The guidelines and application form for this course can be downloaded via the links below:
Intended to contribute to the issues of religious pluralism and intercultural acceptance in a society based on migration and globalization, the CAS in Interreligious studies aims at an international audience of young people (age between 20 and 35 years) interested and engaged interreligious dialogue, religious leaders, students, lay persons and professionals with a suitable level of religious literacy and/or experience in the field of interreligious dialogue and engagement, especially among the three Abrahamic religions.
The Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Interreligious Studies/le Certificat de formation continue en études interreligieuses is accredited by the University of Geneva under the Swiss Higher Education Programme for Continuing Education in accordance with the requirements of the Rectors’ Conference of the Swiss Universities (CRUS) with 10 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits to be achieved during a period of 6 weeks (3 weeks distance learning, 3 weeks residential).
Those who may be admitted as candidates for CAS are people who have a university bachelor’s or master’s degree, a bachelor or master of a technical college or a qualification deemed equivalent; or who demonstrate a relevant professional experience in the field of interreligious studies and who demonstrate a good command of written and spoken English.
Study Modules:
• Core Course on Judaism, Christianity and Islam (5 ECTS credits)
Introduction to Christianity, Islam and Judaism: the history, the different traditions and streams, basic elements and teachings, the holy scriptures: the Christian Bible, the Qur’an and the Jewish Bible. A particular theme is explored each year from the Christian, Jewish and Muslim points of view seeking possible areas of intersection between the three Abrahamic religions. The methodology of the module is blended learning requiring regular participation and fulfilment of both distance learning and residential task assignments.
• Thematic Workshops (3 ECTS credits)
The workshops discuss contemporary challenges with the reference to the theme chosen for the year. The module requires regular participation and fulfilment of task assignments.
• Practical Interreligious Workshops (1 ECTS credit)
The workshop provides a reflected experience on historical-cultural modes of transmission and communication of religion in practice. The workshop uses as a methodology practical exercises of spiritual sharing and scriptural reasoning. The module requires regular participation and fulfilment of task assignments.
• Interreligious Study Visits (1 ECTS credit)
An opportunity to gain a reflected practical insight and overview on the way of practice, organization or spiritual life of the work of the three Abrahamic religions and selected institutions in the local Swiss context – places of prayer of the Abrahamic religious communities in Geneva (church, mosque, synagogue), the Ecumenical Centre, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum and the United Nations Geneva headquarters. This module requires participation in all study visits, including preparation and debriefing sessions.