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Religious Studies (120 credits)

Offered by: Religious Studies     Degree: Bachelor of Theology

Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) degree requires 120 credits. Many students enter the program with advanced standing, and their credit requirement for the degree is adjusted accordingly.

All students must discuss their course selection with their program adviser.

The required and complementary course requirements below describe the program for students who enter in Year 1 (U1) with 30 credits of advanced standing based on a Quebec Diploma of Collegial Studies (DEC).

Students admitted directly from high school into U0 must consult their program adviser regarding appropriate courses for their first year of study.

Students admitted on the basis of a bachelor degree will have advanced standing and should consult their program adviser to determine any course equivalencies completed during their first degree and how these affect their program requirements for the Bachelor of Theology. Normally, these students start in Year 2 (U2) and follow the requirements below starting with Year 2.

The normal course load in the degree for full-time students is 15 credits per term, five 3-credit courses.

By permission of the Dean and the Chair of the B.Th. Committee, students may also enrol for courses at any university in the province of Quebec. For further information, see "Quebec Inter-University Transfer Agreement: McGill Students" in the "University Regulations and Resources" section under "Registration."

Professional and vocational courses (e.g., leading to ordination) are available through the In-Ministry Year (Master of Divinity (M.Div.)) upon the completion of the B.Th. degree.

Required Courses (54 credits)

  • RELG 203 Bible and Western Culture (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : To provide students of the humanities with knowledge of the Bible as a tool for interpreting religious references in Western literature, art and music. Biblical stories (e.g. Creation, Exodus), key figures (e.g. David, Job, Mary), and common motifs (e.g. Holy City, Pilgrimage, Bride) are explored, then illustrated by later cultural forms.

    Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016, Summer 2016

    Instructors: Keiser, Jeffrey (Fall) Keiser, Jeffrey (Winter) Keiser, Jeffrey; Ricker, Aaron (Summer)

    • Fall and Winter

  • RELG 204 Judaism, Christianity and Islam (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : An introduction to the beliefs, practices, and religious institutions of these three world religions.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Henderson, Ian H; Waind, Jonathan; Fakhoury, Hadi (Winter)

    • Winter

  • RELG 207 The Study of World Religions 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : An introduction to the study of Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Primal Religions.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Fakhoury, Hadi; Waind, Jonathan; Stenzel, Julia (Winter)

    • Winter

  • RELG 210 Jesus of Nazareth (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : A critical study of selected ancient and modern accounts of the aims and person of Jesus. Attention will be given also to the question of the historical sources and to the relationship between faith and history.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Henderson, Ian H (Fall)

    • Fall, Winter and Summer

  • RELG 302 Literature of Ancient Israel 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : An introduction to the literature of Ancient Israel in English translation. Reading and interpreting representative selections.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Kirkpatrick, Patricia (Fall)

    • Fall

  • RELG 303 Literature of Ancient Israel 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : Approaches to historical-critical scholarship and to the historical background of the Old Testament. Part of the course will be an examination of methods of biblical analysis through the use of learning cells.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Oegema, Gerbern (Winter)

    • Winter

  • RELG 311 New Testament Studies 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : An introduction to the interpretation of the New Testament.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Tappenden, Frederick (Fall)

    • Fall

  • RELG 312 New Testament Studies 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : An introduction to the critical study of the Gospels.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Tappenden, Frederick (Winter)

    • Winter

  • RELG 321 Western Intellectual Tradition (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : Introduces essential sources in western philosophy and theology; examines the interdependence of these disciplines in their historical development; exposes students to the means and methods of argumentation that will allow them to compare and contrast these sources, and to develop and defend their own positions with respect to them.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Green, Garth (Fall)

    • Prerequisite: U0 students must obtain permission from instructor

  • RELG 322 The Church in History 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : A survey of major developments in the history of Christianity from the end of the apostolic age to 1500. Selected readings from primary and secondary sources will be used.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Kirby, W J Torrance (Fall)

    • Fall

    • **Due to the intensive nature of this course, the standard add/drop and withdrawal deadlines do not apply. Add/drop is the second lecture day and withdrawal is the fourth lecture day.

  • RELG 323 The Church in History 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : Significant events and persons in the history of western Christianity from 1500 - 1948 will be studied. Attention is focused on mainline denominations in Britain and continental Europe.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Milner, Matthew (Winter)

    • Winter

  • RELG 333 Principles of Christian Theology 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : An introduction to the central categories of Christian theology. The course will include discussion of the nature of theology, and of all the primary areas of doctrine (Theology, Christology, Pneumatology, Anthropology, Ecclesiology, Eschatology). Throughout, a conscious attempt will be made to reflect on the Christian faith in the light of the contemporary apologetic situation.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Richardson-Bryson, Peter (Winter)

    • Winter

  • RELG 334 Christian Thought and Culture (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : Explores the Christian narrative and theological worldview, in relation to western religion, ethics, philosophy, science, and culture, with reference to both primary and secondary literature.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Farrow, Douglas B (Winter)

    • Winter and Summer

    • Prerequisite: One prior course in Christianity, or History of Western Thought or by permission of the instructor.

  • RELG 341 Introduction: Philosophy of Religion (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : Introduction to the subject. Faith and reason, theistic arguments, values and destiny, the problem of evil, religious language.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Green, Garth (Fall)

    • Fall

  • RELG 420 Canadian Church History (3 credits) *

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : A survey of the major Christian traditions in Canada from the settlement of New France to the present. Lectures and seminars with use, where possible, of primary source materials.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Marr, Lucille (Winter)

  • RELG 434 Principles of Christian Theology 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : This course is a continuation of RELG 333.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Richardson-Bryson, Peter (Fall)

  • RELG 470 Theological Ethics (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : Examines ancient and modern sources of Christian moral thought against a backdrop of contemporary alternatives.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Farrow, Douglas B (Fall)

    • Fall

    • Prerequisites: One course in theology or Christian thought and one course in philosophy or ethics.

  • RELG 479 Christianity in Global Perspective (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : Examines varied expressions of Christianity as a global religion with a particular focus on Asia, Africa and Latin America from the 18th century to the present.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: De Vries, Roland James; Nelson, Samuel (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Prerequisite: A 300 level course in Christianity or permission of the Instructor.

* RELG 420 may be replaced with another 3-credit course if recommended by the program adviser.

Complementary Courses (66 credits)

3 credits in History and Classical Studies at the 200 or 300 level.

3 credits in Catholic Studies, Jewish Studies. or Islamic Studies at the 200 or 300 level.

0-6 credits in languages (ancient or modern) at the 100 level (if necessary).

6 credits of literature (other than biblical), Art History, or Music at the 200 or 300 level.

Note: All courses at the 100 and 300 level require Faculty approval.

3 credits from:

  • PHIL 200 Introduction to Philosophy 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Philosophy (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Philosophy : A course treating some of the central problems of philosophy: the mind-body problem, freedom, scepticism and certainty, fate, time, and the existence of God.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Magal, Oran (Fall)

    • Philosophy students may use either PHIL 200 or PHIL 201 towards their program requirements, but not both. Students may, however, take both for credit (using the second as an elective), as the content in PHIL 201 does not overlap with PHIL 200

  • PHIL 201 Introduction to Philosophy 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Philosophy (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Philosophy : An introduction to some of the major problems of philosophy. This course does not duplicate PHIL 200.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Carson, Emily J (Winter)

    • Philosophy students may use either PHIL 200 or PHIL 201 towards their program requirements, but not both. Students may, however, take both for credit (using the second as an elective), as the content in PHIL 201 does not overlap with PHIL 200

3 credits selected from the following list (or another approved course in ethics):

  • PHIL 230 Introduction to Moral Philosophy 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Philosophy (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Philosophy : A survey of a number of historically important and influential theories. Philosophers to be discussed may include Aristotle, Hume, Kant, Bentham, Mill, and Moore.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Van Weelden, Joseph (Fall)

  • PHIL 240 Political Philosophy 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Philosophy (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Philosophy : An introduction to contemporary philosophy of politics by concentrating on a number of contested concepts, such as freedom, justice and equality, in contemporary political philosophy and practice.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Martin, Dominic (Fall)

  • RELG 371 Ethics of Violence/Non-Violence (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : Forms of violence and the reaction of religious groups are assessed both for their effectiveness and for their fidelity to their professed beliefs. Different traditions, ranging from the wholesale adoption of violent methods (e.g., the Crusades) to repudiation (e.g., Gandhi; the Peace Churches).

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Summer

  • RELG 376 Religious Ethics (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : A discussion of ethical theory will provide the background for an analysis of the relationship between religious world views and moral reason. Attention will be given to the way in which the dominant religious traditions view the exemplars of religious virtue, and to how the virtues exemplified are related to and justified by the faith tradition in which they operate.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

3 credits selected from the following list (or 3 credits in Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, or Philosophy and Western Religions):

  • RELG 331 Religion and Globalization (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : An exploration of the distinctive ways in which the world's religions are shaping and are shaped by the dynamics of globalization. It examines the multiple intersections of religion and globalization through a variety of themes and case studies in human rights, development, education, ecology, gender, and conflict

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Waind, Jonathan; Nelson, Samuel (Fall)

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken RELG 319 when topic was "Religion and Globalization"

  • RELG 375 Religion, Politics and Society (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : A study of contemporary religious traditions in the light of debates regarding secularization, the relation of religion and politics, and the interaction of religion with major social institutions.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Nelson, Samuel (Fall)

    • Fall

    • Restriction: U2 and U3 students

15-21 credits to be determined in consultation with the B.Th. program adviser.

12 credits to be chosen from among the 300- or 400-level courses offered in the B.Th. or B.A. Religious Studies programs in consultation with the B.Th. program adviser, of which 6 credits may be chosen from the following:

3 credits in a religious tradition* other than Christianity, such as:

  • ISLA 380 Islamic Philosophy and Theology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : A survey of the most important philosophers and theologians in Islamic intellectual history, with a focus on the theories they articulated and the movements they engendered. The impact of European thought on 19th and 20th century Islamic intellectual history is also examined.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Wisnovsky, Robert (Fall)

    • Prerequisite: ISLA 200 or permission of instructor.

    • Note: Reading and discussion in English.

  • RELG 252 Hinduism and Buddhism (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : The interaction of Hinduism and Buddhism in India with special reference to the law of Karma, caste, women, ritual, death, yoga, and liberation. Determination of interpretative principles for understanding the religious psychology of Hindus and Buddhists.

    Terms: Fall 2015, Summer 2016

    Instructors: Braitstein, Lara E; Pinkney, Andrea Marion (Fall) Kachroo, Meera Jo; Troughton, Thomas (Summer)

    • Fall

  • RELG 253 Religions of East Asia (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : Harmony with nature, society, and cosmos to be explored through the religions of the Far East (Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and Shinto).

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Blake, Lisa; Li, Jingjing (Winter)

    • Winter

  • RELG 352 Japanese Religions (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : A study of early Shinto mythology, Shinto-Buddhist syncretism, Neo-Confucianism and its influence upon the resurgence of Shinto during the Tokugawa period, folk religion and the New Religions.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Fall

    • Prerequisite: RELG 253 or permission of instructor

  • RELG 354 Chinese Religions (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : This course studies the Confucian classics, philosophical and religious Taoism, and Neo-Confucianism and also examines the syncresis between the Chinese religions and Indian Buddhism.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Liu, Cuilan (Winter)

    • Fall

*Students who have previously completed a university-level course in world religions may replace this with 3 credits of complementary courses.

Old Testament

3 credits from:

  • RELG 407 The Writings (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : A study of Job with some attention to Proverbs and Ecclesiastes (in English translation).

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

  • RELG 408 The Prophets (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : A study of significant texts selected from the prophetic tradition in the Old Testament.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Oegema, Gerbern (Fall)

New Testament

3 credits from:

Christian Theology

3 credits from:

  • RELG 330 Reformed Theology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : Selected topics illustrating the Reformers' theological agenda, with special reference to Luther, Zwingli and Calvin.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Winter

  • RELG 336 Contemporary Theological Issues (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : A study of contemporary theological issues. Topic varies by year.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Richardson-Bryson, Peter (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Prerequisite: 3 credits in Christianity or permission of instructor

  • RELG 399 Christian Spirituality (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : Seminar exploring the phenomena of internal religious experience in their relation to received formularies of Christian thought and practice.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Summer

  • RELG 423 Reformation Thought (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : An examination of issues and persons in Europe and the British Isles that contributed to ecclesiastical and social change during the 16th and early 17th centuries.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

Faculty of Religious Studies—2015-2016 (last updated Aug. 20, 2015) (disclaimer)
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