“There will be no lasting peace on earth unless we learn not merely to tolerate
but even to respect the other faiths as our own.” — Mahatma Gandhi, 1933

In this global age an understanding of humanity’s religious and spiritual traditions is essential for all students who aspire to be citizens of the world. Religious pluralism, misunderstandings about and between the religions, as well as religious extremism are all central to the challenge of establishing a lasting peace in the twenty-first century. Unfortunately, the issue of religion and spirituality has often been the “missing dimension” of conflict resolution.

HONR 238U will offer students the opportunity to study religious experience from a multi-cultural and global perspective. It will deal with attempts on the part of human beings throughout the centuries to know “the unknowable.” The development of humankind’s spiritual awareness and understanding will be studied by: tracing the history of world religions chronologically through related cultural/geographical regions; exploring the cultural influences that shaped and articulated those traditions; identifying common themes and expressions in religious belief and practice; and engaging students in both research and seminar preparation.

Professor Suheil Bushrui has offered “The Spiritual Heritage of the Human Race” course annually since 1993. As holder of the Bahá’í Chair for World Peace (1993-2005), he developed the course, and a related textbook of the same title, in congruence with the diversity and cultural initiative of the University of Maryland. Several years ago, the University of Maryland designated HONR 238U as fulfilling the “CORE Human Cultural Diversity” requirement. A pioneering academic endeavor that has developed a religious studies curriculum for the training of global citizens, HONR 238U was recently awarded the first Temple of Understanding Interfaith Education Award for outstanding work in the field of interfaith education.

“Peace among the religions is a precondition for peace among the nations.”
— Hans Küng, 2001

Spring 2007 Semester
Creating Alternative Futures
Instructor Professor John Grayzel

This course will examine the motivation and inspiration for, and attempts to construct alternative futures in both western and non-western societies. The course will provide in-depth understandings of the approaches that have been taken and factors that have affected several such past attempts.

Students will be expected to create both a theory and model of a "proposed alternative future" while addressing lessons learned from past experiences. Final presentations will include a written description and explanation of a student's research and an actual model of the proposed future, presented in a form, i.e. written description, blueprint, art, etc., agreed upon by the student and instructor.

Spring 2007 Semester
Proposed Honors Course
Independent Study

The Bahá'í Chair offers students the opportunity to develop an Independent Study course tailored to their interests with the Chair Professor. Viewed as an "adventure in scholarship," an independent study involves, in most cases, an in-depth look at a topic not covered by a current course offering. A student who wishes to take a course by Independent Study should consult both the Chair professor and his or her faculty adviser.

This program is intended to provide the student with the opportunity for research and individual creativity by allowing the student to pursue a specific project in depth. Students may not take an Independent Study to substitute for an existing course, though an Independent Study may focus in greater depth on a topic treated in one of the department's course offerings.

Up to six (6) academic credits are offered per semester for registered students at the University of Maryland.

©2009 - The Baha'i Chair for World Peace
0145 Tydings Hall • University of Maryland • College Park, MD 20742
+1.301.405.7714 (phone) • +1.301.314.9256 (fax) • www.bahaipeacechair.org