[Calendar Home Page] Wilfrid Laurier University - 2004-2005 Undergraduate Academic Calendar

Faculty of Arts


Religion and Culture Courses

RE100 Religions of the Americas: Indigenous, African and European 0.5

An introduction to basic questions in religious studies using selected examples of religion in the Americas. The course concentrates on the religious and cultural interactions of people who are of indigenous, African and European descent. It takes up fundamental questions such as: What is religion? What is the nature of religious experience? What is Religious Studies? How is religion related to other sources of identity such as ethnicity and nationality?

RE101 Religions of the Americas: Asian and Middle Eastern 0.5

An introduction to religious studies using selected examples of religion in North America as sources. Major topics include inter-religious relations, the westernizing of Asian religions, the changing nature of religious tradition and religions in multicultural settings. The course concentrates on Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam in North America.

RE103 Love and Its Myths 0.5

An enquiry into the mythologies of relationship which inform today's attitudes towards loving. Recurrent themes in the course are marriage, sexuality, attraction, friendship, fellowship and fidelity. The course utilizes these themes important to several religious traditions, to introduce basic concepts in religious studies.

RE104 Evil and Its Symbols 0.5

An investigation of the symbolism of opposites, for example, sacred and profane, God and the devil, feminine and masculine, villain and hero, light and darkness. The use of symbols of evil is considered in contexts such as crusades, heresy trials, sexism, racism and scapegoating. The course utilizes these themes important to several religious traditions, to introduce basic concepts in religious studies.

RE105 Religion and Cinematic Culture 0.5

An introduction to the study of religion and cinematic culture, the course utilizes feature-length films as ways of exploring visions of personal identity and human community.

RE106 Religion and Visual Culture 0.5

An investigation of visual media such as animation films, photographs, documentaries and Web sites dedicated to religious themes.

RE143 New Testament Greek I 0.5

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

Exclusion: RE142*, GR100*, GR101, GR102.

RE144 New Testament Greek II 0.5

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)

Prerequisite: RE143.
Exclusion: RE142*, GR100*, GR101, GR102.

RE200 Introduction to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament 0.5

An examination of the history and literature of the Israelite community (in English translation). The growth and content of the Hebrew literature will be examined in the context of the religions and cultures of the ancient Near East and the role of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament in shaping understanding of religion will be studied.†

RE201 Introduction to the New Testament 0.5

An introduction to New Testament literature, examined within the historical context of the first two centuries CE.†

RE202 The Legacy of the Bible: Liberation and Oppression 0.5

This course will explore the social attitudes and movements that have been inspired by readings of the Bible. It will consider how textual sources have served to anchor both progressive and conservative causes at various historical junctures, including feminism, slavery, social justice, homophobia, peace and racialism.

RE203 Science and Religion 0.5

An exploration of selected issues, either contemporary or historical, in the ongoing science-and-religion dialogue. Among examples of topics that may be treated are: alchemy, chemistry and magic; the trial of Galileo; interpreting the miraculous; Darwin and the post-Darwinian controversies; the "battle" between, and "convergence of," science and religion; explaining religious experience; astronomy, physics and primal causes; scientific and social scientific methods for studying the formation of religions.

RE205 Egyptian Art and Architecture 0.5

(Cross-listed as AR205.)†

RE206 The Archaeology of Ancient Mesopotamia 0.5

(Cross-listed as AR206.)†

RE208 Roots of Western Religions 0.5

An introduction to the beginnings of Judaism, Christianity and Islam in the context of other religious traditions. The course utilizes this exploration to introduce basic concepts in religious studies.

Exclusion: RE108.

RE209 Philosophy of Religion 0.5

(Cross-listed as PY209.)††

RE211 Indigenous Religions 0.5

A study of indigenous practices and world views. Examples are selected from North, Central or South America. The course considers current writings, controversies and basic methodological problems in studying the traditions of people indigenous to the Americas.†

RE212* World Religions in Cultural Perspective 1.0

The study of major living religions in the world, including an exploration of the cultural, social and historical setting of the various traditions; their major beliefs and practices; the impact the particular religion has had on culture; its function as an integrating force in the molding of society and its attempt to meet the challenges of changing conditions in the modern world.

RE213 The Religious Heritage of Islam 0.5

Origins, founder and leaders, doctrines and missionary expansion, divisions within Islam and the recent rise of Pan-Islam will be considered.

RE214 Bahá'í Religion in Its Cultural Settings 0.5

An introduction to the basic tenets of the Bahá'í faith, the course covers roots and sacred texts, as well as contemporary beliefs and practices including ongoing concerns with ecumenical and interfaith dialogue.†

RE215 Christianity and Culture: Early to Pre-Modern 0.5

An examination of selected issues in the interaction between Christianity and culture – literature, art, music, mores – from the earliest Christian beginnings in the Jewish and Graeco-Roman worlds to the close of the medieval period; Christian relations with Germanic, Celtic and Islamic civilizations; and the development of Christendom western and eastern forms.†

RE216 Christianity and Modern Culture 0.5

An examination of selected issues in Christianity's relationship to modernity, beginning with shifts in western Christendom in the late medieval and Reformations eras, the scientific and industrial revolutions of the early modern period, the Enlightenment, Romanticism, secularization, and the ongoing intellectual, social and political challenges to Christianity in the 19th and 20th centuries.†

RE220 Religion and Popular Culture 0.5

An examination of the ways religious themes, symbols, icons and language are used in expressions of popular culture. An introduction to the study of the relationship between religion and popular culture using cultural studies perspectives. Selected examples of contemporary or past popular culture will be studied.†

RE224 God as Goddess 0.5

An exploration of the concept of deity as feminine, examining the images, symbols and myths of goddesses in selected societies.†

RE227 Religions and Cultures of the Middle East 0.5

This course helps students understand the Middle East – its historical, cultural and religious backgrounds as well as its current political and social circumstances.†

RE228 Roots and Manifestations of Antisemitism 0.5

A study of antisemitism in the West. Topics include the appeal of Judaism, anti-Jewish invective in Graeco-Roman paganism, Jewish-Christian relations as reflected in the New Testament, early, medieval and modern Christianity and antisemitism in the modern era, including the Holocaust.††

RE230 The Religious Individual 0.5

Stories (autobiographical, biographical and fictional) about the lives of religious people and methods for interpreting them. Special attention is given to the role of religion in human development and to individuals who deviate from mainline religious traditions.††

RE233 Stories and the Sacred 0.5

Religious themes in selected myths, folktales, parables, short stories, science fiction or novels. An introduction to theories in the interdisciplinary field of religion and literature and to oral narrative.††

RE235 Comparative Religious Ethics 0.5

An examination of guidelines for making moral decisions and defining moral responsibilities. Thinkers and practitioners from various religious traditions are included.†

RE236 Christian Ethics and Canadian Social Problems 0.5

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

RE241 Intermediate New Testament Greek I 0.5

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)

Prerequisite: RE144.

RE242 Intermediate New Testament Greek II 0.5

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

Prerequisite: RE241.

RE246 Ritual and the Arts in South Asian Religions 0.5

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.†

RE248 Patterns in Western Spirituality 0.5

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.††

RE250 Asian Religions: Origins and Development of Buddhism 0.5

To introduce the history, development and structure of the Buddhist religious tradition from its Indian origins to its later forms; to provide an introduction to the basic terms and teachings of Buddhism, allowing for more specialized studies in Buddhism.†

Exclusion: RE111.

RE251 Asian Religions II: China and Japan 0.5

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.†

Exclusion: RE112.

RE255 The Hindu Tradition 0.5

An introduction to Hindu traditions, texts and practices. Topics include the historical development of the Hindu tradition, its major movements and contemporary manifestations in Asia and other parts of the world, including North America.

RE262 Religions of the Graeco-Roman World 0.5

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. (Cross-listed as CL262.)†

RE265 Cults, Sects and New Religious Movements 0.5

An investigation of cults, sects and new religious movements, primarily in the North American context. A broad selection of groups will be studied, with special attention given to problems of theory and method in the study of new religious movements.

RE275 Field Study in Religion 0.5

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 or life histories.††

Prerequisite: Permission of the department.

RE285 Religion and Culture of the African Diaspora 0.5

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.†

RE296 Work, Religion and the Cultural Systems in Asia 0.5

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.††

RE298 Zen Meditation, Zen Art 0.5

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.†

RE300 Readings in Religious Studies 0.5

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.

Prerequisite: Registration status: senior student in a religion and culture program (or permission of the department).

RE301 Paul of Tarsus 0.5

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

RE304 Judaism in the Modern World 0.5

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

RE311* Sociology of Religion 1.0

(Cross-listed as SY311*.)†

RE312 The Human Life Cycle and Religious Development 0.5

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.

RE313 Grief, Death and Dying 0.5

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.

RE316 Ritual Studies 0.5

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.††

Prerequisite: Permission of the department.

RE318 Canadian Native Religious Traditions 0.5

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.††

RE319 Rites of Passage 0.5

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 and GS319.)††

RE320 Religion and Cultural Studies 0.5

This course explores the connections between cultural studies and religious studies. Themes may include, but are not limited to, religious dimensions of consumer culture and of mass media.

RE321 Gandhi: Non-Violence and the Struggle for Freedom 0.5

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 GS321.)†

RE322 Religion, Ritual and Magic 0.5

(Cross-listed as AN322.)

RE327 Advanced Field Study 0.5

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

Prerequisite: RE275 (or permission of the department).

RE328 Canada's Religious Heritage 0.5

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.†

RE330 Controversial Religious Issues and Movements 0.5

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

RE331 Religions in Contemporary Canada 0.5

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.†

RE332 Sacred Space 0.5

This course will explore sacred spaces and places, including their roles, meanings and the rituals associated with them. This will include attention to pilgrimage sites, holy lands and places of worship in several religious traditions. We will also examine issues of methodology and the various approaches that scholars use to study sacred space and pilgrimage.

Exclusion: RE349q.

RE335 Jesus of Nazareth 0.5

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.

Exclusion: RE207.

RE336 Religious Experience 0.5

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.†

RE337 Asian Spiritual Disciplines 0.5

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.†

RE340 Quest and Conquest 0.5

A study of religious quests and their connection to conquest or other forms of cultural expansionism and religious imperialism. Among the prominent themes of the course are: intercultural respect and disrespect; appropriation and repatriation; cross-cultural learning and conflict; anthropological fraud; pilgrimage; ethnic performance; religious tourism; religious syncretism; missionization; interfaith borrowing and theft.

RE342 Directed Studies 0.5

(Consult the department for topics.)

Irregular course

RE344 Apocalypticism 0.5

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).†

RE348 Psychology and Religion 0.5

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.†

RE356 Christianity after the New Testament 0.5

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).††

RE366 Religion and Violence 0.5

An investigation of the relation of religion to violence, this course concentrates on phenomena such as war, "ethnic cleansing," terrorism, civil strife, and other examples of violence activity directly supported by religious groups or inspired by religious motives. The course examines theories and case studies intended to help us understand the tensions between religious promotion of peace and non-violence, on the one hand, and enduring religious support for hate and violence, on the other.

RE372 Women's Lives and Religious Values 0.5

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 and women's religious experiences. (Cross-listed as GS372.)†

RE380 Religion and Social Change 0.5

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. (Cross-listed as GS380 and SY380.)†

RE456* Advanced Language Systems 1.0

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).†

Prerequisite: Intermediate level of chosen language (or permission of the department).

Courses Available only to Year 4 Honours Religion and Culture Students

(Non-honours students may enrol with permission of the department.)

RE400 Writing in Religious Studies 0.5

A workshop that cultivates advanced writing skills in religious studies.

Prerequisite: Year 4 honours standing or permission of the department.

RE421 Burial Customs in the Ancient Levant 0.5

(Cross-listed as AR421.)†

RE424 Advanced Seminar in Buddhism 0.5

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.†

Prerequisite: RE250 or permission of the department.

RE432 Modern Christianity 0.5

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.†

Prerequisite: RE215, RE216 (or permission of the department).

RE444 Gnosticism 0.5

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.†

Prerequisite: Permission of the department.

RE449 Special Topics in Religion and Culture 0.5

A seminar course in specialized areas of study.

Prerequisite: Permission of the department.
Irregular course

RE455 Advanced Seminar in Hinduism 0.5

A seminar in specialized areas of Hindu studies, taught at an advanced level. Topics may vary from year to year.

Prerequisite: RE255 or permission of the department.

RE476 Seminar in Primary Source Research 0.5

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.

RE477* Advanced Field Research on Religion 1.0

Longer-term field research requiring interview and/or participant observation methods in studying religious phenomena.

Prerequisite: RE275 or permission of the instructor.

RE490 Directed Study in Religion and Culture 0.5

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.

Prerequisite: Permission of the department.
Exclusion: RE490*.
Irregular course



Faculty of Arts
Faculty of Arts – Programs and Courses
Religion and Culture

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