University Certificate in Interreligious Encounter Learning
Students of philosophy and ethics, as well as Jewish, Catholic, Islamic and Protestant theology and religious education, attend selected courses offered by other denominations and faith traditions. They develop their ability to deal with ideological diversity in our schools and acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to facilitate ‘interreligious learning through encounter’ in schools. There is an urgent need for religious education teachers who are able to deal with the religious and ideological diversity of our society.
- Duration
- 2 semesters
- Scope
- 15 CP
- Conclusion
- University Certificate
- Start
- every term
- Seats
- 15
The certificate programme is a collaboration between various international partner universities. You will have the opportunity to attend selected courses on different faiths and worldviews, either in person or online, at your own university and at the partner universities.
The partner universities are Ankara University, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, the Heidelberg College of Jewish Studies, KPH Vienna/Krems, the University of Education Freiburg and the University of Education Heidelberg.
Target audience
Student teachers specialising in ethics, as well as Protestant, Islamic, Jewish and Catholic theology, and religious education for primary and lower secondary schools.
Learning outcomes and skills
- Interdisciplinary exchange: The ability to engage in dialogue across denominational and disciplinary boundaries and to gain an understanding of the fundamental tenets and perspectives of other religions and world views.
- Diversity in schools: The acquisition of skills for dealing with religious and ideological diversity in schools.
- Respectful dialogue: The acquisition of skills for respectful dialogue with those who hold different views, and the ability to break down prejudices.
- Self-reflection: The promotion of competent self-reflection in the areas of religion and worldviews.
- Methodological competence: Understanding various approaches, methods and procedures for project-based tasks that bring different world views into dialogue, and the application of these.
- Critical judgement: Being able to assess religious and ideological issues in a nuanced manner and discuss them respectfully.
Course content
| Title | CP | SWS | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1: Basic Concepts of Sharing Worldviews – Learning through Encounter. Online seminar by international experts on the fundamentals of interreligious and intercultural learning. | 3 | 2 | Every semester |
| 1.2: Seminar in the fields of Jewish, Islamic, Catholic and Protestant theology/religious education and philosophy/ethics: a specialist module at the student’s own university or one of the partner universities, including participation in the joint study day. | 3 | 2 | every second semester |
| 2.1: Worldviews – Understanding Self and Others. Online seminar exploring various worldviews in depth, providing specific insights into different religious and ethical perspectives; foundational course on Jewish, Islamic, Protestant and Catholic theology and religious education | 3 | 2 | every semester |
| 2.2: Any non-specialist course designated for the certificate from the fields of Jewish, Islamic, Protestant or Catholic theology or religious education, and philosophy or ethics, offered by the student’s own or a partner university | 3 | 2 | each semester |
| 3: Project work and colloquium. Group presentation on a collaboratively developed interfaith teaching unit. The teaching unit must be designed in accordance with the concept of interfaith encounter-based learning across subjects and must comprise all phases across a total of six lessons. The choice of school type or year group is at the student’s discretion. A detailed lesson plan must be drawn up. The examination lasts a maximum of 30 minutes in total. | 3 | 2 | every semester |
Frequently Asked Questions
The qualification is open to university students and lecturers in the subjects of religion, ethics and philosophy who are affiliated with one of the participating universities.
The qualification is open to university students and lecturers in the subjects of religion, ethics and philosophy who are affiliated with one of the participating universities.
The certificate programme is aimed in particular at non-native speakers. You should be able to hold a conversation with them. It is essential to be able to follow the content of the English-language online seminars.
The certificate programme is aimed in particular at non-native speakers. You should be able to hold a conversation with them. It is essential to be able to follow the content of the English-language online seminars.
Registration link: https://sharing-worldviews.com/de/node/111 – click on ‘Formal Information | Registration’
Registration link: https://sharing-worldviews.com/de/node/111 – click on ‘Formal Information | Registration’
The events are marked with the abbreviation SWW/IRBL (Sharing Worldviews Continuing Professional Development Certificate).
The events are marked with the abbreviation SWW/IRBL (Sharing Worldviews Continuing Professional Development Certificate).
Once you have registered, you can listen to the relevant talks on the website.
Once you have registered, you can listen to the relevant talks on the website.
Attendance at the online seminars can be viewed by the relevant contact persons via the platform. To confirm attendance at face-to-face seminars, a brief written confirmation from the course co-ordinators is sufficient; this should be obtained at the end of the seminar.
Attendance at the online seminars can be viewed by the relevant contact persons via the platform. To confirm attendance at face-to-face seminars, a brief written confirmation from the course co-ordinators is sufficient; this should be obtained at the end of the seminar.
After attending the colloquium, for which you should register with the contact persons.
After attending the colloquium, for which you should register with the contact persons.
Contact persons
Organisation
Karlsruhe University of Education
Building
2
Room
B232
Phone
Availability
By arrangement
Organisation
Karlsruhe University of Education
Building
2
Room
B205
Phone
Availability
By arrangement
Updated on 24 September 2026 by Kordula Manegold