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Course Details

Interfaith Marriages: Challenges and Reconciliation

$300.00

Course Code:

CPS2100

Credit Hours:

1.5

Course Level:

200

Area of Study:

Conflict and Peace Studies

Course Description

CPS2100 – This course focuses on interfaith marriages between individuals from Dharmic (Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, and Sikh) and Abrahamic (Jewish, Christian, and Muslim) traditions. It will also explore inter-racial and intra-faith marriages. In this course, we will examine various stages of relationships, from dating all the way after the end of life, the most critical issue being, determining the formal religion(s) of interfaith children. Students will delve into religious scriptures, personal experiences, and the expectations of different religious institutions. We will also discuss marriage and divorce laws from various countries. This course is essential for adults in interfaith relationships, their parents, marriage consultants, and anyone interested in understanding the social impacts of interfaith marriages and the challenges posed by intolerant religious practices.

Program of Study

This course is part of the following programs:

Division

Community Education Division

Required / Core / Elective:

Elective

Prerequisites:

None

Semester / Quarter System:

Quarter

Number of Weeks:

Semester / Quarter Offered:

Fall 2026

Days of the Week:

Every Sunday

Time:

Start Date:

October 11, 2026

End Date:

December 20, 2026

Faculty

Dr. Dilip Amin

Dr. Dilip Amin is the founder of InterfaithShaadi.org and HinduSpeakers.org. Over the past 18 years, he has guided over 1,200 young people navigating interfaith relationships and shared his insights through four published books. Dr. Amin has also produced more than 100 video messages and authored over 300 articles on this subject.

dilip.amin@hua.edu

Faculty

Dr. Dilip Amin

Dr. Dilip Amin is the founder of InterfaithShaadi.org and HinduSpeakers.org and serves as the Director of the Peninsula Multifaith Coalition in the San Francisco Bay Area.

dilip.amin@hua.edu

Course Learning Objectives

In this course, students will be able to:

Navigate interfaith relationships to foster a lasting and fulfilling married life.
Identify potential religious fanaticism in a relationship by asking simple, targeted questions, helping to avert a potential disaster in life.
For parents, learn how to effectively guide your children in interfaith relationships. Marriage consultants will gain skills to advise interfaith youth.
Understand religious practices and requirements imposed by different faith institutions regarding intermarriages.
Gain knowledge of religious scriptures, societal expectations, religious conversion practices, and laws governing marriages and divorces around the world.
Learn about the challenges of raising children in two faiths and acquire practical tips for navigating these difficulties.
Engage in thought-provoking discussions on what is best for future generations and what promotes the betterment of society. The course will include extensive discussions on adopting a pluralistic mindset over an exclusivist one.

Featured Testimonial

Course Content

In the United States, approximately 40% of individuals, including 38% of Hindus, marry outside their faith. These unions, while pivotal in challenging long-held religious dogmas can also introduce significant challenges, particularly when one partner has strong religious beliefs. These challenges can create long-term conflict, struggle and unhappiness unless the couple exhibit respect and understanding.

This course will cover many practical real-life marriage-related situations. Students will meet interfaith couples to learn from their firsthand experiences. Students will learn teachings of the Quran, Torah, Bible and Dharmic texts like Bhagavad-Gita on inter-religious marriages. Expectations from different religious institutions and countries’ laws imposed on interfaith couples will be covered.

This course will be both educational and engaging. We will have numerous guest speakers sharing their personal experiences and will foster lively discussions on how interfaith marriages are shaping the future of our society and what this means for future generations.

Class Structure

Each week, the course will include a minimum of 1.5 contact hours. Sessions are designed to encourage active participation through discussion and respectful debate centered on real-life interfaith relationship scenarios presented each week. In addition, guest speakers with personal experience in interfaith relationships may be invited to share their perspectives and answer students’ questions.

The core instructional material will be covered within the 90-minute class period. An optional 30-minute discussion will follow for students who wish to continue the conversation, ask additional questions, or explore related topics in greater depth.

The course is intended not only to provide academic knowledge but also to prepare students to serve as informed interfaith marriage consultants and community resource persons. As a capstone project, each student will deliver a formal 30-minute presentation to an audience of at least five attendees. The presentation must be video-recorded and submitted as part of the final course assessment. This project is designed to help students develop confidence in communicating course concepts and applying their knowledge in real-world community settings.