Curriculum Description

1.    Core Course: Students will enroll in the following core courses at Boston University School of Theology, or their equivalent:

The Spirit and Art of Conflict Transformation: Creating a Culture of JustPeace (TS 805) Mondays 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

2.    Course Electives: Three additional courses which focus on religion and conflict transformation studies or religious peacebuilding in the following areas: conflict studies, spiritual formation of peacebuilders, trauma healing, human security, restorative justice, and interfaith dialogue. Electives include, for example: The Theology of Trauma Healing, The Principles and Practices of Restorative Justice, Spiritual Formation of Peacebuilders, Theologies of Dialogue.  Courses must meet the following two criteria, and be approved by the Program Administrator, Trelawney Grenfell-Muir.

1 – course has as one of its central purposes the study of one of the 6 themes;

2 – significant attention to analyzing religion in relation to conflict and/or conflict transformation.

3.    Annual Fall Retreats: Students enrolled in the program are required to attend the annual Fall Retreats in Religion and Conflict Transformation.  The Retreats invite scholars and practitioners working in one of the program’s focal areas to lead students and the community in a workshop engaging their work and integrating it with our vision for conflict transformation.  This year, the retreat will take place from 2:00PM on Friday, September 30 through 1:00PM on Saturday, October 1, at the Rolling Ridge Retreat Center in North Andover, MA.  Our keynote speakers and retreat leaders will be Sheila Heen, a Partner at Triad Consulting Group and a Lecturer at Harvard Law School, and Ann Garrido, Associate Professor of Homiletics and former director of the field education program at Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, Missouri. Our theme this year is “Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most.”

4.    The Practicum: The Practicum is optional, and  can substitute for one of the course electives.  It can be the same site as your contextual education site if it fulfills the requirements for both.  The Practicum experience is designed to connect students with experiences in religion and conflict transformation. It should thus expose students to work in at least one of the following areas in peacebuilding: conflict studies, spiritual formation of peacebuilders, trauma healing, human security, restorative justice, and interfaith dialogue. Local, National and International Practicum opportunities may be utilized and may be taken during a summer, a semester, or year-long placement. Generally, students are responsible for securing their own placement sites, although assistance may be offered through the RCT program office.