Welcome to the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI). On behalf of its faculty, staff, and students, I am very pleased to meet you. I hope that you will find it informative and useful.
We are a growing and innovative department within the Faculty of Arts. Ever since we were established at the founding of UPEI, we have been teaching the relevant topics and issues on religion in its many facets: textual, historical, theological, ethical, cultural, and comparative (see also the Department's History).
The study of religion at UPEI is an enlightening intellectual endeavour: academic and contemporary in methodology, and international and cross-cultural in content.
Our mandate is very clear: we are seriously committed to high standards of academic integrity and excellence. And the Department neither advocates nor endorses any particular religious view or organization.
Browse the faculty pages to learn more about us. You will see that even as a small team (four full-time and some sessional instructors), we explore a broad spectrum of religious traditions and developments:
Moreover, the interdisciplinary nature of our research and teaching areas allows the Department to attract majors and minors with a variety of career goals, all the while maintaining a good sense of community and harmony.
We also take great pride in our range of highly popular electives, which broaden or deepen the knowledge UPEI students develop in other academic disciplines.
The Major in Religious Studies teaches rigorous skills of reading, thinking, understanding, writing, and communicating. This fact is demonstrated by the diversity of our students' interests and their successful career paths after graduation.
I am delighted to tell you that our students enjoy a well-balanced curriculum, selecting various courses on:
We also offer the new Catholic Studies (since 2005) and Christian Studies (from 2007) minors in collaboration with the Centre for Christianity & Culture.
The major or minor in Religious Studies allows you the splendid opportunity to study diverse cultures, literatures, peoples, and values.
No doubt, a great benefit of studying in a small Department like ours is the immediate availability of the faculty, and the close contact you may develop with your advisor. For the major and minor requirements, please click here - the UPEI Calendar.
I also welcome you to look at our current list of
Yes, we are indeed a successful and lively unit, and we will continue to be more so in the coming months and years! We look forward to your support and feedback.
The Department is fully committed to offering a high-quality program. Whether you are a prospective student or a current student here, we offer you a solid education for your intellectual growth and career goals.
For further information, I invite you to drop by our offices or the Department lounge which are all located on the fourth floor in Main Building. Stop by to chat with any of the faculty, with our students, or with Susie Jay, our Department Administrative Assistant.
With best wishes,
Joe Velaidum, Chair
