Worldviews Seminar offers chance to explore how people find meaning

The six-day seminar will introduce participants to the foundational information about the beliefs and practices of the world's religions:

• Understand the role of religion in American life.
• Discover the diversity of religions in Metropolitan Detroit.
• Develop skills to function as a citizen in a multi-religions nation.
• Learn the concepts and vocabulary of several religions.
• Engage in intelligent dialogue with members of those religions.
• Understand the practices of several religions sufficiently to be able to be an informed visitor in these religious settings.

Former participants have said the seminar “broadened my perspective, introduced me to faith fellows and energized me to do interfaith work” and was “one of the most extraordinary experiences of my life.”

The Worldviews Seminar was created in the aftermath of the events of September 11, 2001, to acquaint people with the perspectives and cultural identities of Baha'i, Buddhism, Chinese & Japanese Traditional Religions, Christianity, First Peoples and Native Traditions, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism and to explore different models of dialogue. Sessions are held in the classroom and at religious centers throughout the Metro-Detroit area.

The seminar costs $500 and includes transportation to religious centers, breakfast, lunch and some dinners, and course readings. Students who enroll for undergraduate and graduate credit will pay regular tuition rates. Registration is open through Thursday, May 23, through the College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters. Contact Sharie Beard 313-593-4925 or Maureen Sytsma at 313-593-8389 to complete registration.