Overview
Religion has played a crucial role in various forms of human conflict, historically and in our own times. The nature of that role, however, varies significantly, as religion provides contexts for division and war as well as for unity and peace.
ASU’s Undergraduate Certificate in Religion and Conflict provides students a broad, interdisciplinary understanding of the dynamics of religion, conflict and peace by exploring questions such as these:
- What are the religious and non-religious causes of conflict or factors that contribute to it?
- What do we mean by the term “religious violence”?
- What secular and religious resources exist for resolving different kinds of conflict?
- What do we mean by “peace”?
- How can religion inform the pursuit of peace?
Requirements
The certificate is open to all students and majors. It may be of particular interest to students pursuing careers in journalism, law, policy work, diplomacy, the military, public advocacy, publishing, education, ministry or other fields in which an enhanced understanding of religion and conflict is increasingly vital.
Students must complete 18 credit hours of qualifying course work (at least 12 hours from ASU), consisting of regional, political, and cultural components. A minimum grade of “C” is required for a course to fulfill a certificate requirement. In many cases, the same course can be used to fulfill several requirements simultaneously.
1. Regional component (6 hours, 2 different regions)
Courses in this category provide students regional knowledge of how religion has been implicated in human conflict. Required coursework in at least two different regions fosters a comparative understanding of the dynamics of religion and conflict in historical and global contexts.
2. Political component (3 hours)
Courses in this category explore how religion influences—or is influenced by—matters of state, law, government, or other dimensions of political life.
3. Cultural component (3 hours)
Courses in this category provide students with an understanding of how religion operates as a powerful force that impacts and intersects with expressions of human identity, thought, art, history, science and culture.
4. Electives (6 hours)
Any approved/qualifying course may be used as an elective to fulfill remaining requirements.
Interdisciplinary Requirement
To ensure that students are exposed to a wide variety of approaches, an interdisciplinary component requires that at least 6 of the 18 hours be filled with courses from the Humanities (ARB, HST, POR or REL) and at least 3 hours from the Social Sciences (SOC, POS, SGS or WST).
In addition to the list of regularized courses, there are many special topic courses (generally numbered 194, 294, 394, 494, and 498) that can fulfill certificate requirements as approved by the certificate director.
Eligibilty
Q: Why should I consider a certificate in Religion and Conflict?
A: An enhanced understanding of religion and conflict is proving to be increasingly vital. Religion has played a crucial role in various forms of human conflict, historically and in our current times. The certificate may be of particular interest for students pursuing careers in journalism, law, policy work, diplomacy, the military, public advocacy, publishing, education, ministry, or other fields in which an enhanced understanding ...
Q: What can I expect to get out of the program?
A: The certificate program provides students a broad, interdisciplinary understanding of the dynamics of religion, conflict, and peace by exploring questions such as:
- What are the religious and non-religious causes of conflict?
- What do we mean by "religious violence"?
- What do secular and religious resources exist for resolving conflict?
- What do we mean by "peace"?
Q: Who is the certificate open to?
A: The certificate is open to any undergraduate student enrolled at Arizona State University in any degree or non-degree program.
Foreign exchange students attending ASU while enrolled through their home institutions are not eligible to receive the certificate, though during their residence they may sign up for classes that are part of the certificate program. A minimum grade of “C” is required for a course to fulfill a certificate requirement.
Q: Is the certificate available to online students?
A: The religion and conflict certificate is not designed as an online certificate program. However, while we cannot guarantee that the courses will be offered as part of the online program, it is possible to complete the requirements and earn the certificate if you can find the courses to make it work. If you have any questions about specific courses please email us (matt.correa@asu.edu).
Q: What if I still have questions? Who can I get in touch with?
A: Matt Correa is the Center's Assistant Research Administrator and the guy in charge of our student programs. He's available via phone or email to answer your questions!
Forms
Here are the steps and documents necessary for enrolling in the religion and conflict certificate program:
Complete both of these forms and email them to Matt.Correa@asu.edu
1) 
Student Enrollment Form
2) Request to Add an Undergraduate Certificate Form
Some of the fields on this form have been filled in for you. You only need to enter in your name, ID #, phone number, and add your signature in the "student signature" box. This form requires your signature--you must sign it, scan it, and email the signed copy, but you do not need to worry about the other signatures on the form.
NOTE: If you are not majoring in History, Philosophy, or Religious Studies (the SHPRS' majors), you should also meet with your academic advisor to let him or her know that you intend to add the certificate.
Progress and Completion
- Check your Degree Audit Report (DAR) regularly to confirm that your courses are being properly applied. Once you have completed all certificate requirements, or to check on your progress, email the
Student Worksheet to Matt.Correa@asu.edu
- If you would like to use a course for the certificate that is not on the lists of pre-approved courses, please review the Petition Instructions Form and email us with any questions at Matt.Correa@asu.edu
Courses By Semester
FALL 2019
REGIONAL COMPONENT (remember, to complete the certificate you must have 2 regional courses and they can't both be from the same region)
Religion and Europe
HST 361 Witchcraft & Heresy in Europe (also offered as REL 374)
HST 369 History and Memory of Holocaust
HST 495 Holocaust
REL 377 Religion in Russia
REL 494 Society and Culture in Modern Europe (also offered as REL/SGS/ENG/GCU 494)
SLC 362 Ancient Greek Religion (also offered as GRK 362/ REL 360)
Religion and the Middle East
ARB 331 Arabic/Islamic Culture and Lit
ARB 336 Introduction to the Qur’an
FMS 345 Israeli Wars in Israeli Movies
GCU 328 Geography Middle East/N. Africa
HST 372 Modern Middle East*
REL 311 Israeli Society and Culture (also offered as JST/HEB/SLC 348)
REL 365 Islamic Civilization (also offered as HST 336)
REL 366 Islam in the Modern World (also offered as HST 339)
Religion and the United States
REL 320 American Religious Traditions
REL 321 Religion in America
Religion and Africa
AFR 305 Global History: Slave Trade
GCU 328 Geography Middle East/N. Africa
Religion and Asia
HST 240 Intro to Southeast Asia* (also offered as REL/SGS 240)
HST 303 WWII in Asia: Cultures of War*
REL 345 Asian Religious Traditions
REL 343 Daoism
REL 350 Hinduism
REL 351 Buddhism
REL 377 Religion in Russia
SLC 394 Religious Practices of People in Modern Japan (also offered as JPN 394)
SLC 494 Religions and Conflicts in Southeast Asia
Religion and Latin America
HST 376 Modern Latin America
POLITICAL COMPONENT
ASM 394 War & Peace: Origins of Conflict & Cooperation
COM 312 Communication/Conflict & Negotiation
HON 394 Mass Atrocities, Human Rights & Responsibilities
HST 304 Exiles, Migrants, Refugees in Jewish History* (also offered as JST 304)
HST 355 Total War and Crisis Modernity*
HST 381 The History of Human Rights
ISS 456 Culture, Conflict and War
JUS 467 Terrorism, War, and Justice*
POS 364 National Security/ Intl Terrorism*
SGS 340 Violence, Conflict and Human Rights
CULTURAL COMPONENT
AFR 305 Global History: Slave Trade
ARB 331 Arabic/Islamic Culture and Lit
COM 494 Conflict and Intercultural Dialogue*
HON 394 International Migration and Mobility in the 21st Century
HST 361 Witchcraft and Heresy in Europe (also offered as REL 374)
IAS 406 Moral Dilemmas (also offered as PHI/FOR 406)
PAX 230 Intro to Peace Studies
PHI 318 Philosophy of Religion
REL 201 Religion and the Modern World
REL 311 Israeli Society and Culture (also offered as JST/HEB/SLC 348)
REL 320 American Religious Tradition
REL 321 Religion in America
REL 343 Daoism
REL 350 Hinduism
REL 351 Buddhism
REL 366 Islam in the Modern World (also offered as HST 339)
REL 382 Magick, Religion and Science
REL 390 Women, Gender, and Religion
REL 394 Exploring Religion & the Media (also offered as MCO 394)
REL 494 Society and Culture in Modern Europe (also offered as REL/SGS/ENG 494)
SGS 340 Violence, Conflict and Human Rights*
SOC 353 Death and Dying in Cross-Cultural Perspective* (also offered as ABS 353)
SOC 420 Sociology of Religion*
SOC 498 Violence and Society*
Note: any approved course can be used for 1 of the 2 electives for the certificate, see the "overview" tab for details about requirements.
COURSE LISTS BY SEMESTER
Fall 2019
Spring 2019
Fall 2018
Courses Archive
For more information on how these courses work in the certificate program, click the "overview" tab. This course archive includes both regularized and special topics courses (i.e., omnibus, non-regularized—usually numbered 394 or 494) that may be used for various components of the certificate. You can also peition to include a course that is not on this list as part of this certificate, see the petition instructions form on the "forms" tab. An asterik * by the course title denotes courses that fulfill the Social Sciences requirement (an explanation of humanities vs social sciences requirements can be found on the "overview" tab under "Interdisciplinary Requirement"). If there is a course that is not listed here but you think it should be, please email the course details to matt.correa@asu.edu.
REGIONAL COMPONENT (remember, to complete the certificate you must have 2 regional courses and they can't both be from the same region)
Religion and Europe
FMS 494 Holocaust and German Media
HST 304 Rebirth of European Jewish Life after 1950 (also as JST 304)
HST 350 Later Middle Ages
HST 352 Europe’s Reformation
HST 355 Total War and the Crisis of Modernity
HST 360 The Crusades*
HST 361 Witchcraft & Heresy in Europe (also as REL 374)
HST 394 Christianity in Europe
HST 432 Eastern Europe and the Balkans in the 20th Century
JST 445 Holocaust & German Memory (also as SLC 445/GER 445/HON 494)
REL 364 Islam in Eurasia and Central Asia
REL 374 Witchcraft & Heresy in Europe
REL 377 Religion in Russia
REL 471 Reformation & Modern Christianity
REL 494 Society & Culture in Modern Europe
RUS 494 Slavophiles and Westernizers (also as SLC 494, HST 494)
Religion and the Middle East
ARB 331 Arabic/Islamic Culture and Literature
ARB 335 Arabic Culture and Islam
ARB 341 Quran Text and Women
ARB 394 Iraqi Culture & Society
ARB 394 Islamic Philosophy
GCU 328 Geography: Middle East/ N. Africa
HST 372 Modern Middle East
REL 366 Islam in the Modern World
POS 394 Middle East Politics*
HST 394 War and Peace in the Middle East* (also as POS 394)
Religion and the United States
AFR 394 American Islam* (also as POS 394)
HST 211 Jews and Judaism in America* (also as JST 211/REL 211)
HST 315 Political History of the US
REL 320 American Religious Traditions
REL 321 Religion in America
REL 323 African American Religion
REL 386 America & the Holocaust*
REL 394 Religion & the American Presidency
Religion and Africa
GCU 328 Geography: Middle East/N Africa
HST 302 Islam in African History
POS 359 African Politics and Society*
POS 394 Islam/Islamic Societies in Africa
REL 362 Islam and Islamic Society in Africa* (also as AFR 372, SGS 366)
REL 461 Different Voices within Contemporary Islamic Discourse* (also as AFR 480, SGS 442)
SGS 394 Peace and Conflict in Africa
Religion and Asia
HST 303 Modern China: Violence*
HST 384 Modern China: 1700 to Present*
HST 391 Modern Southeast Asia* (also as SGS 381)
HST 452 Chinese Cultural History
HST 452 Chinese Cultural History II*
HST 498 Gandhi & Politics of Non-violence
POS 394 Media, Identity, and Politics in Southeast Asia*
REL 345 Asian Religious Traditions
REL 347 Religious Pluralism and Conflict in India
REL 357 Theravada Buddhism in S & SE Asia
REL 364 Islam in Eurasia and Central Asia
REL 377 Religion in Russia
REL 394 Religions of India
Religion and Latin America
REL 332 South American Indian Religion
POLITICAL COMPONENT
CEL 100 Great Ideas of Politics and Ethics in Comparative Perspective
CEL 494 Political Leadership and Statesmanship
COM 312 Communication/Conflict & Negotiation*
COM 377 Communication, Terrorism and National Security*
COM 394 Communication, Culture, and New Media Technologies*
COM 494 Communication, Conflict, & Peace Building*
FMS 394 American Jews in U.S. Politics & Media
FMS 494 Holocaust and German Media
HST 304 Totalitarianism: Hitler & Stalin*(also as JST 304)
HST 315 Political History of the US
HST 355 Total War and the Crisis of Modernity
HST 360 The Crusades: Religion & Conflict in the Middle Ages
HST 372 Modern Middle East
HST 391 Modern Southeast Asia (also as SGS 381)
HST 432 Eastern Europe/the Balkans 20th Century
HST 454 History of Genocide (also as FOR 454)
JUS 374 Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights*
JUS 467 Terrorism, War, and Justice*
JUS 473 Religion, Violence, & Conflict Resolution* (also as REL 482 & POS 473)
POS 359 African Politics and Society*
POS 364 National Security/ Intl Terrorism*
POS 368 Ethics and Human Rights
POS 394 The Future of War
POS 394 Media, Identity, and Politics in Southeast Asia*
POS 394 Middle East Politics*
REL 363 Islam and World Affairs (also as AFR 373, SGS 394, POS 394)
REL 378 Religion, War and Peace*
REL 380 Theology of Terror
REL 387 Religion & Conflict: Theories & Cases
REL 388 Religion, Ethics, & International Politics
REL 394 Religion and Ecology
REL 394 Martyrdom & Self-sacrifice
REL 394 Religion & the American Presidency
REL 394 Justice in Religion and Politics
REL 494 Religion, War, and Revolution
REL 494 Justice in Religion & Politics
REL 494 Sacred Crimes: Religion, Violence and Criminality
SGS 340 Violence, Conflict & Human Rights*
SGS 343 Religion, Nationalism, & Ethnic Conflict (also as REL 379)
SGS 394 The Israel-Palestine Conflict: The Struggle
SGS 394 After 9/11 US & War on Terrorism (also as POS 393)
SGS 394 Women’s International Human Rights* (also as WST 394)
SGS 441 Religion and Global Politics* (also as REL 480)
CULTURAL COMPONENT
AEP 598 Philosophical and Spiritual Issues in Death & Dying (also as REL 598)
AFR 373 Islam and World Affairs (also as REL 363, SGS 394, POS 394)
ARB 331 Arabic/Islamic Culture and Literature
ARB 335 Arabic Culture and Islam
ARB 341 Quran Text and Women
ARB 394 Islamic Philosophy
ARB 394 Iraqi Culture & Society
COM 394 Communication, Culture, and New Media Technologies*
ENG 494 Nonviolence & the Civil Rights Movement
FMS 313 Anti-Semitism in the Media (also as REL 313)
HST 302 Women, War, and Peace*
HST 302 Envisioning Peace*
HST 302 Jews and Christians & Muslims in Early Modern World*
HST 304 History of Antisemitism*
(also offered as JST 304)
HST 304 Rebirth of European Jewish Life after 1950* (also as JST 304)
HST 352 Europe’s Reformations
HST 359 Jewish History from 1492 to 1948
HST 361 Witchcraft and Heresy in Europe (also as REL 374)
HST 394 History of Israel
HST 452 Chinese Cultural History
HST 452 Chinese Cultural History II*
HST 494 Islam, Women, and Peacebuilding
HST 498 Gandhi & Politics of Non-violence
HST 498 Women in Islamic Africa
IAS 406 Moral Dilemmas (also as PHI 406)
IAS 410 Evolution of Ideas
IAS 430 Science and Religion
PHI 318 Philosophy of Religion
PHI 494 Religion & Science (also as REL 494)
POS 473 Religion, Violence, & Conflict Resolution (also as REL 483)
POS 494 Different Voices Within Contemporary Islamic Discourse (also as REL 494)
REL 201 Religion and the Modern World
REL 202 Religion and Popular Culture
REL 300 The Future of Religions
REL 320 American Religious Tradition
REL 321 Religion in America
REL 345 Asian Religious Traditions
REL 352 Modern Buddhism
REL 357 Theravada Buddhism in S. & S.E. Asia
REL 366 Islam in the Modern World
REL 369 Women in Islam
REL 374 Witchcraft & Heresy in Europe
REL 377 Religion in Russia
REL 381 Religion and Moral Issues
REL 390 Women, Gender and Religion (also as WST 390)
REL 394 Religion, Science and Citizenship
REL 394 Global Citizenship: Critical Perspective (also as SGS 394)
REL 394 Christian Syncretism in the Middle Ages
REL 394 The Crusades
REL 394 Religion and Ecology
REL 411 Judaism/Beginnings Christianity
REL 461 Different Voices within Contemporary Islamic Discourse* (also as AFR 480, SGS 442)
REL 471 Reformation and Modern Christianity
REL 481 Religion and Bioethics
REL 483 Religion and Science
REL 494 Issues in Death & Dying (also as MAS 550/PHI 494)
REL 494 Inquiry into Religion and Conflict
REL 494 Science and Religion
REL 494 Society and Culture in Modern Europe
REL 503 Post-Holocaust and Reparative Ethics
SGS 394 Gender and Armed Conflict (also as POS 394)
SGS 394 Islam and World Affairs (also as POS 394)
SOC 353 Death & Dying in Cross Cultural Perspectives*
SOC 420 Sociology of Religion*
STS 394 Religion and Conflict in Technology*
WST 345 Gender, Religion, and Global Violence*
WST 390 Women and Religions* (also as REL 390)
WST 477 Women and Violence*