Religion and Culture
MA Courses Fall 2012/Winter & Spring 2013

Program Requirements:
Students in both streams are required to complete RE693 (Comprehensive Examination).

Course-stream:
Course-stream students are required to complete RE698* (Research Project) and five other half credit electives.

Thesis-stream:
Thesis-stream students, in addition to completing RE693, are required to (1) complete four half-credit electives, at least two of which are taught by members of the Department, and (2) prepare an acceptable thesis proposal, a thesis, and an oral defence. Thesis-stream students will not be permitted to take RE698* for credit. A student cannot register in RE699 until the proposal is formally accepted. Proposals must follow the departmentally- approved guidelines. A proposal may be submitted any time after admission to the program; full-time students must have their proposal approved by the end of their second term. Acceptance is dependent upon the quality of the proposal and the Department's assessment of a student's overall ability.

Fall:

RE632E Religion and Globalization
Dr. Paul Freston, Thursdays 8:30-11:20 in DAWB 3-108R
CRN:  2171
 The world is in an accelerated process of globalization, a word which must be understood not only in economic terms but also in political, social and cultural dimensions. Contrary to the expectations of many scholars and of many people in the developed West for most of the twentieth century, religion has become highly visible in this globalizing world. But, beyond the headlines, what is the relationship between globalization and religion? How has religion affected and been affected by this process? In our globalizing world, what is happening to ‘religion’ and to particular ‘religions’? Can the secularization thesis hold up, and if not what other understandings of the relationship between religion and modernity might there be? What is the role of religion in emerging ‘world culture’? What about religious critiques of ‘globalization’ and the possibility of ‘alternative globalizations’? How have specific religions fared under globalization? What is the effect of burgeoning transnational migration on religions worldwide? How are religious missions being transformed under conditions of globalization and in the light of widespread controversies over proselytization? How does the ambivalence of religion show itself in global civil society and political life? The course will seek to provide resources for thinking about such questions, as well as heightening awareness of the global reality of religions, giving historical and social scientific perspectives for reflection on the role of religion today.

*RE693 Comprehensive Examination
Dr. Michel Desjardins, Tuesdays 2:30-5:20 in DAWB 4-108

 
Winter:

RE632P Religious Traditions in Canada
Dr. Janet McLellan, Fridays 11:30-2:20 in DAWB 2-101
CRN: 3695
This course focuses on religions in diaspora, specifically how immigrants and refugees re-create religious identity, belief and practice in North America. The subject matter is broad,
incorporating Buddhism, Islam, and South Asian religions among a variety of ethnic, national,
and linguistic communities. Students are encouraged to explore particular facets of these or other migrant religions as part of their research and class discussions. Themes to be addressed include the effects of public policy on religious minorities (e.g., multiculturalism, education,
private/public space); strategies of adaptation and resettlement, social capital, the significance of pre-migration experiences, transformation and continuities of religious tradition, generational
issues, relations with the home country and transnational networks, leadership dynamics and the place of women. To better understand the North America context, comparative perspectives
from Europe, Britain, the United States and Australia will be included.

RE683R Thought and Muslim Identity
Dr. Meena Sharify-Funk, Thursdays 10:00 – 12:50 in DAWB 4-108R
CRN: 4004

Spring:

*RE698 Major Research Project (Course Stream MAs only)
Dr. Jason Neelis, Tues & Thurs 10:00 – 12:50, room TBA
CRN: 216

To make up the rest of the courses necessary to complete the MA degree students may look at our 400 level courses and ask a professor to do a directed studies in which case the professor  arranges the workload to the MA level. Alternatively you may take complimentary MA courses from a different program. A list is supplied shortly. Please note, permission is required from the Professor teaching these courses as well as from the Department of Religion and Culture.

You require a Graduate Program Change Request form to do this – available from our office or the Graduate Studies Office.