Religious Studies and Applied Ethics

Bachelor of Arts

(Faculty of Arts)

The Religious Studies and Applied Ethics program is a joint degree offered by the departments of Religious Studies and Philosophy. The field of Religious Studies explores the religions of humankind to foster understanding of a wide variety of religions that have shaped and continue to influence societies today. Religious Studies scholars try to understand religion’s complex role in culture and experience and reflect sympathetically and critically upon religious phenomena and claims. In Applied Ethics, you will apply moral philosophy (which asks fundamental questions about good and evil, right and wrong) to the analysis of moral problems encountered in contemporary life settings. Applied Ethics uses the tools of philosophical reasoning to critically assess behaviour choices and policies related to moral dilemmas.

Combining these two disciplines in a single program allows scholars to analyze problems more realistically because many people make ethical decisions in context of their religious beliefs or worldviews. By knowing the religious contexts of people’s decisions, you can better assess the issues and choices in moral problems. As a student in the Religious Studies and Applied Ethics program you learn the applicable religious contexts for understanding why people choose to live or respond to ethical issues as they do. You also learn to identify moral problems arising in contemporary society and develop the tools needed to formulate and critically evaluate various responses. In short, you develop sensitivity to the cultural and religious bases of many people’s moral decisions and learn to make careful and informed decisions about ethical matters in contemporary life.

Co-op is available for Religious Studies and Applied Ethics students. Find out more.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission applicants are required to present appropriate high school subjects and a competitive average.

Application/Document Deadlines

Why take this program?

The Religious Studies and Applied Ethics program is an excellent choice for individuals interested in exploring society’s “tough” questions. You will find the different philosophical and religious perspectives on morality and human experience both challenging and rewarding and will come to appreciate the diversity and richness of human cultures

What will I study in my first year?

As a first year student in the Religious Studies and Applied Ethic program, this will be a great opportunity to complete one of your first requirements by taking three of the four introductory courses. Religious Studies 201 will provide you with an introduction to Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Or perhaps you are interested in studying the bible which is exactly what you will do in Religious Studies 273. You can also explore Eastern religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism by taking Religious Studies 203. Finally, Religious Studies 205 will introduce you to the nature of religion and the academic study of religion.

You are encouraged to explore a variety of option courses in your first year that will compliment your studies Religious Studies and Applied Ethics. Many students take courses in second languages, and are encouraged to take courses from the faculties of Communication and Culture, Fine Arts, Science or Social Sciences. For example, you could take a Computer Science course to gain computer skills that employers love seeing on student’s résumés.

What will I study in later years?

As you carry on with this program you will begin to examine the ethics side of this course by taking classes that look at contemporary moral problems and meta-ethics. You will also have the opportunity to continue with your studies in Eastern and Western religions by completing two half-courses from each stream.

What can I do with this degree?

The great thing about studying a field in Humanities is that you’ll graduate with a number of marketable skills including:

• Deductive reasoning
• Synthesis
• Systematic thinking
• Reasoned / Supported Argumentation
• Interact with diverse groups
• Conceptual analysis
• Reasoned and detailed writing
• Knowledge of religious beliefs, doctrines and practices

Graduates from the Religious Studies and Applied Ethics program have a number of career options available to them in a variety of industries. Here is what some U of C grads have done with their Religious Studies and Applied Ethics degree:

• Barrister
• Assistant Web Editor
• Regulatory Analyst, Environmental Services
• Film Shooter
• Author
• Administrator
• Marketing Research Analyst
• Youth Worker
• Parole Officer
• Technical Writer

To see a full list of potential skills, careers and industries available to you, visit the Career Services Career Profiles website (look under Religious Studies or Philosophy).

Additional Information

Department of Philosophy