Course Descriptions

Main concepts, beliefs and practices in Asian religious societies are the subjects of this course. The course includes an overview of and consistent integration with academic approaches to the study of religion. The course covers beliefs and practices of religions in South Asia namely Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism. The second half of the course examines religions and cultures in East Asia. These include Daoism and Confucianism in China and Korea, Shinto in Japan, and Buddhism in East Asia. The course concludes with an investigation of religion in contemporary world, specifically Asian religions in the United States and Canada.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Note: Students with credit for RLST 110.6 may not take RLST 111 for credit.

This class is a critical survey of the history, sources and chief characteristics of major world religions, such as Judaism and Christianity, and includes brief introductions to Islam and New Religious Movements. The history, agency and practice of these religions are considered in the wider multicultural context. We will be attentive to the investigation into the phenomenon called religion, and to the relationships between religion, culture and society.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Note: Students with credit for RLST 110.6 may not take RLST 112 for credit.

Islam is one of the most important members of the family of world religions with 1.25 billion adherents. Accordingly, this course serves as an introduction to Islam focusing on various and complex identities that have shaped human understandings of the religion of Islam throughout history. The course focuses on the origins and development of Islam, fundamental beliefs and practices, and its influence in defining Muslim cultures.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Note: Students with credit for RLST 110.6 may not take RLST 113 for credit.

This course explores the interplay between a number of religious traditions and ecology by taking a cross-disciplinary approach to the evaluation of issues of complicity, responsibility, guilt, reconciliation and restoration in human-Earth relations.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units RLST or 18 credit units at the university level.

A study of the historical, social, doctrinal, and ritual aspects of Hinduism.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units RLST or 18 credit units at the university level.

An introduction to the philosophical thought of India with special reference to early speculations on the nature of human reality, God, world, and human destiny.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units RLST or 18 credit units at the university level.

Surveys the history, philosophy, texts, practices and systems of Yoga in traditional cultural settings and modern context.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units RLST or 18 credit units at the university level.

This course offers 1) a basic introduction to cinematic depictions of the dynamics between political ideologies and certain religious movements that have engaged with such ideologies to inspire social and doctrinal reform; 2) a basic introduction to critical lenses from film theory that can be used to analyse the politics of representation at work in these filmic depictions of religio-political conflicts. The selected films also serve to illustrate religion's thoroughgoing enmeshment in broader political and cultural agendas within the public sphere: e.g., Religion and Imperialism, Religion and Economics, Religion and Globalisation, Religion and Post-Colonialism, Religion and Sexual Politics.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units RLST or 18 credit units at the university level.

An examination of Buddhist religious history with emphasis on its socio-cultural dimensions. Topics include early Buddhism and its Indian evolution; culture contact and the spread of Buddhism to southeast Asia, China, Japan and Tibet; Buddhism and change in modern Asia and the west.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units RLST or 18 credit units at the university level.

An introduction to Buddhist philosophy and the development of its major schools of religious thought: Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana. Buddhist views of the interdependence of morality, knowledge and liberation will be studied in their historical and contemporary contexts.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units RLST or 18 credit units at the university level.

Explores the influence of the Bible on the culture of the west, ancient and modern, with a particular focus on the role of biblical themes, symbols and characters in art, literature, music and popular culture.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units RLST or 18 credit units at the university level.

Study of women in major western religious traditions: influence of conceptual systems and language; women's embodiment and religion, feminine spirituality, women's contributions to western faiths, and feminine aspects of divinity.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units RLST or WGST or 18 credit units at the university level.
Note: Students with credit for RLST 325 may not take this course for credit.

A systematic examination of the beliefs, practices and doctrinal debates in Christianity, with emphasis on diverging theories of revelation, incarnation, redemption and ritual efficacy that shift over time in response to surrounding political and socio-cultural forces.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units RLST or 18 credit units at the university level.

The findings of modern biblical and historical research will be applied to the figure of Jesus as presented in the New Testament, and to the development of doctrine in Christianity.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units RLST or 18 credit units at the university level.

This course offers: 1) a preliminary survey of the destructive and constructive interplay between world religions and forces of globalization; 2) an introduction to ancient and contemporary elements/proponents of social justice within five religious traditions; 3) an elaboration of tentative, interreligious ethical criteria that might guide the evaluation of religio-political developments in our global context.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units RLST or 18 credit units at the university level.

An introduction to basic Jewish ideas, beliefs, and practices from the biblical times to the present.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units RLST or 18 credit units at the university level.

This class is an introduction to Jewish understandings of justice and prophecy by looking at the concepts of God, Torah, and Israel in Jewish Scripture and in the thinking of major Jewish philosophers.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units RLST or 18 credit units at the university level.

This course explores the interplay between religion and sport. These two endeavours represent the ultimate concern for a number of people around the world. We will analyze their similarities and differences in relation to how sport and religion serve as a total identity for some people. We will also map some of the influence and expression of religious traditions in sport. Case studies will include reviewing arguments for considering the Montreal Canadiens and the Saskatchewan Roughriders as religions in their own right.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units RLST or 18 credit units at the university level.

Starts with a social-historical introduction to the South, South-East, and East Asia. The second part continues exploring the meaning of 'feminine' in the main Asian religions, including Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Islam, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, Shinto and Shamanism. The course analyzes the past and present roles of women in those traditions, as well as women's contributions to the development of religious institutions and rituals in Asia. The final part of the course focuses on reasons and modalities of the recent interest of Western women in Asian religions, and on the other hand on how Asian women practiced and propagated their native religions in the West.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units RLST or WGST or 18 credit units at the university level.

A general survey of the social, economic, political and religious institutions of the countries of South Asia from an interdisciplinary perspective. Both the traditional cultures and the changes which are taking place are considered. Although the primary emphasis in the course is on the peoples and cultures of India, comparative materials from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and other areas of South Asia are also examined.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units RLST or 18 credit units at the university level.
Note: Students with credit for ANTH 232 may not receive credit for this course.

Study of the religious world views inherent in the religious world views inherent in the religions and culture of China and of popular religious concepts and practices including mythology, divination, magic, and communal worship.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units RLST or 18 credit units at the university level.

This course explores the ideas, beliefs and practices associated with life after death as they are expressed in various religious traditions. The course begins with a survey of afterlife beliefs in ancient cultures (especially Egypt and Mesopotamia), and moves on to afterlife concepts in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Chinese Religions. The course will also introduce afterlife beliefs in Spiritualism, and contemporary scholarship on Near Death Experiences.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units RLST or 18 credit units at university level.

This course aims to provide a deeper understanding to the fundamental concepts, schools of thought, and mystical tradition within the Islamic religion. It will examine the formation of Islam in Late Antiquity, the analyses of the Qur’an and the Hadith, the development of theology and legal schools, and the modern reforms. The course concludes with contemporary Islamic political movements and Muslim debates on pluralism, liberalism, and feminism.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units 100-Level RLST or 18 credit units at the university level.

The objective of the course is to acquaint student with issues that Muslim peoples face under the impact of colonization, technicalization and modernization, taking into consideration the global context of such a readjustment. This course will study Muslim societies in modern times to review their success and failure in restructuring their political, social and religious cultures in order to become integrated in the international order that is founded upon secularism and modernism. The course will evaluate the political goals of Muslim governments and whether these goals are harmonious with the developments of democratic institutions to further basic human rights. The course will attempt to answer the basic questions: What is happening to the Muslim community in the Modern age and how do Muslim intellectuals respond to the challenges posed by modernization and Westernization?

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units 100-Level RLST or 18 credit units at the university level.

This course will examine the representations of Islam and Muslims as they appear or are portrayed in the Hollywood film industry. From the early twentieth century up until the present era of the global War on Terrorism, Hollywood has manufactured images of Islam that have been closely intertwined with the dynamics of political and economic interests and ideological motives to dominate Other. Through lectures, discussion, and the screening of selected movies – from the classic Lawrence of Arabia (1962) to post 9/11 films such as The Kingdom (2007) – we will closely analyze what has changed in the representations of Islam, what persists, and why. This course is not an entirely movie-based review and analysis. However, in order to present the images of Hollywood’s Islam in the lectures and discussion, the screening of selected movies is inevitable. This course will be divided into three themes: classical Oriental depictions of Islam (which portrayed Muslims as exotic, sensual, and irrational); national security concerns, from the post-1979 Iranian revolution to the Gulf War, and; the global War on Terrorism after 9/11.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 3 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units RLST 100-level or 18 credits at university level

A basic introduction to the Old Testament, focussing on the historical, literary and theological characteristics of the various writings. Scholarly methods by which they are studied, and their relationship to the history of Israel will also be examined.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units 100-Level RLST or 18 credit units at the university level.
Note: Students with credit for RLST 250 may not take this course for credit.

A basic introduction to the New Testament, focussing on the historical, literary and theological characteristics of the various writings. Scholarly methods by which they are studied, and their relationship to Christianity will also be examined.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units 100-Level RLST or 18 credit units at the university level.
Note: Students with credit for RLST 252 may not take this course for credit.

This course provides an overview of the history, beliefs, music, language and the way of life of a rebellious non-conformist Canadian ethnic and religious minority -- Doukhobors (Spirit Wrestlers). The course introduces the early history of the Doukhobor religion, the settlement of Doukhobors in Saskatchewan and BC, and the subsequent development of Doukhobor communities in the 20th-21st century Canada. The dynamics of conflict between Doukhobors and Canadian state are explained via the challenges of multiculturalism. The course examines Doukhobor beliefs, religious practice and the way of life; their healing techniques; crafts and arts; as well as the unique genres of Doukhobor choral music. The course provides a sociolinguistic analysis of ancestral language maintenance in the Doukhobor communities in Canada. Attention is given to the role of women in the Doukhobor communities and the descriptions of women in Doukhobor spiritual texts.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 24 credit units of university-level courses
Note: Students with credit for RLST 398.3: Doukhobors and Canadian Multiculturalism may not take this course for credit.

This course examines the extent to which the popular culture of India and of the Indian diaspora has been shaped by the films produced by the Bollywood film industry in Mumbai, India. Bollywood films are the most common form of entertainment for the masses in India as well as diasporic Indians in many parts of the world. Films of different genres and times will be seen, understood and critiqued for their significance. The genres include: religious; historical; 7 social; action, crime and suspense films; art ci nema; and diasporic films. Bollywood cinema will be examined as a form of entertainment, as a creator of national integration, as a moulder of popular culture, and as a form of ideological communication.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 2 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units 100-Level RLST or 18 credit units at the university level.

This course maps a variety of religious and spiritual perspectives on community, solidarity and social change. It will take a cross-disciplinary approach, which does not assume faith-commitments on the part of students, to explore concepts and practices related to community, solidarity and social change.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units 100-Level RLST or 18 credit units at the university level.

An introduction to theories and approaches in the academic study of religion. Origins and development of social scientific, historical, phenomenological and comparative approaches will be examined.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units 100-Level RLST or 18 credit units at the university level.

Examines how various world religions have understood the significance of death and dying.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units 100-Level RLST or 18 credit units at the university level.

An examination of the theoretical and methodological issues involved in a systematic study of mysticism in world religions. Topics include the nature, theories, and typologies of mysticism, and techniques of mystical experience.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units 100-Level RLST or 18 credit units at the university level.

An examination of the ideal of non-violence according to the scriptures of the world religions, with examples of historical and contemporary application in Asia and the west.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units 100-Level RLST or 18 credit units at the university level.

A systematic exploration of the contribution of religion to ethnic identification and ethnic community organization.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units 100-Level RLST or 18 credit units at the university level.
Note: Students with credit for RLST 381 cannot take this course for credit.

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours

This course investigates apocalyptic thought and literature in Judaism and Christianity. The primary focus is the religious perspectives and social functions of apocalyptic, with a brief discussion of contemporary Muslim apocalyptic. It will also survey the appropriation of apocalyptic themes throughout history in millenarian movements and in artistic forms such as art, fiction, and film, with special attention to apocalyptic in contemporary culture.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units of RLST or 24 credit units at the university level.

Investigates the role of goddesses in religion from prehistory to the present, east and west. Combines historical and thematic approaches, focussing on the many roles of the female divine. Ancient goddesses, goddess worship in world religions, and contemporary feminist goddess spirituality, including Wicca, will be examined.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in RLST or WGST or 24 credit units at the university level.

An analysis of contemporary Roman Catholicism with emphasis on the second Vatican Council (1962-1965) and its effects. Themes include identity of and membership in the church, liturgical renewal, post-conciliar forms of spirituality and community, social doctrine, and moral issues.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in RLST or 24 credit units at the university level.

An overview of feminist theological perspectives, both as critiques of traditional culture and theology and as constructions of new visions and ways of religious life.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in RLST or WGST or 24 credit units at the university level.

Christianity emerged out of Judaism, and this course examines the relationships that have existed between the two religions through the ages. Both Christian and Jewish sources will be examined to develop a critical perspective on this important aspect of western religious heritage.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in RLST or 24 credit units at the university level.

Students will be reading the Bhagavad Gita in translation along with some of the commentarial literature to acquire a critical understanding of fundamental philosophical assumptions of Hinduism. Primary approach being textual study, the course will also attempt to draw upon the Hindu hermeneutical tools in search for the meaning structures in the Bhagavad Gita.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in RLST or 24 credit units at the university level.

Examines the multifaceted portrayals of women in biblical texts and contexts, the Hebrew Goddess and the female divine, women as biblical interpreters and writers, and feminist biblical interpretation.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units RLST or WGST or 24 credit units at the university level.

A study of post-biblical Jewish religious literature, including legal, ethical and theological material. Emphasis will be placed on both methodology and content, with illustrative texts read in English.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units RLST or 24 credit units at the university level.

This class will examine the construction of morality in religious texts by using the outsider/insider (or neighbor/stranger) question. We will investigate this question further by asking how do the people and things we consider to be like us or not like us help us to determine how to behave, and/or what to believe.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Permission of the Department.
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units RLST or 24 credit units at the university level.
Note: Students who completed RLST 398.3: Monsters and Mischief-makers may not take this course for credit.

A study of extra-biblical Christian writings up to 150 CE with emphasis on the beliefs of early Christianity, relationship with paganism and Judaism, and the development of internal organizational structures.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units RLST or 24 credit units at the university level.
Note: Students with credit for RLST 309 or 311 may not take this course for credit.

An examination of the uses of the Bible in film, including epic films, contemporary retellings of biblical stories, and the use of biblical themes and motifs in cinema. Uncovers the many ways in which biblical-theological themes shape and are shaped by contemporary culture.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units RLST or 24 credit units at the university level.

Investigates the historical and transcultural approach to the relationship between religion and science. Contemporary approaches to issues at the intersection of religion and science are also analyzed with emphasis on the influence of physics, evolutionary biology, ecology, non-Western science and cosmology.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units RLST or 24 credit units at the university level.

This course offers students an academic framework for grounded reflection on religious studies concepts covered in the prerequisite course. It will be centred on an eight- or twelve-week placement with the St. Thomas More College Intercordia Program in a cross-cultural context. Students will apply concepts from RLST 277, which explored the nexus amongst religion, community, solidarity and social change.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): RLST 277 and written permission of the instructor.
Note: Students who have received credit for RLST 398.3: Living Community Solidarity and Social Change may not take this course for credit.

This course on religion, music, and pop culture will investigate the intimate connections between human musicality and sexuality, and assess their impact on definitions of divinity and the sacred. Theoretical issues include the ideology of sacred/profane dichotomies, musical/sexual taboos, and the politics of gender, race and class as expressed in ritual and liturgy.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units RLST or WGST or 24 credit units at the university level.
Note: Students with credit for RLST Special Topics: Sex, God and Rock n Roll: Re-Vamping the Sacred may not take RLST 382 for credit.

Exposes the student to primary source materials. Emphasis is placed on individual study and research.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units RLST or 24 credit units at the university level.

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours

A critical examination of religious ideas, beliefs, and practices in varied cultural contexts.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units 300-level RLST or 18 credit units RLST or permission of the department.
Note: Students may take this course more than once for credit, provided the topic covered in each offering differs substantially. Students must consult the Department to ensure that the topics covered are different.

An advanced seminar in contemporary religious thought focusing on an important theme such as the nature of religious belief, the problem of suffering and evil, or religious pluralism.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units 300-level RLST or 18 credit units RLST or permission of the department.
Note: Students may take this course more than once for credit, provided the topic covered in each offering differs substantially. Students must consult the Department to ensure that the topics covered are different.

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours

A seminar focusing on select issues relevant to the critical study of the origins and development of Judaism and Christianity.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Restriction(s): Restricted to Graduate Students.

A seminar focusing on select issues relevant to the history of western religious traditions, such as the origins and development of sectarian groups, the study of key figures and movements in the history of western religions, or the historical context of developments in western religions.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Restriction(s): Restricted to Graduate Students.

A seminar focusing on select texts from the western religious history, such as early Jewish/Christian apocalyptic writings, Jewish midrashim, or contemporary Islamic writings.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Restriction(s): Restricted to Graduate Students

A seminar focusing on select issues relevant to contemporary western religions, such as the relationship between religion and culture, religion and leadership, and religion and social trends.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Restriction(s): Restricted to Graduate Students.

This seminar will investigate a body of Eastern religious and philosophical thought with reflection on the relationship between hermeneutics, culture, and religiosity. The seminar will focus on hermeneutical questions, questions of cultural studies, and/or ontological issues.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Restriction(s): Restricted to Graduate Students.

This seminar explores the interaction between religion and society in modern Asia. Through the course the students will assess popular religious practices within their respective historical and religious contexts.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Restriction(s): Restricted to Graduate Students.

Offered occasionally in special situations. Students interested in these courses should contact the department for more information.

Offered occasionally in special situations. Students interested in these courses should contact the department for more information.

The graduate seminar involves paper presentations and discussions of issues in research methodology arising from current research by graduate students, department and cognate faculty, and visiting scholars. Graduate students must register in and attend the seminar on a continuous basis for the residency period, and will receive credit when they have successfully presented a seminar.

Restriction(s): Open only to graduate level students in Religion and Culture.
Note: This course is a mandatory component of a graduate degree in Religion and Culture.

Students writing a Master's thesis must register for this course.