College of the Humanities
(Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences)
613-520-2100
http://carleton.ca/chum/religion
This section presents the requirements for programs in:
- Religion B.A. Honours
- Religion B.A. Combined Honours
- Religion B.A.
- Specialization in Global Religions: Identity and Community B.G.In.S. Honours
- Stream in Global Religions: Identity and Community B.G.In.S.
- Minor in Religion
- Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Religion
Program Requirements
Religion
B.A. Honours (20.0 credits)
A. Credits Included in the Major CGPA (8.0 credits) | ||
1. 1.0 credit in Foundations | 1.0 | |
RELI 1710 [0.5] | Judaism, Christianity, Islam | |
RELI 1712 [0.5] | Religions of South and East Asia | |
2. 0.5 credit from Traditions and Contexts: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam | 0.5 | |
RELI 2110 [0.5] | Judaism | |
RELI 2200 [0.5] | Christianity | |
RELI 2310 [0.5] | Islam | |
3. 0.5 credit from Traditions and Contexts: Hinduism, Buddhism, Religions of China | 0.5 | |
RELI 2410 [0.5] | Buddhism | |
RELI 2510 [0.5] | Hinduism | |
RELI 2600 [0.5] | Religions of China | |
4. 0.5 credit from Indigenous Traditions | 0.5 | |
RELI 2800 [0.5] | Indigenous Traditions | |
5. 1.0 credit from Comparative and Global Themes | 1.0 | |
RELI 1731 [0.5] | Religion and Culture | |
RELI 1741 [0.5] | Global Religions: Identity and Community | |
RELI 2230 [0.5] | Global Christianity | |
RELI 2535 [0.5] | Religion and Gender | |
RELI 2711 [0.5] | Love and Its Myths | |
RELI 2712 [0.5] | Religious Diversity of Canada | |
RELI 2713 [0.5] | Mystical and Contemplative Traditions | |
RELI 2732 [0.5] | Death and Afterlife | |
RELI 2736 [0.5] | Religion and Society | |
RELI 2738 [0.5] | Philosophy of Religion | |
RELI 2810 [0.5] | Special Topics in Religion and Popular Culture | |
RELI 2811 [0.5] | Religions and the Environment | |
RELI 3000 [0.5] | Religion and Public Life | |
RELI 3101 [0.5] | Special Topics in Religions and the Body | |
RELI 3301 [0.5] | Music and Religion | |
RELI 3722 [0.5] | Religion and Violence | |
6. 1.5 credits in Disciplinary Core Courses | 1.5 | |
RELI 2741 [0.5] | Big Questions in Religious Studies | |
RELI 3741 [0.5] | Classical Approaches to Religion | |
RELI 4741 [0.5] | Contemporary Issues in the Study of Religion | |
7. 0.5 credit in RELI at the 2000 level or above (excluding RELI 2741) | 0.5 | |
8. 1.0 credit in RELI at the 3000 level (excluding RELI 3741) | 1.0 | |
9. 1.5 credits in RELI at the 4000 level (excluding RELI 4741) | 1.5 | |
B. Credits Not Included in the Major CGPA (12.0 credits) | ||
10. 8.0 credits in electives not in RELI | 8.0 | |
11. 4.0 credits in free electives (can be in RELI) | 4.0 | |
Total Credits | 20.0 |
Religion
B.A. Combined Honours (20.0 credits)
A. Credits Included in the Religion Major CGPA (6.0 credits) | ||
1. 1.0 credit in Foundations | 1.0 | |
RELI 1710 [0.5] | Judaism, Christianity, Islam | |
RELI 1712 [0.5] | Religions of South and East Asia | |
2. 0.5 credit from Traditions and Contexts: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam | 0.5 | |
RELI 2110 [0.5] | Judaism | |
RELI 2200 [0.5] | Christianity | |
RELI 2310 [0.5] | Islam | |
3. 0.5 credit from Traditions and Contexts: Hinduism, Buddhism, Religions of China | 0.5 | |
RELI 2410 [0.5] | Buddhism | |
RELI 2510 [0.5] | Hinduism | |
RELI 2600 [0.5] | Religions of China | |
4. 0.5 credit from Indigenous Traditions | 0.5 | |
RELI 2800 [0.5] | Indigenous Traditions | |
5. 1.0 credit from Comparative and Global Themes | 1.0 | |
RELI 1731 [0.5] | Religion and Culture | |
RELI 1741 [0.5] | Global Religions: Identity and Community | |
RELI 2230 [0.5] | Global Christianity | |
RELI 2535 [0.5] | Religion and Gender | |
RELI 2711 [0.5] | Love and Its Myths | |
RELI 2712 [0.5] | Religious Diversity of Canada | |
RELI 2713 [0.5] | Mystical and Contemplative Traditions | |
RELI 2732 [0.5] | Death and Afterlife | |
RELI 2736 [0.5] | Religion and Society | |
RELI 2738 [0.5] | Philosophy of Religion | |
RELI 2810 [0.5] | Special Topics in Religion and Popular Culture | |
RELI 2811 [0.5] | Religions and the Environment | |
RELI 3000 [0.5] | Religion and Public Life | |
RELI 3101 [0.5] | Special Topics in Religions and the Body | |
RELI 3301 [0.5] | Music and Religion | |
RELI 3722 [0.5] | Religion and Violence | |
6. 1.5 credits in Disciplinary Core Courses | 1.5 | |
RELI 2741 [0.5] | Big Questions in Religious Studies | |
RELI 3741 [0.5] | Classical Approaches to Religion | |
RELI 4741 [0.5] | Contemporary Issues in the Study of Religion | |
7. 1.0 credit in RELI at the 4000 level (excluding RELI 4741) | 1.0 | |
B. Additional Requirements (14.0 credits) | 14.0 | |
8. The requirements from the other discipline must be satisfied | ||
9. Sufficient free electives to make 20.0 credits for the degree | ||
Total Credits | 20.0 |
Religion
B.A. (15.0 credits)
A. Credits Included in the Major CGPA (6.0 credits) | ||
1. 1.0 credit in Foundations | 1.0 | |
RELI 1710 [0.5] | Judaism, Christianity, Islam | |
RELI 1712 [0.5] | Religions of South and East Asia | |
2. 0.5 credit from Traditions and Contexts: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam | 0.5 | |
RELI 2110 [0.5] | Judaism | |
RELI 2200 [0.5] | Christianity | |
RELI 2310 [0.5] | Islam | |
3. 0.5 credit from Traditions and Contexts: Hinduism, Buddhism, Religions of China | 0.5 | |
RELI 2410 [0.5] | Buddhism | |
RELI 2510 [0.5] | Hinduism | |
RELI 2600 [0.5] | Religions of China | |
4. 0.5 credit from Indigenous Traditions | 0.5 | |
RELI 2800 [0.5] | Indigenous Traditions | |
5. 1.5 credits from Comparative and Global Themes | 1.5 | |
RELI 1731 [0.5] | Religion and Culture | |
RELI 2535 [0.5] | Religion and Gender | |
RELI 2711 [0.5] | Love and Its Myths | |
RELI 2712 [0.5] | Religious Diversity of Canada | |
RELI 2713 [0.5] | Mystical and Contemplative Traditions | |
RELI 2732 [0.5] | Death and Afterlife | |
RELI 2736 [0.5] | Religion and Society | |
RELI 2810 [0.5] | Special Topics in Religion and Popular Culture | |
RELI 2811 [0.5] | Religions and the Environment | |
RELI 3000 [0.5] | Religion and Public Life | |
RELI 3101 [0.5] | Special Topics in Religions and the Body | |
RELI 3722 [0.5] | Religion and Violence | |
6. 1.0 credit in Disciplinary Core Courses | 1.0 | |
RELI 2741 [0.5] | Big Questions in Religious Studies | |
RELI 3741 [0.5] | Classical Approaches to Religion | |
7. 1.0 credit in RELI at the 2000-level or above | 1.0 | |
B. Credits Not Included in the Major CGPA (9.0 credits) | ||
8. 6.0 credits not in RELI | 6.0 | |
9. 3.0 credits in free electives (can be in RELI) | 3.0 | |
Total Credits | 15.0 |
Specialization in Global Religions: Identity and Community
B.G.In.S. Honours (20.0 credits)
A. Credits Included in the Major CGPA (12.0 credits) | ||
1. 4.5 credits in Core Courses | 4.5 | |
GINS 1000 [0.5] | Global History | |
GINS 1010 [0.5] | International Law and Politics | |
GINS 1020 [0.5] | Ethnography, Globalization and Culture | |
GINS 2000 [0.5] | Ethics and Globalization | |
GINS 2010 [0.5] | Globalization and International Economic Issues | |
GINS 2020 [0.5] | Global Literatures | |
GINS 3010 [0.5] | Global and International Theory | |
GINS 3020 [0.5] | Places, Boundaries, Movements and Global Environmental Change | |
GINS 4090 [0.5] | Honours Seminar in Global and International Studies | |
2. 0.0 credit in: | ||
GINS 1300 [0.0] | International Experience Requirement Preparation | |
3. 7.5 credits in: the Specialization | 7.5 | |
a. 1.5 credits in Global Religious Studies Core | ||
RELI 1741 [0.5] | Global Religions: Identity and Community | |
RELI 2741 [0.5] | Big Questions in Religious Studies | |
RELI 3741 [0.5] | Classical Approaches to Religion | |
b. 1.0 credit from Foundations in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (no more than 0.5 credit at the 1000 level) | ||
RELI 1710 [0.5] | Judaism, Christianity, Islam | |
RELI 2110 [0.5] | Judaism | |
RELI 2121 [0.5] | Hebrew Bible | |
RELI 2200 [0.5] | Christianity | |
RELI 2220 [0.5] | Early Christianity | |
RELI 2230 [0.5] | Global Christianity | |
RELI 2310 [0.5] | Islam | |
RELI 2330 [0.5] | The Qur’an | |
RELI 2735 [0.5] | Greek Religion | |
RELI 2737 [0.5] | Roman Religion | |
c. 1.0 credit from Foundations in Asian or Indigenous Religions (no more than 0.5 credit at the 1000 level) | ||
RELI 1712 [0.5] | Religions of South and East Asia | |
RELI 2410 [0.5] | Buddhism | |
RELI 2510 [0.5] | Hinduism | |
RELI 2720 [0.5] | Indigenous Religions of Canada | |
RELI 2750 [0.5] | Sikhism | |
RELI 2800 [0.5] | Indigenous Traditions | |
d. 1.0 credit in Advanced Traditions and Contexts | ||
RELI 3140 [0.5] | The Holocaust: Historical and Religious Dimensions | |
RELI 3220 [0.5] | Reformation Europe | |
RELI 3230 [0.5] | Jesus of Nazareth | |
RELI 3231 [0.5] | Paul of Tarsus | |
RELI 3232 [0.5] | Christian Discipline | |
RELI 3250 [0.5] | Evangelical Christianity in Social-Historical Perspective | |
RELI 3330 [0.5] | Sufism | |
RELI 3340 [0.5] | The Life and Image of Muhammad | |
RELI 3420 [0.5] | Early Buddhism | |
RELI 3422 [0.5] | Buddhism Beyond India | |
RELI 3520 [0.5] | Early Hinduism | |
RELI 3522 [0.5] | Modern Hinduism | |
RELI 3732 [0.5] | Studies in Greek Art | |
RELI 3733 [0.5] | Studies in Roman Art | |
e. 1.5 credits from Comparative and Global Religion (at least 0.5 credit at the third-year level) | ||
RELI 2535 [0.5] | Religion and Gender | |
RELI 2711 [0.5] | Love and Its Myths | |
RELI 2712 [0.5] | Religious Diversity of Canada | |
RELI 2713 [0.5] | Mystical and Contemplative Traditions | |
RELI 2732 [0.5] | Death and Afterlife | |
RELI 2736 [0.5] | Religion and Society | |
RELI 2810 [0.5] | Special Topics in Religion and Popular Culture | |
RELI 2811 [0.5] | Religions and the Environment | |
RELI 2840 [0.5] | Topics in Religion | |
RELI 3000 [0.5] | Religion and Public Life | |
RELI 3101 [0.5] | Special Topics in Religions and the Body | |
RELI 3722 [0.5] | Religion and Violence | |
RELI 3840 [0.5] | Topics in Religion | |
RELI 3850 [0.5] | Topics in the Study of Religion Abroad | |
f. 1.5 credits from Honours Seminars and Honours Research Essay: | ||
RELI 4741 [0.5] | Contemporary Issues in the Study of Religion | |
and | ||
1.0 credit in RELI at the 4000 level | ||
B. Credits Not Included in the Major CGPA (8.0 credits) | ||
4. 8.0 credits in free electives | 8.0 | |
C. Additional Requirements | ||
5. The International Experience requirement must be met. | ||
6. The Language requirement must be met. | ||
Total Credits | 20.0 |
Stream in Global Religions: Identity and Community
B.G.In.S. (15.0 credits)
A. Credits Included in the Major CGPA (8.0 credits) | ||
1. 4.0 credits in: Core Courses | 4.0 | |
GINS 1000 [0.5] | Global History | |
GINS 1010 [0.5] | International Law and Politics | |
GINS 1020 [0.5] | Ethnography, Globalization and Culture | |
GINS 2000 [0.5] | Ethics and Globalization | |
GINS 2010 [0.5] | Globalization and International Economic Issues | |
GINS 2020 [0.5] | Global Literatures | |
GINS 3010 [0.5] | Global and International Theory | |
GINS 3020 [0.5] | Places, Boundaries, Movements and Global Environmental Change | |
2. 4.0 credits from: the Stream | 4.0 | |
a. Global Religious Studies Core | ||
RELI 1741 [0.5] | Global Religions: Identity and Community | |
RELI 2741 [0.5] | Big Questions in Religious Studies | |
RELI 3741 [0.5] | Classical Approaches to Religion | |
b. Foundations in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam | ||
RELI 1710 [0.5] | Judaism, Christianity, Islam | |
RELI 2110 [0.5] | Judaism | |
RELI 2121 [0.5] | Hebrew Bible | |
RELI 2200 [0.5] | Christianity | |
RELI 2220 [0.5] | Early Christianity | |
RELI 2230 [0.5] | Global Christianity | |
RELI 2310 [0.5] | Islam | |
RELI 2330 [0.5] | The Qur’an | |
RELI 2735 [0.5] | Greek Religion | |
RELI 2737 [0.5] | Roman Religion | |
c. Foundations in Asian or Indigenous Religions | ||
RELI 1712 [0.5] | Religions of South and East Asia | |
RELI 2410 [0.5] | Buddhism | |
RELI 2510 [0.5] | Hinduism | |
RELI 2515 [0.5] | Religion and Aesthetics in India | |
RELI 2750 [0.5] | Sikhism | |
RELI 2720 [0.5] | Indigenous Religions of Canada | |
RELI 2800 [0.5] | Indigenous Traditions | |
d. Advanced Traditions and Contexts | ||
RELI 3101 [0.5] | Special Topics in Religions and the Body | |
RELI 3140 [0.5] | The Holocaust: Historical and Religious Dimensions | |
RELI 3220 [0.5] | Reformation Europe | |
RELI 3230 [0.5] | Jesus of Nazareth | |
RELI 3231 [0.5] | Paul of Tarsus | |
RELI 3232 [0.5] | Christian Discipline | |
RELI 3250 [0.5] | Evangelical Christianity in Social-Historical Perspective | |
RELI 3330 [0.5] | Sufism | |
RELI 3340 [0.5] | The Life and Image of Muhammad | |
RELI 3360 [0.5] | Special Topics in Islamic Texts & Narratives | |
RELI 3420 [0.5] | Early Buddhism | |
RELI 3422 [0.5] | Buddhism Beyond India | |
RELI 3520 [0.5] | Early Hinduism | |
RELI 3522 [0.5] | Modern Hinduism | |
RELI 3732 [0.5] | Studies in Greek Art | |
RELI 3733 [0.5] | Studies in Roman Art | |
e. Comparative and Global Religion | ||
RELI 2535 [0.5] | Religion and Gender | |
RELI 2711 [0.5] | Love and Its Myths | |
RELI 2712 [0.5] | Religious Diversity of Canada | |
RELI 2713 [0.5] | Mystical and Contemplative Traditions | |
RELI 2732 [0.5] | Death and Afterlife | |
RELI 2736 [0.5] | Religion and Society | |
RELI 2738 [0.5] | Philosophy of Religion | |
RELI 2840 [0.5] | Topics in Religion | |
RELI 3722 [0.5] | Religion and Violence | |
RELI 3840 [0.5] | Topics in Religion | |
RELI 3850 [0.5] | Topics in the Study of Religion Abroad | |
B. Credits Not Included in the Major CGPA (7.0 credits) | ||
3. 7.0 credits in free electives | 7.0 | |
C. Additional Requirements | ||
4. The Language requirement must be met. | ||
Total Credits | 15.0 |
Minor in Religion (4.0 credits)
Open to all undergraduate degree students not in Religion programs.
Students are required to present a Minor CGPA of 4.00 or higher at graduation in order to be awarded a Minor in Religion.
Requirements | ||
1. 1.0 credit in RELI at the 1000-level or higher | 1.0 | |
2. 1.0 credit in RELI at the 2000-level or higher | 1.0 | |
3. 1.0 credit in RELI at the 3000-level or higher | 1.0 | |
4. 1.0 credit in RELI | 1.0 | |
5. The remaining requirements of the major discipline(s) and degree must be satisfied. | ||
Total Credits | 4.0 |
Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Religion (4.0 credits)
Admission to this program requires the permission of the Religion program. Normally, students would be required to have completed an undergraduate degree with a minimum B average or higher to be admitted. Applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
1. 1.0 credit in Theory | 1.0 | |
RELI 3741 [0.5] | Classical Approaches to Religion | |
RELI 4741 [0.5] | Contemporary Issues in the Study of Religion | |
2. 1.0 credit in Traditions and Contexts | ||
a. 0.5 credit in: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam | 0.5 | |
RELI 2110 [0.5] | Judaism | |
RELI 2200 [0.5] | Christianity | |
RELI 2310 [0.5] | Islam | |
b. 0.5 credit in: Indigenous Religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Religions of China | 0.5 | |
RELI 2410 [0.5] | Buddhism | |
RELI 2510 [0.5] | Hinduism | |
RELI 2600 [0.5] | Religions of China | |
RELI 2800 [0.5] | Indigenous Traditions | |
4. 1.0 credit in RELI at the 3000-level or above | 1.0 | |
5. 1.0 credit in RELI at the 4000-level | 1.0 | |
Total Credits | 4.0 |
Requests for alternative course choices may be granted at the discretion of the Religion Undergraduate Supervisor. In addition, 0.5 credit of coursework may be taken outside the department, with the approval of the Religion Undergraduate Supervisor.
Religion (RELI) Courses
Language courses RELI 1010 [1.0] Elementary Language Tutorial, RELI 2010 [1.0] Intermediate Language Tutorial and RELI 3010 [1.0] Advanced Language Tutorial are intended for students specializing in a particular religious tradition. They are offered according to the availability of members of the Discipline. Courses taken at the 2000-level or above will be mainly independent study under the supervision of a member of the Discipline. Students interested in taking these courses should consult the Co-ordinator.
Elementary Language Tutorial
Elementary study of the language required for studying a religious tradition.
Prerequisite(s): Major/Minor in Religion or permission of the department.
Tutorial two hours a week.
Judaism, Christianity, Islam
A survey of the history, beliefs and practices of these major religious traditions.
Precludes additional credit for RELI 1000.
Lecture three hours a week.
Religions of South and East Asia
A survey of the history, beliefs, and practices of South and East Asian religious traditions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Daoism, Confucianism, and Shinto.
Lecture three hours per week.
Religion and Culture
Interpreting how religion is represented and expressed by great works of literature, film, art, music, and popular culture. Topics include myth and ritual, community and identity, body and sexuality, sacred space, creativity and imagination.
Prerequisite(s): restricted to students registered in the Bachelor of Humanities & Religion programs.
Lecture three hours a week.
Global Religions: Identity and Community
An introduction to major issues in the study of religion in global contexts, drawing on historical and contemporary examples.
Intermediate Language Tutorial
Intermediate study of the language required for studying a religious tradition. Restricted to students registered in a Religion program.
Prerequisite(s): RELI 1902 or RELI 1010 or permission of the department.
Tutorial two hours a week.
Judaism
The history of Judaism and the Jewish people from the Second Temple until the present day. The organization, basic beliefs, social and ethical practices of the Jews and Judaism.
Lecture three hours a week.
Hebrew Bible
Introduces the Hebrew Bible within historical and religious frameworks. All texts are in English.
Prerequisite(s): RELI 1710 or RELI 1000 or RELI 2110 or RELI 2508 or permission of the department.
Lecture three hours a week.
Christianity
An introduction to the history, beliefs, traditions, practices, and diversity of Christianity from its beginnings to the present day.
Early Christianity
Introduction to the critical study of the writings of the New Testament with discussion of their Hellenistic and Jewish background, the historical Jesus, Paul and his letters, and historical and sociological explanations for the rise of the early church and interpretation of its writings.
Lecture three hours a week.
Global Christianity
Survey of recent and current Christian movements around the world, both by region and thematically, with emphasis on institutions and networks that connect Christian communities across national boundaries. Special consideration is given to the cultural and political capacities of such Christian communities and networks.
Islam
The study of Muslim religious tradition and investigation of its organization, basic beliefs, social and ethical principles and practices.
Lecture three hours a week.
The Qur’an
An examination of the Qur'an's content, form, style, central themes, canonization, and classical and contemporary interpretive traditions.
Lecture three hours a week.
Buddhism
Basic beliefs and practices of the Buddhist tradition and a brief survey of its development and transformations in India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, Tibet, China and Japan.
Lecture three hours a week.
Hinduism
Basic beliefs, practices, and social structures of the Hindu tradition as reflected in Hindu scriptures, myths and symbols, and philosophical schools.
Lecture three hours a week.
Religion and Aesthetics in India
Myths and symbols of the Indian tradition expressed in Hindu and Buddhist art. Hindu theories of beauty and the interface of the arts with the spiritual traditions of India.
Prerequisite(s): second-year standing.
Lecture three hours a week.
Religion and Gender
An exploration of issues related to gender and religion in historical and contemporary contexts.
Religions of China
Survey of the origins, development, and diffusion of Chinese religious traditions, including Confucianism, Daoism, Chinese Buddhism and popular religion(s).
Lecture three hours a week.
Maccabees to Muhammad
The early history, literature and ideas of Judaism, Christianity and Islam from 200 BCE to 750 CE.
Prerequisite(s): restricted to students in the Bachelor of Humanities & Religion program.
Lecture three hours per week.
Love and Its Myths
An exploration of love as expressed in religious literatures and religious practices.
Religious Diversity of Canada
An historical survey emphasizing the interactions of various religious traditions in Canada, including indigenous religions, Christian missionary and colonial traditions, immigrant and global diaspora religions.
Lectures three hours a week.
Mystical and Contemplative Traditions
An historical and functional study of mystical experiences in their religious contexts, relying on examples from selected traditions such as the Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish and Muslim.
Lecture three hours a week.
Indigenous Religions of Canada
Religions of Inuit, First Nations and Métis peoples, past and present. Considerations include concepts of tradition, syncretism and “creative ritual.” Primary sources may include textual, visual and oral materials. Course may include fieldwork, as well as in-class presentations by community elders.
Death and Afterlife
The meaning of death and afterlife in some religious traditions and secular philosophies with emphasis on the Hindu teaching of the immortal soul; the Hebraic idea of collective survival; the Christian doctrine of resurrection of the body; the Buddhist conception of no-soul and nirvana.
Lecture three hours a week.
Greek Religion
A study of religion in ancient Greece.
Precludes additional credit for CLCV 2102, RELI 2734, RELI 2102.
Lecture three hours a week.
Religion and Society
Cross-cultural survey of religious institutions, focusing on theories and methodologies in the study of religion. Topics may include myth, totemism, cults, ritual, belief systems, altered states of consciousness, new religious and/or new age movements and the relationship of religion with other social institutions and processes.
Also listed as ANTH 2550.
Lectures and workshop three hours a week.
Roman Religion
A study of religion in ancient Rome.
Precludes additional credit for CLCV 2102 and RELI 2734 and RELI 2102.
Lecture three hours a week.
Philosophy of Religion
A study of philosophical issues arising from religion. Topics may include: arguments for and against the existence of God, religious experience, death and the afterlife, miracles, God and evil, the relationship between religion and science, and the relationship between religion and ethics.
Prerequisite(s): a course in philosophy or second-year standing.
Lecture three hours a week.
Big Questions in Religious Studies
In this Inquiry course, students will be introduced to a specific topic in Religious Studies (e.g., ritual, narrative, space) and develop a research project related to it. Focus on fostering intellectual curiosity and developing practical skills of reading, writing and research fundamentals.
Seminar three hours per week.
Sikhism
An examination of the basic beliefs, practices, and social structures of the Sikh tradition as reflected in Sikh scriptures, history and philosophical schools.
Indigenous Traditions
This course illuminates a recent category of “World Religions” by examining cases from all five continents, as well as in diaspora (e.g., Brazilian Candomblé, Roma/Sinti religion). Considerations include the study of minority religions, religion in oral cultures, myth & ritual studies, colonialism, globalization.
Lecture three hours per week.
Special Topics in Religion and Popular Culture
Examination of interactions between religion and popular culture in the form of music, film, video games, literature, and other media. Topic and focus will vary year to year; please check departmental website for information. May be repeated for credit when the topic changes.
Lecture three hours per week.
Religions and the Environment
Attitudes in the major world religions to nature and the environment and recent responses by religious traditions to ecological degradation and crisis. Includes examination of religious sensibilities expressed in environmentalism.
Lecture three hours per week.
Topics in Religion
Content of this course may vary from year to year. Please check departmental website for information on the topic.
Lecture three hours a week.
Religion and Public Life
This course examines some aspects of the intersection between religion(s) and public life, broadly construed, including social, economic, political, institutional aspects, either in the contemporary world or focused on a particular historical period.
Advanced Language Tutorial
Advanced study of the language required for studying a religious tradition.
Prerequisite(s): RELI 2902 (no longer offered) or RELI 2010 or permission of the department.
Tutorial two hours a week.
Special Topics in Religions and the Body
Discussion of the embodiment of religious ideas in life, law, and practice, for example in food consumption, gender ideologies, sexuality, adornment, and death rituals. Topic will vary year to year; please check departmental website for information. May be repeated for credit when the topic changes.
Lecture three hours a week.
The Holocaust: Historical and Religious Dimensions
Introduction to the historical and religious dimensions of the Holocaust. The foundations, perpetration and consequences of the Nazi Final Solution through primary sources including survivor testimony will be examined.
Prerequisite(s): third-year standing or permission of the department.
Lecture three hours a week.
Antisemitism, Then and Now
An examination of the long history of antisemitism to understand how historical forms of antisemitism have endured into the present and evolved over time. A variety of texts, images, media representations, and oral histories will be explored using methodologies from history and religious studies.
Prerequisite(s): a 2000-level history course or third-year standing in History and 1.0 credit in History.
Lectures three hours a week.
Reformation Europe
A history of the Protestant and Catholic Reformations of the sixteenth century, with emphasis on the theological disputes of the protagonists and the impact of these disputes on the social, political and cultural developments of the era.
Precludes additional credit for RELI 3708 (no longer offered).
Prerequisite(s): 0.5 credit at the 2000-level in HIST or third-year standing.
Lecture three hours a week.
Christianity 300-1500
This course examines the development of Christian practices and teachings from late antiquity to early modernity, with a special emphasis on their historical diversity and the complex dynamics of church formation. Students should expect to read (in English) both primary and secondary sources.
Lecture three hours a week.
Christianity 1500-1900
Developments in Christian practices and teachings over the early modern and modern periods, especially in relation to social changes commonly associated with modernity including: urbanization, state formation, industrialization, colonization, the development of capitalist economies.
Lecture three hours a week.
Jesus of Nazareth
A study of the historical records of the life of Jesus, the methods used to interpret them, and the resulting images of Jesus.
Prerequisite(s): RELI 2207 or RELI 2220 or permission of the department.
Lectures three hours a week.
Paul of Tarsus
The social, religious, and historical context of Paul, the communities he founded, and the letters he wrote to them.
Prerequisite(s): RELI 2207 or RELI 2220 or permission of the department.
Lecture three hours a week.
Christian Discipline
An historical survey of key Christian thought and practices at the individual and collective level. Topics may include self-discipline, body discipline, monastic discipline, church discipline and social discipline.
Prerequisite(s): third-year standing or permission of the department.
Evangelical Christianity in Social-Historical Perspective
The development of some protestant Christianities in relation to material factors, such as colonialism, industrial or consumer capitalism, imperialism, and in relation to major ideological trends, such as nationalism, economic or political liberalism and atheism.
Music and Religion
An examination of the integral role music plays in religion and sacred ritual in different world cultures and religions. Through various case studies, the course broadly considers how sacred soundscapes shape people’s worldviews, identities, and experiences within and outside of their communities.
Sufism
An introduction to the main practical and theoretical dimensions of Islam's mystical tradition as seen through the life and work of its key representatives.
Topics in Magic, Witchcraft, and the Occult
Studies in issues related to magic, witchcraft and/or the occult in various historical, religious, and cultural contexts.
Prerequisite(s): third-year standing, or 0.5 credit in RELI, or permission of the department.
Lectures 3 hours a week.
The Life and Image of Muhammad
Overview of the life and teaching of the Prophet Muhammad, and the most salient motifs and features of Muslim devotion to him.
Prerequisite(s): RELI 1710 or RELI 2310 or permission of the department.
Lecture three hours a week.
Special Topics in Islamic Texts & Narratives
A focus on post-Qur'anic Islamic literature and interpretive traditions (e.g. tafsir, hadith); texts and topics will vary from year to year; please check departmental website for information. May be repeated for credit when the topic changes.
Early Buddhism
An exploration of the development of early Buddhist philosophy, psychology, religious texts, and practices.
Prerequisite(s): RELI 2106 or RELI 2410 or permission of the department.
Lectures three hours a week.
Buddhism Beyond India
The rise of the Mahayana and the dissemination and development of Buddhist thought and practice outside of India.
Prerequisite(s): RELI 2106 or RELI 2410 or permission of the department.
Lecture three hours a week.
Early Hinduism
A historical survey of Hinduism from the Vedic era to the development of devotional Hinduism. Vedic religion and developments in early Hindu Philosophy and sectarian Hinduism.
Lecture three hours a week.
Modern Hinduism
A survey of major developments in Hinduism since the period of colonial British rule. The development of “reform” Hinduism in the 18th and 19th centuries, and the emergence of Hindu nationalist movements in the 20th century.
Lecture three hours a week.
Religion and Violence
A thematic course that examines putative cases of “religion and violence” from a range of world traditions, but also interrogates aspects of the “religion and violence” rubric itself.
Lecture three hours a week.
Studies in Greek Art
A study of period or theme in the art and archaeology of Ancient Greece. Topics may vary from year to year.
Prerequisite(s): second-year standing or permission of the unit. Permission of the unit required to repeat.
Lecture three hours a week.
Studies in Roman Art
A study of a period or theme in the art and archaeology of the ancient Romans. Topics may vary from year to year.
Prerequisite(s): second-year standing or permission of the unit. Permission of the unit required to repeat.
Lecture three hours a week.
Classical Approaches to Religion
Examination of reflection on the nature and origin of religion from the ancient world up to key figures and founders of the discipline of the systematic, critical, and scientific study of religion in the nineteenth and early twentieth century.
Lecture three hours per week.
Topics in Religion
Content of this course may vary from year to year. Please check departmental website for information on the topic.
Lecture three hours a week.
Topics in the Study of Religion Abroad
This travel course explores religion in its historical and/or contemporary contexts in a particular geographic locale. Travel destinations, religious traditions studied, course content, and themes vary from year to year.
Hours to be arranged. Costs associated with the course are borne by the student.
Is Religious Freedom a Human Right?
Legal, theoretical, and theological interconnections between religion and human rights. Evaluation of concepts including religious freedom, secularism, public sphere, accommodation and neutrality. Examination of religion and culture, interdependence of legal and religious perspectives, boundaries of religion and state, and religious compulsion. Use of case studie.
Prerequisite(s): LAWS 2908, LAWS 3602, and fourth-year Honours standing.
Seminar
Contemporary Issues in the Study of Religion
This course engages with the real world implications of late twentieth and twenty-first century scholarship on religion with a focus on applied learning and developing employable skills that facilitate transition from academia to a career.
Precludes additional credit for RELI 3301, RELI 4301, RELI 4740 (no longer offered).
Prerequisite(s): fourth-year standing in the Honours B.A. Religion program, or permission of the department.
Seminar three hours per week.
Tutorial
A tutorial on a topic in religious studies. Contents of the tutorial to be arranged with the supervising faculty member.
Prerequisite(s): fourth-year standing in the Honours B.A. Religion program, or permission of the department.
Seminar in the Study of Religion
Content of this course may vary from year to year. Please consult the departmental website for information on the topic.
Prerequisite(s): fourth-year standing in the Honours B.A. Religion program, or permission of the department.
Also offered at the graduate level, with different requirements, as RELI 5850, for which additional credit is precluded.
Seminar three hours a week.
Religion and Public Life: Community-Engaged Learning
Critical reflection on the theme of religion and public life as evidenced in today's Ottawa. Experiential learning via a 30-hour placement, contextualized through readings and in-class sessions (in weeks 3, 6, 12), and culminating in a reflective final project.
Prerequisite(s): fourth-year standing in BA Honours or BA Combined Honours Religion program, and 10.0 Major CGPA, and 1.0 credit in the area in which the practicum will take place, and permission of the Department.
Field placement with weekly synchronous check-ins.
Honours Research Essay
Honours research paper (approx. 40 pages) is due on the last day of winter term classes. Written proposal due to the Proposal Board on the first day of fall term classes. Please consult department document for full requirements and information.
Precludes additional credit for RELI 4908 and RELI 4909.
Prerequisite(s): 10.0 CGPA and fourth-year standing in the Honours B.A. Religion program, or permission of the department.
Note: Not all courses listed are offered in a given year. For an up-to-date statement of course offerings for the current session and to determine the term of offering, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca.
Summer session: some of the courses listed in this Calendar are offered during the summer. Hours and scheduling for summer session courses will differ significantly from those reported in the fall/winter Calendar. To determine the scheduling and hours for summer session classes, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca
B.A. Regulations
The regulations presented below apply to all Bachelor of Arts programs. In addition to the requirements presented here, students must satisfy the University regulations common to all undergraduate students including the process of Academic Continuation Evaluation (consult the Academic Regulations of the University section of this Calendar).
First-Year Seminars
B.A. degree students are strongly encouraged to include a First-Year Seminar (FYSM) during their first 4.0 credits of registration. Students are limited to 1.0 credit in FYSM and can only register in a FYSM while they have first-year standing in their B.A. program.
Breadth Requirement
Among the credits presented at graduation, students in both the B.A. and the B.A. Honours degrees and B.Co.M.S. are required to include 3.0 breadth credits, which must include 1.0 credit in three of the four breadth areas identified below. Credits that fulfil requirements in the Major, Minor, Concentration, Specialization, or Stream may also be used to fulfil the Breadth Requirement.
Students admitted with a completed university degree are exempt from breadth requirements.
Students in the following interdisciplinary programs are exempt from the B.A. breadth requirement.
- African Studies
- Criminology and Criminal Justice
- Environmental Studies
- Human Rights
- Human Rights and Social Justice
Breadth Area 1: Culture and Communication
American Sign Language, Art History, Art and Culture, Communication and Media Studies, Digital Humanities, English, Film Studies, French, Journalism, Media Production and Design, Music, and Languages (Arabic, English as a Second Language, German, Greek, Hebrew, Indigenous Languages, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish).
Subject codes: ARAB, ARTH, ASLA, CHIN, COMS, DIGH, ENGL, ESLA, FILM, FINS, FREN, GERM, GREK, HEBR, ITAL, JAPA, JOUR, KORE, LANG, LATN, MPAD, MUSI, PORT, RUSS, SPAN
Breadth Area 2: Humanities
African Studies, Applied Linguistics and Discourse Studies, Archaeology, Canadian Studies, Child Studies, Classical Civilization, Critical Race Studies, Directed Interdisciplinary Studies, Disability Studies, Environmental and Climate Humanities, European and Russian Studies, History, Human Rights and Social Justice, Humanities, Indigenous Studies, Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Linguistics, Medieval and Early Modern Studies, Philosophy, Religion, Sexuality Studies, South Asian Studies, and Women's and Gender Studies.
Subject codes: AFRI, ALDS, ARCY, CDNS, CHST, CLCV, CRST, DBST, DIST, EACH, EURR, HIST, HRSJ, HUMR, HUMS, INDG, LACS, LING, MEMS, PHIL, RELI, SAST, SXST, WGST
Breadth Area 3: Science, Engineering, and Design
Architecture, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Environmental Science, Food Science and Nutrition, Health Sciences, Industrial Design, Information Resource Management, Information Technology (BIT), Information Technology (ITEC), Interactive Multimedia and Design, Interdisciplinary Science and Practice, Mathematics, Neuroscience, Network Technology, Optical Systems and Sensors, Photonics, Statistics, Physics, and Technology, Society, Environment.
Subject codes: ACSE, AERO, ARCC, ARCH, ARCN, ARCS, ARCU, BIOC, BIOL, BIT, CHEM, CIVE, COMP, ECOR, ELEC, ENSC, ENVE, ERTH, FOOD, HLTH, IDES, IMD, IRM, ISAP, ISCI, ISCS, ISYS, ITEC, MAAE, MATH, MECH, NET, NEUR, NSCI, OSS, PHYS, PLT, SREE, STAT, SYSC, TSES
Breadth Area 4: Social Sciences
Anthropology, Business, Cognitive Science, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Economics, Environmental Studies, Geography, Geomatics, Global and International Studies, Global Politics, Interdisciplinary Public Affairs, International Affairs, Law, Migration and Diaspora Studies, Political Management, Political Science, Psychology, Public Administration, Public Affairs and Policy Management, Social Work, Sociology/Anthropology, Sociology.
Subject codes: ANTH, BUSI, CGSC, CRCJ, ECON, ENST, GEOG, GEOM, GINS, GPOL, INAF, IPAF, LAWS, MGDS, PADM, PAPM, POLM, PSCI, PSYC, SOCI, SOWK
Declared and Undeclared Students
Degree students are considered "Undeclared" if they have been admitted to a degree, but have not yet selected and been accepted into a program within that degree. The status "Undeclared" is available only in the B.A. and B.Sc. degrees. Undeclared students must apply to enter a program upon or before completing 3.5 credits.
Change of Program Within the B.A. Degree
To transfer to a program within the B.A. degree, applicants must normally be Eligible to Continue (EC) in the new program, by meeting the CGPA thresholds described in Section 3.1.9 of the Academic Regulations of the University.
Applications to declare or change programs within the B.A. degree online must be made online through Carleton Central by completing a Change of Program Elements (COPE) application form within the published deadlines. Acceptance into a program, or into a program element or option, is subject to any enrollment limitations, as well as specific program, program element, or option requirements as published in the relevant Calendar entry.
Minors, Concentrations, and Specializations
Students may add a Minor, Concentration, or Specialization by completing a Change of Program Elements (COPE) application form online through Carleton Central. Acceptance into a Minor, Concentration, or Specialization normally requires that the student be Eligible to Continue (EC) and is subject to any specific requirements of the intended Minor, Concentration, or Specialization as published in the relevant Calendar entry and in Section 3.1.9 of the Academic Regulations of the University.
Mention : français
Students registered in certain B.A. programs may earn the diploma notation Mention : français by completing part of their program requirements in French, and by demonstrating knowledge of the history and culture of French Canada. The general requirements are listed below. For more specific details, consult the departmental program entries.
Students in a B.A. Honours program must present:
- 1.0 credit in French language;
- 1.0 credit devoted to the history and culture of French Canada;
- 1.0 credit at the 2000- or 3000-level in the Honours discipline taken in French; and
- 1.0 credit at the 4000-level in the Honours discipline taken in French.
Students in a B.A. program must present:
- 1.0 credit in advanced French;
- 1.0 credit devoted to the history and culture of French Canada;
- 1.0 credit at the 2000- or 3000-level in the Major discipline taken in French.
Students in Combined Honours programs must fulfil the Mention : français requirement in both disciplines.
Courses taught in French (Items 3 and 4, above) may be taken at Carleton, at the University of Ottawa on the Exchange Agreement, or at a francophone university on a Letter of Permission. Students planning to take courses on exchange or on a Letter of Permission should take careful note of the residence requirement for a minimum number of Carleton courses in their programs. Consult the Academic Regulations of the University section of this Calendar for information regarding study on exchange or Letter of Permission.
Admissions Information
Admission Requirements are for the 2024-25 year only, and are based on the Ontario High School System. Holding the minimum admission requirements only establishes eligibility for consideration. The cut-off averages for admission may be considerably higher than the minimum. See also the General Admission and Procedures section of this Calendar. An overall average of at least 70% is normally required to be considered for admission. Some programs may also require specific course prerequisites and prerequisite averages and/or supplementary admission portfolios. Higher averages are required for admission to programs for which the demand for places by qualified applicants exceeds the number of places available. The overall average required for admission is determined each year on a program by program basis. Consult admissions.carleton.ca for further details.
Note: Courses listed as recommended are not mandatory for admission. Students who do not follow the recommendations will not be disadvantaged in the admission process.
Admissions Information
Admission requirements are based on the Ontario High School System. Prospective students can view the admission requirements through the Admissions website at admissions.carleton.ca. The overall average required for admission is determined each year on a program-by-program basis. Holding the minimum admission requirements only establishes eligibility for consideration; higher averages are required for admission to programs for which the demand for places by qualified applicants exceeds the number of places available. All programs have limited enrolment and admission is not guaranteed. Some programs may also require specific course prerequisites and prerequisite averages and/or supplementary admission portfolios. Consult admissions.carleton.ca for further details.
Note: If a course is listed as recommended, it is not mandatory for admission. Students who do not follow the recommendations will not be disadvantaged in the admission process.
Admission Requirements
Degrees
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) (Honours)
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
First Year
For B.A. and B.A. (Honours)
The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent including a minimum of six 4U or M courses. The six 4U or M courses must include a 4U course in English (or anglais). Applicants submitting an English language test to satisfy the requirements of the English Language Proficiency section of this Calendar may use that test to also satisfy the 4U English prerequisite requirement.
Biology
For the major in Biology in the B.A. program, in addition to the 4U English, a 4U course in Chemistry is required. Advanced Functions, and Calculus and Vectors are recommended.
Criminology and Criminal Justice
Access to the CCJ B.A. degree is limited to students already registered in the CCJ B.A. Honours who apply to transfer, and to graduates of the Algonquin College Police Foundations program.
Advanced Standing
Applications for admission beyond first year will be assessed on their merits. Applicants must normally be Eligible to Continue in their year level, in addition to meeting the CGPA thresholds described in Section 3.1.9 of the Academic Regulations of the University. Advanced standing will be granted only for those subjects assessed as being appropriate for the program and the stream selected.
Co-op Option
Direct Admission to the 1st Year of the Co-op Option
Co-op is available for the following Majors in the B.A. (Honours) degree: Anthropology, English, Environmental Studies, European and Russian Studies, French, Geography, Geomatics, History, Law, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology.
Applicants must:
- meet the required overall admission cut-off average and prerequisite course average. These averages may be higher than the stated minimum requirements;
- be registered as a full-time student in the Bachelor of Arts Honours with one of the majors listed above;
- be eligible to work in Canada (for off-campus work placements).
Meeting the above requirements only establishes eligibility for admission to the program. The prevailing job market may limit enrolment in the co-op option. Students should also note that hiring priority is given to Canadian citizens for co-op positions in the Public Service Commission.
Note: continuation requirements for students previously admitted to the co-op option and admission requirements for the co-op option after beginning the program are described in the Co-operative Education Regulations section of this Calendar.
Advanced Standing
B.A. and B.A. (Honours) Program
Applications for admission to the second or subsequent years will be assessed on their merits. Advanced standing will be granted only for those courses that are determined to be appropriate.