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Religious Studies

  • REL 100 - Introduction to Religious Studies
    Course DescriptionThis course is an introduction to some of the foundational readings and ideas of religious studies. What is religion? What are its origins? How is the sacred different from the profane? This course examines key figures and texts from anthropology, sociology, psychology, and philosophy in an effort to understand the complexity of religious phenomena. Some of the features of religion to be discussed are ritual, sacred space and time, spirituality, faith-community, and morality.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
    Liberal Studies:LL
  • REL 101 - Introduction to World Religions
    Course DescriptionThis course is a survey of the history, social and political context, beliefs, practices, and influence of the major religious traditions of the world. The course will introduce students to the religions of Indian origin (Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism), the religions of Chinese origin (Confucianism, Taoism, and Chinese Buddhism), and the religions of Semitic origin (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam). This course presupposes no religious or anti-religious perspective.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
    Liberal Studies:LL
  • REL 200 - Introduction to Hinduism and Buddhism
    Course DescriptionThis course provides an introduction to Hinduism and Buddhism. We will explore Hindu traditions in classical and contemporary terms through scriptural texts of the Ancient and Classical Brahmanical or Vedic Tradition - most prominently the Upanisads and the Bhagavad Gita - the emergence of Pre-modern, and finally contemporary Hinduism. We will explore Buddhists traditions from the early development of Buddhist thought in South-Asia to the contemporary manifestations of Buddhism as a living tradition in Asia and beyond.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
    Liberal Studies:LL
  • REL 205 - Introduction to Sikhism
    Course DescriptionThis course offers an introduction to the historical, cultural, and religious context in which Sikhism emerged in Punjab at the turn of the 16th century, as well as an exploration of how this tradition evolved in South Asia and around the world until today. It will consider Sikh worldviews, beliefs, ritual, practices, and institutions, with a special emphasis on Sikhism in Canada.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
    Liberal Studies:LL
  • REL 210 - Introduction to Chinese Religions
    Course DescriptionThis course is a survey of the historical development of the Chinese religious landscape from the Shang Dynasty (1600â 1046 BCE) to the present. It focuses on the beliefs and practices of China's primary religious traditions (Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism, and popular religion), while also attending to the influence of Western missionary traditions (Christianity and Islam), the anti-traditionalist and anti-religious movements of the 20th century, and the roles of religion in contemporary China.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
    Liberal Studies:LL
  • REL 215 - Introduction to Judaism
    Course DescriptionThis course introduces students to the beliefs, practices, and history of Judaism. Readings begin with the Hebrew Bible, or Tanakh, followed by the Rabbinic writings of the Talmud and its theological underpinnings, Mediæval literature, and mysticism. The course will emphasize the diversity of Jewish experience and thought, and the cultural contexts of Judaism from its beginnings to the present day.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
    Liberal Studies:LL
  • REL 220 - Introduction to Christianity
    Course DescriptionThis course is a survey of Christianity. Students will be introduced to distinctively Christian beliefs and practices, its history, institutions, and foundational texts, and its cultural and social influences. An important focus will be three major episodes in Christian thought: the Arian Controversy, the Reformation in Western Christianity, and contemporary developments such as Liberation Theology and Feminist Theology.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
    Liberal Studies:LL
  • REL 225 - Introduction to Islam
    Course DescriptionThis course will be a survey of the religion of Islam, in which students will be introduced to Muslim religious beliefs and practices, schools of Islamic learning, and historical and contemporary concerns. The course will emphasize the diversity of Muslim experience and thought, and the cultural contexts of Islam from its beginnings to the present day.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Billing Units:1
    Count:1.00
    Liberal Studies:LL
  • REL GEN - 1 Religious Studies Generic Credit
    Course DescriptionOne single-term Religious Studies generic credit. No enrolment; transfer credit only.
    Weekly Contact:Lecture 0 hrs.
    GPA Weight:1.00
    Count:1.00