Religious Studies (RELG)

Location

School of Religious Studies
William and Henry Birks Building
3520 University Street
Montreal QC H3A 2A7
Telephone: 514-398-4121
Website: www.mcgill.ca/religiousstudies

About the School of Religious Studies

Cultivating a thorough understanding of the world鈥檚 religions and the roles of religion throughout history and in contemporary society is at the heart of the School of Religious Studies鈥� teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The School takes a multidisciplinary approach to scholarship on a plurality of religions and incorporates a broad range of perspectives and methods. In studying the world鈥檚 religious traditions, we emphasize the ways in which religious expression and practices are embedded in culture, politics, aesthetics, and social change.

The School of Religious Studies has enjoyed a long history at 不良研究所 providing a wide range of programs, including B.A. programs, theological programs, and several specialized graduate degree programs. The School鈥檚 expertise in world religions engages many methods and disciplines, combining the rigorous and historically focused study of religious traditions and contexts with approaches that explore contemporary expressions of religions. For more on the School's distinctive, holistic approach to the study of religion, please visit About Us.

The School is affiliated with the Montreal Diocesan Theological College of the Anglican Church of Canada, the Presbyterian College Montreal, and the United Theological College of the United Church of Canada. Each of these colleges is located close to campus. In 2013, a landmark gift from the Barbara and Patrick Keenan Foundation launched a series of major new developments including the establishment of the Keenan Chair in Interfaith Studies and a new flagship course, "World Religions and the Cultures They Create" (RELG 208). The gift also funds a number of major fellowships and internships to provide formation and support for graduate and undergraduate students.

The School of Religious Studies is located in the handsome William and Henry Birks Building, erected in 1931, formerly known as Divinity Hall, at 3520 University Street. Besides the usual classrooms, offices, and common rooms, this building accommodates the Birks Heritage Chapel and the Birks Reading Room.

History of the School

During the 19th century, several Theological Colleges in Montreal became affiliated with 不良研究所. In 1912, they formed a Joint Board for the academic study of Theology, leaving each denominational College to provide its own professional training for Christian ministry. This relationship between the Colleges and the University led naturally to the creation in 1948 of a Faculty of Divinity, which assumed the academic functions of the Joint Board. In keeping with this goal the School offers the Bachelor of Theology and several graduate degree programs.

The original Faculty of Divinity taught theological courses for ordinands and also engaged in teaching undergraduates in other faculties a selection of courses of more general interest, such as philosophy and psychology of religion, and comparative religion. This selection grew over the years into the present B.A. Honours, Major, and Minor programs in Religious Studies within the Faculty of Arts. In 1970 the name of the Faculty was changed to the Faculty of Religious Studies in order to reflect the new emphasis on the academic study of religion.

By reason of its close collaboration with the Faculty of Arts, the faculty formally became the School of Religious Studies, within the Faculty of Arts, in 2016. The School offers the Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) degree, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree programs, and several graduate degree programs.

Religious Studies Programs

The School of Religious Studies offers programs leading to the following degrees:

Prospective students seeking advice should contact an adviser from the School of Religious Studies.

Birks Lectures

An annual series was established in 1950 through the generosity of the late William M. Birks. The lectures are given by distinguished visitors, usually in late September or early October.

The first lecturer was the Right Reverend Leslie Hunter. Subsequent lecturers have included Huston Smith, Northrop Frye, Wilfred Cantwell Smith, Gregory Baum, Robert McAfee Brown, Krister Stendahl, Charles Adams, Jon Levenson, David Little, Azim Nanji, Paul Griffiths, Bernadette J. Brooten, Harvey Cox, John S. Hawley, Gabriel Vahanian, Oliver O'Donovan, Jan Assmann, Donald Lopez, R茅mi Brague, David Fergusson, John J. Collins, David Shulman, Talal Asad, Robert L. Wilken, Jens Schr枚ter, and Rachel Fell McDermott.

Numata Visiting Professor in Buddhist Studies

In recognition of the strong Buddhist Studies program in the School of Religious Studies, the Numata Foundation has given a 20-year grant to the School to bring a visiting scholar in Buddhist Studies to 不良研究所 each year.

The visiting professor teaches one course at the 500 level, gives a public lecture, and is available to students for conferences and consultation.

The first Numata Professor, in 1999鈥�2000, was Dr. Mahinda Deegalle (Ph.D., Chicago), a Theravada Buddhist Sri Lankan monk. Subsequent visiting professors have included John Pettit, Robert Morrison, Thupten Jinpa, Kate Crosby, Ven. Yifa, Robert Kritzer, Andrew Skilton, Joel Tatelman, Miriam Levering, Hiroko Kawanami, Dorji Wangchuk, Martin Adam, Jin Park, Roger Jackson, Burkhard Scherer, Andre van der Braak, Rinpoche Sherpa, Gregory Samuel, Martin Seeger, and Robert Rhodes.

The visiting professor for 2020鈥�2021 was not known at the time of publishing.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2020-2021 (last updated Jan. 30, 2020) (disclaimer)

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Religious Studies

Overview of Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Religious Studies

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Religious Studies programs explore the many cultural, historical, and political issues related to both Eastern and Western religions, and to religion in a comparative perspective. Majors and minors in World Religions are available, as well as a minor in Religion and Globalization and honours and joint honours programs in Religious Studies. Students frequently combine majors and minors in World Religions with a wide range of other B.A. concentrations, highlighting the importance of the rigorous study of religion to many other areas of inquiry.

Prospective students seeking advice should contact an adviser from the School of Religious Studies.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2020-2021 (last updated Jan. 30, 2020) (disclaimer)

Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.)

Overview of Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.)

The Bachelor of Theology program offers academic instruction in the disciplines of Theology, Biblical Studies, and Church History, and provides a more intensive study of Christianity than is available in the Bachelor of Arts degree programs.

Students interested in completing a Major Concentration, Minor Concentration, Honours, or Joint Honours in the broader field of Religious Studies should pursue a Bachelor of Arts program.

The Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) may be taken as a first or second baccalaureate degree.

As a first degree (90 or 120 credits), it offers a more intensive study of Christianity than is available within the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) programs, while also permitting the student to combine this specialization with other academic or professional interests, whether in Religious Studies or in other faculties and schools of the University.

As a second bachelor鈥檚 degree (60 credits), the Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) program is designed primarily for those who intend to qualify for the ordained ministry in a Christian denomination, although here too, some students pursue the degree out of an interest in the academic study of theology for its own sake, or with a view to combining these studies with proficiency gained in other disciplines. The 60-credit program forms the core of the Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) degree.

The Bachelor of Theology program can be pursued independently, or in affiliation with one of the three Theological Colleges affiliated with 不良研究所 in the Montreal School of Theology. Those studying for the ordained ministry normally pursue the Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) as part of the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program offered by the colleges of the Montreal School of Theology:

Montreal Diocesan Theological College (Anglican Church of Canada)
Presbyterian College (Presbyterian Church in Canada)
United Theological College (United Church of Canada)

Tuition Fees and Funding

Information concerning current tuition fees can be found at www.mcgill.ca/student-accounts. Applicants for admission to one of the affiliated Colleges should contact the institution concerned for information regarding College-related fees.

ATS Accreditation

The B.Th. program offered by 不良研究所 is applicable to the M.Div. program offered by the Theological Colleges. The M.Div. is fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the U.S. and Canada (ATS).

Evaluation

Competence in a course may be determined by examinations and/or essays, or by other means chosen by the instructor and approved by the Director.

Graduation Requirements

The B.Th. is either a 120-credit program (if you were admitted from outside Quebec and without a prior Bachelor's degree), a 90-credit program (if you were admitted on the basis of a Quebec DCS/DEC or equivalent), or a 60-credit program (if you were admitted on the basis of a recognized bachelor's degree).
Qualification for the degree must include Satisfactory Standing (a grade of C or better) in all required courses and the complementary courses specified in Year 3, and the accumulation of enough acceptable credits to make a total of either 60, 90, or 120 credits. It should be noted that if you take the B.Th. program as part of the M.Div. program, you need to maintain a minimum CGPA of 2.5 to be eligible for the M.Div. degree.
Normally, the program credits must be earned within five years from the date of entrance.

Admission Requirements and Application Procedures

The B.Th. program has three points of entry:

To enter the 120-credit degree program from outside Quebec, you must hold a high school diploma, unless you qualify as a mature student. A maximum of 60 credits from another institution of higher learning can be considered for transfer into the 120-credit program.
To enter the 90-credit first-degree program, you are expected to have completed the Diploma of Collegial Studies (DCS) from a Quebec CEGEP with a minimum average Cote R of 24, or the equivalent elsewhere. A maximum of 30 credits from another institution of higher learning can be considered for transfer into this program.
To enter the 60-credit program, you must have completed a B.A. or other bachelor鈥檚 degree with a minimum CGPA of 2.7 (B-). No credits can be transferred from another institution of higher learning into the 60-credit program.

Any 不良研究所 student in good Standing, with a minimum of 30 credits, may apply for transfer from their current degree program into the B.Th. program. B.Th. students entering the 120- or 90-credit program are free to pursue minors in other departments, schools, or faculties, in consultation with their B.Th. adviser(s).

The B.Th. program extends over three academic years of full time studies for those admitted with a Diploma of Collegial Studies and over two academic years for those admitted with a Bachelor's degree. For all other students it requires four years. The normal load consists of five 3-credits courses (15 credits) each term.

Mature Students 不良研究所 Policy

Prerequisite courses and 不良研究所's competitive admission process:

Two courses appropriate to the proposed area of study, each with a minimum grade of B (or equivalent)

The Mature Student category is available to applicants who:

do not possess a conventional basis of admission such as a high school or CEGEP diploma; or
have academic credentials that do not meet the minimum requirements and have no academic studies within the last five years that would constitute a basis for admission.

Applicants with regular academic studies completed during the last five years must apply under the regular high school, CEGEP, or university transfer categories.

Conditions for eligibility:

Canadian citizenship or Canadian permanent residency;
23 years of age or older at time of registration (21 years of age for the Faculties of Management and Music);
No college- or university-level studies within the last five years that would constitute a basis for admission;
Two letters of reference;
Letter of Intent, including description of previous educational experiences;
Complete record of employment and personal history, highlighting points relevant to the application;
Demonstrate academic potential by successfully completing a minimum number of appropriate courses within the three-year period prior to admission. These courses, which may be completed at CEGEP or university, will also fulfill prerequisites for the intended program.

Each student is considered on an individual basis, based on all elements in the file.

Application Procedures

The online application process should take about 20 minutes and a credit card is required for payment of the application fee. Once completed, the online application form may be printed for your own records.

Required Documents

Transcript(s) of all previous post-secondary academic work. Applicants to the B.Th. Program as a first degree must submit high school and/or CEGEP transcripts. Copies of your unofficial transcript(s) can be uploaded to complete your application. Official transcript(s) are required only if you are admitted, and must be mailed directly from the institution to the mailing address below.
Personal Statement, according to the directions in the application. Please download and use the Personal Statement Form (available at www.mcgill.ca/religiousstudies/theology/bth).

After your application has been received, you will be given access to your Minerva account, where you will be able to upload your unofficial transcripts and personal statement to complete your application. You can find full instructions on how to prepare, upload, and submit relevant documents at www.mcgill.ca/applying/nextsteps/documents.

Two letters of recommendation including at least one from an instructor in an academic institution previously attended. Your referee must download and use the B.Th. Reference Form (available at www.mcgill.ca/religiousstudies/theology/bth).

The two letters of recommendation must be sent to:

Bachelor of Theology Program
Enrolment Services
Student Records
不良研究所
3415 McTavish Street, Room MS-13
Montreal QC H3A 0C8
Canada

If you are applying to one of the Theological Colleges, another complete set of these required documents must also be sent to the College concerned.

Please note that your file will not be considered by the 不良研究所 Committee until all the required documents have been received.

Application Deadlines

Applicants to the B.Th. program may be accepted into the Fall or Winter term. The online application deadlines are:

September admission (Fall term)
Canadian and International applicants:	May 1
January admission (Winter term)
Canadian and International applicants:	November 1

Please note that all required documents listed in Application Procedures must be received by the School of Religious Studies prior to these deadlines in order for the applicant to be considered by the 不良研究所 Committee.

不良研究所 Review Procedure

An unsuccessful applicant, or a School of Religious Studies Council member acting on behalf of an unsuccessful applicant, who believes that not all factors having a bearing on the application have been fully considered, may submit a request for a review of the decision.

The request must be made in writing and directed to the Chair of the B.Th. 不良研究所 and Awards Committee. A CAD $40 certified cheque or money order made payable to 不良研究所 University must accompany the request. The request must include information in support of reconsideration, such as a description of significant change in the applicant's circumstances since the initial consideration, correction of any missing or erroneous information in the application, or information that the applicant believes may have been overlooked when the original decision was made.

Requests for reconsideration must be received at 不良研究所 no more than two weeks after notification of refusal.

The review procedure will be carried out by the B.Th. 不良研究所 and Awards Committee. Please note that the original admission decision will stand unless the Committee is persuaded that admissions standards have been misapplied or that an applicant鈥檚 academic record has been misapprehended.

Decisions on Special, Visiting, and Exchange applications are final; requests for reconsideration will not be considered.

Registration Procedures

All students register using Minerva, 不良研究所's web-based registration system. Minerva provides web access to registration, class schedules, course descriptions, and address changes. Further information regarding registration is available at University Regulations & Resources > Undergraduate > Registration or www.mcgill.ca/accepted.

Withdrawal Procedures

Dropping or adding courses must be done via Minerva, prior to the deadline listed at University Regulations & Resources > Undergraduate > Registration > Registration Periods. Permission of the adviser is required for all changes to course selection. In case of withdrawal from the University prior to the published course withdrawal deadline, you must withdraw from all courses via Minerva. In addition, you must contact the Chair of the Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) Committee and complete the necessary withdrawal form.

Course Selection

You are to seek the guidance of your adviser(s) when registering for courses. You must have your courses approved and your B.Th. Audit Sheet signed by the Chair of the Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) Committee before classes begin. If you are affiliated with one of the Theological Colleges, your B.Th. Audit Sheet must first be approved and signed by your College adviser.

Academic Standing and Course Loads

Satisfactory Standing

You enter the University in Satisfactory Standing and remain in this Standing unless your grade point average (GPA) or cumulative grade point average (CGPA) for any year drops below 2.00. The normal course load in any academic session is five courses per term (15 credits per term). If you have a high GPA (at least 3.00), you may take more than the normal five courses per term.

Probationary Standing

You are placed in Probationary Standing if either your CGPA or your term GPA falls between 1.50 and 1.99. (If you are a part-time student, your GPA is calculated on the basis of your last 9 credits.) While in Probationary Standing, you may take a minimum of 6 credits and a maximum of 12 credits per term.

While in Probationary Standing, you may return to Satisfactory Standing by completing 12 additional credits with a GPA of at least 2.50, or by completing 12 credits with a GPA and a CGPA of 2.00 or greater.

As a student in Probationary Standing, if you fail to achieve the levels of performance specified above, you will be placed in Unsatisfactory Standing, unless you obtain a GPA of 1.50鈥�1.99 while continuing to have a CGPA of 2.00 or greater.

Unsatisfactory Standing

You are placed in Unsatisfactory Standing if you have a GPA of less than 1.50.

As a student in Unsatisfactory Standing, you will have to withdraw, or seek readmission as a probationary student with special permission from the B.Th. Committee and the Director. If you are a student who is readmitted on Probationary Standing, you may have additional restrictions or conditions to meet over and above those required of students referred to above under 鈥淧robationary Standing.鈥�

In the event that you are placed in Unsatisfactory Standing for a second time, you must withdraw permanently.

Incomplete Standing

If, in any year, your record shows a mark of K, K*, L, L*, or &&, you will have no GPA or CGPA calculated for that year, and your record will show 鈥淪tanding Incomplete.鈥� After completing the appropriate course requirements, your GPA and CGPA will be calculated and your Standing determined as described above.

If your Standing is still 鈥淚ncomplete鈥� at the time of registration for the next academic year, you must obtain a Letter of Permission to Register from the Chair of the B.Th. Committee.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2020-2021 (last updated Jan. 30, 2020) (disclaimer)

Master of Divinity (M.Div.)

Overview of Degrees Offered: Master of Divinity (M.Div.)

The Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree is offered by the Colleges affiliated with the School of Religious Studies through the Montreal School of Theology.

Students who have completed a first degree prior to the B.Th. with a minimum CGPA of 2.7 are eligible to apply the B.Th. degree toward the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree conferred by the Theological Colleges.

The Master of Divinity Program is divided into two years of foundational studies at 不良研究所's School of Religious Studies (i.e., the Bachelor of Theology degree) and a year of professional studies, known as the 鈥淚n-Ministry Year,鈥� offered jointly by the three affiliated theological Colleges under the auspices of the Montreal School of Theology. The program is supervised by the Academic Committee of the Montreal School of Theology, on which all three Colleges and 不良研究所's School of Religious Studies are represented.

Students from the affiliated colleges may be eligible for bursary assistance if they are properly registered candidates for the ministry. Information about church requirements and the professional year should be sought from the principals of the appropriate colleges.

One biblical language, usually Greek, is required by some of the colleges. Ministerial candidates should consult with the College advisers regarding biblical language requirements.

Prospective candidates for ordination with a B.A. Honours or Major in Religious Studies and a CGPA of 3.3 (B+) may apply for the Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.) degree upon completion of the professional In-Ministry Year (IMY).

Applicants for the M.Div. program must apply to the 不良研究所 B.Th. program, as well as to one of the Theological Colleges. College application forms should be requested from the Colleges themselves.

The Montreal School of Theology
(formerly the Joint Board of Theological Colleges)
脡cole th茅ologique de Montr茅al (affili茅e 脿 l'Universit茅不良研究所)
3475 University Street
Montreal QC H3A 2A8

Montreal Diocesan Theological College
S茅minaire Dioc茅sain de Montr茅al
3475 University Street
Montreal QC H3A 2A8

The Presbyterian College
Le Coll猫ge Presbyt茅rien
3495 University Street
Montreal QC H3A 2A8

The United Theological College
Le s茅minaire Uni
3521 University Street
Montreal QC H3A 2A9

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2020-2021 (last updated Jan. 30, 2020) (disclaimer)

Religious Studies Faculty

Director
Garth W. Green
Graduate Program Director and 不良研究所 Chair
W.J. Torrance Kirby
Administrative Officer
Francesca Maniaci
Emeritus Professors
Douglas J. Hall; B.A.(UWO), M.Div., S.T.M., Th.D.(UTS, NYC), L.L.D.(Wat.), D.D.(Pres. Coll.), D.D.(Qu.)
Donna Runnalls; B.A.(Br. Col.), B.D.(McG.), Ph.D.(Tor.)
Frederik Wisse; Ing.(Utrecht), B.A., B.D.(Calvin), Ph.D.(Claremont)
Katherine K. Young; B.A.(Vermont), M.A.(Chic.), Ph.D.(McG.)
Post-Retirement Professor
G. Victor Hori; B.A.(York), M.A.(Tor.), Ph.D.(Stan.) (Japanese Religions)
Professors
Douglas B. Farrow; B.R.E.(Providence), M.Div.(Grace), M.Th.(Regent), Ph.D.(Lond.) (Christian Thought)
W.J. Torrance Kirby; B.A.(KCNS), M.A., D.Phil.(Oxf.) (Ecclesiastical History)
Gerbern S. Oegema; B.A., Th.D.(Vrije, Amsterdam), M.A., Ph.D.(Free Univ., Berlin), Dr. Theol. Habil(T眉bingen) (Biblical Studies)
Armando Salvatore; M.A.(L'Orientale, Naples), Ph.D.(EUI), Dr. Habil.(HU Berlin) (Barbara and Patrick Keenan Chair in Interfaith Studies)
Arvind Sharma; B.A.(Allahabad), M.A.(Syrac.), M.T.S., Ph.D.(Harv.) (Henry Birks Professor of Comparative Religion)
Associate Professors
Lara Braitstein; B.A., M.A., Ph.D.(McG.) (Indo-Tibetan Buddhism)
Daniel Cere; B.A, M.A.(McG.), Ph.D.(C'dia) (Religion, Ethics, and Public Policy)
Ga毛lle Fiasse; B.A., M.A., Ph.D.(Louvain) (Ethics and Religious Ethics) (joint appt. with Department of Philosophy)
Garth W. Green; M.A.(Boston), M.A.(KU Leuven), Ph.D.(Boston) (John W. McConnell Professor of Philosophy of Religion)
Ian H. Henderson; B.A.(Manit.), B.D.(St. And.), M.A.(McM.), D.Phil.(Oxf.) (New Testament Studies)
Patricia G. Kirkpatrick; B.A.(McG.), M.Th.(Lond.), D.Phil.(Oxf.), D.D.(MDTC) (Old Testament Studies)
Andrea M. Pinkney; B.A.(McG.), M.A.(UH Manoa), Ph.D.(Col.) (South Asian Religions)
Assistant Professors
Mika毛l Baeur; B.A., M.A.(Louvain), Ph.D.(Harv.) (Japanese Religions (Buddhism))
Jim Kanaris; B.A.(C鈥檇ia), M.A., Ph.D.(McG.) (Philosophy of Religion)
Rongdao Lai; M.A.(Qu.), Ph.D.(McG.) (Modern Chinese Buddhism)
Samuel Nelson; M.A., Ph.D.(Yale) (Sociology)
Hamsa Stainton; B.A.(Cornell), M.A.(Wisc. Madison), M.T.S.(Harv.), M.Phil., Ph.D.(Col.) (South Asian Religions)
Heidi Wendt; B.A.(Brown), M.T.S.(Harv.), M.A., Ph.D.(Brown) (New Testament and Early Christianity)
Numata Visiting Professor
Martina Dreszczyk; A.A.(Hamburg), Ph.D.(Vienna)
Adjunct Faculty
Karen L. Egan; M.Sc.(S. Fraser), B.Th., S.T.M.(McG.), M.Div.(MDTC), D.Min.(LSTC)
Alyson Huntly; Dip.Min.(CCS, Winnipeg), M.T.S.(St. And., Sask.), Ph.D.(Qu.)
Philip Joudrey; M.Div.(Acad.), D.Min.(ANTS)
Thupten Jinpa Langri; B.A., Dr.Div.(King鈥檚, Lond.), Ph.D.(Camb.)
Lucille Marr; B.A., M.A., Ph.D.(Wat.)
Maylanne Maybee; B.A.(Tor.), Cert.Ed., Dip.Theol.(Oxf.), M.Div.(Trin. Coll., Tor.)
Angelika Pich茅; M.Th.(Munich) , Dip.Min (MST)
Vanessa Sasson; B.A., M.A., Ph.D.(McG.)
Davesh Soneji; B.A.(Manit.), Ph.D.(McG.)
Dale Woods; B.A.(Alta.), M.C.S.(Regent), M.Div.(VST), D.Min.(Luther Sem.)
Jesse Zink; B.A.(Acad.), M.A.(Chic.), M.Div.(Yale), Ph.D.(Camb.)
Associate Member
George Di Giovanni; Ph.D.(Tor.)
Robert Wisnovsky; B.A.(Yale), M.Phil.(Oxf.), M.A., Ph.D.(Princ.)
Affiliate Members
Hillel Braude; M.B., Ch.B.(Cape Town), Ph.D.(Chic.)
Robert Di Pede; B.A.(Tor.), M.A.(Seton Hall), C.Phil.(Immaculate Conception Sem., Seton Hall), Ph.D.(Edin.)
Roland De Vries; B.A.(Guelph), M.Div.(Pres. Coll.), S.T.M., Ph.D.(McG.)
Roberto Formisano; B.A.(Bologna), Ph.D.(Bologna/Nice)
Anne S. Leahy; M.A.(Tor)
Susan J. Palmer; B.A.(McG.), M.A., Ph.D.(C'dia)
Trungram G. Rinpoche Sherpa; B.A.(Sikkim, India), M.A.(UP, India), Ph.D.(Harv.)
John Simons; B.A.(Bishop's), S.T.B.(Trin. Coll., Tor.), Ph.D.(G'town)
Fred Tappenden; B.A.(Taylor), M.A.(Trin. W.), Ph.D.(Manc.)
Fabio Vicini; B.A.(Unimore), M.A.(Milano-Bicocca), Ph.D.(Scuola Normale, Florence)
Jonathan C. Waind; B.A.(Briercrest), M.T.S.(Trin. W.), Ph.D.(McG.)

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2020-2021 (last updated Jan. 16, 2020) (disclaimer)

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Minor Concentration Religion and Globalization (18 credits)

The Minor Concentration in Religion and Globalization offers students a comparative and historical exploration of the ways in which the world's religions are shaping (and are shaped by) the social, political, and economic dynamics of globalization, modernization, secularization, and postcolonialism.

For more information, see Minor Concentration Religion and Globalization (18 credits).

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Minor Concentration Religious Studies (18 credits)

*** NEW PROGRAM *** The B.A; Minor Concentration in Religious Studies focuses on the methodological approaches to the study of religious traditions, including the languages, teachings, and history of those traditions.

For more information, see Minor Concentration Religious Studies (18 credits).

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Major Concentration Religious Studies (36 credits)

*** NEW PROGRAM *** The B.A; Major Concentration in Religious Studies focuses on the methodological approaches to the study of religious traditions, including the languages, teachings, and history of those traditions.

For more information, see Major Concentration Religious Studies (36 credits).

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Honours Religious Studies - Asian Religions (60 credits)

The Honours Religious Studies offers a degree of analysis and concentration beyond that of the Major program through coursework, intensive research and discussion with peer groups.

There are no prerequisites for entry to the program. Students must, however, maintain a program GPA and a CGPA of 3.00 (or 3.50 for First Class Honours).

While gaining general knowledge of the study of religion, students also develop more concentrated expertise in either the Western Religions or Asian Religions option.

The requirements set out below pertain to the Asian Religions option.

Required Courses (9 credits)

RELG 252	(3)	Hinduism and Buddhism
RELG 456	(3)	Theories of Religion
RELG 555	(3)	Honours Seminar

Complementary Courses (51 credits)

51 credits selected with the following specifications:

3 credits introductory courses on Western Religions

6 credits from Asian Languages

15 credits from Themes in Religion, Culture and Globalization

6 credits from Western Religions

21 credits from Religions of Asia (3 credits must be a 500-level research seminar)

3 credits from Introductory courses on Western Religions:

RELG 201	(3)	Religions of the Ancient Near East
RELG 202	(3)	Religion of Ancient Israel
RELG 203	(3)	Bible and Western Culture
RELG 204	(3)	Judaism, Christianity and Islam
RELG 210	(3)	Jesus of Nazareth

6 credits from Asian Languages chosen in consultation with the Program Adviser. Asian Language courses from other units may be chosen with approval of the Religious Studies Honours program adviser.

RELG 257D1	(3)	Introductory Sanskrit
RELG 257D2	(3)	Introductory Sanskrit
RELG 264	(3)	Introductory Tibetan 1
RELG 265	(3)	Introductory Tibetan 2
RELG 266	(3)	Introductory Tamil 1
RELG 267	(3)	Introductory Tamil 2
RELG 357D1	(3)	Sanskrit 2
RELG 357D2	(3)	Sanskrit 2
RELG 364	(3)	Intermediate Tibetan 1
RELG 365	(3)	Intermediate Tibetan 2
RELG 457D1	(3)	Advanced Sanskrit
RELG 457D2	(3)	Advanced Sanskrit
RELG 464	(3)	Advanced Tibetan 1
RELG 465	(3)	Advanced Tibetan 2

15 credits from Themes in Religion, Culture and Globalization:

RELG 207	(3)	Introduction to the Study of Religions
RELG 256	(3)	Women in Judaism and Islam
RELG 270	(3)	Religious Ethics and the Environment
RELG 271	(3)	Religion and Sexuality
RELG 309	(3)	World Religions and Cultures They Create
RELG 315	(3)	Special Topics in Religion 1
RELG 317	(3)	Special Topics in Religion 2
RELG 318	(3)	Special Topics in Religion 3
RELG 319	(3)	Special Topics in Religion 4
RELG 331	(3)	Religion and Globalization
RELG 332	(3)	Conversations Across World Religions
RELG 340	(3)	Religion and the Sciences
RELG 341	(3)	Introduction: Philosophy of Religion
RELG 345	(3)	Religion and the Arts 1
RELG 347	(3)	Topics in Religion and the Arts
RELG 353	(3)	Gandhi: His Life and Thought
RELG 355	(3)	Religion and the Arts 2
RELG 358	(3)	Religion and Cinema in India
RELG 361	(3)	Religious Behaviour
RELG 366	(3)	Rivers, Religion, and Environment in South Asia
RELG 370	(3)	Religion and Human Rights
RELG 371	(3)	Ethics of Violence/Non-Violence
RELG 375	(3)	Religion, Politics and Society
RELG 376	(3)	Religious Ethics
RELG 377	(3)	Religious Controversies
RELG 378	(3)	Pilgrimage, Heritage, and Tourism
RELG 440	(3)	Global Islam
RELG 444	(3)	Indian Ocean Religious Networks
RELG 479	(3)	Christianity in Global Perspective
RELG 544	(3)	Ethnography as Method in Religious Studies
RELG 571	(3)	Ethics, Medicine and Religion
RELG 572	(3)	Religion and Global Politics
RELG 573	(3)	Religions in Global Society

6 credits from Western Religions:

RELG 300	(3)	Second Temple Judaism
RELG 302	(3)	Literature of Ancient Israel 1
RELG 303	(3)	Literature of Ancient Israel 2
RELG 307	(3)	Bible, Quran & Interpretations
RELG 311	(3)	Formation of the New Testament
RELG 312	(3)	The Gospels
RELG 313	(3)	Topics in Biblical Studies 1
RELG 314	(3)	Topics in Biblical Studies 2
RELG 322	(3)	Church and Empire to 1300
RELG 323	(3)	Church and State since 1300
RELG 324	(3)	Armenian Apostolic Tradition
RELG 325	(3)	Varieties Religious Experience in Christianity
RELG 326	(3)	Christians in the Roman World
RELG 333	(3)	Principles of Christian Theology 1
RELG 334	(3)	Christian Thought and Culture
RELG 336	(3)	Contemporary Theological Issues
RELG 338	(3)	Women and the Christian Tradition
RELG 373	(3)	Christian Ethics of Love
RELG 379	(3)	Eastern Orthodox Christianity
RELG 380	(3)	Religion, Philosophy, Modernity
RELG 399	(3)	Christian Spirituality
RELG 420	(3)	Canadian Church History
RELG 423	(3)	Reformation Thought
RELG 434	(3)	Principles of Christian Theology 2
RELG 470	(3)	Theological Ethics
RELG 502	(3)	Greco-Roman Judaism
RELG 532	(3)	History of Christian Thought 1
RELG 533	(3)	History of Christian Thought 2

21 credits from Religions of Asia (3 credits of which must be a 500-level research seminar):

RELG 253	(3)	Religions of East Asia
RELG 254	(3)	Introduction to Yoga Traditions
RELG 337	(3)	Themes in Buddhist Studies
RELG 339	(3)	Gender & Sexuality in Buddhism
RELG 342	(3)	Theravada Buddhist Literature
RELG 344	(3)	Mahayana Buddhism
RELG 348	(3)	Classical Hinduism
RELG 350	(3)	Bhakti Hinduism
RELG 352	(3)	Japanese Religions: History and Thought
RELG 354	(3)	Chinese Religions
RELG 356	(3)	Gender & Sexuality in Hinduism
RELG 369	(3)	Tibetan Buddhism
RELG 372	(3)	Hindu Goddesses
RELG 387	(3)	Introduction to Jainism
RELG 388	(3)	Introduction to Sikhism
RELG 442	(3)	Pure Land Buddhism
RELG 451	(3)	Zen Buddhism: Poetry and Art
RELG 452	(3)	East Asian Buddhism
RELG 453	(3)	Vajrayana Buddhism
RELG 454	(3)	Modern Hindu Thought
RELG 455	(3)	Religion and the Performing Arts in South India
RELG 545	(3)	Ramayana: Multiple Lives
RELG 546	(3)	Indian Philosophy
RELG 547	(3)	Special Topics in Hinduism
RELG 548	(3)	Indian Buddhist Philosophy
RELG 549	(3)	Japanese Buddhism in Historical Context
RELG 551	(3)	Special Topics in Buddhism
RELG 552	(3)	Advaita Vedanta
RELG 553	(3)	Religions of South India 1
RELG 554	(3)	Religions of South Asia
RELG 556	(3)	Issues in Buddhist Studies
RELG 558	(3)	Indian Tantric Traditions
RELG 559	(3)	Caste and Dalits: Historical and Political Perspectives
RELG 560	(3)	Buddhist Poetry

Courses Offered by Other Units

Up to 6 credits of courses from other units may be chosen by Honours students with prior approval from the Religious Students Honours program adviser.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2020-2021 (last updated Aug. 24, 2020) (disclaimer)

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Honours Religious Studies - Western Religions (60 credits)

** This program is no longer offered. ** ...

For more information, see Honours Religious Studies - Western Religions (60 credits).

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Joint Honours Component Religious Studies - Asian Religions (36 credits)

** This option is no longer offered. Please contact the School of Religious Studies about the Joint Honours in Religious Studies.** ...

For more information, see Joint Honours Component Religious Studies - Asian Religions (36 credits).

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Joint Honours Component Religious Studies - Western Religions (36 credits)

Students wishing to study at the Honours level in two disciplines can combine Joint Honours program components in any two Arts disciplines. For a list of available Joint Honours programs, see "Overview of Programs Offered" and "Joint Honours Programs".聽 ...

For more information, see Joint Honours Component Religious Studies - Western Religions (36 credits).

Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) - Religious Studies (120 credits)

The Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) degree requires 120 credits. Many students enter the program with advanced standing, and their credit requirement for the degree is adjusted accordingly. ...

For more information, see Religious Studies (120 credits).

Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) - Honours Religious Studies (120 credits)

Students who have achieved a CGPA of 3.30 at the end of B.Th. Year 2 (U2) may apply to the B.Th. Committee for permission to enter the Honours program. They will be required to complete the normal requirements for the B.Th. degree and the honours courses RELG 494 and RELG 495 in the B.Th. Year 3 (U3) with a grade of B or better.

For more information, see Honours Religious Studies (120 credits).

Faculty of Arts—2020-2021 (last updated Jan. 30, 2020) (disclaimer)

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Faculty of Arts

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