School:

Boston College Department of Theology

BTI Category:

Interreligious Learning

Jews an Christians: Understanding the Other

This course is an exercise in interreligious learning sponsored by the Boston College's Center for Jewish-Christian Learning. Interreligious dialogue requires interreligious understanding. This course will build a foundation for genuine dialogue between Jews and Christians by posting fundamental theological questions in a comparative context. Students will gain an understanding of the other tradition while also deepening their understanding of their own, discussing such matters as the human experience of God, the purpose of human existence, the nature of religious community, and the ways that the communities respond to challenges, both contemporary and ancient.

School:

Boston University Graduate Program in Religion

BTI Category:

Interreligious Learning

Philosophy and Mysticism: Jewish and Islamic Perspectives

Thematic introduction to mysticism and philosophy, with a focus on dynamics of religious experience. Readings from medieval Jewish and Islamic philosophy; Sufi mysticism and philosophy; Kabbalah, Biblical interpretation, Sufi poetry, Hebrew poetry from the Golden Age of Muslim Spain.

School:

Boston University School of Theology

BTI Category:

Interreligious Learning

World Religions in Boston (A-Term)

[This course is full. Please contact sthregfa@bu.edu to be added to the waitlist.] In an increasingly pluralistic society it is essential to have some understanding of the beliefs and worship patterns of other religions and to be able to engage in dialogue with them. This course utilizes the Pluralism Project at Harvard to explore new forms of interfaith engagement. Seven weekly lectures introduce the issues surrounding interfaith work and a basic understanding of the tenets and practices of five major religions. Site visits (to Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist and Jewish worship services) offer first- hand experiences and the opportunity for discussion and interaction with religious leaders and lay people.?

School:

Hartford International University

BTI Category:

Interreligious Learning

Muslim-Christian Conflict or Cooperation: The Politics of Interpreting Our Shared Past

The interpretation of Islam and Christian-Muslim encounters has become highly politicized, ideological, and controversial. Islam and Christianity have been described as either sibling children of Abraham sharing much in common or part of a monolithic clash of incompatible civilizations. This course will survey the history of Christian-Muslim relations, giving attention to how contemporary events shape our memories of past events and identities. Students will examine the origins of the encounter, the diversity of historical contexts, and interpretive frameworks to provide tools to develop their own critical perspectives on Christian-Muslim relations for contemporary public engagement.

School:

Hartford International University

BTI Category:

Interreligious Learning

None?s Religion: Understanding and Addressing the Religiously Unaffiliated Population

The numbers of persons in America who say they have no religious affiliation has risen dramatically over the past 20 years. Currently over 20 percent of the country, and 35 percent of younger generations, are designated as the "nones." Religious communities and leaders need to understand this dynamic and the people who hold this "fastest growing" religious identity to be effective in ministry into the future. This course will explore the phenomenon, discuss the social, psychological and spiritual research on the non-affiliated and how they are similar and different from Atheists, Agnostics and the "spiritual but not religious." The course will include field trips and research efforts as well as readings and guest speakers to better understand this important development on the religious landscape.

School:

Hartford International University

BTI Category:

Interreligious Learning

None?s Religion: Understanding and Addressing the Religiously Unaffiliated Population

The numbers of persons in America who say they have no religious affiliation has risen dramatically over the past 20 years. Currently over 20 percent of the country, and 35 percent of younger generations, are designated as the "nones." Religious communities and leaders need to understand this dynamic and the people who hold this "fastest growing" religious identity to be effective in ministry into the future. This course will explore the phenomenon, discuss the social, psychological and spiritual research on the non-affiliated and how they are similar and different from Atheists, Agnostics and the "spiritual but not religious." The course will include field trips and research efforts as well as readings and guest speakers to better understand this important development on the religious landscape.

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

BTI Category:

Interreligious Learning

Eastern Christianity And Islam

Students will be introduced to the historical development of Islam in the Middle East from its origins in the seventh century to the Ottoman Empire and the impact Islam had upon the Christian communities of the region. Particular attention will be given to the historical, political, and social conditions of these Christian communities under Islamic rule and law. The contemporary situation of Christians in the Middle East will also be examined. This Course fulfills the World Religions/Ecumenism requirement

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

BTI Category:

Interreligious Learning

World Religions

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 will discuss Orthodox 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.

School:

Boston University Graduate Program in Religion

BTI Category:

Buddhist Studies

Buddhist Literature

Focuses on Buddhist sutras and other literature to explore key issues of doctrine, philosophy, and praxis in the Theravada and Mahayana traditions of Buddhism. Topics include the Buddha?s life, practicing the path, emptiness, and interdependence.

School:

Boston University Graduate Program in Religion

BTI Category:

Buddhist Studies

Art, Media, and Buddhism

Examines how textual, visual, and material forms of religious expressions have been conceptualized by Buddhists as well as how Buddhist objects are understood and re-contextualized in the West. Topics include self-immolation; museums; war propaganda, and pop culture.