«The assumption that we live in a secularized world is false. The world today, with some exceptions, is as furiously religious as it ever was, and in some places more so than ever.» (Peter Berger)

Interest in religion has arisen sharply in recent decades: according to the data of the Pew Research Center, the percentage of non-believers is set to fall from 16 % to 12.5% by 2060. Nevertheless, academic programs in philosophy are often designed in an agnostic way—as if the question of God’s existence did not matter. Such programs neglect the growing interest in religion at a global level.

Furthermore, in many such programs, philosophy is studied exclusively in a topical way, examining particular questions and problems while neglecting the history of these problems and of philosophy more broadly. Finally, the study of the millennia-long history of dialogue between philosophy and religions—which took place within, e.g., among the ancient Greeks, and within Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—is not emphasized by any postsecondary program in philosophy, despite such study’s foundational nature for ongoing dialogue between cultures and faiths in an increasingly globalized world.

The CAS Philosophy, Theology and Islam fills some of these gaps. The course of study it offers is centred on the mutual relationship between Islam and philosophy from both a historical and a theoretical point of view.

The program is designed to encompass the best aspects of two formats for postsecondary education, ensuring the pedigree of a Swiss education together with the flexibility of online study. The benefits of online study in an increasingly globalized and industrialized world are clear:

• International Faculty: our course instructors are all leading experts in their given area of philosophy and/or religious thought and include some of the world’s most well-respected scholars working in these fields.
• Work-life balance: No commute and a flexible schedule allow for more time for family, friends, career, and personal development without compromising the quality of study.
• Enhanced communication: Far from limiting interpersonal interaction, a centralized online platform allows students to contribute and to be heard more clearly when sharing ideas and concerns, without getting lost in the crowd.

We have also taken several additional measures to ensure that students remain connected with each other and form a genuine community:

• Each year, students set up a group chat and/or recurring video meets. These methods enable them to discuss their classes and research with each other, and are an indispensable part of establishing camaraderie and mutual support among the students.
• Students are encouraged to keep in regular contact with the tutors, who are available to answer even minor or mundane questions via email, chat, or video call. The tutors may also coordinate events with the students, such as general video calls or study sessions.
• In a more official capacity, discussion forums related specifically to course readings will be made available on the program platform, and moderated by the tutors.
• All students take part in a block seminar at the University of Lucerne, which runs over two days (Friday and Saturday).
• Furthermore, students have the opportunity to take part in an annual week-long research conference in Lucerne (Switzerland) or in Palermo (Italy), usually in July or in September. Participating students attend in-person lectures by leading scholars, and enjoy various opportunities for discussion and conviviality as well as for exploring the beauty and history of the two cities. Participation is encouraged, but not mandatory, and students have the option of attending online.