RST 450F ST: Peacemaking in Judaism, Chrstianity?And Islam

This course will explore peace - shalom, pax, and salaam - as one of the primary spiritual and socio-political goals of all three religions. The course will begin by examining the spiritual practices that cultivate peace and the scriptural and theological foundations behind them. We will then look critically at how these ideas and practices have developed and been implemented over their shared Jewish, Christian, and Muslim history. Finally, we will turn toward contemporary interfaith efforts and organizations that are on the global forefront of peace activism looking at such topics as spiritual techniques toward peace, women's peace initiatives, nonviolent active resistance, and conflict resolution. Prerequisite: RST-112