THEO 1430 Buddhism and Christianity in Dialogue

This course is both an introduction to Buddhism and to Buddhist-Christian comparative learning. In early weeks we study concepts and practices of Theravada and Zen Buddhism from Southeast and East Asia. We then explore some areas of Christian thought that can be compared with Buddhism--understandings of faith, God, Jesus, sin, spiritual rebirth, sacramentality, and social ethics. Finally, from Buddhist and Christian perspectives, we focus on one or more of the following topics: spiritual practices of deepening care and discernment, faith-based action, interfaith learning, ecology, and/or feminism. Satisfies Core requirement for: Theology (Sacred Texts and Traditions)

Course overview

Department
Theology
School
MCAS
Credits
3
Level
Undergraduate
Offered
Every Fall,Every Spring,Every Summer

Catalog details

Satisfies core
Cultural Diversity,Theology

Catalog text is imported from the reviewed Boston College course snapshot. Confirm eligibility in EagleApps.

Requirements fulfilled

  • Theology (Honors): Theology Core, Option A — One semester of Sacred Texts and Traditions (one of) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
  • Theology: Theology Core, Option A — Sacred Texts and Traditions (STT) course (one of) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
  • University Core: Cultural Diversity (All undergraduates)
  • University Core: Sacred Texts and Traditions (STT) (All undergraduates)

Requirement eligibility can vary by school, cohort, and section. Confirm the selected section in EagleApps or with an advisor.

Official evaluation summary

4.27 / 5

Based on 934 aggregate responses from BC Avalanche/Blue evaluations.

Data freshness

Course and evaluation data last updated 2026-08-02. Source details and limitations are documented in Data Sources and Methodology.

Instructors

  • Cedric Y Dussart
    Fall 2026
  • Louis Petillo
    Summer 2026, Summer 2025, Summer 2024, Summer 2023 · Official rating 4.49/5
  • Matthew Vale
    Fall 2026, Fall 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2023 · Official rating 4.08/5
  • Tiffany Hartnell-Howden
    Fall 2026, Summer 2026, Spring 2026, Fall 2025, Summer 2025, Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Summer 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023, Summer 2023, Spring 2023, Summer 2022, Spring 2022 · Official rating 4.51/5
  • Dorothy Goehring
    Spring 2022 · Official rating 4.08/5
  • John Makransky
    Spring 2022, Fall 2021 · Official rating 4.45/5
  • John Mileski
    Spring 2023, Fall 2022 · Official rating 4.55/5
  • Matthew Kruger
    Spring 2025 · Official rating 4.63/5
  • Michael Costas
    Fall 2024 · Official rating 3.92/5
  • Scott Molony
    Spring 2025 · Official rating 4.86/5
  • Tiffany Lee
    Fall 2021 · Official rating 4.70/5

Sections

  • Section 01
    Summer 2026 · Louis Petillo · On-line Asynchronous · Offered
  • Section 02
    Summer 2026 · Louis Petillo · On-line Asynchronous · Offered
  • Section 03
    Summer 2026 · Tiffany Hartnell-Howden · On-line Asynchronous · Offered
  • Section 04
    Summer 2026 · Tiffany Hartnell-Howden · On-line Asynchronous · Offered
  • Section 01
    Fall 2026 · Cedric Y Dussart, Matthew Vale · Stokes Hall 131N TuTh 09:00AM-10:15AM · Offered
  • Section 02
    Fall 2026 · Tiffany Hartnell-Howden · O'Neill Library 247 MWF 02:00PM-02:50PM · Offered