Religious Studies RELS
Instruction offered by members of the Department of Religious Studies in the Faculty of Humanities.
Department Head - V. Tumasz
Religious Studies Table of Streams
For use in selecting courses to meet stream requirements:
Western Religions | Nature of Religion | Eastern Religions |
201 | 205 | 203 |
207 | 309 | 211 |
209 | 331 | 213 |
273 | 333 | 215 |
277 | 335 | 217 |
279 | 339 | 219 |
301 | 341 | 221 |
305 | 343 | 303 |
315 | 345 | 313 |
337 | 347 | 319 |
353 | 349 | 323 |
357 | 381 | 325 |
369 | 397 | 327 |
383 | 417 | 329 |
385 | 437 | 359 |
387 | 439 | 379 |
389 | 441 | 391 |
401 | 443 | 393 |
403 | 447 | 395 |
469 | 449 | 451 |
473 | 453 | |
477 | 461 | |
483 | 491 | |
485 | ||
487 | ||
489 |
Religious Studies 399, 577, 590 and 595 will be designated as Western, Eastern or Nature of Religion depending on the topic covered. Religious Studies 200 and 377 are not counted in any of the three streams.
Note: To obtain "consent of the Department" to take a course without the specified prerequisite, the student should consult with the instructor of the course. If the instructor is not available, then the student can consult with the Department Head.
Note: Religious Studies 333, 339, 341, 349 are senior level courses with no prerequisite.
Junior Courses
Religious Studies 200 H(3-0)
Origin and Nature of Religious Worldviews
Readings (in English translation) from the classical literatures of middle Eastern and Asian religions. Introduction to the evolving mythological traditions from three geo-cultural centres (the middle East, India, and China) by examining recurring themes: cosmology; existential values and goals; destinies of humans, the world, and the cosmos.
Religious Studies 201 H(3-0)
World Religions - Western
Introduction to Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Religious Studies 203 H(3-0)
World Religions - Eastern
Introduction to Eastern religions such as Jainism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism.
Religious Studies 205 H(3-0)
The Nature of Religion
An introduction to the academic study of religion with particular emphasis on the nature of religion and the relationship of religion to contemporary thought and culture.
Religious Studies 207 H(3-0)
Classical Hebrew I
Classical or Biblical Hebrew language; the development of ability in the critical reading of ancient texts. No attempt will be made to provide any competence in medieval or modern Hebrew.
Religious Studies 209 H(3-0)
Classical Hebrew II
Continuation of Religious Studies 207.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 207.
Religious Studies 211 H(3-0)
Sanskrit I
Classical Sanskrit language; the development of ability in the critical reading of ancient Hindu or Buddhist texts.
Religious Studies 213 H(3-0)
Sanskrit II
Continuation of Religious Studies 211.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 211 or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 215 H(3-0)
Tibetan I
Classical Tibetan language; the development of ability in the critical reading of ancient Bon and Buddhist texts.
Religious Studies 217 H(3-0)
Tibetan II
Continuation of Religious Studies 215.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 215 or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 219 H(3-0)
Classical Chinese for Religious Texts I
Introduction to Classical Chinese language, with emphasis on developing the ability to read ancient Chinese religious texts.
Religious Studies 221 H(3-0)
Classical Chinese for Religious Texts II
A continuation of Religious Studies 219.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 219 or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 273 H(3-0)
Introduction to the Bible
Selected readings and topics from the Bible in English translation. The course introduces the Bible's role as a mythological foundation in Western culture. Topics include: human origins, value structures, world views; mythological and cultural evolution in the ancient Mediterranean culture that produced the Bible.
Religious Studies 277 H(3-0)
Quranic and Classical Arabic I
An introduction to the script, vocabulary, and grammar of Quranic and Classical Arabic.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 201 or 347, and consent of the Department.
Note: Permission to register or remain in this course can be refused if the Department deems that the student's knowledge of Arabic exceeds the level of this course.
Religious Studies 279 H(3-0)
Quranic and Classical Arabic II
Continuation of Religious Studies 277.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 277 or consent of the Department.
Senior Courses
Religious Studies 301 H(3-0)
Studies in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament
An introduction to the critical study and reading of the books of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament in English translation. The course focuses on the Bible as religious literature.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 201 or 273, or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 303 H(3-0)
Introduction to Hinduism
The history, textual traditions, schools and sectarian traditions of Hinduism.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 203 or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 305 H(3-0)
(Greek and Roman Studies 305)
Greek and Roman Religion
A survey of religious beliefs and practices in the pre-Christian Greek and Roman World.
Prerequisites: One of Greek and Roman Studies 205, 209, Religious Studies 201, 205, or 273, or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 309 H(3-0)
Religious Experience
A study of philosophical and psychological theories of the nature and function of religious experiences and an introduction to a variety of religious experiences, which may include theophany, mysticism, enlightenment, conversion, and guilt.
Prerequisites: One of Religious Studies 201, 203, 205, 273 or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 313 H(3-0)
Early Buddhism
Buddhist developments from Buddha to Mahayana.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 203 or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 315 H(3-0)
Islamic Mysticism
Principal figures, ideas, and writings of Islamic mysticism in the early, medieval, and modern periods.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 201 or 273 or 357 or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 319 H(3-0)
Vajrayana Buddhism
The development of the Vajrayana tradition in India, Tibet , China, Japan and in the West from medieval times to the present.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 203 or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 323 H(3-0)
Mahayana Buddhism
Mahayana developments in India and China or Tibet or Japan.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 203 or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 325 H(3-0)
Female Saints and Sacred Figures in Eastern Religions
Feminine images in eastern religions such as goddesses, women as saintly persons, the Ultimate in female symbols.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 203 or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 327 H(3-0)
Tibetan Religious Traditions
The religious developments in Tibet, with emphasis on religious history, literature and philosophy and their contemporary implications.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 203 or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 329 H(3-0)
Buddhism in East Asia
The history, doctrines, literature and leading figures of Buddhism in China and Japan.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 203 or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 331 H(3-0)
Religious Perspectives on Suffering
An examination of various religious perspectives on the nature and causes of human suffering.
Prerequisites: One of Religious Studies 201, 203, 205, 273 or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 333 H(3-0)
Religious Perspectives on Death and Afterlife
An examination of various religious perspectives on the nature of death and life after death.
Religious Studies 335 H(3-0)
Feasts, Fasts and Rites of Passage: Religious Rituals and Practices
A major form of religious expression is the various practices and rituals performed by individuals and the community. Various ritual theories and approaches will be examined along with different examples of religious ritual expressions.
Prerequisites: One of Religious Studies 201, 203, 205, 273, or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 337 H(3-0)
Daughters of Eve: Female Images and Figures in Western Religion
A study of selected female images and important female figures in Judaism, Christianity and/or Islam.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 201 or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 339 H(3-0)
Transformations of Religion in Africa
Nature of religion through a study of religious transformations in Africa.
Religious Studies 341 H(3-0)
New Religious Movements
An examination of the beliefs, practices and developments of new religious movements of both Eastern and Western origins (e.g. Krishna Consciousness, Transcendental Meditation, Unification Church, Children of God, etc.).
Religious Studies 343 H(3-0)
Religion and Social Morality
Critical examination of social theories of religion and religious perspectives on ethical issues of social, economic, and political consequence in contemporary cultures.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 205 or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 345 H(3-0)
God and Transcendence
Comparative and theoretical discussion of various traditions, Eastern and Western, regarding the object of religious belief and devotion.
Prerequisites: One of Religious Studies 201, 203, 205, or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 347 H(3-0)
Scripture and Religions
Comparative study of selected scriptures in Eastern and Western religions to identify how scripture functions in a range of religious settings and to establish a basis for theoretical analysis of the nature of scripture.
Prerequisites: One of Religious Studies 201, 203, 205, 273 or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 349 H(3-0)
Nationalism and Religion
The complex relationship between religion and nationalism. Topics may include the origin of apartheid in South Africa, Black Theology, the rise of the New Christian Right in America, Emperor Worship in Japan and the Muslim-Hindu relationship in India.
Religious Studies 353 H(3-0)
Islam in the Modern World
Reform, revivalist and sectarian movements and significant thinkers in Modern Islam.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 201 or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 357 H(3-0)
The Religious Civilization of Islam
A survey of the basic religious ideas, texts, figures, and practices in Islam, including their historical development.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 201 or 273 or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 359 H(3-0)
East Asian Religious Traditions
The history, doctrines, literature and leading figures of traditions including Confucianism, Taoism and Shinto. Buddhism will not be examined in this course.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 203 or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 369 H(3-0)
Introduction to Judaism
An introduction to the major practices, beliefs, institutions and religious literature of the Jewish religion, as developed from antiquity to modern times.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 201 or 273 or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 377 H(3-0)
Researching, Writing, and Thinking about Religion
Provides students with systematic instruction in research, writing, and the practice of critical analysis in the field of Religious Studies. Besides practical instruction, students will be introduced to a variety of theoretical approaches used in the academic study of religion.
Prerequisites: One of Religious Studies 201, 203, 205, or 273, or consent of the Department.
Note: Open only to Religious Studies minor, major, and honours students and students registered in combined programs with Religious Studies.
Religious Studies 379 H(3-0)
Eastern Religions in the West
Examines the historical emergence and contemporary manifestations within Western culture of Eastern religions such as Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism and/or Taoism.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 203 and 341, or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 381 H(3-0)
Women and Religion
An examination of the views on and participation of women in selected religious traditions.
Prerequisites: One of Religious Studies 201, 203, 205, 273 or any Women's Studies course or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 383 H(3-0)
Origins of Christianity: 100 BCE-200 CE
Study of formative Christianity in its political, social and religious contexts with particular attention to its origins within Second Temple Judaism.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 201 or 273 or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 385 H(3-0)
Councils, Canons and Creeds: Christianity 200-800 CE
Examination of social, economic, cultural, religious and political factors that influenced the evolution of early Christian identities as expressed through doctrine, rituals, practices, clerical structures and scripture.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 201 or 273 or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 387 H(3-0)
Scholastics, Mystics and Reformers: Christianity 800-1600 CE
An overview of medieval Christianity and of various sixteenth century Protestant and Catholic Reform movements.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 201 or 273 or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 389 H(3-0)
Modern Christianity: 1600 - Present
An overview of the Christian response to modernity, from the early modern and enlightenment periods through to the contemporary period.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 201 or 273 or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 391 H(3-0)
Intermediate Sanskrit
Further development of reading skills through the study of selected religious texts.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 213 or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 393 H(3-0)
Intermediate Tibetan
Further development of reading skills through the study of selected Buddhist texts.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 217 or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 395 H(3-0)
Intermediate Classical Chinese for Religious Texts
Further development of reading skills through the study of selected religious texts.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 221 or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 397 H(3-0)
Religion and Science
The relationship between religion and science with emphasis on contemporary discussions regarding the intersection of religious thought and theories in the natural sciences.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 205 or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 399 H(3-0)
Religion in Popular Culture
The intersection of religion with popular culture is explored through specific topics.
Note: May be counted only once towards the major field requirements in Religious Studies.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Religious Studies 401 H(3-0)
Studies in Biblical Hebrew Literature I
Continued readings in the grammar and literature of classical Hebrew and the Hebrew Bible. Focuses on the study of classical Hebrew as a tool for the study of religion. Designed to meet the needs of Religious Studies majors.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 209 and 301, or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 403 H(3-0)
Studies in Biblical Hebrew Literature II
Continued readings in the grammar and literature of classical Hebrew and the Hebrew Bible. Focuses on the study of classical Hebrew as a tool for the study of religion. Designed to meet the needs of Religious Studies majors.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 401.
Religious Studies 417 H(2-1T)
Recent Religious Thought
Detailed examination of a selected writer, topic, or intellectual current in recent religious thought. Possible topics include process thought, liberation theology, post-Holocaust theology, and existentialism.
Prerequisites: At least one 300-level Nature of Religion course (see box at beginning of Department offerings) or consent of the Department.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Religious Studies 437 H(3-0)
Hermeneutics and Religion
Significance of the hermeneutical tradition for an understanding of religious issues and traditions with attention to the thought of Schleiermacher, Dilthey, Husserl, Heidegger, Gadamer, and Ricoeur.
Prerequisites: Open to Religious Studies Major and Honours students who have completed Religious Studies 377 and one other 300-level Religious Studies course, or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 439 H(3-0)
Advanced Studies in New Religious Movements
Detailed study of selected topics in New Religious Movements.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 341 or consent of the Department.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Religious Studies 441 H(3-0)
(Political Science 441)
Millenarian Movements
A study of religious and political millenarianism. Persons such as Louis Riel, Thomas Muntzer, Karl Marx and William Aberhart. Movements such as cargo cults, nativism, Seventh Day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 341, or Political Science 310, or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 443 H(3-0)
Comparative Mystical Traditions
An examination of experiences and beliefs of mystics in selected religious traditions as well as theoretical discussion of the nature of mysticism.
Prerequisites: At least one 300-level Nature of Religion course (see box at beginning of Department offerings) or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 447 H(3-0)
Methodology in the Study of Religion
A critical examination of various approaches used in the academic study of religion.
Prerequisites: Open to Religious Studies Major and Honours students who have completed Religious Studies 377 and at least one other 300-level Religious Studies course, or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 451 H(3-0)
Advanced Studies in Hinduism
In-depth study of the historical developments of Hinduism (Vedic, Classical, Medieval, Modern) in a seminar or independent study format.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 303 or consent of the Department.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Religious Studies 453 H(3S-0)
Advanced Studies in Buddhism
A seminar course that focuses on selected traditions, or philosophical or historical themes, such as Madhyamaka, Yogacara, T'ien T'ai, Hua Yen, Zen, Pure Land, Nyingma, Kargyud, Abhidharma, Tathagatagarbha, and Dhyana.
Prerequisites: One of Religious Studies 313, 323, 327, 329, or consent of the Department.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Religious Studies 461 H(3S-0)
Advanced Studies in East Asian Religions
A seminar course that focuses on selected topics related to the Confucian, Taoist or Shinto tradition. Buddhism will not be examined in this course.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 359 or consent of the Department.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Religious Studies 469 H(3-0)
Advanced Studies in Judaism
Selected topics in Jewish practices, institutions, beliefs and religious literature. Possible topics include: Jewish Movements of the Second Temple Era; Jewish Rituals and Observances; Midrash and Jewish Biblical Interpretation; Law and Religion in Judaism; Jewish Philosophy and Theology; Judaism in the Modern World; Kabbalah and Jewish Mysticism.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 369 or consent of the Department.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Religious Studies 473 H(3-0)
Advanced Studies in Islam
Thematic considerations of topics, such as Islamic philosophy, mysticism, theology, or contemporary trends, based on primary sources. Although no knowledge of Arabic is required, students with backgrounds in Arabic will have the option of working with texts in their original languages.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 315 or 353 or 357 or consent of the Department.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Religious Studies 477 H(3-0)
Further Studies in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament
Selected readings, in English translation, from the three major divisions (Pentateuch, Prophets, and Writings) of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. Covers topics such as creation, miracles in Egypt, ark of the covenant, sacrifice, prophecies of the Bible, and biblical views of death and immortality.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 301, or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 479 H(3-0)
Contemporary Issues in Women and Religion
Examination of the religious views and evaluations of traditional religious structures by contemporary women writers such as E. Schüssler-Fiorenza, R. Gross, J. Plaskow, F. Mernissi, K. Lekshe Tsomo, K. McCarthy Brown, and D. Williams.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 381.
Religious Studies 483 H(3-0)
Advanced Studies in the Origins of Christianity
A seminar-style course on early Christian group formation, identity and self-definition, with particular reference to the interplay between Jews and Christians.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 383 or 385 or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 485 H(3-0)
Advanced Studies in Early Christianity
A seminar-style course on how early Christian communities interpreted and used scripture as part of the development of their identity and as revealed through texts, liturgy, practice, art, and architecture.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 383 or 385 or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 487 H(3-0)
Advanced Studies in Medieval and Reformation Christianity
A thematic study of medieval and Reformation Christianity based on selected primary and secondary sources.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 387 or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 489 H(3-0)
Advanced Studies in Modern Christianity
A thematic study of modern Christianity based on selected primary and secondary sources.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 389 or consent of the Department.
Religious Studies 491 H(3-0)
Readings in Eastern Religious Texts
Study of religious texts in original languages such as Sanskrit, Tibetan, Chinese or Japanese.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 391, 393, 395, or consent of the Department.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Religious Studies 577 H(2-1T)
Senior Project Seminar
Students will complete an independent research project on a topic within their area of concentration in Religious Studies and present their research in a seminar setting.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 377 plus one full-course equivalent at the 400/500 level in Religious Studies, or consent of the Department.
Note: Open only to Religious Studies majors and students registered in combined programs with Religious Studies.
Religious Studies 590 F(0-3T)
Honours Thesis
Students compose a major research paper under the close supervision of a member of the Department and defend the thesis before an examining committee.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 377 plus one full-course equivalent at the 400/500 level in Religious Studies, or consent of the Department.
Note: Open only to students registered in the Religious Studies Honours program.
Religious Studies 595 H(3-0)
Directed Reading in Religious Studies
Prerequisites: Consent of the Department.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Graduate Courses
Religious Studies 685 H(3-0)
Specialized Studies in the Nature of Religion
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT