Interreligious Understanding Today 2019

The Woolfe Institute will conduct an online course combining history, philosophy, sociology, ethics, politics, and theology. It will provide a forum in which participants will, for example, explore different kinds of interreligious understanding (Intellectual, Empathic, Civil, Spiritual) between religions and compare the ways in which such understanding can be achieved in different cultural and political contexts in the world (US, Asia, Europe). Applications are now being accepted for the course commencing on Monday 1 April 2019. The deadline for applications is Sunday 10 March 2019.


As we live in an age of increasing plurality but also instability, the need for interreligious understanding, which is grounded on solid academic research and in touch with the realities of interreligious encounter, is greater than ever.

The course Interreligious Understanding Today has been designed to meet this need. It consists of two modules (part-time and flexible) – ‘Exploring the Principles’ and ‘Addressing the Issues’ – which together with Induction and Conclusion weeks lasts for 10 weeks in total.

This course will provide a forum in which participants will:

  • Explore different kinds of interreligious understanding (Intellectual, Empathic, Civil, Spiritual) between Abrahamic religions and beyond;
  • Compare the ways in which such understanding can be achieved in different cultural and political contexts in the world (US, Asia, Europe);
  • Study the relationship between secularity and interreligious understanding;
  • Find out how to apply the lessons from historical experiences of particular minority groups in contemporary settings;
  • And explore the ways in which the challenges to interreligious understanding posed by religious nationalisms and extremisms can be addressed.

The course is multidisciplinary, engaging with religious studies and sociological, historical and philosophical approaches.

The course is accessed via Hedwig which is hosted by the Cambridge Theological Federation.

Bursaries are available.

More information here


The Woolf Institute’s vision is a world in which collaborative discussion and constructive engagement overcome prejudice and intolerance. The Institute combines teaching, scholarship and outreach, focusing on Jews, Christians and Muslims, to encourage tolerance and foster understanding between people of all beliefs.

Established in 1998, and with strong links to the University of Cambridge, the Woolf Institute is recognised internationally for its expertise in researching and understanding relations between Jews, Christians and Muslims. The primary aim of the Woolf Institute is to answer practical and theoretical questions concerning aspects of identity, culture and practice using multidisciplinary approaches with research, teaching and public education staff from a wide range of academic backgrounds.

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