Religion in Conflict/Peacebldg

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

This course explores the role of religion in both fueling conflict and in fostering peace and justice. The rise of extremism and interreligious violence in many places has brought growing attention and concern to the role of religion in promoting conflict. Yet across contexts, religious actors also play critical roles as peacebuilders, including as mediators and negotiators, peace educators, social justice advocates, and in supporting the healing and reconciliation of their communities. For many people in conflict, their religious and spiritual beliefs serve to strengthen their resilience, capacity for forgiveness, and their motivation for peace and justice. By studying this paradox of religion and the dynamic roles of religious identity, ideology, values and faith, students in this course strengthen their analysis of conflict and understanding of how to encourage more effective peacebuilding. Drawing on a diversity of recent and current cases across contexts and religions, this course looks at the peacebuilding approaches of different religious actors, including traditional institutions, interfaith networks, and religious individuals as both official and lay leaders. Particular attention will be paid to gender-inclusive religious peacebuilding as well as inter- and intra-faith approaches to transforming cultures of violence.