This new minor degree program analyzes religious encounters. It focuses on the dynamics between individuals, groups, or institutions that view one another as religiously different. These encounters have many forms: From peaceful dialogue to religious war; from oppression and persecution to toleration and cooperation; from accepting the other religion as equally true to missionizing activities and forced conversion; from writing scathing polemics about the other religion to silently appropriating some of its religious ideas and practices; and many more.
In five selected courses students study such interreligious dynamics in the United States and around the globe, past and present, and learn to apply analytical categories, such as exclusivism, inclusivism, pluralism, dialogue, polemic, mission, conversion, reinterpretation, appropriation, syncretism, eclecticism, intersectionality, and more. This will enable them to analyze current situations and conflicts and to make suggestions for improvement. The minor program is designed to help students develop a special competency that they may be able to utilize in their future professional careers.
15 hours of coursework, including:
- R S 307 Introduction to Interreligious Dynamics (offered in spring 2021!)
- R S 375S, the capstone seminar in Religious Studies with varying topics
- 9 additional hours from an approved list (see below), with at least six hours upper-division coursework. At least eight hours must be taken in residence.
Global Interreligious Dynamics is
- a transcript-recognized minor
- applicable to students under the 2020–2022 academic catalog
Apply for the minor in Global Interreligious Dynamics here: https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/degree/minors/
Further questions? Contact the academic advisor, Kevin Pluta: kpluta@austin.utexas.edu
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.