Students in the 4-year specialized program must choose their courses according to University regulations and in consultation with the department. The program must include at least 66 credits in Religious Studies. In 2nd and 3rd year, students must take the equivalent of at least 36 credits, including at least 6 credits from each of the three areas. To
take a 4th-year course, students must have completed the designated prerequisite courses. Students may take courses in either French or English to complete their degree requirements, and may take only one 1st-year (6 cr) course in Religious Studies. Before planning a 3- or 4-year program in Religious Studies, students should refer to the general regulations pertaining to academic programs in “What’s offered at Laurentian?”.
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PROGRAMMES
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Bachelor of Arts (general)
in Religious Studies
(3-year)
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Single
concentration
6 credits from:
RLST
1005
RLST 1105
RLST 1116
RLST 1117
+
upper-year RLST courses* (18 cr)
+ other upper-year RLST courses (12 cr)
+ electives (54 cr)
Combined concentration
6 credits from:
RLST 1005
RLST 1105
RLST 1116
RLST 1117
+ upper-year RLST courses* (18 cr)
+ other upper-year RLST courses (6 cr)
+ 2nd concentration courses (30 cr)
+ electives (30 cr)
* Must include 6 credits from each of the 3 areas of study
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Bachelor
of Arts
in Religious Studies
(4-year)
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Single specialization
1st year
6 credits from:
RLST 1005
RLST 1105
RLST 1116
RLST 1117
+ electives (24 cr)
2nd & 3rd year
RLST courses* (18 cr)
+ other RLST courses** (18 cr)
+ electives (24 cr)
* Must include 6 credits from each of the 3 areas of study.
** To be chosen from the list of "Upper-year options."
4th year
RLST courses* (12 cr)
+ other upper-year RLST courses (12 cr) + electives (6 cr)
* To be chosen from the list of “Upper-year options.”
Upper-year options
RLST 4116/7
(PREREQ:
6 credits from RLST 2105 or 2106/7,
2185 or 2186/7,
3126/7, 3136/7, 3166)
RLST 4135
(PREREQ:
6 credits from RLST 2115, 2136/7, 2166/7, 2445, 3177, 3196/7)
RLST 4225
(PREREQ:
6 credits from RLST 2105 or 2106/7,
2205, 2266/7,
2276/7, 2296/7, 3276/7)
RLST 4345
(PREREQ:
6 credits from RLST 2136/7, 2166/7, 2216, 2336/7, 3306, 3386,
3615)
RLST 4365
(PREREQ:
6 credits from RLST 2106/7,
2136/7, 3315, 3615. Some of the above might be waived by persmission
of the dept.)
Combined specialization
A combined specialized program in Religious Studies and a related subject must be planned in consultation with each of the departments concerned.
RLST courses* (42 cr)
2nd specialization courses (42 cr)
+ electives (36 cr)
* Must include at least 6 credits from 4000 series.
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Qualifying year
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A qualifying year in Religious Studies is available to both full- and part-time students. Course selection should be made in consultation with the department.
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Area 1
The Judaeo-Christian Tradition
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Area 2
Religions of the World
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Area 3
Religion and Modern Culture
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RLST 2105 E
RLST 2136 E
RLST 2166 E
RLST 2185 E
RLST 2186 E
RLST 2196 E
RLST 3106 E
RLST 3126 E
RLST 3136 E
RLST 3166 E
RLST 3196 E & RLST 3197 E
RLST 4116 E
RLST 4135 E
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RLST 2106 E
RLST 2107 E
RLST 2115 E
RLST 2137 E
RLST
2167 E
RLST 2187 E
RLST 2445 E
RLST 3107 E
RLST 3127 E
RLST 3137 E
RLST
3156 E
RLST
3157 E
RLST 3177 E
RLST 4117 E
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RLST
2216 E
RLST
2256 E
RLST
2257 E
RLST 2267 E
RLST 2277 E
RLST 2297 E
RLST 3235 E
RLST 3276 E
RLST 4225 E
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RLST 2326 E
RLST 2337 E
RLST 2355 E
RLST
3315 E
RLST 3326 E
RLST
3396 E & RLST 3397
E
RLST 3615 E
RLST 4345 E
ENGL 2116 E
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RLST 2336 E
RLST 2345 E
RLST 2365 E
RLST 3306 E
RLST 3316 E
RLST
3327 E
RLST
3366 E
RLST 3386 E
RLST
3696 E
RLST 4365 E
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Course descriptions
Courses coded (10) are also available by correspondence.
RLST 1005 E - Religion and Roots
Examines basic religious experiences of Eastern and Western traditions.
The course then attempts to show how these experiences influence peoples’
view of themselves and their world with regard to their origin, purpose
and ultimate destiny. Finally, it establishes how these experiences
are reflected in symbols, myths, rituals and ethics. Students are permitted
to take only one 1st-year RLST course. (S) (lec 3) cr 6
Rlst 2105 E (10) - EVENT AND MEANING OF THE BIBLE
An introduction to the biblical traditions of the Jewish and Christian faiths. Their setting in the near Eastern world is considered. Archaeological, historical and literary studies are used to establish the nature of the event and the manner in which its meaning is disclosed. (S) (lec 3) cr 6
RLST 2106 E: Introduction to the Hebrew Bible
In this course, students will study the biblical traditions common to both the Jewish and Christian faiths. Students will study the origin and development of the Hebrew Bible from both literary and historical perspectives. Students will examine the nature of biblical writings and will be introduced to exegesis of biblical texts. Students who have taken RLST 2105 for credit are not permitted to take this course for credit.) (S) (Lec 3) cr 3
RLST 2107 E: Introduction to the nEW Testament
This course will examine the Christian biblical traditions in their
historical and literary context. Students will learn about the nature
and content of the New Testament, as well as the social and political
milieu from which it originated and developed. Students who have taken
RLST 2105 are not permitted to take this course for credit. (S) (Lec
3) cr 3
RLst 2185 E (10) - the person of jesus
Who was Jesus for his contemporaries? Who is Jesus of Nazareth for modern man? The questions raised required a study of the writings of the New Testament whose interpretations of the life and messages of Jesus are examined in the light of contemporary scholarships. cr 6
RLST 2186 E - The Person of Jesus in Historical
Context
Modern research continues to shed light on the historical situation
of first century Judaism and Roman Palestine. Students will examine
the person of Jesus of Nazareth in this historical context, reading
the New Testament in light of critical biblical scholarship. Students
may not retain credit for both RLST 2185 & 2186. (S) (lec 3) cr
3
RLST 2187 E -
The Person of Jesus in the Christian Testament
Examines the life and teaching of Jesus of Nazareth in its literary
context. By studying the earliest Christian writings, students are introduced
to various interpretations of Jesus in light of contemporary scholarship.
Students may not retain credit for both RLST 2185 & 2187. (S) (lec
3) cr 3
RLST 2205 E -
The World’s Living Religions
Examines the history and meaning of the major living religions of the
world, and at the same time attempts to explore the unique contribution
of each to our understanding of religion as a whole. This elective course
is of interest to students in the English Language Bachelor of Education
program and counts toward the 18 required credits in integration courses
for this program.(lec 3) cr 6
RLST 2256 E –
Islam: Origins and Development
This course will examine foundational themes in Islam with special emphasis
on: Muhammed and prophethood; the revelation of the Qur’an; the
development of the major Muslim sects; and ethics. Additionally, the
course will touch upon the variety of religious practice throughout
the Muslim world. (lec 3) cr 3
RLST 2257 E –
Islam in the Modern World
This course will examine the relationship between Islam and the modern
nation-state, the place of Islam in the highly pluralistic societies
of the modern world, as well as the rise of states founded upon Islamic
theology and Law. The course will also examine the “Orientalist
construction” of Islam from the Colonial period to the present,
including matters such as the so-called “Islamic Threat,”
as it has been variously perceived, from the mid-twentieth centure.
(lec 3) cr 3
RLST 2266 E - Death and Immortality in the Religions
of the East
Examines constructions of the problem of death and plans of salvation
in Asian religion, in the traditions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Daoism,
and Confucianism. Topics explored also include disposal of the dead,
the preservation of the body, funerary ritual, death-related art and
architecture, ancestor worship, and the veneration of the "very
special dead."
(S) (lec 3) cr 3
RLST 2267 E -
Death and Immortality in the West
Examines constructions of the problem of death and plans of salvation
in Western civilization in the ancient world, Judaism,
Christianity, Islam, and pre- or non-Christian Europe. Topics explored
also include disposal of the dead, the preservation of the body, funerary
ritual, death-related art and architecture, and the veneration of the
"very special dead." (S) (lec 3) cr 3
RLST 2276 E - Buddhism: The Hinayana Tradition
A study of the origin and development of Hinayana (Theravada) Buddhism
with emphasis on its doctrines, monastic practices and techniques of
meditation. Students may not retain credit for both RLST 2275 &
2276. (S) (lec 3) cr 3
RLST 2277 E -
Buddhism: The Mahayana Tradition
A study of the origin, the major doctrines and assumptions of Mahayana
Buddhism, as well as its development in China and Japan, and its interaction
with the indigenous religions of those countries. Students may not retain
credit for both RLST 2275 & 2277. (S) (lec 3) cr 3
RLST 2285 E -
North American Native People: Tradition and Culture
Develops an appreciation of the Native people’s tradition and
culture. Origin myths, rites and ceremonies, values, customs and life
cycle are examined, as well as certain major themes such as Shamanism,
Power, Renewal, Soul concepts and Animal Beings. Native tradition and
culture are presented as a sacred way of life, and students are introduced
to the special way of thinking, world view and the special relationship
to the earth and to other beings of the Original People of North America.
The course also examines the effects of European contact on Native culture
and contemporary expressions of the old ways. Cross-listed as NATI 2285.
(S) (lec 3) cr 6
RLST 2297 E -
Western Mysticism
An exploration of Western mystical traditions. Topics may include: the
mystic path, the vision of ultimate reality, and the mystic world-view
in the Western traditions. The course also examines some of the problems
and methods involved in the study of mysticism by making a case study
of selected accounts of Western mystical experiences. Students may not
retain credit for both
RLST 2295 & 2297. (S) (lec 3) cr 3
RLST 2345 E(10)
- Bioethics: Human Life Issues
Examines current controversies about the benefits and dangers to human
life arising from recent developments in the biomedical sciences. Special
attention is given to issues in reproductive technologies, genetics,
the care of the terminally ill, AIDS, research with human subjects,
and to questions of abortion and euthanasia. Comprehensive understanding
of the issues at stake and ability to evaluate the positions taken in
these controversies define the aims of the course. Students may not
retain credit for both RLST & PHIL 2345. (S) (lec 3) cr 6
RLST 3106 E -
The Christian Church : Origins and Foundations
Students are introduced to the early Christian community as presented
in the New Testament and other early Christian writings. This course
wil examine the various practices and beliefs of the Church in the early
Centuries C.E. The organizational structure of the Church from this
time period will also be the focus of this course. Students may not
retain credit for both RLST 3105 & 3106. (lec 3) cr 3
RLST 3107 E - The Church and the Modern World
Students explore the historical progress of the Christian Church in
its institutional aspects and self-understanding, the meaning of Church
in the modern world, different models of Church, the relationship of
Church and Churches, the role of the Church(es) in political and social
contexts. Students may not retain credit for both RLST 3105 & 3107.
(lec 3) cr 3
RLST 3136 E -
Wisdom Literature
A study of biblical wisdom literature in its Near Eastern context, the
course examines how the perennial questions of life, death, suffering
and justice were dealt with in biblical times. After a general overview
of wisdom literature, the course concentrates on a specific theme and/or
biblical book for more
intensive study. (S) (lec 3) cr 3
RLST 3137 E -
Apocalyptic and the Book of Revelation
An intensive study of a particular style and type of ancient religious
literature. The study of apocalyptic language and imagery creates a
bridge between the Hebrew and Christian scriptures, sheds light on the
Gospels, and opens up the rich complexity of the Book of Revelation.
(S) (lec 3) cr 3
Rlst
3156 E - Exploring the dead sea scrolls
Students
will acquire an understanding of the content, history and community
who produced the Dead Sea Scrolls. Attention will be given to biblical
interpretation at Qumran and the implications these texts have for our
knowledge of the Hebrew Bible. This course will also verify if any correlation
between the Scrolls and Early Christian texts and practices can be established.
(S) (lec 3) cr 3
Rlst
3157 E - secret gospels: The hidden life and teachings of jesus
In
this course we will evaluate the historical value of what some have
called the Secret Gospels, such as for example, the Gospel of Thomas,
the Gospel of Judas, and the Gospel of Mary. Students
will learn about the literary genre, the content, and the reception
of these texts in Early Christianity. An introductory presentation of
Gnosticism will also be given, since it is the underlying ideology of
most of the Secret Gospels. The course will also enable students to
engage in the interpretation of these enigmatic texts. (S) (lec 3) cr
3
RLST 3235 E(10)
- Judaism
A study of Judaism from ancient Palestine to modern Israel. The course
looks at the beliefs and practices of Judaism in its historical context,
particularly in the Western world. Topics may include: rabbinic Judaism,
Jewish spirituality and the diversity of modern Judaism. Students may
not retain credit for both SREL 3236 or RLST 3230 & RLST 3235. (S)
(lec 3) cr 6
RLST 3276 E -
Hinduism: Origins and Development
A study of the origins and development of Hinduism in its major historical
forms. Relevant sections of sacred texts as well as writings from selected
classical and medieval thinkers are studied with reference to foundational
themes. Included in these themes are world-views and sacrifice, gods,
goddesses and God, the law of Karma and rebirth, duty and destiny, the
paths to liberation and the caste system as the custodian of Hindu manners
and customs. Students may not retain credit for both RLST 3275 &
3276. (S) (lec 3) cr 3
RLST 3277 E -
Hinduism: Modern Interpreters and Modern Movements
A study of modern interpretations of Hinduism by prominent thinkers such as Mahatma Gandhi, Sri Aurobindo and Radhakrishnan. Special attention is given to a critical study of historical movements and Hindu religious nationalism as responses to Western religious and political influences and as measures for the reformation and
stabilization of Hinduism. Students may not retain credit for both RLST
3275 & 3277. (S) (lec 3) cr 3
RLST
3366 E - Religion and the future of humanity
Being primarily influenced by Western culture, we need to examine the ideas that conditioned the West to better understand the future of our society. There was a time when philosophy and religion had an important role in the construction of civilization. How is this being questioned today? This course will aim at understanding Western civilisation in its various historical stages (Roman Era, Middle ages, Renaissance, Reformation and Counter-Reformation, etc.) through religion, philosophy, art, literature, music and science. Students cannot retain credit for both RLST 3365 and RLST 3366. cr 3
RLST 3366
E(10) - Religion and the Future of humanity
This course is
a survey of the relationship between religion, development, and peace.The
course will explore international relations between the North and South
and the West and non-West through the lens of sampling of the world's
religions understanding of development, peace, justice and the hope
for a human future. Through the analysis of the religious and ethical
dimensions of global inequality and globalization, students will gain
a clearer understanding of the role religion plays in envisioning and
bringing forth a just world. Students cannot retain credit for both
RLST 3365 and RLST 3366. cr 3
RLST 3396 E - Interfaith Dialogue: The History
A study of various significant moments in the encounter between religions. The course examines the contributions of religious figures such as Francis of Assisi, Matteo Ricci, Ramakrishna and Mohandas K. Gandhi to historic breakthroughs in the ways religions relate to one another. It familiarizes the student with the history of different positions taken on the question of dialogue by the world's major religions. Students may not retain credit for both RLST 3395 & 3396. cr 3
RLST 3397 E - Interfaith Dialogue: Present-day Issues and Methods
Examines the question of loyalty to one's own religion and also the question of openness to other religions. The course examines a number of contemporary figures, such as the Dalai Lama, Julia Ching, Raimon Panikkar, Diana Eck and Elaine MacInnes, who have contributed to inter-faith dialogue. It draws implications from their experiences for approaches to inter-faith encouter. The course aims to enable the student to formulate attitudes appropriate to inter-faith encounter. Students may not retain credit for both RLST 3395 & 3397. cr 3
RLST 4116 E - Biblical Studies I: Interpretive Methods
Examines various methods of interpretation of the Bible, from literal and allegorical interpretations, through the historical-critical method to more recent forms of criticism, such as reader-response, canonical and feminist criticism. Appropriate texts are utilized to illustrate these methods. Students may not retain credit for both RLST 4115 & 4116. (sem/tut 3) cr 3
RLST
4117 E - Biblical Studies II: Reading the Text
A particular biblical book or theme is studied, by the application of specific critical interpretive methods to the biblical text. Students may not retain credit for both RLST 4115 & 4117. (sem/tut 3) cr 3
RLST 4225 E - Special Readings in Religions of the World
A study of selected themes in the religions of the world. Includes a consideration of the human predicament, the nature of the universe, and the quest for ultimate liberation. (lec 3) cr 6
RLST 4365 E - Problems in the Study of Religion
Concentrates exclusively on the methodological questions (exegetical, hermeneutical and phenomenological) raised by the study of religion in an academic context. (lec 3) cr 6