JWST 4400 Interreligious Experience and Engagement

4 semester hours

This seminar focuses on interreligious engagement and experience, exploring the diversity of faith traditions at LMU, in Los Angeles, and throughout the nation and world, by deliberate encounters with the Other. It will challenge students to reflect on fundamental questions of faith and identify within communities. It will examine the theory and practice of interreligious engagement, including: Bilateral (e.g., Catholic-Jewish) and trilateral (e.g., Christian-Jewish-Muslim) seminars and conferences of scholars and clergy; Multi-faith religious celebrations and worship services; Joint social action and social justice programs; Conflict resolution projects; Coalitions based on shared values. The readings, discussions, and site visits will provide theoretical and theological foundations for consideration of pluralism and other inclusive approaches to our interreligious context. Readings and class discussions will educate students about the beliefs, practices, and communities of diverse religious groups. Students will develop leadership strategies to establish, sustain, and advance interreligious engagements.

University Core fulfilled: Flags: Faith and Reason, Engaged Learning.