RELS 1020
Eastern Religious Traditions0.5 unitAn 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 Traditions0.5 unitAn 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, Mormonism).
Note: Students who have received credit for RELS 2230 may not take this course for credit. RELS 2010
Study of Religion0.5 unitPrerequisite: RELS 1020 or 1030 or permission of the instructorAn 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
Evil0.5 unitAn 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 unitAn 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 2204
Myths, Symbols, and Rituals 0.5 unitAn examination of symbolic action and ritual gestures as expressions of religious belief and practice, within their mythic contexts. Examples include Christian sacraments, Tantric sex, and ritual sacrifice.
RELS 2205
Sacred Writings0.5 unit
An introduction to the study of scriptures as literature, history, and cultural artifacts. The forms, purposes and meanings of sacred writings from eastern and western religious traditions will be examined and compared. The course will address issues such as the authenticity and authority of religious texts, and problems of interpretation and translation.
RELS 2207
Women in the Religions of the World0.5 unitPrerequisites: RELS 1010 or 2220, or 2230 or 0.5 unit of women’s studies, or permission of the instructorAn 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 Tradition0.5 unitAn 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 Belief0.5 unitA study of topics in the philosophy of religion selected from the following: the nature of religion, the existence of God, theism and it alternatives, religion and science, miracles, belief in an afterlife, religious experience, faith and rationality.
Note: Students who have received credit for PHIL 2205 may not take this course for credit. RELS 2218/PHIL 2218
The Nature of God0.5 unitA discussion of the wide range of notions in ordinary language represented by the term ‘God’, with attention not to questions of truth, but to the prior questions of philosophical coherence and religious relevance. Traditional conceptions will be considered, as will various attempts to recast talk of God in a more contemporary idiom.
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. Note: Students who have received credit for PHIL 2206 may not take this course for credit.
RELS 2225
Myths, Visions, Possessions0.5 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 Problems0.5 unit
An investigation of issues in applied ethics, such as war, reproductive choice, euthanasia, minority rights, animal rights, sexual practices, and religious tolerance.
Note: Students who have received credit for RELS 2209 or 2211 or PHIL 2211 may not take this course for credit. RELS 2233/HIST 2233
Christian Tradition(s)0.5 unitAn historical overview of the development of Christianity as a world religion, using both primary and secondary materials on Christianity’s western traditions.
RELS 2250/BUIS 2250/PHIL 2250
Business Ethics0.5 unitA course in applied ethics that explores the bearing of ethical theory on business-related issues, including advertising, consumer rights, managerial structures, discrimination in the workplace, and corporate responsibility. Casework helps the student to develop skills in decision-making.
RELS 3301/PHIL 3301
God and Evil: The Current Debate0.5 unitPrerequisite: 1.0 unit of philosophy or permission of the instructorDoes 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 Culture0.5 unitAn 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 Dying0.5 unitA 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.
Note: Students who have received credit for GNTG/RELS 3317 may not take this course for credit. RELS 3308
Women, Religion, and Social Change0.5 unitAn 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/FSGN 3311
Religion, Gender and Sexualities0.5 unitAn 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 Food0.5 unitAn 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
The Bible and Historical Thought0.5 unitAn 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.
Note: Students who have received credit for RELS/PHIL 3320 may not take this course for credit. RELS 3351/PHIL 3351
The Nature of Faith0.5 unit
Prerequisite: 1.0 unit of philosophy 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 Studies0.5 unit
RELS 3381/PHIL 3381
Selected Topics in Philosophy/Religious Studies 0.5 unit
Prerequisite: permission of 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 Study0.5 unit
RELS 4412
Directed Study0.5 unit
RELS 4413
Directed Study1.0 unit
Prerequisites: at least one religious studies course at or above the 2000 level and the 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. (Also listed under Women's Studies)
RELS 4414/PHIL 4414
Major Thinkers0.5 unit
An examination of the life, thought and contribution of important thinkers in religious studies and/or philosophy.