SOJ 2110 - Jerusalem

Credits: 4

As a city sacred to Jews, Christians, and Muslims, Jerusalem has served for millennia as a site of pilgrimage, a symbol of ideals, and a source of contestation. The city means many things to many different populations, which leads to complex interreligious and intercultural exchanges between Jerusalem?s diverse communities. This course will explore the remarkable confluence of world cultures and religious traditions in Jerusalem. It will examine specific cases of interreligious and intercultural encounters and exchange, and it will demonstrate the ways in which Jerusalem is enriched by its religious and cultural diversity. Exploring the labyrinth complexity of Jerusalem?s communities, this course will teach students the value of avoiding snap judgments, and will guide students to practice nuanced and deliberative thinking, and to reflect deeply before jumping to conclusions. Most importantly, it will encourage students to see things from multiple perspectives, fostering the skills of cultural humility so necessary to navigating complex situations in today?s world.
Fulfills: D and SOSC in the LS core