Centre for Ecumenical & Interfaith Studies

Ecumenical & Interfaith Studies

Courses in this area investigate the history of ecumenism, theological issues inherent in religious pluralism, and ecumenical and interfaith relations. UTI Ecumenical and Interfaith Studies deals with the diversity of religious perspectives in contemporary society and fosters mutual respect and understanding of both similarities and differences among people of faith. 

ES5101 The African Religious Experience A survey of the historical traditions, recent trends, contemporary experiences, and popular spirituality of varied African religious communities from the early 17th century to today. 

ES102 Judaism and Christianity: Two Types of Faith A survey of similarities and differences in Jewish and Christian understandings of God, salvation, messiah, Scripture, incarnation, and other foundational concepts. 

ES103 Jewish-Christian Studies The course fosters interfaith engagement in Jewish-Christian studies by selecting a specific focus, such as interpretations of scripture, history of relations, contemporary dialogue, theologies, ethics, or worship. 

ES104 Judaism and Christian Beginnings An analysis of the historical situations out of which modern Judaism and Christianity emerged and the impact of that history on Christian-Jewish relations today. 

ES105 Introduction to Judaism A survey of Jewish thought, practice, history, and literature from the biblical period to the present, with special attention to the contemporary African context. 

ES106 Varieties of Contemporary Judaism An introduction to the broad range of Jewish thought, ritual, law and culture in the modern world, with attention to the religious and ethnic diversity of the Jewish people. 

ES107 Introduction to Islam A survey of fundamental Islamic beliefs, the impact of Islamic civilization in the Middle Ages, and the modern relationship of Islam to politics. 

ES108 The African Religious Experience A survey of the historical traditions, recent trends, contemporary experiences, and popular spirituality of varied African religious communities from the early 17th century to today. 

ES109 Biblical and Ecumenical Perspectives on Mary An exploration of Mary’’s role in Scripture and in the life of the church as mother of Jesus and model disciple in light of recent ecumenical scholarship and dialogue. 

ES110 Christian Worship: History, Principles, and Practice A biblical, theological, historical, and contemporary analysis of worship in the classical Christian tradition, emphasizing commonalities, denominational distinctives, and current issues. 

 ES111 Orthodox Christianity An introduction to the historical, theological, spiritual, and liturgical dimensions of Orthodoxy and its branches. 

 ES112 Ecumenical Relations An exploration of the history of ecumenism among Christian denominations, ecumenical statements, and the practicalities of ecumenical understanding and cooperation. 

ES113 Jews in the Christian Imagination An historical examination of literary and graphic images of Jews as portrayed by Christians from the early church to today, including recent statements and movies. 

ES114 Jesus Christ and World Religions A study of the ways Christians understand the significance of Jesus in a religiously pluralistic world.