An interdisciplinary study of multiple world religions in their cultural, historical, and political context. Students will investigate topics including belief structures, ritual systems, sacred literature, social dimensions, and historical development of various religious traditions. The course will include identification and comparison of key aspects of religion across traditions. Fulfills one of the Foundations - Social and Behavioural Sciences. Fulfills Cultures - Global Perspectives. Offered every semester.
Winter 2025 - Hybrid Spring/Summer 2025 - Online
An interdisciplinary introduction to how religion has been understood and has shaped human experience, past and present. Students will also learn to identify and apply basic terminology, conceptual frameworks, and analytical methods in the field of religious studies. Fulfills Foundations - Historical Analysis. Offered fall and winter semesters.
Winter 2025 - Online
Readings, lectures, and/or discussions in specific topics not normally covered by other courses in the program.
This course explores the intersection of religion with human life, law, politics, and public culture, focusing on contemporary religions' roles in the secular world. Topics may include human rights, fundamentalism, migration/immigration, social and political movements, gender/sexuality, nationalism, contemporary religious movements or phenomena, and environmentalism, among others. Fulfills Cultures - Global Perspectives. Part of the Human Rights Issue. Offered winter semester. Prerequisite: Junior standing.
A comparative study of sacred texts as literary masterpieces that shape and influence their respective cultural expressions and literary traditions. This interdisciplinary course will examine the multiple intersections of sacred texts with the many faces of globalization. Readings may include selections from: Rig Veda, Upanishad, Bible, Qur'an, and Tao Te Ching. Fulfills Cultures - Global Perspectives. Part of the Globalization Issue. Offered fall semester. Prerequisite: Junior standing.
An interdisciplinary study of religion and popular culture in the United States. Students will employ religious studies approaches to critically examine cultural forms such as music, art, cinema, social media, sports, and virtual reality in order to analyze the diversity of U.S. popular culture. Fulfills Cultures - U.S. Diversity. Part of the Information, Innovation, or Technology Issue. Offered every semester. Prerequisite: Junior standing.
Winter 2025 - Online Spring/Summer 2025 - Online
In this course, students develop a digital portfolio in which they apply key concepts, methods and theories within religious studies to real-world situations, including their chosen careers. Offered fall and winter semester. Course is graded credit/no-credit. Prerequisites: REL 100 and REL 200, or by permission of the department.
