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“I Can Study That?!”: The Interreligious Studies Minor at Duquesne University

I Can Study That?!

The Minor

This week’s featured program is the Interreligious Studies Minor at Duquesne University. From the website:

The increasing religious diversity of today’s societies calls for better interaction among persons of different religions. Whether you live here or abroad, and whether you take a job in the public or the private sector, you will work for, with, or on behalf of employers, colleagues, clients, customers, students, or patients of different religious persuasions. Interreligious Studies will enhance your ability to use your skills and your knowledge in your professional life, to say nothing of your personal life.

Few Americans have the education and the practical training to work with religion in a socially engaging way. In the Interreligious Studies program, you will think critically and intentionally about religions, not only as beliefs, but also as forms of community at least as important as race, ethnicity, nationality, and other kinds of human collectivity. You will examine the ways in which religious communities influence one another, come into conflict, and find themselves transformed by their encounters and dialogues.

Students enrolled in the minor take a total of five courses, including at least two of the following four courses:

      • IRST/THEO 325: Religious Diversity and Dialogue
      • IRST/THEO 203: Hinduism and Buddhism
      • IRST/THEO 264: Religion & Global Conflict
      • IRST/THEO/JWST 283: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

Two Interesting Courses

IRST 216 Religion, Media, and Pop Culture

Examination of the religious, theological, ethical issues and perspectives raised by various forms media and popular culture, including: marketing, sports, movies, television, and music. Special attention will be given to the nature of their relationship and the theological and spiritual issues currently present in their interface.

IRST 245 God, Money, and Power

A study of the religious and ethical meaning of wealth and power in human life, both personally and socially.

Five Possible Complementary Majors at Duquesne University

Unique Opportunities within the Minor

Three of the 15 credits required for the minor can be earned through participation in an internship with one of Duquesne’s faith-based community partners (including Auberle, the Immigrants and International Initiative of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, Catholic Charities, and Elliance).

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