Courses

2024-2025 Academic Year

RELS 1020
Eastern Religious Traditions 0.5 unit
An introduction to the origins, development, beliefs, institutions, scriptures and practices of religious traditions originating and/or primarily practised in the East (such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Confucianism, Daoism, and Shinto). Note: Students who have received credit for RELS 2220 may not take this course for credit.

RELS 1030
Western Religious Traditions 0.5 unit
An introduction to the origins, development, beliefs, institutions, scriptures, and practices of religious traditions originating and/or primarily practised in the West (such as Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Latter Day Saints). Note: Students who have received credit for RELS 2230 may not take this course for credit.

RELS 2010
Study of Religion 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): RELS 1020 or 1030 or permission of the instructor
An introduction to the basic terms, concepts and multi-disciplinary approach of religious studies. Topics covered include myths, questions of meaning, the arts, scriptures, ethics, rituals, and constructions of the Ultimate. Note: Students who have received credit for RELS 1010 may not take this course for credit.

RELS 2201/CULS 2209
Evil 0.5 unit
An exploration of sites, conceptions, and representations of evil, in eastern and western perspectives. Drawing examples from religion, myth, folklore, literature, film, visual culture, and popular culture, evil will be considered as a culturally embodied phenomenon, requiring engagement, analysis, and response.

RELS 2203
Love 0.5 unit
An exploration of sites, concept, and representation of love. Drawing examples from religion, myth, folklore, literature, film, visual culture and popular culture, love will be considered as a culturally embodied phenomenon, the analysis of which can yield insight into humanity’s deepest experience, both secular and religious.

RELS 2207
Women in the Religions of the World 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): RELS 1010 or 2220, or 2230 or 0.5 unit of Women’s Studies, or permission of the instructor
An examination of the teachings about women found in the world’s religions, and an exploration of their application and embodiment in diverse cultural situations. (Also listed under Women’s Studies)

RELS 2208
Women in Christian Tradition 0.5 unit
An examination of developments in the image and position of women in Christian tradition, through an analysis of selected texts from biblical, patristic, medieval, reformation, post-reformation, and contemporary authors. (Also listed under Women’s Studies)

RELS 2217/PHIL 2217
Reason and Religious Belief 0.5 unit
A study of topics in the philosophy of religion selected from the following: the nature of religion, the existence of God, theism and its alternatives, religion and science, miracles, belief in an afterlife, religious experience, faith and rationality.

RELS 2219/PHIL 2219
Does God Exist? 0.5 unit
A close examination of arguments for and against the truth of the claim that God exists. Both classical and contemporary formulations of arguments will be discussed.

RELS 2225
Myths, Visions, Possessions 0.5 unit
An exploration of indigenous religions, from Meso- and North America, Africa, the Caribbean, and/or Oceania, focusing on techniques designed to connect the human and divine worlds and the myths that authorize them, and the impact of the encounter with the Euro-American world, including Western appropriation and commercialization of “Native Spirituality.”

RELS 2229/PHIL 2229
Contemporary Moral Problems 0.5 unit
An investigation of issues in applied ethics, such as war, reproductive choice, euthanasia, minority rights, animal rights, sexual practices, and religious tolerance.

RELS 2233/HIST 2233
History of Christianity 0.5 unit
A survey of the history of Christianity from the sectarian rivalry of the 1st century to the World Christianities of the 21st century, including the historical development of the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant Churches, and their encounters with the modern world.

RELS 2237/HIST 2237
American Religious History: From Covenant to Cults 0.5 unit
An exploration of the massive and complex role of religion in the history of the United States, using primary and secondary sources to trace recurring themes from the colonial period to the present. Themes to be discussed may include immigration, race, women, biblicism, experiential religion, and new religious movements.

RELS 2501/CULS 2501/PHIL 2501
Animals: Sentience and Responsibility 0.5 unit
Exploring the roles and relationships of humans and non-human animals in society. This interdisciplinary course looks at histories and theories of animals including religious views, scientific debates, non-Western thought, labour, law, and the environment.

RELS 3301/PHIL 3301
God and Evil: The Current Debate 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): 1.0 unit of PHIL or permission of the instructor
Does the existence of evil entail the nonexistence of God? Does it, at the very least, make the existence of God improbable? This course will seek to facilitate an understanding and assessment of the contributions of contemporary analytical philosophy to the resolution of these issues.

RELS 3306
Religion and Popular Culture 0.5 unit
An exploration and analysis of religion and popular culture through film, video, music, literature, sport, politics, the marketplace, and the internet.

RELS 3307/FSGN 3307
Perspectives on Death and Dying 0.5 unit
A study of death and dying from both the academic and experiential viewpoints. Death and religious dimensions of human life are considered, along with pastoral concerns and care of the dying.

RELS 3308
Women, Religion, and Social Change 0.5 unit
An overview of women’s attempts to challenge and change their religious and social environments over the last two centuries. Attention will be paid to constructions of gender and their import, religion as a cultural phenomenon which can both constrain and empower, and women as agents of social change. (Also listed under Canadian Studies and Women’s Studies)

RELS 3311
Religion, Gender and Sexualities 0.5 unit
An examination of the meanings, contexts, and possibilities of human gender identities and sexualities within religious systems. Normative and transgressive identities, including issues of marriage, reproduction, and modes of sexual expression, will be considered within a global context.

RELS 3313/WOMS 3313
Women, Culture and Food 0.5 unit
An examination and exploration of the reproduction, production, consumption and representation of food as it relates to women in various cultural traditions. Issues include: food as sacred/profane, food rituals, food taboos, the material conditions of food production, globalization, women’s particular responsibility for food cross-culturally and the symbolic significance of food and women’s bodies.

RELS 3340/HIST 3340
The Bible and Historical Thought 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): 1.0 unit of HIST or RELS at any level or permission of the instructor
An examination of the Bible as an historical authority in relation to various scientific and humanistic disciplines. Topics to be discussed may include the age of the Earth, the history of life, biblical criticism, and the evolution/creationism controversy.

RELS 3351/PHIL 3351
The Nature of Faith 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): 1.0 unit of PHIL or permission of the instructor
An analysis of the concept of religious faith, with special reference to the relation between faith and belief. What form(s) does faith take? Does religious practice entail faith? How is faith different from hope and love? Could someone who believes no religious claim be a person of religious faith?

RELS 3380/PHIL 3380
Selected Topics in Philosophy/Religious Studies 0.5 unit
RELS 3381/PHIL 3381
Selected Topics in Philosophy/Religious Studies 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): permission of the instructor may be required for certain topics
An opportunity to explore selected topics in philosophy and/or religious studies at an advanced level. Topics will vary from year to year.

RELS 4411
Directed Study 0.5 unit
RELS 4412
Directed Study 0.5 unit
RELS 4413
Directed Study 1.0 unit
Prerequisite(s): 0.5 unit of Religious Studies at the 2000 level or above and permission of the course supervisor
An open course permitting students to pursue study in a specific area of religious studies. The student and professor will design the program of study together. The program will be implemented through tutorial meetings, assigned readings, and written submissions.

RELS 4414/PHIL 4414
Major Thinkers 0.5 unit
An examination of the life, thought and contribution of important thinkers in religious studies and/or philosophy.

Academic Note: This web-based calendar information is applicable for the 2024-2025 academic year which runs from September 01, 2024 to August 31, 2025.

For information on previous years, please consult the University Academic Calendars web page.