Peacock

    Center for International Development and Conflict Management       •       College of Behavioral and Social Sciences       •       University of Maryland

Teaching

In order to encourage the emerging generation to become engaged with the pragmatic dimensions of spirituality in relation to international relations, global social and economic development, the prevention of conflict, promotion of peace, conflict mitigation and education for peace, the Bahá’í Chair for World Peace offers a range of courses and presentations. See below for descriptions of current course offerings, including opportunities for Independent Study.

Courses

ANTH 386I/GVPT354

Peace Building, Post-Conflict Reconstruction and International Development

Instructor Professor John Grayzel

Peace Building, Post-Conflict Reconstruction and International Development is required for all international development minors at the University of Maryland.

Other students require the permission of the instructor. The course is cross-listed under both Government and Politics as GVPT 354 and Anthropology as ANTH 368I because it presents the classic western-driven conceptualizations of development while drawing on the actual experience and understandings of participants across a variety of societies, cultures, and geographic areas.

The course is designed to provide students with:

• An understanding of the historic background against which the nature of
  international development has been framed and practiced;
• An awareness of the broad spectrum of issues and approaches found under
  the rubric of "international development";
• An acquaintance with the methodology and experiences of several major
  substantive and geographic approaches to development;
• An understanding of a variety of possible conceptualizations for dealing
  systemically and holistically with complex contexts and phenomena often
  found in development programs and problems;
• Alternative understandings and dimensions of international development from the
  perspective of various direct and secondary concerned parties;
• An opportunity to delve deeper into a specific area of individual concern and
  practice according to individual concern while addressing an issue of immediate relevance
  to real-world circumstances;
• A venue to engage in informed speculation as to possibilities of reformulating our
  general understandings of development assistance in light of present
  and future global circumstances.

Fall 2006 Semester. Class meets 3:30-4:45& pm Tuesdays and Thursdays in Room 0102 Tydings Hall.

HONR 238U

The Spiritual Heritage of the Human Race

Instructors Professor Suheil Bushrui and Mr. James Madaio

An Honors course offered under the auspices of The Bahá'í Chair for World Peace

 

“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.