An introduction to the beginnings of Judaism, Christianity and Islam in the context of other religious traditions.

An introduction to Greek grammar with appropriate grammatical exercises and development of vocabulary. (U of W - R.S. 106A)

A continuation of the study of Greek grammar and an exegetical study of some texts from the Gospel of Mark. (U of W - R.S. 106B)

Readings in the New Testament, the Septuagint, papyri and the Apostolic Fathers. Advanced grammar and syntax arising from the readings. (U of W - R.S. 305A)

A continuation of RE241. (U of W - R.S. 305B).

The advanced study of a language for the interpretation of religious texts (e.g., Ugaritic, Aramaic, Syriac, patristic and Byzantine Greek, patristic and medieval Latin, Sanskrit, Tamil).†

An examination of current Canadian social problems, (e.g., housing, health, unemployment, abortion) in the light of Christian ethics.†

An examination of Hindu and Buddhist views of the nature, meaning and goal of human existence as expressed in various media, such as iconography, art, architecture and ritual.†

An introduction to a major theme, development or period in Western spirituality, focusing on such topics as late medieval mysticism, spirituality in the Reformation era, religion and Romanticism and the Evangelical tradition.††

An introduction to doctrines, myths and practices of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Islam and Sikhism which shaped Indian civilization and affected those who have come into contact with it.†

A survey of the ideas, images, beliefs and practices of the religions of East and Southeast Asia (Confucianism, Taoism, Mahayana Buddhism and Shinto) and their relationship to Chinese and Japanese culture.†

An exploration of religion in the Graeco-Roman world in the period from the fifth century BCE to the fifth century CE. Readings in translation from various ancient authors as well as from modern scholarly works will be considered.†

Research outside the classroom context such as field archaeology, or the field study of ritual or other cultural performance.††

An examination of the religious and cultural expressions of the African Diaspora. The course will consider examples of African religious forms from the Caribbean, western Europe and the Americas and their connection to the African diaspora borne out of the histories of colonialism, imperialism, slavery and capitalism over the last five hundred years.†

An introduction to the relationships between religious systems and business ethics; a re-examination of common generalizations about Asian culture; a study of the ways in which views about etiquette, interpersonal communication and propriety are related to the world view of a culture's religious system. Cultures to be studied may include Chinese, Japanese, Indian and Islamic.††

An introduction to Zen emphasizing its roots in the practice of sitting-meditation (zazen) and its expression in the arts, particularly as it is experienced in the North American context.†

A seminar course based on the critical analysis of selected contemporary works in religious studies. Emphasis will be on the development of critical reading and research skills.

An examination of Paul's life and thought as seen in the early Christian literature written by him, about him and attributed to him.†

An examination of the basic tenets of modern Judaism and of the various forms it takes in the contemporary world.††

A study of the history and culture of ancient Sumer, Babylon and Assyria from the earliest evidence down to the Persian period; the significance of Mesopotamia as "the cradle of western civilization." (Cross-listed as HI308.)†

A study of the history and culture of ancient Egypt from the earliest period to the time of Cleopatra; the significance of the various peoples of ancient Asia Minor (the Hittites, the Phoenicians, the Hebrews, etc.). (Cross-listed as HI309.)†

A study of personal responses to aging and change over the course of the human life cycle, including an examination of therapeutic and religious approaches to critical issues that characterize different stages of human development.

Human responses to loss, grief and death as they occur over a lifetime, including an examination of therapeutic and religious approaches to the experience of loss, grief and death for different individuals.

A cross-culturally based course on the essentials of ritual. Topics may include the use of masks, music, costumes and sacred rites, as well as the problems of constructing and evaluating rites.††

An examination of the ritual and oral traditions of a specific group of native peoples to discern their attempts to integrate themselves and their environment.††

An examination of selected rites of passage such as weddings, funerals and initiations. Special attention is given to the dramatic qualities of ritual processes. (Cross-listed as AN319.)††

An investigation of Gandhi's role in the emergence of the modern Indian state. An analysis of the sources and development of Gandhi's use of religious techniques such as non-violence, fasting and non-attached action, in social transformation and political struggle.†

(Cross-listed as AN322.)

(Cross-listed as AR324.)†

(Cross-listed as AR326.)†

Research outside the classroom context such as field archaeology or the field study of ritual or other cultural performance.††

Historical development of religious groups in Canada from the time of the arrival of European settlers to the 1920s and the cultural, social, educational and political implication of those groups.††

An investigation of new religious trends, issues and movements in contemporary North America.†

An examination of developments in Canadian religion from the Second World War to the present. Attention will be given to religious pluralism in contemporary Canada and to the relationship between the various developing religious traditions and Canadian social and political concerns.††

A study of the life, teaching and influence of Jesus of Nazareth as known in the New Testament and other ancient documents. Attention will also be given to contemporary studies and literature about Jesus. (Distance Education course)

An examination of the nature and meaning of religious experiences, including the study of such topics as mysticism, compassion, meditation and altered states of consciousness and the associated practices for their development within both religious and scientific traditions.†

A survey of the theories, techniques and practices of Asian spiritual disciplines; a comparison of cosmologies, meditation practices, spiritual techniques and other topics of selected Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Tantric and Taoist systems.†

(Consult the department for topics.)

A study of the rise and development of Hebrew prophecy. Special attention will be given to the prophets as social critics. The prophetic critique of Israel's institutions and social practices will be examined against the background of other peoples of the ancient Near East.††

A study of the origins, content and literary forms of the apocalyptic movement from the late biblical period through early Judaism and Christianity. Basic concepts, such as the end of the present evil age and the establishment of the new world order, cosmic dualism, visions of the future, pseudonymity, angels and demons, astral influence, together with the influence of apocalyptic on other thought forms and its contemporary relevance will be considered in the context of primary apocalyptic sources (e.g., The Book of Daniel, The Revelation of John, The Book of Enoch, The Apocalypse of Baruch).††

(Cross-listed as AR346.)†

(Cross-listed as AR347.)†

An examination of the functions of religion for the human psyche as presented in the psychological theories of Freud and Jung, including an examination of the factors involved in developing personal and/or spiritual paths that take the contributions of Freud and Jung into consideration.†

A seminar course in specialized areas of study.

An examination of selected writings, persons and traditions of post-New Testament Christianity as it wrestled with problems raised by the delay in the return of Jesus, fought over definition of doctrine ("orthodoxy" and "heresy"), struggled with the Empire, and sought to present Christianity in a winsome form to educated outsiders. Types and figures to be studied include martyrs (Ignatius of Antioch), literary defenders (Justin), "heretics" (Marcion, gnostics), fighters of "heresy" (Irenaeus) and prophets (Montanus).††

A study of the spiritual quests, ritual practices, social struggles and religious attitudes of women in selected cultures. Attention will be paid to the differences between men's and women's religious experiences.†

A study of the relationship between religion and movements of social change, using theories drawn from sociology of religion and cultural studies. The course will draw upon cross-cultural examples in its consideration of the development of critical theologies in socio-historical contexts, the role of religion in political processes and the links between religion and different movements for self-determination.†

A workshop that cultivates advanced writing skills in religious studies.

(Cross-listed as AR421.)†

Reflections on the historical Buddha, his teaching and his times; an examination of the spread of Buddhism and its subsequent changes; a study of Buddhism in contemporary Asia.†

An introduction to 20th-century Christian traditions, developments in their thought, practices and institutions. Special attention will be directed to the relationships between Christian and other religious groups.†

An introduction to Gnosticism, a second century religious movement that intersected and overlapped with Christianity and Judaism. Emphasis will be on readings of primary sources.†

An exploration of methods, theories and research tools employed in the academic study of religion. The focus is on the individuals responsible for shaping the discipline from the late 19th century to the present.

Exploration of a method or methods for studying non-textual dimensions of religion. The emphasis of the course is on the use of social scientific methods for the purposes of studying religious institutions and movements, rites, cosmologies, ethical values and life histories.

This course enables a student to develop in depth an area of interest or a research project not covered by the regular course program. The course may be offered individually or to a small group of students and stresses independent study and the development of sound methodology.