and above criteria to determine the class cohort. Decisions will be made by both instructors on the same day of the first class and they will email students that evening to let them know if they are in the class.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Berlin
R
03:00pm-05:45pm
Grading Option
Professor
4
Online?
N
Professor Approval Req'd?
Y
Prerequisites?
Notes
N
School
Harvard Divinity School
HDS 3070
Krishna and Christ: Does It Matter?
BTI Category
Semester
Hinduism Studies
SP26
Krishna, a supreme deity of Hindu tradition, and Jesus Christ, the central figure of Christian faith, have been compared and contrasted for well over two centuries. They been understood as similar divine persons, who descend into this world and are embodied here, gather followers, offer wise instructions, save their devotees, and are best approached by love and devotion. But differences have often been emphasized. For centuries, missionaries, scholars, and many ordinary believers have seen Krishna and Christ as competitors., pushing similarities and differences in contexts (most often in India but not only) where true religion, salvation, and conversion were at stake. Questions arose such as these: Are Krishna and Christ mythical or historical figures? The former mythical and the latter historical? Is either divine? Both? Did they truly come into this world, by incarnation or avatara? If they save, how does that happen -- and save from what? Are they moral role models? Can a Hindu love Christ, and a Christian love Krishna? Such were "hot" questions for a very long time, and even today for some. But for many, such questions have lost their urgency in the 21st century. It is good that competition is largely a thing of the past, but it may not be good that the urgency of the comparison -- Krishna and Christ, Christ or Krishna? -- no longer matters to most people. Do we have something to gain by taking both Krishna and Christ seriously? Facing this question sheds light on many larger questions regarding spirituality, religion, and cross-cultural learning. The course proceeds by key readings, discussed vigorously in class, but experience, practices, and images are important as well. Course requirements include brief weekly written responses to readings, and two 12-page course papers, but no final examination. Jointly offered in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences as Religion 64.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Clooney
MW
10:30am-11:45am
Grading Option
Professor
4
Online?
N
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Prerequisites?
Notes
N
School
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
CHST 7701 H1
Seminar:Orth-Roman Cath. Relations
BTI Category
Semester
Interreligious Learning
SP26
This course aims to survey the concept, canonical foundations, development, and institution of autocephaly in the Orthodox Church through a historical lens from the Nicaean period to today. A primary focus will be placed on critically examining the institution of autocephaly, the manners through which it has been historically proclaimed, and the theories surrounding how it is proclaimed today. Special attention will be given to the creation of the Churches from the 16th-21st centuries including the Churches of Russia, Greece, and Ukraine as well as the case of the OCA.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Rev. Dr. Philip Joseph Halikias
M
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Professor
3
Online?
N
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
INDS 7120 Z1
Ortho Christian Muslim Relations
BTI Category
Semester
Interreligious Learning
SP26
For more than 13 centuries, Orthodox Christians and Muslims have lived among one another and shared the same societies and cultures. Orthodox Christian relationships with Muslims have been one of the most enduring and impactful factors in Orthodox church history, yet the profound complexities of these relationships have often been forgotten across the centuries or obscured by the context of modern politics. The Orthodox Christian-Muslim Relations course will introduce students to the history of Orthodox Christian-Muslim relations by utilizing historical, theological, and anthropological approaches to this topic. Areas of particular focus will include a comparative analysis of the experiences of Orthodox living under Muslim rule (as in the ‘Abbasid and Ottoman Empires) and Muslims living under Orthodox rule (as in the Russian Empire), the transformative effects of modern nationalism, and the history of Orthodox theological approaches to Islam.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Dr. Philip Dorroll
ASYNC
ASYNC
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Professor
3
Online?
Y
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Boston College School of Theology & Ministry
TMPS7090
Ministry in a Diverse Church: Latino Perpectives and Beyond
BTI Category
Semester
Practical/Pastoral Theology
SP26
Catholicism in the United States is presently shaped by rich cultural traditions that demand creative approaches to ministry in the midst of diversity. Nearly 45% of all Catholics in the country are Hispanic, 40% Euro-American, 4% Asian-American, 3.7% African-American, among others. Students in this course explore key questions and discuss ministerial strategies that will help them develop cultural competencies for effective ministry today. The course builds on the U.S. Latino/a Catholic experience as a case study while addressing core issues in ministry that affect everyone in the Church. Ecumenical and international perspectives are welcomed into this conversation.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Noriega, Brenda
ASYNC
ASYNC
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Professor
3
Online?
ASYNC
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Hebrew College
INT519
Introduction to Christianity for Jewish Leaders
BTI Category
Semester
Interreligious Learning
SP26
Introduction to Christianity will focus on the histories, beliefs, and practices of contemporary Christian communities. The intensive course will be include visits to churches in greater Boston, providing students with the opportunity to network with other important actors in the religious landscape and exposure to various expressions of Christianity in Boston. The course will be facilitated by Rev. Dr. Soren Hessler, former Associate Director of the Miller Center for Interreligious Learning & Leadership, and will include guest lectures and workshops led by Christian clergy and religious professionals.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Rev Dr. Soren Hessler
See notes
See notes
Grading Option
Audit
Professor
0
Online?
N
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
Tuesday-Friday, January 20-23, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (9:00 am – 1:00 pm on Friday 1/23)
School
Hartford International
DI-636
Images of Jesus in Christian and Muslim Sacred Writings
BTI Category
Semester
Interreligious Learning
SP26
Drawing on the canonical scriptures of the two traditions (the Bible and the Qur’an) in conversation with other sources such as apocryphal gospels, Patristic writings, Hadith, and hagiographic literature, we will study the birth, mission, death, resurrection and eschatological role of Jesus in Christianity and Islam—and the closely related matter of the life and status of his mother Mary. While this is a course in comparative theology, attention will be given to the role of Jesus and Mary in personal and communal piety.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Mosher
R
5:00 - 6:50 PM
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Professor
3
Online?
Y
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Boston University Graduate Program in Religion
CASRN766
Religion and the Problem of Tolerance
BTI Category
Semester
Interreligious Learning
SP26
Explores the religious roots of tolerance as an alternative to secular, more liberal foundations for pluralism. Grapples with the challenge of tolerance to the revealed religions and the ways different societies have met or failed to meet this challenge. Presents multiple case-studies and contemporary connections, explores relevance to students own experiences.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Seligman, Adam
M
2:30-5:15p
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Professor
4
Online?
N
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
Graduate Only
School
Boston College Department of Theology
THEO5020-01
Heschel as an Interreligious Thinker
BTI Category
Semester
Interreligious Learning
SP26
Abraham Joshua Heschel was a prominent Jewish-American philosopher and activist who played a significant role in interreligious dialogue. This course explores the foundations of Heschels thought and activism through the lens of his interreligious approach. Who is Heschels God? What was the source of his opposition to racism? How did he interpret Jewish sources, and how did he relate to Zionism? We will examine how Heschels interreligious perspective weaves the core elements of his philosophy and activism. The course will highlight the contemporary relevance of Heschels thought in discussions on interfaith dialogue, social justice, and moral responsibility.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Bondi, Dror Simha
W
12:00-2:25 PM
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Professor
3
Online?
N
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
Both Grad and Undergrad
School
Boston University School of Theology
STHTC 822
Faith-Based Community Organizing for Justice and Peace
BTI Category
Semester
Leadership Formation & Ministry Skills
SP26
Faith-based community organizing is the practice of members of religious traditions who draw on, use, and evolve religious practices in their political activism. Focusing primarily on the tradition of broad-based community organizing, with comparative reference to other models, this course invites theological, ethical, and practical questions about organizing communities for social change toward a justpeace.
Professor
Class Day & Time
McCarty, Jimmy
T
3:30-6:15pm
Grading Option
Letter or P/F
Professor
3
Online?
N
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary-Hamilton
CL/WM615
Cross-Cultural Leadership
BTI Category
Semester
Leadership Formation & Ministry Skills
SP26
Different leaders have different skill sets and competencies. This individual-level variance is coupled with external factors: cultural & social environments present different demands, limits, rights, and processes. Though all leaders have unique gifts, they must be able to work within the boundaries of such variants. The focus of this course is the study of leadership, specifically learning how to lead in cross cultural contexts. The course is designed to help students reflect deeply on their cultural values, evaluate one’s leadership focus, and analyze (with peers) their own leadership failures.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Cho, Eun Ah
R
6-9pm
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Professor
3
Online?
Y
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Harvard Divinity School
HDS 2031
Introduction to Chaplaincy in Higher Education
BTI Category
Semester
Practical/Pastoral Theology
SP26
This course engages the theory and practice of chaplaincy in settings of higher education in the United States. Drawing on the rich history of multireligious ministries in higher education and the range of expressions chaplaincy assumes, the course will provide an overview of the strategies, practices, contextual analyses, and narratives of practitioners in the field. Through a series of lectures, open discussions, site visits, chaplaincy narratives and personal as well as collaborative reflection, the class will provide students with encounters with the vocation of chaplaincy in its multifaith, pluralistic expression in the 21st century academy. Course Objectives: - Provide an introductory overview of the history of chaplaincy on college and university campuses in the United States- Interrogate the variety of purposes and missions that inform chaplaincies in various settings of higher education- Explore the range of structures and practices chaplaincy assumes in its diverse contexts- Interrogate approaches to the dismantling of white supremacy in higher education chaplaincy settings- Investigate and highlight best practices in chaplaincy- Explore the qualifications and opportunities for professional employment in higher education chaplainciesSpecial Schedule Notation: This spring term course is offered intensively for one week in January during semester recess in the week before classes begin, Monday-Friday 10:00-AM-3:30 PM. The course also includes four mandatory morning seminars (7:00-9:00 AM) , once in the fall term in November 20 and three times in the spring term in February, March, and April. Enrollment is limited. Registrants must contact the instructor beginning September 8 in the years offered to pre-register. First-come, first-served. Requirements for the course include written responses to the required readings, a book report, a daily journal, a group research project, two seminar presentations, and a final research project or paper.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Maloney
R
07:00am-09:00am
Grading Option
Professor
4
Online?
N
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Prerequisites?
Notes
N
School
Harvard Divinity School
HDS 3063
Spiritual Care from a Muslim Perspective
BTI Category
Semester
Islamic Studies
SP26
This course introduces students to practices of spiritual care from a Muslim Perspective. As we will survey spiritual care practices of different Muslim cultures, our focus will be the relevant application of these practices in North America with a special focus on contemporary issues. We will study meditative/ritualistic, medical, philosophical, counseling, and psychological practices that have relevance and meanings in personal journeys of Muslim spiritual experience in different settings such as hospital, prison, university, community, social, and professional settings. Through a combination of readings, class discussions, practical exercises and expert guest lecturers in each class, students will begin to develop their own approaches to spiritual care in different circumstances such as the issues involving spiritual crises, trauma, mental illness, marriage/divorce, refuge related mental and spiritual complications, substance abuse, and others. Different stake holders such as pastoral care/chaplaincy (minister) candidates, students in education, social work, counseling, psychology, and health sciences as well as medical school students will find much value and benefit in this course. Class format will include weekly expert guest speakers including medical doctors, counselors, social workers, psychologists, clergy, and chaplains, from different disciplines who provide service to Muslim clients, patients, students, or inmates followed by a class discussion.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Kumek
M
12:00pm-01:59pm
Grading Option
Professor
4
Online?
N
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Prerequisites?
Notes
N
School
Harvard Divinity School
HDS 3178
Introduction to Iranian Religions and Persian Philosophy
BTI Category
Semester
Church History/History of Religions
SP26
Throughout historical and contemporary periods, Persia (Iran) has occupied a central role in global religious thought and spirituality. The ancient Persian religions, including Zoroastrianism (Mazdayasna) and Manicheanism, had highly developed theological and philosophical worldviews with monotheistic and dualistic theologies. These included cosmologies of Light and Darkness, Good versus Evil, End-Times messianism, and resurrection that have greatly impacted world religious and philosophical traditions, including Greek philosophical schools, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, among others. In the post-Islamic period, Persia retained a distinctive place in the development of various Islamic philosophies, including among scholars, sages, poets, and philosophers such as al-Farabi, Avicenna (Ibn Sina), Sohrevardi, Attar, Rumi, Hafez, and Mulla Sadra. This has included highly mystical (Sufi/Irfani) understandings of religion that have shaped Islamic thought and culture to the present time, especially in Iran as the main center of Shi'a Islam, heavily impacting the development of Shi'a Islamic thought, philosophy, and identity. This course provides an introductory survey of several Iranian religions and philosophical-mystical traditions from the pre- to post-Islamic periods, ending with Muslim scholars of the 20th century and the Islamic Revolution of 1979 in Iran. It also examines the Western reception of Persian thought and religion, especially in American religion and contemporary popular culture, exploring the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Harold Bloom, and other media.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Mohseni
W
03:00pm-04:59pm
Grading Option
Professor
4
Online?
N
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Prerequisites?
Notes
N
School
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
INDS 7100 Z1
The Ecumenical Movement-TheSources
BTI Category
Semester
Interreligious Learning
SP26
The Ecumenical Movement that started in the second half of the 19th century does not constitute an ideology but rather reflects the authentic commitment to reconcile divided Christians in the unity of the Church and the reality of communion. Throughout the past century, the quest for Christian unity has assumed many shapes and forms that may be studied through major documents produced along the history of the 20th century and beyond. This course will define the boundaries of Ecumenism and its challenges for contemporary Orthodoxy by looking inward as well as outward as faithful and thoughtful Christians.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Rev. Dr. Nicholas Kazarian
M
6:30 - 8:50 PM
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Professor
3
Online?
Y
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
INDS 7125
Christianity and Religions
BTI Category
Semester
Interreligious Learning
SP26
This course offers an introduction to the central questions and debates of the theology of religions, examining how Christianity has interpreted and responded to the reality of other faith traditions. Beginning with the paradigms of exclusivism, inclusivism, and pluralism, it explores how the encounter with religious diversity has shaped theological reflection and raised profound questions about the uniqueness and universality of Christ. The course engages the contributions of key modern theologians including Karl Barth, Karl Rahner, Georges Khodre, Jacques Dupuis, Joseph Ratzinger, John Hick, and Paul Knitter, alongside the impact of Vatican II and later Catholic teaching. By analyzing their arguments, students will gain a clear overview of the field and an appreciation of the challenges and opportunities that interreligious encounter poses for Christian theology today.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Metropolitan Kyrillos Katerelos
T
2:10 - 4:30 PM
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Professor
3
Online?
N
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
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