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RELIGION & CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION
CERTIFICATE (PRE-APPROVED COURSES)

School

Hartford International

IP-614-2

Nonviolence in Faith-based Social Movements

BTI Category

Semester

Sociology/Ethnography/Research Methods

SP25

Social movements are important arenas for social change.  Religion, faith and tactics of non-violence have played a significant role in many social movements.  By joining together, individuals and groups have worked to transform social values or norms, establish collective identities, change laws, and chart new ways of living, learning, and being. This class will aim to further our understanding of social movements and how faith helped shape the trajectories of the movements. We will focus on how that’s happened in the Americas while referring to similar movements from around the world.  Topics include racial identity, nationalism, Christianity, Islam, the civil rights movement, feminist approaches, and contemporary interfaith dialogue. Course material includes primary sources and analytical perspectives. We will examine how they develop, are sustained, have changed/evolved, and (sometimes) decline. We will begin by examining theories of social movements and look at the ways in which our understanding of social movements has changed over time. We will also examine mobilization to social movements and ask why some people come to participate while others do not, as well as the tactics, goals, and successes of various social movements. 

Professor

Class Day & Time

Robertson, Cleotha

W

5:00pm-6:50pm

Grading Option

Letter, P/F, Audit

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

Y

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Boston College School of Theology & Ministry

TMPS7279

Conflict Transformation

BTI Category

Semester

Practical/Pastoral Theology

SP25

Conflict theory can enable constructive responses to situational disagreements and long-term relationship building. This course combines resources from secular conflict theory and Christian theology and ministry to foster transformation of micro (interpersonal), meso (communal), and macro (societal, international) level conflicts. Most texts reference the U.S. context, but other cultural perspectives are welcome. Assignments include regular short papers and a presentation. This is a discussion-based (not lecture-based) class. Close reading is required.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Heather M. DuBois

W

04:00PM-06:20PM

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Boston College School of Theology & Ministry

TMST8115

Latin American Theology of Liberation

BTI Category

Semester

Systematic Theology & Philosophy (Western)

SP25

Latin American liberation theology traces its origins to the grassroots Christian communities that struggled for social justice in the 1960s. This course explores the distinctive way in which Latin American liberation theologians correlate their interpretation of their social context with the Christian tradition and praxis in a mutually-critical manner. We will critically examine their fundamental presuppositions, their contribution to theology, and their efforts to articulate the Christian message as an effective response against oppression and on behalf of a full human liberation. We will also incorporate some of the liberationist voices that emerge from other social and cultural situations.

Professor

Class Day & Time

O. Ernesto Valiente

R

03:30PM-06:20PM

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

Y

Notes

A course in theological foundations or fundamental theology

School

Boston College Department of Theology

THEO5574-02

Ethics, Religion, and International Politics

BTI Category

Semester

Ethics (all traditions)

SP25

An examination of the role of religion in international politics and of ethical approaches to international affairs. Special emphasis will be given to religion as a source of conflict, religious communities as transnational agents for justice, protection of human rights, and peace; the historical development and contemporary formulations of ethical norms for the use of force; and ethical and religious contributions to reconciliation and solidarity.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Strouse, Ethan C

R

3:00 PM - 3:50 PM

Grading Option

Letter/PF/Aud

Credits

0

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

GRAD/UGRAD SPLIT

School

Boston College Department of Theology

THEO5574-07

Ethics, Religion, and International Politics

BTI Category

Semester

Ethics (all traditions)

SP25

An examination of the role of religion in international politics and of ethical approaches to international affairs. Special emphasis will be given to religion as a source of conflict, religious communities as transnational agents for justice, protection of human rights, and peace; the historical development and contemporary formulations of ethical norms for the use of force; and ethical and religious contributions to reconciliation and solidarity.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Wambui, Nelly Wamaitha

TR

10:30 AM - 11:45 AM

Grading Option

Letter/PF/Aud

Credits

0

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

GRAD/UGRAD SPLIT

School

Boston College Department of Theology

THEO5574-09

Ethics, Religion, and International Politics

BTI Category

Semester

Ethics (all traditions)

SP25

An examination of the role of religion in international politics and of ethical approaches to international affairs. Special emphasis will be given to religion as a source of conflict, religious communities as transnational agents for justice, protection of human rights, and peace; the historical development and contemporary formulations of ethical norms for the use of force; and ethical and religious contributions to reconciliation and solidarity.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Strouse, Ethan C

R

6:00 PM - 6:50 PM

Grading Option

Letter/PF/Aud

Credits

0

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

GRAD/UGRAD SPLIT

School

Boston University School of Theology

STHTS 843

Narrative Approaches to Conflict Transformation (online course)

BTI Category

Semester

Ethics (all traditions)

SP25

Professor

Class Day & Time

Anderson Hooker, David

M

2:30PM-5:15PM

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

Y - with live meeting time

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Boston University School of Theology

STHTT 862

Theologies of Liberation

BTI Category

Semester

Systematic Theology & Philosophy (Western)

SP25

Liberation theology has been one of the most influential theological movements in contemporary Christian theology. This course surveys some of its main tenets, texts, and practices. We pay particular attention to the development of liberation theologies in light of the experience of oppressed communities and how these experiences shape their theological imagination. In addition to covering some of the pillar texts in the tradition, the course will investigate several developments in liberating theologies: womanism, mujerista theology, queer theology, postcolonial theologies, and ecotheologies.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Maia, Filipe

T

12:30PM-3:15PM

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Boston University School of Theology

STHTY 878

Trauma and Spirituality

BTI Category

Semester

Ethics (all traditions)

SP25

TBD

Professor

Class Day & Time

Captari, Laura and Choe, Elise

See notes

See notes

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

1

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

February 21 from 3:00PM-8:30PM, February 22 from 9:00AM-5:30PM

School

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary-Hamilton

CL/CO637

Leadership Trauma: Healing and Recovery

BTI Category

Semester

Leadership Formation & Ministry Skills

SP25

According to Barna, as of March 2022, the percentage of pastors considering quitting full-time ministry within the past year sits at 42 percent. Stress, isolation & political division factor into pastors' desire to quit. Nearly three in four pastors feel emotionally exhausted sometimes, and over half feel isolated from others sometimes. Leadership within pulpits also reflects a trend in leadership generally, where four out of five young adults (18-35 years old) affirm and nearly half strongly affirm that society is facing a crisis of leadership because there are not enough good leaders right now. Much of these trends are connected to a condition called leadership trauma, where contexts in the past (formation), the present (challenging conditions), and the future (fear of failure) subject leaders to emotional and spiritual pressures that undermine the capacity to lead and relate well to their colleagues. In this course, we will explore this condition, identify its consequences for leadership, and discuss the healing and spirituality processes essential for recovery.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Rowe, Nicholas

M

1:30-4:30pm

Grading Option

Letter, P/F, Audit

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

Y - with live meeting time

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Hartford International

IP-614-1

Nonviolence in Faith-based Social Movements

BTI Category

Semester

Sociology/Ethnography/Research Methods

SP25

Social movements are important arenas for social change.  Religion, faith and tactics of non-violence have played a significant role in many social movements.  By joining together, individuals and groups have worked to transform social values or norms, establish collective identities, change laws, and chart new ways of living, learning, and being. This class will aim to further our understanding of social movements and how faith helped shape the trajectories of the movements. We will focus on how that’s happened in the Americas while referring to similar movements from around the world.  Topics include racial identity, nationalism, Christianity, Islam, the civil rights movement, feminist approaches, and contemporary interfaith dialogue. Course material includes primary sources and analytical perspectives. We will examine how they develop, are sustained, have changed/evolved, and (sometimes) decline. We will begin by examining theories of social movements and look at the ways in which our understanding of social movements has changed over time. We will also examine mobilization to social movements and ask why some people come to participate while others do not, as well as the tactics, goals, and successes of various social movements. 

Professor

Class Day & Time

Robertson, Cleotha

W

5:00pm-6:50pm

Grading Option

Letter, P/F, Audit

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Boston College School of Theology & Ministry

TMPT7315

Mitigating Trauma

BTI Category

Semester

Practical/Pastoral Theology

SP25

Traumatization occurs at the interrelated social, psychic, and physiological boundaries of life and death. This course offers an introduction to trauma healing and prevention for contexts of pastoral and spiritual care. It surveys approaches to trauma developed in peacebuilding, public health, and psychology, as well as the emerging subfield of trauma theology. Assignments include a book review, a presentation, and a research paper. This is a discussion-based (not lecture-based) class. Close reading is required.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Heather M. DuBois

R

03:30PM-05:30PM

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Boston College Department of Theology

THEO5574-01

Ethics, Religion, and International Politics

BTI Category

Semester

Ethics (all traditions)

SP25

An examination of the role of religion in international politics and of ethical approaches to international affairs. Special emphasis will be given to religion as a source of conflict, religious communities as transnational agents for justice, protection of human rights, and peace; the historical development and contemporary formulations of ethical norms for the use of force; and ethical and religious contributions to reconciliation and solidarity.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Wambui, Nelly Wamaitha

TR

1:30 PM - 2:45 PM

Grading Option

Letter/PF/Aud

Credits

4

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

GRAD/UGRAD SPLIT

School

Boston College Department of Theology

THEO5574-03

Ethics, Religion, and International Politics

BTI Category

Semester

Ethics (all traditions)

SP25

An examination of the role of religion in international politics and of ethical approaches to international affairs. Special emphasis will be given to religion as a source of conflict, religious communities as transnational agents for justice, protection of human rights, and peace; the historical development and contemporary formulations of ethical norms for the use of force; and ethical and religious contributions to reconciliation and solidarity.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Strouse, Ethan C

R

4:00 PM - 4:50 PM

Grading Option

Letter/PF/Aud

Credits

0

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

GRAD/UGRAD SPLIT

School

Boston College Department of Theology

THEO5574-08

Ethics, Religion, and International Politics

BTI Category

Semester

Ethics (all traditions)

SP25

An examination of the role of religion in international politics and of ethical approaches to international affairs. Special emphasis will be given to religion as a source of conflict, religious communities as transnational agents for justice, protection of human rights, and peace; the historical development and contemporary formulations of ethical norms for the use of force; and ethical and religious contributions to reconciliation and solidarity.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Strouse, Ethan C

R

5:00 PM - 5:50 PM

Grading Option

Letter/PF/Aud

Credits

0

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

GRAD/UGRAD SPLIT

School

Boston College Department of Theology

THEO8270-01

From Just War to Peacebuilding

BTI Category

Semester

Ethics (all traditions)

SP25

The focus of this course will be contemporary theological ethics and just war, and the recent peacebuilding trajectory. We will compare and assess different theological commitments grounding positions on war and peace, and on Christian political ethics generally. To be included are "just war" developments in the Augustinian and Thomistic traditions, and philosophical perspectives on forgiveness and restorative justice. We will consider nonviolent strategiesto resolve conflict, including perspectives from conflict zones and the global South. Specific problems such as women and war, humanitarian intervention, nuclear weapons, and land mines and cluster munitions will be addressed.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Pope, Stephen J Cahill, Lisa

W

12:00 PM - 2:25 PM

Grading Option

Letter/PF/Aud

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

Y

Notes

DOCTORAL

School

Boston University School of Theology

STHTS 877

Restorative Justice

BTI Category

Semester

Ethics (all traditions)

SP25

A study of the fundamental principles and practices of restorative justice as applicable to church and society. The course explores the needs and roles of key stakeholders (victims, offenders, communities, justice systems), outlines the basic principles and values of restorative justice, introduces some of the primary models of practice, and identifies challenges to restorative justice and strategies to respond to them. The course is organized around the issue of crime and harm within a western legal context, but attention is given to applications in other contexts. Of particular interest is the contribution of traditional or indigenous approaches to justice as well as applications in post-conflict situations.

Professor

Class Day & Time

McCarty, Jimmy

W

6:30PM - 9:15PM

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Boston University School of Theology

STHTS 854

Nonviolent Strategies for Social Change

BTI Category

Semester

Ethics (all traditions)

SP25

TBD

Professor

Class Day & Time

Dickson, Peter and Dickson, Charles

March 22 and 29

9:00AM-4:00PM

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

1

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary-Hamilton

AP/WM649

Hinduism & Buddhism

BTI Category

Semester

Interreligious Learning

SP25

An overview of the Hindu and Buddhist traditions. We will examine their histories, beliefs, rites, and impacts upon various cultures and societies in Asia and other parts of the world. Efforts will be made to develop a Christian response to the traditions and appropriate missiological thinking and strategies. Not for students who have taken AP/WM645 or AP/WM646.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Yao, Xiyi

F Sat

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 - with live meeting time

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

Feb. 21-22, Mar. 21-22, Apr. 25-26

School

Harvard Divinity School

HDS 3089

Reparations as a Spiritual Practice

BTI Category

Semester

Ethics (all traditions)

SP25

This course focuses on the social movement and practices utilized by spiritual, faith based and ethically communities to understand and engage in reparations as a healing, constructive and decolonial process. This journey will provide an introduction to reparations through its history and major figures and frameworks; it then explores economic, experiential, theoretical and legal bases for understanding reparations as articulated in academia, social movements, and in advocacy arenas. We will examine historical calls for reparations and the current movement and the possibilities toward reparations for Blacks in the U.S. Building on the key histories,theories and ideas that inform reparations, we will frame this contemporary discussion through the lens of spirituality and decoloniality to understand slavery, reconstruction, civil rights, truth and reconciliation, restorative and transitional justice. We will explore various understandings and approaches to reparations from organizations and individuals at the United Nations, Human Rights Watch, the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America, National African American Reparations Commission, Caribbean Reparations Commission,Reparations4Slavery, UHURU solidarity, and many others.

Professor

Class Day & Time

David Ragland

M

12:00pm - 2:59pm

Grading Option

Letter, P/F

Credits

4

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

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