Interreligous

Interreligious Studies & Intercontextual Theology

at the Faculty of Theology,
University of Oslo

Since 2000, the Faculty of Theology has been developing a program for

INTERRELIGIOUS STUDIES

see horizon document for "Interreligious Studies at the Faculty of Theology" (in English)
see information about courses in Interreligious Studies (in Norwegian)
see international links to other university institutions with courses in "Interreligious Studies" (in English)

From 2003, courses and research in this field will be integrated with the Faculty's courses and research in contextual theology under the heading of

INTERCONTEXTUAL THEOLOGY

see information about Interreligious Studies and Contextual Theology at the Faculty of Theology (in Norwegian and English)
see information about the faculty's Master program in Contextual Theology (in English)
see information about the research project "Religion in a Globalised Age" (in English)

Links to other university institutions
with (existing or planned) programs/courses/degrees in interreligious studies

In 2001, the Faculty of Theology at the University of Aarhus (Denmark) established a Centre for Multireligious Studies, for the purpose of new courses and degrees as weel as concerted efforts in the field of research. At the Faculty of Theology in Oslo, we have a stated intention to cooperate with our colleagues in Aarhus.
The Graduate Institute for Theology and Religion at The University of Birmingham (UK) offers a MA or MPhil(B) in "Interreligious Relations", focusing on both historical, theological, philosophical and experiential issues:

"The programme seeks to allow the student to explore and research issues of dialogue, conversation and encounter between religions. The core of the programme begins by looking at historical, theological and philosophical issues. Key texts within the theology of religions and from a variety of religious and non-religious perspectives will be examined. It will then continue to look at more experiential issues in the context of possible encounters with different faith groups in Birmingham. The optional modules available enable the student to focus upon particular areas of interest."

In cooperation with the Department of Theology at Birmingham University, the Centre for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations offers a MA degree and research degrees (MPhil, MLitt and PhD) in Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations.
The Centre for Interreligious Studies (Zentrum für Interreligiöse Studien) at the University of Bamberg (Germany) offers several courses in interreligious relations and -theology.

The Irish School of Ecumenics at Trinity College in Dublin (Ireland) includes interreligious studies in their courses on ecumenical-, peace- and reconciliation studies.

The Hartford Seminary (Connecticut, US) and its Duncan Black Macdonald Center for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations offers courses in interfaith issues. Statement of purpose for the entire Seminary:

"While deeply committed to its Christian roots, Hartford Seminary fervently embraces a new definition of 'faithfulness.' Actively ecumenical and deliberately multi-faith, the Seminary is a place where people of diverse faiths can meet to learn about each other and about God's purposes for the world they share."

McGill University (Montreal, Canada) in cooperation with The Elijah Interfaith Institute in Jerusalem plans to offer a BA and MA degree in Interfaith Studies. Horizon:

"The academic focus of the program is on the disciplines commonly taught in the curriculum of religious studies programs, enhanced by a dimension of dialogue that assumes a measure of religious commitment. This dimension informs the academic study of religion and allows for a deepening of religious understanding through sustained encounter and dialogue."

In Lebanon, both the Center for Christian-Muslim Studies at the University of Balamand near Tripoli and the Institute for Islamic-Christian Studies (Institut d'études Islamo-chrétiennes) at the University of St. Joseph in Beirut offers degrees in Islamic-Christian studies.
In 1996, a proposal was put forward of a Department of Interreligious Studies at the University of Sarajevo, Bosnia.

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