Unification Theological Seminary MIN 8702 Issues in Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Syllabus

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Academics Kaufmann, Frank Catalog Adjunct Assistant Professor of Interfaith Ministry Academic Dr. Frank Kaufmann is president of the Values in Knowledge Programs Foundation, editor in chief of New World Encyclopedia, director of the Inter Religious Federation for World Peace, Faculty executive vice president of PrayerSpark, and columnist on religion and government at various on line media. Registrar The Values in Knowledge Foundation challenges the Academic predominance of poor and harmful information transmitted Calendar through media and on line applications. The New World Graduation Information Encyclopedia is a values based, general knowledge Academic encyclopedia, the flagship project of VKF. vSearch, a values Policies driven search application is under development. and The Inter Religious Federation for World Peace is a 24 year Procedures old project dedicated to interreligious reconciliation and Course cooperation to harmonize social, communal, and international Schedule relations.

Frank Kaufmann’s work for peace includes consultations Academic with governments, and efforts in over 65 countries with Events successes in conflict ridden and violent environments.

- Course Frank Kaufmann’s peace missions include work in Israel and Schedule Palestine, in refugee camps in Croatia, and the Eritrea- Ethiopia border, Hindu-Muslim conflict zones in India and Kashmir, revolutionary centers of southern Philippines, the Gulf, Sri Lanka, and elsewhere.

Collaborators in this work include major, international religious figures, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Greek Orthodox Patriarch (Dimitrios), Pope Shenuda of Cairo, Grand Muftis of Syria, Yemen, Israel and Gaza, Chief Rabbis and religious figures throughout Israel, Protestant and Catholic leaders in Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia, leaders from the Russian, Greek and Syrian Orthodox churches, and major international figures from Buddhism, Hinduism and other world traditions.

Frank Kaufmann teaches at New York area Universities and Seminaries, and maintains a vigorous public speaking schedule on issues related to peace, conflict resolution, and spiritual development.

Dr. Kaufmann is widely published and a known speaker on matters explaining religious dimensions of contemporary affairs, and ways for effective mediation and reconciliation.

Dr. Kaufmann was nominated for the for the prestigious, international Guru Nanak Interfaith Award. Nominees include His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a former Indian Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral, US Senators Charles Schumer and Norm Coleman, academics Rabbi David Rosen, Dr Martin Marty, and others.

On June 5, 2010, Dr. Frank Kaufmann was awarded the 2010 Visionary of Peace Award by the Interfaith Roundtable of Ireland, the Inter Cultural Peace Center, and the Sheikh Satardien Justice and Peace Foundation, and has since gone on to received several more peace and interfaith citations. Dr. Kaufmann served to consult for the establishment of Islamic Banking in predominantly Catholic Ireland, and mediated the relationship between the city of Seoul, Korea, and the New York City based Parsons School of Design.

Frank Kaufmann is on the board of directors of Bridges to Common Ground, and serves in senior administration and boards of several other international, peace initiatives.

Education Publications Courses Honors / Awards / Memberships

LTR 5515 Interfaith Peace-building & the UN

MIN 8702 Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Dr. Frank Kaufmann Spring 2023 (646 220 8281)

MIN 8702 Issues in Ecumenical & Interfaith Relations

Description This course introduces conceptual, analytical, methodological, and practical dimensions of interreligious dialogue, reconciliation and collaboration. It is designed to support the development of creative and effective activists in these needed areas.

Class sessions will have both traditional lectures, as well as interactive formats with role-playing, group work, discussion and simulation. It is expected that students will develop studied but subjective interests and positions related to interreligious dimensions of peace and reconciliation.

The central theme of this course relates to inheriting the significant foundation of interfaith accomplishments of the 20th century with sufficient command to take up the mission to advance this work to its next necessary progression that applies more effectively to contemporary global circumstances.

Conceptual themes at the core of our inquiry include questions of truth, commitment, pluralism, the relationship between interfaith and religious freedom, and study of what can be called the shadows of religion (textual and lifestyle dimensions of traditions that manifest in harm and excess).

Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this course, students will: ● Understand the bases for effective efforts in the fields of interfaith, conflict resolution, and peace activism. ● Understand the requisites for effecting enduring, positive change through applying proven dynamics for peace and reconciliation. ● Be able to critically assess and review interfaith and ecumenical initiatives, make effective recommendations for improvement, and be able to engage collaboratively with “fellow-traveler” groups and individuals.

Course Schedule ● 10, 2 hour 50 minute classroom sessions 6:30 pm — 9:20 p, Tuesdays, between February 21 and May 5 ● Midterm paper due after the 7th week of class ● Post Intensive Interfaith Project Proposal due May 16

MIN 8702 Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Dr. Frank Kaufmann Spring 2023 (646 220 8281)

Course Requirements: ● Class attendance ● Class participation ● Midterm paper ● Post Intensive Interfaith Project Proposal

COURSE OUTLINE

Week 1: ● Lecture: Course introduction and schedule and design ● Course related self-introductions (based on pre-distributed guidelines)

Weeks 2 and 3: ● Lecture: The elements of society and the structure and dynamics of their relationships ● Small group collaboration to apply elements, structures, and dynamics to student areas/projects ● Reports from groups

Weeks 4 and 5: ● Lecture: The elements of religious life and belief ● Small group collaboration to analyze religious forces in student areas/projects ● Reports from groups

Week 6 and 7: ● Lecture: The elements, dynamics, schedules, and varieties of conflict resolution and reconciliation ● Small group collaboration to analyze reconciliation dynamics in student areas/projects ● Reports from groups

Weeks 8 and 9: ● Lecture: Religion in transition, the future of religion and spirituality in technological age ● Small group collaboration to analyze technological impact on religion and spirituality in student areas/projects ● Related small group collaboration: The future of Unification ● Reports from groups

Week 10: ● Lecture: The future of Unification, Evolution in Unification life as related to mission and varieties of interfaith ● Small group collaboration to analyze The future of Unification in student areas/projects

MIN 8702 Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Dr. Frank Kaufmann Spring 2023 (646 220 8281)

● Related small group collaboration: The future of Unification ● Reports from groups

Post Intensive Assignment ● During this period students must complete your Post Intensive (final paper), and complete securing commentary on your paper from an active leader from an established interfaith organization, or from an established religion. ● This work must be submitted by May 16, 2023

Course Work Product ● Pre Intensive Text Review (600 words) ● Midterm Paper (3000 words. 9-10 pages. Times New Roman. 12 point Font. 1.5 spacing) ● Post Intensive Interfaith Project Proposal (5000 words. 16 pages. Times New Roman. 12 point Font. 1.5 spacing)

The work is this:

Pre-Intensive Assignment: ● Read Sacred Quests (See Required Texts Section below). Provide 600 words of questions and commentary about this book Midterm paper: ● Identify an area that needs interfaith improvement and support. Deeply analyze this need, its history, dynamics, institutions, and contemporary circumstances. Post Intensive Interfaith Project Proposal: ● Create fully integrated Interfaith Project Proposal based on Midterm research ● Secure written review of your Post Intensive Interfaith Project Proposal from an established interfaith and/or religious leader, submitted together with your Post Intensive (final paper).

I am an extremely accessible, engaged, and supportive professor. I gladly help you with any part of your effort that seems difficult.

MIN 8702 Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Dr. Frank Kaufmann Spring 2023 (646 220 8281)

Map of Course Assignments to Learning Outcomes

Assignment> Identify Refine Submit Develop Daily Religion Final paper Outcome project project project project Summar now with proposal y pages page professor Ability to take X X X X X X X Initiative when for situations that need interfaith attention Ability to X X Collaborate for creating viable interfaith projects Ability to execute X X X X X appropriate Research for designing successful interfaith projects Ability to translate X X X theory and scholarly research into functioning practical application Ability to think X X X X creatively to bring about success at interfaith reconciliation and enduring constructive outcomes

MIN 8702 Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Dr. Frank Kaufmann Spring 2023 (646 220 8281)

Rubric of Learning Outcomes

Outcome Beginning Developing Mastered Exceptional

Ability to see local Begin to see Identify specific Take up situation with Insight and vision and world affairs environments with situation and desired clear description and translating from the perspective the sense for outcome definition understanding to of an interfaith transformation application activist Ability to grasp Awareness of Knowing the Clear map of context Design process interfaith action in its interfaith as having elements of interfaith with implications apropos social/secular social/secular context context context context Ability to grasp the Begin to know Know the interplay Project design Project design reflects inner elements in multiple religious between different reflects grasp of intuitive design interfaith situations elements religious elements religion complexity and projects Ability to mediate Begin to grasp Begin to know parts Confidence to Art of mediation conflict conflict conceptually and elements of manipulate entities in conflict conflict Capacity to place Begin to understand Begin to know Accurate analysis of Insightful religious reality in religion as situated in particular social current challenges to recommendations for historical time evolve time changes with religion religious and spiritual implications recovery and revival

Evaluation and Grade Structure: 1. Pre Intensive Text Review and Commentary 10% 2. Class attendance and participations: 36% 3. Midterm paper: 22% 4. Post Intensive Interfaith Project Proposal 32%

Grades for each assignment are recorded by letter, and are understood as follows: A - Excellent B - Good C - Satisfactory D - Poor F - Failure

Failure to hand in an assignment will result in an F for that assignment.

In calculating the final grade for the course, letter grades for assignments are converted into the following numerical equivalents, and the total is then converted back to a letter grade:

MIN 8702 Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Dr. Frank Kaufmann Spring 2023 (646 220 8281)

● A 97 A- 91.5 ● B+ 87 B 82 B- 77 ● C+ 72.5 C 67.5 C- 62.5 ● D+ 57.5 D 53 D- 50 ● F0

This scale severely penalizes Fs. Therefore, it is better to hand in a poorly done assignment than not to hand one in at all. There is no grade of “Incomplete” for failure to hand in assignments. Incompletes are only given on account of exceptional circumstances beyond the student’s control.

Academic Integrity Plagiarism is a form of dishonesty that occurs when a student passes off someone else’s work as their own. This can range from failing to cite an author for ideas incorporated into a student’s paper, to cutting and pasting paragraphs from different websites, to handing in a paper downloaded from the Internet. This includes buying or submitting a paper written by a third party. All are considered forms of “plagiarism” and a violation of the Seminary’s academic integrity policy. Instances of plagiarism may be reported to the Vice President of Academic Affairs for disciplinary action. Possible disciplinary actions include probation, suspension or withdrawal.

The first instance of plagiarism in this course, the student must repeat the assignment. If the student plagiarizes again, the student will receive an “F” for the course.

Required Texts/Readings Journal articles are provided by the instructor Smith, Huston.(1992). The World’s Religions: Our Great Wisdom Traditions. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN-10: 0061660183, ISBN-13: 978-0061660184, $12.89

​ Wilson, Andrew, ed. World Scripture: A Comparative Anthology of Sacred Texts. St. Paul, MN: Paragon House, 1992. ISBN-10: 1557787239, ISBN-13: 9781557787231, $13.00

Selengut, Charles (2023). Sacred Texts: New Religions, Established Religions, and Interfaith Relations, New York, NY: ISBN-13: ‎979-8826893845, $19.95

Dialogue and Alliance Sun Myung Moon, November 15, 1985 Assembly of the World’s Religions Founder’s Address

Inter-religious and International Federation for World Peace Inaugural Address Sun Myung Moon, February 6, 1999

MIN 8702 Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Dr. Frank Kaufmann Spring 2023 (646 220 8281)

Assembly 2000: Renewing the United Nations and Building A Culture of Peace Sun Myung Moon, August 18, 2000 Interreligious and International Federation for World Peace Founder’s Addres

Address to the New Delhi Congress Chung Hwan Kwak, February 3, 1993

Supporting Bibliography ​ Fisher, Mary Pat (1997) Living religions : An Encyclopedia of the World’s Faiths, 8 edition. th

London: I.B. Tauris. ISBN-10: 0205835856, ISBN-13: 978-0205835850, available used $18.45

Eck, Diana (1993). Encountering God: A Spiritual Journey from Bozeman to Banara. Beacon, MA: Beacon Press. ISBN-10: 0807073016, ISBN13: 9780807073018, $ 9.70

​ Nhat Hanh, Thich (1987). Being Peace. Berkeley: Parallax Press. ISBN 10:188837540X, ISBN-13: 978-1888375404, $8.05

Graef, Dana. “Learning the Language of Interfaith Dialogue.” Cross Currents, (2005): 106-20.

Hospital, Clifford G. “Toward Maturity in Interfaith Dialogue.” Cross Currents, (2007): 356-64.

Huff, Peter. “The Challenge of Fundamentalism for Interreligious Dialogue.” Cross Currents, (2000): 94-102.

Knitter, Paul F. “Toward a Liberative Interreligious Dialogue.” Cross Currents, (1995): 451-68.

Omar, Rashied. “Overcoming Religiously Motivated Violence.” Cross Currents, (Spring 2005): 77-82.

Patel, Eboo. “Inclusiveness and Justice: The Pitfalls and Possibilities of Interfaith Work.” Cross Currents, (2005): 17-40.

Thampu, Valson. “Building Communities of Peace for All.” The Ecumenical Review 57, no. 2 (April 2005): 147-158.

Vendley, William F. “The Power of Interreligious Cooperation to Transform Conflict.” Cross Currents, 2005: 90-99.

Wimberly, James. “Education for Intercultural and Interfaith Dialogue.” Prospects Vol XXXIII, no. 2 (June 2003), 200-210.

MIN 8702 Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Dr. Frank Kaufmann Spring 2023 (646 220 8281)

Bryant, M. Darroll. “Shanti, Shalom, Salaam: Reflections on the Quest for a Culture of Peace.” Dialogue and Alliance Vol 22 No. 1, Spring / Summer 2008*

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