Rel Pluralism: Phil/Theo Found

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

This is a graduate seminar aimed at candidates seeking to specialize in the study of religion as well as of religious traditions and communities. The seminar will explore aspects of the historical, intellectual, cultural and social background to the study of religion. It will do so particularly in a comparative fashion, as well as exploring the emergence and development of approaches to religion in philosophy, the social sciences and wider cultural disciplines. All of these developments serve as key background features of the emergence of religious pluralism in the modern and postmodern Euro-North American contexts. We shall next explore the rise of pluralism itself, focusing on the nature and development of the concept, before looking at the fruits of pluralism, as well as debates and disagreements pertaining to it. We will explore pluralism from both theological and religious studies perspectives (amongst others). We shall also consider encounters with the religious other and forms and trajectories of interreligious dialogue. We will delve deeply into aspects of the sub-discipline of comparative theology and finish with a collective engagement in and consideration of ‘doing’ religious pluralism and doing comparative theology. One of the main features of most weeks will be a focus upon and discussion of leading figures in the modern study of religion and/or in the emergence and development of religious pluralism itself. This will include both historical figures and living figures who have contributed a great deal to the pluralistic study of religion and promotion of greater encounter, dialogue and understanding between different faiths. We will be fortunate to have guest presentations from some of those living figures themselves.