Faculty
Peter Koritansky, Assistant Professor, Acting Chair
Philip G. Davis, Professor
Edward Y.J. Chung, Associate Professor
Joe Velaidum, Associate Professor
Scott Dunbar, Assistant Professor
Denis Grecco, Assistant Professor (SDU Visiting Scholar in Catholic Studies)
Major in Religious Studies
Minor in Religious Studies
Minor in Christian Studies
Minor in Catholic Studies
Religious Studies Courses
The Religious Studies Program
The Department of Religious Studies offers courses of general interest on religion as well as Major and Minor programs. Religion is one of the vital elements of human existence. Religious inspirations and aspirations help to shape the personal, cultural and social life of human beings; in turn, religious systems reflect and respond to the historical and social settings in which they find themselves. No understanding of human life is complete without some consideration of the basic questions of truth and meaning posed by religions and the rich variety of answers professed and lived within the religious traditions of the world.
Requirements for a Major in Religious Studies
Forty-two semester hours in Religious Studies are required for the Major. These must include both courses from group A, at least one course each from groups B and F, and at least two courses (one of which must be at the 300 level) from each of groups C, D, and E. The remaining hours of credit may be chosen from among all Religious Studies offerings, including cross-listed courses.
Requirements for a Minor in Religious Studies
Twenty-one semester hours in Religious Studies are required for the Minor. These must include both courses from group A, and at least one course from each of groups B, C, D, and E. At least two courses in total must be at the 300 or 400 level. The remaining hours of credit may be chosen from among all Religious Studies offerings, including cross-listed courses.
The Christian Studies Program
In partnership with the Centre for Christianity and Culture, the Department of Religious Studies offers a Minor program in multi-denominational Christian Studies. Christianity is not only the single most powerful influence on the history and development of Western civilization and culture, but the largest and most widespread religion in the world today. The Minor in Christian Studies offers an academic and scholarly exploration, open to students of all backgrounds, of the fundamental Christian teachings and values, and of Christianity’s continuing role in the shaping of the contemporary world and its issues.
Requirements for a Minor in Christian Studies
At least two courses in total should be at the 300 level.
The Catholic Studies Program
Within the Department of Religious Studies, the Centre for Christianity and Culture offers a Minor program in Catholic Studies. From the fourth century to the present, the Catholic tradition has had a profound impact on all aspects of Western culture and civilization, from learning and the arts to moral values and social structures. The Minor in Catholic Studies offers an academic and scholarly exploration, open to students of all backgrounds, of Catholicism’s rich heritage and its contemporary engagement with both Western and global issues.
Requirements for a Minor in Catholic Studies
Religious Studies Courses
A. General Introductions
101 Religions of the World: Western Traditions
102 Religions of the World: Eastern Traditions
B. Thematic Introductions
103 Myths of Love, Sex and Marriage
104 Myths of Hate and Evil
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C. Western Religious History
171 Introduction to Catholic Studies
202 The Christian Religious Tradition
243 The Jewish Religious Tradition
244 The Islamic Religious Tradition
263 Understanding the New Testament
264 Biblical Foundations of Christian Thought
273 Understanding the Old Testament
275 Catholicism and Modernity: From Trent to John Paul II
278 The Sacraments and Catholic Spirituality
283 The Christian Life: Post-Reformation Perspectives
284 Introduction to Medieval Theology and Philosophy
301 Occultism and the Esoteric Tradition
302 Cults, Sects, and New Religions
312 Jesus and the Gospels
315 The Prophets and Wisdom Literature
371 John and the Johannine Literature
372 Paul and the Pauline Tradition
376 Thomas Aquinas and the Thomist Tradition
384 Early Christian Thought
D. Eastern Religions and Comparative Religion
221 Buddhism East and West
242 The Hindu Religious Tradition
251 Japanese Religion and Culture
261 Religion and Philosophy in China
279 Catholicism in Dialogue with other Religions
321 Women in Eastern Religions
322 Religious Ethics East and West
323 Interreligious Dialogue: Paths, Principles & Issues
352 Mysticism in Buddhism and Christianity
E. Religion and Modernity
232 Christianity and the Moral Imagination
234 The Interactions between Religion and Science
235 Skepticism, Agnosticism, Atheism and Belief
262 Psychology of Religion
276 Catholic Moral Thought
277 Catholic Social Teaching
303 Neo-Paganism in Modern Culture
374 Catholicism and the Arts
375 Faith and Reason in Modern Catholic Thought
385 Modern Christian Thought
F. Advanced Seminar
401 Theory and Method in the Study of Religion
Special Topics and Directed Studies
288, 388, and 488 Special Topics
451 and 452 Directed Studies
Other
111 Introduction to Biblical Hebrew
112 Introduction to Biblical Hebrew II
271 Classical Mythology (see Classics 121)
272 Medieval Art (see Fine Arts 212)
331 History of Christianity to Reformation (see History 321)
332 History of Christianity to Present (see History 322)
351 Religion and Society (see Sociology/Anthropology 421)
362 Philosophy of Religion (see Philosophy 362)
101 RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD: WESTERN TRADITIONS
This course is an introduction to the major living religions of the West: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Attention is directed to the ways in which each defines and promotes human fulfilment. Various audio-visual materials complement the lectures to convey an awareness of the spiritual and cultural dimensions of religion.
Three hours a week.
102 RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD: EASTERN TRADITIONS
This course is an introduction to the major living religions of the East: Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Attention is directed to the ways in which each defines and promotes human fulfilment. Various audio-visual materials complement the lectures to convey an awareness of the spiritual and cultural dimensions of religion.
Three hours a week.
103 MYTHS OF LOVE, SEX, AND MARRIAGE
This course explores the great mythologies of love. The historical significance of religion and love is discussed, leading to a better understanding of our current religious values and secular presuppositions. Recurring themes drawn from various Western religious traditions may include the topics of fidelity, marriage, divine love, human love, sexuality, and personal identity.
Three hours a week.
104 MYTHS OF HATE AND EVIL
This course explores the great mythologies of hate and evil. The historical development of this topic in Western literature is discussed, leading to a better understanding of our current religious and secular presuppositions of hatred and evil. Recurring themes may include scapegoating, the Devil, theodicy, heresy, violence, immorality, and religious intolerance.
Three hours a week.
171 INTRODUCTION TO CATHOLIC STUDIES
This course provides an introduction to the central aspects of Catholic faith and life, their formulation in the contemporary world, and their sources in Catholic Tradition and Scripture.
Three hours a week.
202 THE CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS TRADITION
This course begins with an examination of the basic teachings of the Christian religion, particularly the nature of God, Christ, the Church, and the process of salvation. The course explores the characteristic doctrines and practices of Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Protestant churches, with special consideration of their roles in Canadian society and culture. Smaller groups like the Hutterites, Mennonites, and Quakers may also receive attention.
Three hours a week.
221 BUDDHISM EAST AND WEST
This course is an introduction to Buddhism, the most influential and popular religion in East Asia. There is special emphasis on the historical development of its major doctrines, practices, and institutions in India, and their transformation in East Asia (China, Japan and Korea). The course studies the recent spread of schools such as Zen in Europe and North America, and also investigates their impact on Western religion and thought.
Three hours a week.
232 CHRISTIANITY AND THE MORAL IMAGINATION
This course explores the place of morality in Christian thought and life, the basis and content of Christian moral teaching, and Christian approaches to contemporary moral and ethical issues.
Three hours a week.
234 THE INTERACTION BETWEEN SCIENCE AND RELIGION
This course focuses on the current and historical interactions between science and religion. Readings from scientists, philosophers of science, theologians, and scholars of religion are included in this investigation of the interaction, conflict, and continuing dialogue between science and religion. This course aims to provide a better understanding of the current relationship between these two forces and a greater appreciation of their long history.
Three hours a week.
235 SKEPTICISM, AGNOSTICISM, ATHEISM, BELIEF
This course is an historical examination of the meaning of existence for several theologians, religious thinkers, philosophers, and scientists, and the importance or irrelevance that religious faith and values hold in their systems of thought and various historical circumstances. The historical meanings of skepticism, agnosticism, atheism and belief are studied alongside various contemporary issues, such as the problems posed by science and technology. Writers with both philosophical and theological perspectives are considered.
Cross-listed with Philosophy (cf. Philosophy 235).
Three hours a week.
242 THE HINDU RELIGIOUS TRADITION
This course explores the development of Hinduism from its origins in the Indus Valley Civilization and the arrival of the Indo-Aryans through to the maturation of Hindu culture and civilization. The course covers myths of the Hindu gods and goddesses, approaches to personal and social life, karma and reincarnation, yoga, meditation and the quest for absolute truth. The influences of Islam and European colonialism on Hinduism, and Hindu influences on modern Western religion and thought, also receive attention.
Three hours a week.
243 THE JEWISH RELIGIOUS TRADITION
This course follows the development of Judaism from biblical times to the present day. After considering the religious beliefs and practices of the ancient Israelites, Jews and Samaritans, the course examines the character of Jewish life and community as it was formed by the laws of the Torah, the commentaries of the Talmud, and the spirituality of Kabbalism and Hasidism. The course also explores the shaping of modern Judaism by such factors as emancipation, the Holocaust, and the establishment of the state of Israel.
Three hours a week.
244 THE ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS TRADITION
Beginning with the establishment of Islam as a religion and a community under Muhammad, the course follows the spread of Islamic culture and civilization, and gives a thorough introduction to the main Islamic teachings and their basis in the Qur’an and Hadith. Finally, it covers some current issues such as relations with the modern West, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and contemporary “Islamist” movements.
Three hours a week.
251 JAPANESE RELIGION AND CULTURE
This course is an introduction to Japanese religion and culture. It examines the role of the "New Religions" as well as the transformation of the older traditions (Shinto, Buddhism, Confucianism) in Japanese society. The course also explores the impact of Western thought and modern developments on traditional Japanese religion and the balance between tradition and modernity in Japan.
Three hours a week.
261 RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY IN CHINA
This course is an introduction to Chinese religion and philosophy. It examines the so-called "Three Teachings" in China: Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. Most of the course deals with the basic philosophical concepts, moral values and religious beliefs of these major traditions. Attention is directed also to their impact on traditional China, as well as on other East Asian countries, including Japan and Korea. The course concludes by considering the contemporary situation of each tradition in response to recent economic, social and political changes.
Cross-listed with Philosophy (cf. Philosophy 264).
Three hours a week.
262 PSYCHOLOGY OF RELIGION
Psychological theories and insights are used to explain and inquire into the nature of religious phenomena.
Cross-listed with Psychology (cf. Psychology 262).
Three hours a week.
263 UNDERSTANDING THE NEW TESTAMENT
This course is an exploration of the content of New Testament writings, especially the canonical gospels and major Pauline epistles. The emphasis is on understanding these writings in their original socio-historical contexts, and on methods of interpretation.
Three hours a week.
264 BIBLICAL FOUNDATIONS OF CHRISTIAN THOUGHT
This course examines the doctrinal and moral teachings of the Bible, which have shaped the development of Christian thought and practice. Topics include the nature of God, Christ, and the Trinity; creation and nature; humanity, male and female; sin, suffering, and the problems of evil; and salvation, social justice, and eschatology.
Three hours a week.
271 CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY
See Classics 121.
272 MEDIEVAL ART
See Fine Arts History 212.
273 UNDERSTANDING THE OLD TESTAMENT
This course is an introduction to the three main units of the Old Testament— Law, Prophets, Sapiential Books—with special attention given to the biblical world and principles of biblical interpretation through the study of selected passages.
Three hours a week.
275 CATHOLICISM AND MODERNITY: FROM TRENT TO JOHN PAUL II
This course surveys the central concerns raised within the Catholic Church as a result of the rise of modern secular principles, from the early 16th century through to the 21st. Special attention is devoted to questions on the Church in modern society and church/state relations.
PREREQUISITES: Religious Studies 171 or permission of the instructor.
Three hours a week.
276 CATHOLIC MORAL THOUGHT
This introduction to Catholic moral theology explores the foundational questions regarding the person as a moral agent, natural law, conscience, freedom, responsibility, Church magisterium, and the beatitudes.
Three hours a week.
277 CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING
A survey of the evolving Catholic social teaching regarding economic justice, the rights of workers, a just global economic order, issues of peace and war, the status of women and a preferential option for the poor. Discussion focuses on papal encyclicals, pastoral letters, and the statements of Bishops’ conferences.
Three hours a week.
278 THE SACRAMENTS AND CATHOLIC SPIRITUALITY
This course examines Catholic spirituality, beginning with a study of the liturgy, the sacraments, sacramentals, and major Catholic spiritual writers.
PREREQUISITES: RS 171 or 202 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week.
279 CATHOLICISM IN DIALOGUE WITH OTHER RELIGIONS
This course is an introduction to Catholic ecumenical dialogue in a contemporary setting. The course focuses on these discussions and their practical implications between Catholics and other Christian communities, as well as the broader ecumenism within the major world religions since the 1980s.
PREREQUISITES: Religious Studies 171 or permission of the instructor.
Three hours a week.
283 THE CHRISTIAN LIFE: POST-REFORMATION PERSPECTIVES
This course explores some classic and contemporary approaches to the core issues of Christian living: the role of Scripture; salvation and regeneration; worship and devotion; prayer and sacraments; and ethical decision-making. Emphasized are Lutheran, Calvinist, Wesleyan, and a selection of modern perspectives.
PREREQUISITE: Religious Studies 202 or permission of the instructor.
Three hours a week.
284 INTRODUCTION TO MEDIEVAL THEOLOGY AND PHILOSOPHY
This course introduces major medieval thinkers and ideas, their sources in Neoplatonism and Aristotelianism, and their influences upon later philosophers and theologians. Topics may include the problem of evil, the relationship between faith and reason, the idea of salvation, and the certainty of human knowledge.
Cross-listed with Philosophy (cf. Philosophy 284).
Three hours a week
288 SPECIAL TOPICS
This is a course in which topics or issues in Religious Studies are explored and analyzed at an introductory level.
301 OCCULTISM AND THE ESOTERIC TRADITION
This course investigates the most influential magical and occult theories and practices in the modern West. The following topics figure prominently in the course material: traditional magic and witchcraft, Spiritualism, Theosophy, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, Aleister Crowley, Wicca, and Satanism.
PREREQUISITE: Three hours in Religious Studies or permission of the instructor.
Three hours a week.
302 CULTS, SECTS, AND NEW RELIGIONS
This course investigates various marginal or unorthodox religious movements which have existed in Europe and North America during the past two centuries. After an introductory discussion of the ways in which religious groups can be classified, the course is devoted to examining the origins, beliefs and practices of movements such as Jehovah's Witnesses, the Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) and the Unification Church (Moonies).
PREREQUISITE: Three hours in Religious Studies or permission of the instructor.
Three hours a week.
303 NEO-PAGANISM IN MODERN CULTURE
This course explores the growth of religious and quasi-religious movements that seek a spiritual alternative to both the Judaeo-Christian tradition and scientific, secular modernity. The focus is on those individuals and groups that draw on the Western esoteric tradition to construct an idealized view of ancient “paganism” as the model for constructing a better future.
PREREQUISITE: Religious Studies 301 or permission of the instructor.
312 JESUS AND THE GOSPELS
This is a course devoted to the historical study of the Gospels. First, each Gospel is investigated individually in order to address its own particular issues and emphases, and its context in first-century Christianity. The course turns to the modern critical study of the life and teachings of Jesus and the scholarly attempt to ascertain what can be known historically about this central figure in Western civilization.
PREREQUISITES: RS 263 or RS 273 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week.
315 THE PROPHETS AND WISDOM LITERATURE
This course is a thematic examination of some of the most influential books in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). The first half of the course is devoted to the wisdom literature of Job, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, and the issues they confront: the meaning of life, the problem of pain, and how to live a successful life. The second half explores some of the key passages in Israel’s prophetic corpus. Issues such as social justice, the Messianic prophecies, and the prophetic consciousness are examined. As well, critical topics such as the authorship of key books and the prophetic movement in Israel and surrounding nations is considered.
PREREQUISITE: RS 273 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week.
321 WOMEN IN EASTERN RELIGIONS
This course is a general survey of the status of women in Eastern religions, particularly Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Shinto. The positions that these traditions take on the status of women are illustrated. The course examines how these traditions may have helped generate or reinforce culturally specific perspectives on women. The approach is textual and descriptive.
Cross-listed with Women’s Studies (cf. Women’s Studies 321).
PREREQUISITE: Religious Studies 102 or permission of the instructor.
Three hours a week.
322 RELIGIOUS ETHICS EAST AND WEST
This course is a study of religious ethics focusing on two major traditions: Confucianism, an "ethical humanism" that emphasizes wisdom, and Christianity, a "prophetic religion" that emphasizes revelation. Specific ethical doctrines (e.g., suffering and sin, human nature, good and evil, love/jen, moral self-cultivation, ideal human life and society) are compared from cross-cultural perspectives.
Cross-listed with Philosophy (cf. Philosophy 322).
PREREQUISITE: Religious Studies 101 and 102 or permission of the instructor.
Three hours a week.
323 INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE: PATHS, PRINCIPLES, AND ISSUES
This lecture-seminar course explores interreligious dialogue, a growing topic in comparative religion. The major models, methodological questions, practical issues, and their ongoing developments are discussed from Western, Eastern, and comparative perspectives: e.g., Jewish-Christian-Islamic dialogue, ecumenical dialogue, Hindu-Christian dialogue, Buddhist-Christian dialogue, and Confucian-Christian dialogue. Various readings are selected from the current scholarship on relevant topics, theories, and ideas.
PREREQUISITES: Religious Studies 101 and 102 or permission of the instructor.
Three hours a week.
331 HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY TO THE REFORMATION
An examination of the growth and development of Christianity from the time of Jesus up to the Reformation. Special emphasis on the relationship between the growth of the Church and the broader historical context within which it occurred.
Cross-listed with History (cf. History 321).
Three hours a week.
332 HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY FROM THE REFORMATION TO THE PRESENT
An examination of some of the principal developments within Christianity from, and including, the Reformation until the present. Special emphasis on the relationship between these developments and the broader historical context within which they occurred.
Cross-listed with History (cf. History 322).
Three hours a week.
351 RELIGION AND SOCIETY
See Sociology/Anthropology 421.
352 MYSTICISM IN BUDDHISM AND CHRISTIANITY
This course is an introduction to mysticism in two major traditions: Buddhism and Christianity. Some of the major Buddhist doctrines and practices are compared with those of Christianity. Special attention is given to notions of mystical experience, I-Thou relationship, God/Emptiness, sainthood/buddhahood, and self-transformation. The approach is textual and comparative, using cross-cultural perspectives.
PREREQUISITE: Religious Studies 101 and 102 or permission of the instructor.
Three hours a week.
362 PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION
See Philosophy 362.
371 JOHN AND THE JOHANNINE LITERATURE
This course explores how the Fourth Evangelist depicts several of the gospel’s characters and, in particular, their relationship with Jesus. Emphasis is on understanding the Gospel of John in its original socio-historical context and its interpretation in the early church.
PREREQUISITES: RS 171 or 263 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week.
372 PAUL AND THE PAULINE TRADITION
This course surveys Pauline literature with a discussion of such themes as Paul’s background and conversion, his teaching concerning the parousia, the resurrection of Christ and the faithful, hope, justification, the cross, love, community, ethics, and Israel.
PREREQUISITES: RS 171 or 263 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week.
374 CATHOLICISM AND THE ARTS
This course studies selected topics in Catholic literature, film, music, and other arts.
PREREQUISITES: Religious Studies 171 or permission of the instructor.
Three hours a week.
375 FAITH AND REASON IN MODERN CATHOLIC THOUGHT
This course studies major Catholic debates on the relation between faith and reason. Particular attention is directed to a reading of Pope John Paul’s encyclical, Faith and Reason; 19th- and early 20th-century background; and its setting in the contemporary university.
PREREQUISITES: Religious Studies 171 or permission of the instructor.
Three hours a week
376 THOMAS AQUINAS AND THE THOMISTIC TRADITION
This course is intended as an introduction to the philosophical and theological thought of Thomas Aquinas. In addition to investigating Thomas' thoughts on questions of knowledge, God, and morality, and the relationship between faith and reason, we will also raise questions concerning his contribution to the history of philosophy, Christianity, and the development of western civilization. To accomplish all this, we will consider the writings of St. Thomas himself, as well as the writings of some key contributors to what is now called the "Thomistic renewal" of the twentieth century, such as Etienne Gilson, Jacques Maritain, and Josef Pieper.
Three hours a week
384 EARLY CHRISTIAN THOUGHT
This course surveys the major issues and developments in Christian life and thought from the end of the New Testament period to the fifth century. The contributions of writers such as Irenaeus, Origen, Tertullian, Chrysostom and Augustine are considered with respect to such topics as the Trinity, Christology, church-state relations, and dealings with alternative forms of Christianity and non-Christian religions.
PREREQUISITE: Religious Studies 101 or 171 or 202 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week.
385 MODERN CHRISTIAN THOUGHT
This course explores the rich heritage of Christian theological, religious, and philosophical thought on various modern themes, such as objectivity, technology, postmodernism, and secularization. Discussions centre on the historical developments of Christian thought in the modern era and their various meanings both within and outside Christian intellectual thought.
PREREQUISITES: Religious Studies 101 or 103 or permission of the instructor.
Three hours a week.
388 SPECIAL TOPICS
This is a course in which topics or issues in Religious Studies are explored and analyzed at an intermediate undergraduate level.
401 THEORY AND METHOD IN THE STUDY OF RELIGION
This course explores various methods, theories, and research tools employed in the academic study of religion.
PREREQUISITE: At least four previous courses in Religious Studies, two of which must be at the 200-level or above.
Three hours a week.
451-452 DIRECTED STUDIES
This is a course in selected topics in Religious Studies offered by visiting professors, or by way of supervised reading, or other special circumstances approved by the Chair and the Dean. Suggested topics include modern research on Jesus; biblical prophetic and apocalyptic literature; Jewish messianism and early christology; interreligious dialogue; Christianity in Asia; shamanism and folk religion in Asia; the thought of Paul Tillich and Karl Barth; the Ecumenical Movement (Protestant, Catholic, Jewish); religion, politics and the economy.
(See Academic Regulation 9 for Regulations Governing Directed Studies.)
488 SPECIAL TOPICS
This is a course in which topics or issues in Religious Studies are explored and analyzed at an advanced undergraduate level.
