This stream focuses on special topics in religion that rotate each Term. Term topics in this series are currently: “Religious Fundamentalism, Extremism & Terrorism,” and “Religion and Nonviolence.” Descriptions of each are given below. Future Term classes in this series for 2021 are currently in development and will focus on “New Religious Movements” (beginning 2021 Term 3), “Sacred Texts,” “Esoteric Traditions and Mystical Experiences,” “Faith & Feminism,” and “Religion & the Arts.”

Any Term course can be taken independently of the others and at any time and in any order. There are no prerequisites for any of the Religious Diversity courses.

All classes are taught from an objective point of view. These are classes about religion and religious behavior, taught from an anthropological and historical point of view, and are designed for participants to get a greater understanding of the depth and scope of the diversity that exists within the world’s various faith and belief traditions.

DISTANCE-LEARNING OPTIONS AVAILABLE: In addition to our regular Hamilton in-person classes, we offer ‘Distance Learning’ options for all of our Religious Diversity courses. Distance-learning options have been added for those living outside the Waikato or for those unable to attend our in-person classes in Hamilton. If you are a Distance-Learner you have the option of joining our regular live classroom sessions via Zoom at the regularly scheduled class time, or you can watch a video-recording of the Zoom classroom session at your leisure and learn at your own pace.

The courses in this series currently on offer are:

• RD201: “Religious Fundamentalism, Extremism and Terrorism I: Judaism & Christianity”
• RD202: “Religious Fundamentalism, Extremism and Terrorism II: Islam”
• RD203: “Religious Fundamentalism, Extremism and Terrorism III: Hinduism, Sikhism & Buddhism”
• RD204: “Religion & Nonviolence”
• RD210: “New Religious Movements”

Future courses in this series (currently under development) are:

• “Sacred Texts” (coming in 2022)
• “Esoteric Traditions and Mystical Experiences” (coming in 2022)
• “Religion and Film” (coming in 2022)
• “Faith & Feminism”
• “Religion & the Arts”

The series of RD201-204 (“Religious Fundamentalism, Extremism and Terrorism” and “Religion and Nonviolence”) was last offered in 2020. It will next be offered in 2022. Our newest course in this series, RD210 (“New Religious Movements”) will also be offered in 2022. Stay tuned for additional new courses in this series, coming soon!