Interreligious Studies

What is Interreligious Studies?

Interreligious Studies investigates the ways in which religious communities relate to one another and the wider world. It explores how religious differences are navigated in public spaces such education, politics, civic engagement, and the workplace. This interdisciplinary field draws from research in religious studies, political science, philosophy, sociology, theology, history, peace & justice studies, and others. 


interreligious studies resources

Situating the field                           

Interreligious Studies Certificate
16 Credit Hours

Discipline Core Requirements

You are required to complete each of the following courses:

PHIL 3670G - Engaging Religious Diversity
Explores how religious communities engage one another and examines the implications of these interactions for religious conflict, spiritual identity, and the role of religion in societal contexts. Employs the tools from diverse disciplines to study the phenomenon of religious encounter in both historical and contemporary contexts. Investigates theories of religious diversity, American religious history, interreligious leadership practices, and narrative encounters.

PHIL 3680 - Interreligious Studies Practicum
Engages religious, spiritual, and secular diversity through experiential learning opportunities. Explores how religious and worldview diversity affects the ethical, social, civil, and personal dimensions of the human experience. Provides opportunities for students to apply the theories and principles studied in the other Interreligious Studies Certificate courses.

PHIL 1610 - Introduction to Western Religions
For students majoring in humanities related disciplines and other students interested in the academic study of religion. Presents the comparative study of the history, ritual, theology, and ethical beliefs of the major western religions including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrianism, Baha'i, and nontraditional religious belief in the western world. Explores similarities and differences between them by examining the primary sources and sacred texts along with the unique beliefs and practices of each tradition.

PHIL 1620 - Introduction to Eastern Religions
For students majoring in humanities-related disciplines and other students interested in the academic study of religion. Presents the comparative study of the history, ritual, "theology," and ethical beliefs of the major eastern religious traditions including Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Shintoism. Explores similarities and differences between them by examining the primary sources and sacred texts along with the unique beliefs and practices of each tradition.

PHIL 295R - Directed Readings
Engages with relevant research in interreligious studies and provides students with focused readings in the field. 

 

Elective Requirements

You are required to complete three credit hours from following courses:

ANTH 3400 - Myth, Magic, and Religion

Explores the many aspects of religion, including its history, diversity, and how it relates to social science studies. Also examines terms such as myth, magic, religion, ritual and shamanism, among others, and how these items are used to discuss religious and spiritual practices around the world.

ANTH 3420 - Andean Religion
Poses the question of what religiosity was prior to the Spanish conquest in the countries that were part of the Inca Empire--Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru. Asks how one can determine religiosity given the fierceness of the conquest and the extirpation of idolatries that followed it. Explores the nature of Catholicism that was recreated on these Andean bases. Discusses the contemporary religious issues of Andean societies, such as secularity, and how Andean categories differ foundationally in nature from those on which academic ideas of religion are constructed.

ANTH 3450 - Shamanism and Indigenous Religion
Studies the religious systems of indigenous peoples, particularly those which have been called shamanic. Focuses on the classical study of shamanism and the literature on indigenous shamanism. Locates the study of shamanism within a social context that includes social relational and political economic contexts of the groups within which shamanism is found. Poses questions of how shamanism is different from the expanding world religions and compares and contrasts shamanism with non-shamanic indigenous religions. Looks at the current marketing of shamanism in New Age contexts.

ANTH 3480 - Global Christianity
Explores the key issues that have arisen in the literature that explores Christianity from an anthropological perspective. Examines the development of Christianity from its historical origins to its current status as a "world religion." Discusses how Christianity becomes relevant to different cultural contexts in the modern world. Analyzes Pentecostal, Evangelical Protestant, Eastern Orthodox, and Catholic forms of Christianity.

ENGL 3740 - Literature of the Sacred
Focuses on reading and interpreting primary texts of Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and others emphasizing resonances of these texts in later works of literature. Discusses texts from a literary standpoint within the genre of "religious writings." Requires reading, informal and formal writing, and tests.

HIST 3160 - Renaissance and Reformation Europe
Explores European history from the rise of modern Humanism, in the fourteenth century, to the religious conflicts of the sixteenth century. Studies the Italian Renaissance, the spread of Italian cultural influence throughout Europe, the European discovery of the Americas and voyages around the globe, the Protestant Reformation and Catholic Counter-Reformation, and the social and economic transformations of the early modern period.

PHIL 3620 - Mormon Theology & the Christian Tradition
For students majoring in humanities-related disciplines and other students interested in the academic study of religion. Engages students in exploring the defining features of Mormon thought in relation to the broader Christian tradition. Examines traditional theological questions such as the problem of evil, the scriptural canon, the nature of God and humanity, and the role of ritual.

PHIL 3660R - Issues in Religious Studies
For students majoring in humanities-related disciplines and other students interested in the academic study of religion. Addresses specific topics and theoretical approaches related to religious studies. Topics may include religion and violence, religion and public discourse, religious ritual, etc. Subject matter varies by semester and is repeatable for a total of nine hours of credit.

SOC 3400 - Sociology of Religion
Examines religion from a sociological perspective. Analyzes religion as a social phenomenon. Discusses religious organizations, religion and politics, and religion and social class.