Assumption University is pleased to offer its newest undergraduate course, Jerusalem and Rome: Jewish-Catholic Relations. This course reflects Assumption’s strong dedication to cultivating right relations with our elder brothers and sisters. We are honoured to have the warm support from both the Windsor Jewish Federation and Community Centre and Jewish London. The course represents a historic new chapter in Jewish and Catholic dialogue, one that will both teach and inspire future generations.

Assumption University thanks The Charles and Ethel Cohen Family Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Emod and Maureen Greff, Dr. Dan Andreae, and an Anonymous Donor for ensuring that this course came to fruition. May they each be rewarded for their generosity.

Course Code: RELS 2022

Course Level: Second-Year Course

Course Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:30 AM to 2:20 PM

Course Dates: May 10, 2022 to June 24, 2022 (Accelerated Six-Week Course)

Course Duration: Six Weeks (Accelerated)

Course Credit: 3.00

Course Instructor: Dr. John Cappucci, The Stephen Jarislowsky Chair in Religion and Conflict/Principal and Vice-Chancellor

Course Delivery: Synchronous/Online (Via Zoom and Blackboard)

This course provides a portrait of Jewish-Catholic relations by exploring both the historical interactions and the contemporary developments between the two religions and the place they hold in the larger community. The course will also explore how the similarities and differences in the lived expressions of Judaism and Catholicism compare. It is the goal of this course to provide the space for students to explore approaches/strategies that will help cultivate understanding, dialogue, and cooperation between Jewish and Catholic communities as well as the impact on society.

• Examine the historical interactions between Jews and Catholics from the first common century to the present to facilitate increased awareness and understanding of their social role in contemporary religion, culture, and society.
• Evaluate key primary documents published by religious leaders on the relationship between Judaism and Catholicism
• Compare similarities between Judaism, Catholicism, and other religions on theological, scriptural, and expressional levels.
• Identify instances of antisemitism in Catholic teachings and how they have been addressed by Church authorities
• Evaluate how present-day outstanding issues may affect the further positive development of Jewish-Catholic relations and the impact they may have on you as an individual and on the Canadian society.
• Synthesize innovative ways in which Jewish and Catholic communities could cultivate dialogue with one another and other communities by assessing the values that underlie these relationships.
• Reflect on how your thoughts on religion have influenced your development as a social being and shaped your perception and understanding of other people, cultures, and religions.

$ 800.00 Canadian (For Credit)

$ 400.00 Canadian (For Audit)

Note: Audit students will not be required to complete the course assignments.

Brescia University College students currently enrolled in religious studies may receive transfer credit for this course provided they obtain a passing grade in the course.

Huron University College students currently enrolled in any program may receive transfer credit for this course provided they obtain a passing grade in the course.

King’s University College students currently enrolled in any program may receive transfer credit for this course provided they obtain a passing grade in the course. In addition, students are required to obtain a letter of permission from their academic advisor and department prior to enrolling in the course.

St. Clair College students currently enrolled in any program may receive transfer credit for this course as a general elective/education course provided they obtain a minimum grade 60% in the course.

St. Peter’s Seminary students currently enrolled in any program may receive transfer credit for this course provided they obtain a passing grade. St Peter’s students are required to enroll in the Selected Topics in Systematic Theology course, Course Code: 5219A/B, with the permission of the Dean of Studies.

University of Detroit Mercy students currently enrolled in any program within the College of Liberal Arts & Education may receive transfer credit for this course provided they obtain a passing grade in the course.

University of Michigan students who obtain a passing grade in this course will be able to transfer it back to the University of Michigan as Judaic 200-level course.

Wayne State University students currently enrolled in religious studies may receive transfer credit for this course provided they obtain a passing grade in the course.