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BTI Consortium | Last Updated April 21, 2026 - 6:00PM
INTERELIGIOUS LEARNING
School
Boston College Theology Department
THEO7507
Theology of Religions/Comparative Theology
BTI Category
Semester
Interreligious Learning
FA26
This seminar will focus on the various theological positions which have been developed with regard to the reality of religious pluralism as well as on the relationship between theology of religions and comparative theology. While we will focus mainly on the works of Christian theologians, we will also pay attention to analogous developments in other religious traditions.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Cornille, Catherine M
W
02:00PM-04:25PM,
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
3
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
Counts for core class for IL certificate
School
Boston University Graduate Program in Religion
CASRN 683/CASRN 383
African Diaspora Religions
BTI Category
Semester
Interreligious Learning
FA26
This course introduces students to religions of the African Diaspora, with a specific focus on the Caribbean and the Americas. Religious traditions such as Africanized Christianity, Cuban Santer�a, Haitian Vodou, Brazilian Candombl�, and African American Spiritualism will be explored.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Guillory, Margarita
MWF
12:20-1:10pm
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
4
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Harvard Divinity School
HDS 2507
Fallen Angels
BTI Category
Semester
Interreligious Learning
FA26
This course surveys Jewish and Christian traditions about fallen angels beginning with the oldest attested articulations in relation to the Flood, especially in Enochic and related traditions, and tracing late antique and medieval reinterpretations within and between Judaism and Christianity, from the Epistle of Jude to Sefer Hekhalot. Readings will include selections from apocryphal, biblical, magical, mystical, Patristic, and Rabbinic corpora, and key themes will include the origins of sin, aetiology of magic and civilization, the enduring impact of non-canonical writings, and the shared ideas of an antediluvian past among different religious groups in Late Antiquity. Although the class will focus on premodern Judaism and Christianity, students will have opportunities to explore later trajectories and transformations, from Islamic angelology to Japanese anime.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Reed
T
09:00am-11:45am
Grading Option
Letter, P/F
Credits
4
Professor Approval Req'd?
Y
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Harvard Divinity School
HDS 3751
Who Needs God? Rethinking God in Light of Hindu and Christian Wisdom
BTI Category
Semester
Interreligious Learning
FA26
This course reflects on God reconsidered in light of modern and postmodern doubts about the very idea of �God,� in cultures where belief in God, and even understanding of God, is waning. What does needing God mean, for whom? The questions are raised in light of Hindu and Christian scriptures, from philosophical and theological perspectives, and with reference to spiritual paths to union with God in these great traditions. What is missing, if God is missing? Readings, subject to revision, will include some of these: 19th and 20th century essays on theism and atheism; selected scriptural texts in the Vedic and Biblical traditions; mystical texts by medieval poet thinkers, Sri _a_kara's Goddess hymn,�Ocean of Beauty (8th century) and St. Gertud of Helfta�s �Mystical Union� chapter of her Spiritual Exercises (13th century); the 19th�century mystics Ramakrishna and T�r�se of Lisieux; 20th century prophets of compassion and justice, Mohandas K. Gandhi and Dorothy Day. Comparing Hindu and Christian traditions on God challenge 21st�century ideas of God, religion, self, but the course strongly welcomes insights from other traditions ancient and modern. Jointly offered in the Faculty of Arts and Science as Religion 1059.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Clooney
MW
10:30am-11:45am
Grading Option
HDS Student Option (LG/SUS/AUD)
Credits
4
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Hartford International
HI-539, Sect 1
Interrogating Abraham: Examining Intersections between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
BTI Category
Semester
Interreligious Learning
FA26
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have often been called the Abrahamic Religions, as they all claim the Patriarch Abraham?. To what extent do these three faiths identify with him, define him, and share him? This course will use an interdisciplinary approach to problematize the Abrahamic identities of early Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities, their views of the Patriarch, and how such identities have guided and affected past and contemporary inter-communal relations. Attention will be given to how sacred scripture, contemporary literature and film shapes and provide meaning for relations today. Course fulfills the following curricular requirements:
MAIRS - Ministerial Studies: Beliefs and Practices
MAIRS - Interreligious Studies: Elective
MAIRS - Islamic Studies: Religious Pluralism
MAIRS - Islamic Studies: Elective
MAC: Elective
MAC - Islamic Chaplaincy: Elective
Professor
Class Day & Time
Grafton
M
5:00-7:00pm
Grading Option
Letter
Credits
3
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Hartford International
IP-613
Identity and Otherness in Religious Communities
BTI Category
Semester
Interreligious Learning
FA26
There is a tendency within individuals and societies to organize and collectively define themselves along dimensions of difference and sameness. This course uses the framework of �otherness� and �belonging� to explore how othering becomes structured and embedded within religious communities. In other words, what are the dynamics, processes, and structures that engender marginality and persistent inequality within our own religious communities? We will use an intersectional, interdisciplinary, and dialogical approach to examine essential concepts such as individual and group identity formation, expression, and boundaries; the dual sides of social cohesion and internal conflict; prejudice and power within religious communities; dealing with the emotional and social costs of leading justice-oriented change; and how identity, power, and privilege varies across contexts. In addition to investigating these forces that contribute to othering, we will also identify the interventions that may mitigate some of these forces, turning toward sustainable solutions that address othering through experiential learning such as site visits and MAP project-related ethnographic study. Course fulfills the following curricular requirements:
MAIRS - Interreligious Studies: Elective
MAIRS - Islamic Studies: Elective
MAC - Chaplaincy Elective
MAC - Islamic Chaplaincy Elective
MAP - Elective
Professor
Class Day & Time
Norton
W
9:00 AM-4:00 PM
Grading Option
Letter
Credits
3
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
Sept. 2 & 23; Oct. 7; Nov. 4 & 18
School
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox
INDS 7110 H1
The Ecumenical Movement: Challenges and Opportunities
BTI Category
Semester
Interreligious Learning
FA26
The �Ecumenical Movement: Challenges and Opportunities� course follows but is not dependent on the previous course on the �Ecumenical Movement. The Ecumenical Movement has presented the church with several issues that have and continue to be addressed and wrestled with ranging from ecclesiology to the eucharist, initiation to ordination, worship, and liturgy. Ecumenical relations have presented opportunities to identify key points of theological and praxis convergence and divergence across the major denominations of Christianity. Many of these challenges will be explored alongside the numerous opportunities for Christians to work across denominational lines on social services and social justice actions. Attention will be paid to the work and documents of the National Council of Churches, with supplemental documents from the World Council of Churches.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Rev. Dr. Philip Joseph Halikias
TBA
TBA
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
3
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Boston University Graduate Program in Religion
CASRN 561
Religion and International Relations
BTI Category
Semester
Interreligious Learning
FA26
Explores the role of religion in contemporary international relations in the context of questions about the common core of modernity. Reviews scholarly and policy literature, and case studies, in order to elucidate religion's intellectual and operational diversity in international relations.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Menchik, Jeremy
T
12:30-3:15pm
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
4
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary-Hamilton
AP/WM644
Introduction to Confucianism and Taoism
BTI Category
Semester
Interreligious Learning
FA26
Confucianism and Daoism (Taoism) are no doubt two of the most influential religious traditions in Asia, and deeply shaped the cultures in the East Asian countries such as Korea, Japan, and China. As East Asia has been emerging as a global political and economic powerhouse, its cultural religious and cultural heritages also receive growing attention. In the recent centuries these two traditions extended their influences globally through various channel including East Asian diaspora. The rise of Korean and Chinese Christian communities has brought to the fore the needs to contextualize Christian faith in East Asian cultures.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Yao, Xiyi
FS
Fri 6:30-9:30pm; Sat 8:30am-4:30pm
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
3
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
Y
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
Friday Evening, Saturday all day: Sept. 18-19, Oct. 16-17, Nov. 13-14
School
Harvard Divinity School
HDS 3254A
Sacrifice: Theory and Praxis I
BTI Category
Semester
Interreligious Learning
FA26
A comparative examination of the paradoxical ritual of sacrifice in a range of religious traditions where it is featured, rejected, or sublimated.We will consider types of sacrifice, blood and bloodless offerings, and recurrent religious concepts: e.g., cosmogony, consecration, thanksgiving, communion, reciprocity, substitution, efficacy, violence, transgression, expiation, catharsis, human and divine hierarchy, gendered and racialized dimensions, and sacerdotal authority. We will also consider leading theories of sacrifice. In the first semester, cases will be drawn from Mesoamerican, Incan, Vedic and Hindu, Celtic, West African and diasporic traditions. Students will be encouraged to develop their own research and understanding.Jointly offered with the Faculty of Arts and Sciences as RELIGION 1032A.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Patton
R
03:00pm-05:00pm
Grading Option
HDS Student Option (LG/SUS/AUD)
Credits
4
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Hartford International
DI-550
Introduction to Interreligious Studies
BTI Category
Semester
Interreligious Learning
FA26
The gateway course to the MA in Interreligious Studies and a required course for the MA in Peacebuilding curriculum, Introduction to Interreligious Studies is an intersectional, integrative course that promotes deep understanding of worldviews different from one�s own. The course integrates theory and practice in exploring how diverse individuals and groups understand �religion� and how those with differing understandings relate to one another. The course cultivates the dynamic link between theory and practice as it engages in critical investigation of relations between people (whether individuals or groups) who orient around �religion� differently. As an introduction to Interreligious Studies, this course explores such themes as the meaning of �religion,� the discourse of �othering� and theologies of religious difference, comparative theology, interreligious hermeneutics, urban social history methodologies, interreligious dialogue, faith-based collaboration, and more. Course fulfills the following curricular requirements:
MAIRS - Core course
MAP - Core course
Professor
Class Day & Time
Mosher
R
7:00-9:00pm
Grading Option
Letter
Credits
3
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
Y
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
Counts as core class for IL Certificate
School
Hartford International
HI-539, Sect 2
Interrogating Abraham: Examining Intersections between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
BTI Category
Semester
Interreligious Learning
FA26
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have often been called the Abrahamic Religions, as they all claim the Patriarch Abraham?. To what extent do these three faiths identify with him, define him, and share him? This course will use an interdisciplinary approach to problematize the Abrahamic identities of early Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities, their views of the Patriarch, and how such identities have guided and affected past and contemporary inter-communal relations. Attention will be given to how sacred scripture, contemporary literature and film shapes and provide meaning for relations today. Course fulfills the following curricular requirements:
MAIRS - Ministerial Studies: Beliefs and Practices
MAIRS - Interreligious Studies: Elective
MAIRS - Islamic Studies: Religious Pluralism
MAIRS - Islamic Studies: Elective
MAC: Elective
MAC - Islamic Chaplaincy: Elective
Professor
Class Day & Time
Grafton
M
5:00-7:00pm
Grading Option
Letter
Credits
3
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
Y
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
ONLINE SECTION
School
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox
INDS 6240 H1
Eastern-Oriental Orthodox Relations
BTI Category
Semester
Interreligious Learning
FA26
This course examines the relationship between the Eastern (Chalcedonian) Orthodox and Oriental (Non-Chalcedonian) Orthodox families following the schism after the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD. It addresses how mutual vilification and misinformation have deepened the division between these communions. Theological exploration focuses on key Christological formulations, including the Miaphysis doctrine of Cyril of Alexandria affirmed at Ephesus, the two natures (physes) definition of Chalcedon, and subsequent debates concerning aphthartodocetism, wills, and energies. Historical analysis considers the evolving relations between the Churches after Chalcedon, particularly following the Arab conquests of Egypt and Syria. This includes examining specific encounters between Armenians and Greeks, Copts and Greeks in Egypt, and Syriac and Antiochian traditions. The course also investigates ecclesiological questions that challenge reconciliation, such as: (1) How would acknowledging the orthodoxy of those historically deemed heretics affect the doctrine of the Church�s infallibility? (2) How can parallel apostolic successions in ancient patriarchates like Alexandria and Antioch be understood and resolved? Instruction will draw from diverse readings representing both sides of the Chalcedonian divide, including perspectives for and against reunion. Guest lecturers will further provide expert insight and their respective Churches� viewpoints.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Dr. Peter Bouteneff/ Dr. Andrew Youssef
TBA
TBA
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
3
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox
PAST 7360
World Religions
BTI Category
Semester
Interreligious Learning
FA26
We will look at humanity's quest for God from the beginning of time, and how four of the world's major religious traditions�Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism�developed. Along with their history, we will study their main teachings, worldview, and practice. Part of the class will include visiting temples of the other faiths. We will also look at the phenomenon of atheism and its own religious perspective. With each of these different religions, we willdiscussOrthodox Christianity's understanding of other religions and how we are to dialogue and interact with them, trying to discover elements that could be acceptable within Orthodox Christianity, and how these bridges could be used in sharing our faith within other religions. This Course fulfills the World Religions/Ecumenism requirement.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Rev. Luke A. Veronis
T
6:40-9 PM
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
3
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
World I-V
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