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Major Concentration Scriptures and Interpretations (36 credits)

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Offered by: Religious Studies     Degree: Bachelor of Arts

Program Requirements

The Major Concentration Scriptures and Interpretations is designed for students interested in understanding scriptural literatures and their place in developing religious traditions. While students will be able to concentrate in the area of their choice (Jewish, Christian, or Hindu and Buddhist Scriptures and Interpretations), they will study scriptures of at least two religious traditions, either in English translation or, if their skills permit, in the original languages.

Required Courses (6 credits)

  • RELG 307 Bible, Quran & Interpretations (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : Jewish, Christian and Muslim scriptures as responses to earlier sacred texts and in the light of post-scriptural interpretations. The debates, polemics, interpretative strategies, and intellectual and spiritual sharing produced by these three religions in accepting, explaining, amplifying, modifying, and selectively rejecting their and other sacred scriptures.

    Terms: Winter 2011

    Instructors: Levy, B Barry (Winter)

    • Winter
  • RELG 456 Theories of Religion (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : The history of the academic study of religion from its beginnings in the 19th century until the present. Key texts by figures such as Max Muller, Sigmund Freud, Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, Mircea Eliade, Claude Levi-Strauss and Clifford Geertz will be studied.

    Terms: Fall 2010, Winter 2011

    Instructors: Kanaris, Jim (Fall) Kanaris, Jim (Winter)

    • Fall and Winter
    • Restriction: For Religious Studies Majors and Honours students or with permission of the Chair of the Religious Studies B.A. Committee

Complementary Courses (30 credits)

30 credits with a minimum of 18 credits selected from one area of specialization and a minimum of 6 credits from a second area.

Areas of Specialization:
(a) Jewish Scriptures and the History of Their Interpretation
(b) Christian Scriptures and the History of Their Interpretation
(c) Hindu and Buddhist Scriptures and the Histories of Their Interpretations

No more than 12 credits may be taken at the 200-level.

(a) Jewish Scriptures and the History of Their Interpretation

  • JWST 310 Believers, Heretics and Critics (3 credits)

    Offered by: Jewish Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Jewish Studies : Issues in the development of Biblical interpretation based on classical Jewish thought, heretical Jewish doctrines and contemporary Biblical criticism.

    Terms: Fall 2010

    Instructors: Levy, B Barry (Fall)

  • JWST 324 Biblical Interpretation - Antiquity (3 credits)

    Offered by: Jewish Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Jewish Studies : Texts from the millennium before the rise of Islam will be studied for the light they shed on Jewish interpretation of Hebrew scripture. Selections deal with narrative and legal portions of the Bible and include pagan, Christian and Jewish sources: excerpts from the Bible and Philo, Josephus, Pseudo-Philo, Jubilees, Enoch, Eusebius, Dead Sea Scrolls (including The Temple Scroll), Ephraem Syrus, Origen, Jerome, The Septuagint, Targumim, Talmud and Midrash.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.

  • JWST 327 A Book of the Bible (3 credits)

    Offered by: Jewish Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Jewish Studies : One book of the Bible will be studied in its entirety in Hebrew. Emphasis on the contributions of Ancient Near Eastern Studies (archaeology, comparative literature and Semitic linguistics) to understanding the text.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    • Fall
    • Prerequisite: Knowledge of Hebrew
  • JWST 328 A Book of the Bible (3 credits)

    Offered by: Jewish Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Jewish Studies : One book of the Bible will be studied in its entirety in Hebrew. Emphasis on the contributions of Ancient Near Eastern Studies (archaeology, comparative literature and Semitic linguistics) to understanding the text.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    • Winter
    • Prerequisite: Knowledge of Hebrew
  • JWST 329 A Book of the Bible (3 credits)

    Offered by: Jewish Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Jewish Studies : One book of the Bible will be studied in its entirety in Hebrew. Emphasis on the contributions of Ancient Near Eastern Studies (archaeology, comparative literature and Semitic linguistics) to understanding the text.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    • Fall
    • Prerequisite: Knowledge of Hebrew
  • JWST 330 A Book of the Bible (3 credits)

    Offered by: Jewish Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Jewish Studies : One book of the Bible will be studied in its entirety in Hebrew. Emphasis on the contributions of Ancient Near Eastern Studies (archaeology, comparative literature and Semitic linguistics) to understanding the text.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    • Winter
    • Prerequisite: Knowledge of Hebrew
  • JWST 331 Bible Interpretation/Medieval Ashkenaz (3 credits)

    Offered by: Jewish Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Jewish Studies : An introduction to Jewish interpretation of the Bible in the Middle Ages. Readings from the Hebrew Bible and the commentaries of Rashi, Rashbam, the Tosafists, etc.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    • Prerequisite: Knowledge of Hebrew
  • JWST 332 Bible Interpretation/Sefardic Tradition (3 credits)

    Offered by: Jewish Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Jewish Studies : Readings from the Hebrew Bible and the commentaries of Ibn Ezra, Nachmanides, Abravanel, etc.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    • Prerequisite: Knowledge of Hebrew. Recommended: JWST 331
  • JWST 510 Jewish Bible Interpretation 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Jewish Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Jewish Studies : The issues, approaches, and texts of Jewish Bible interpretation between the Biblical and Talmudic eras: Bible interpretation in the Bible; in Greco-Roman Jewish literature; in the Mishnah, Tosefta, Targumim, and Talmudim; early Samaritan interpretation, Bible interpretation in ancient synagogue art, and in the massoretic literature.

    Terms: Fall 2010

    Instructors: Levy, B Barry (Fall)

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken JWST 512
  • JWST 511 Jewish Bible Interpretation 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Jewish Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Jewish Studies : The issues, problems, approaches, and texts of Jewish Bible interpretation in medieval, renaissance, early modern, and modern times. Interpretation in the Geonic, Ashkenazi, Sefardic, North African, Italian, European, Yemenite, North American and Israeli centres of Jewish Learning.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken JWST 512
  • RELG 201 Religions of the Ancient Near East (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : Introduction to the religions of Mesopotamia, Egypt and Syria-Palestine (excluding Israelite religion) from the fourth to first millennium B.C.E. Themes that will be discussed include: gods and goddesses, divine kingship, deification of kings, temple cult, death and afterlife, magic, piety, oracles, prayer, lament, myth and epic.

    Terms: Fall 2010

    Instructors: Bellavance, Éric (Fall)

    • Fall
  • RELG 202 Religion of Ancient Israel (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : An examination of the religion of Ancient Israel by a study of selected texts (narratives, laws, prophetic sayings, wisdom traditions, and psalms) from the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament in translation.

    Terms: Winter 2011

    Instructors: Oegema, Gerbern (Winter)

    • Winter
  • RELG 203 Bible and Western Culture (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: 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 2010, Winter 2011

    Instructors: Billings, Drew (Fall) Billings, Drew (Winter)

    • Fall, Winter and Summer
  • RELG 300 Second Temple Judaism (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : A survey of Jewish history and thought from Ezra to the Mishnah; religious developments and groups, e.g., apocalypticism, Hellenistic Judaism, Essenes, Pharisees, Early Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism; and Biblical Interpretation in the Dead Sea Scrolls, Philo, Paul, Mishnah and Midrashim.

    Terms: Fall 2010

    Instructors: Oegema, Gerbern (Fall)

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

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

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

    Terms: Fall 2010

    Instructors: Kirkpatrick, Patricia (Fall)

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

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    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 2011

    Instructors: Oegema, Gerbern (Winter)

    • Winter
  • RELG 306 Rabbinic Judaism (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : The beliefs, practices and religious institutions of the Jews from ancient times to the present.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    • Prerequisite: RELG 202 or RELG 204 or permission of instructor
    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken RELG 206
  • RELG 308 Ancient Bible Translations (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : Canonical changes, literary alterations, translation techniques, hermeneutical strategies, variant readings, and textual histories of the books of the Hebrew Bible as evidenced in the ancient versions, primarily the Septuagint. (No knowledge of Greek or Hebrew is required.)

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    • Prerequisites: One of RELG 202, 302 or JWST 211, 327, 328, 329, 330.
  • RELG 390D1 Elementary Biblical Hebrew (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : An introduction to the grammar and syntax of Biblical Hebrew. Emphasis is placed on both the oral and the written language.

    Terms: Fall 2010

    Instructors: Sulzbach, Carla (Fall)

    • Students must register for both RELG 390D1 and RELG 390D2.
    • No credit will be given for this course unless both RELG 390D1 and RELG 390D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
  • RELG 390D2 Elementary Biblical Hebrew (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : See RELG 390D1 for course description.

    Terms: Winter 2011

    Instructors: Sulzbach, Carla (Winter)

    • Prerequisite: RELG 390D1
    • No credit will be given for this course unless both RELG 390D1 and RELG 390D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
  • RELG 407 The Writings (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Overview

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

    Terms: Fall 2010

    Instructors: Kirkpatrick, Patricia (Fall)

    • Fall
    • Prerequisites: RELG 202, or RELG 302 and RELG 303, or equivalent
  • RELG 408 The Prophets (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Overview

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

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    • Prerequisites: RELG 202, or RELG 302 and RELG 303
  • RELG 491 Hebrew Texts (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : Translation and exegesis of selected texts.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.

  • RELG 492 Hebrew Texts (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : Translation and exegesis of selected texts.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    • Winter
  • RELG 502 Greco-Roman Judaism (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : The religion and literature of wisdom and apocalyptic traditions, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Philo and Josephus, with special attention to the Jewish matrix of Early Christianity.

    Terms: Fall 2010

    Instructors: Oegema, Gerbern (Fall)

    • Fall
    • Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

(b) Christian Scriptures and the History of Their Interpretation

(c) Hindu and Buddhist Scriptures and the Histories of Their Interpretations

  • RELG 252 Hinduism and Buddhism (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: 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 2010

    Instructors: Braitstein, Lara E; Sharma, Shital (Fall)

    • Fall
  • RELG 253 Religions of East Asia (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: 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 2011

    Instructors: Hori, G (Winter)

    • Winter
  • RELG 254 Introduction to Sikhism (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : An introduction to the historical and religious context in which the Sikh religion developed, its principal doctrines, practices and institutions and its evolution from its origins to the present, both inside and outside India.

    Terms: Fall 2010

    Instructors: Singh, Manjit (Fall)

    • Fall
  • RELG 257D1 Introductory Sanskrit (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : To develop basic language and reading skills.

    Terms: Fall 2010

    Instructors: McCann, Erin (Fall)

    • Students must register for both RELG 257D1 and RELG 257D2.
    • No credit will be given for this course unless both RELG 257D1 and RELG 257D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
  • RELG 257D2 Introductory Sanskrit (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : See RELG 257D1 for course description.

    Terms: Winter 2011

    Instructors: McCann, Erin (Winter)

    • Prerequisite: RELG 257D1
    • No credit will be given for this course unless both RELG 257D1 and RELG 257D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
  • RELG 264 Introductory Tibetan 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : An introduction to the language of Classical Tibetan, specifically Tibetan script and basic grammar.

    Terms: Fall 2010

    Instructors: Turenne, Philippe (Fall)

    • Fall
  • RELG 265 Introductory Tibetan 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : A continuation of the introduction to the language of Classical Tibetan, specifically Tibetan script and basic grammar.

    Terms: Winter 2011

    Instructors: Turenne, Philippe (Winter)

    • Winter
    • Prerequisite: RELG 264
  • RELG 266 Introductory Tamil 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : An introduction to the basic grammar and syntax of Tamil, a classical and modern language from South India. Students will acquire basic skills in reading, writing and speaking Tamil.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.

  • RELG 267 Introductory Tamil 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : Advanced basic grammar and syntax of Tamil, a classical and modern language from South India. Students will acquire basic skills in reading, writing and speaking Tamil.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    • Prerequisite: RELG 266
  • RELG 337 Themes in Buddhist Studies (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : A focused examination of major themes within a branch of Theravada, Mahayana or Vajrayana Buddhism. Emphasis will be placed on both the close study of primary texts (in translation) in historical context and the application of recent methods to fundamental Buddhist concepts, ritual practices and community institutions.

    Terms: Summer 2011

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    • Summer
    • Prerequisite: RELG 252 or RELG 253 or permission of instructor
  • RELG 342 Theravada Buddhist Literature (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : The evolution of doctrines, practices and institutions explored through critical survey of Pali Canon (in translation), focusing on the dialogues of Gotama Buddha and his community during its first five centuries and on the historical accounts contained in the codes of monastic discipline.

    Terms: Fall 2010

    Instructors: Braitstein, Lara E (Fall)

    • Fall
    • Prerequisite: RELG 252 or permission of instructor
  • RELG 344 Mahayana Buddhism (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : Investigation of Mahayana schools of thought based on reading of key sutras and commentarial literature.

    Terms: Fall 2010

    Instructors: Lai, Lei Kuan (Fall)

    • Fall
    • Prerequisites: RELG 252 or RELG 253.
  • RELG 348 Classical Hinduism (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : The study of classical Hindu values in historical context with reference to the goals and stages of life, traditional Hindu laws, ethics (including biomedical ethics), axiology and moral dilemmas in the Epics, gender differences, notions of orthodoxy, and the expansion of Hinduism.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    • Prerequisite: RELG 252 or permission of the instructor
  • RELG 350 Bhakti Hinduism (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : Foundation of theism in the Upanisads, Epics, Gita and puranas; image worship and temple religion in the Agamas; Vaisnavism, Saivism, Saktism, and competition with Buddhism and Jainism; the relation of Bhakti and Tantra; interaction of Hinduism, Islam, and Sikhism.

    Terms: Fall 2010

    Instructors: Young, Katherine K; McCann, Erin; Pokinko, Tomasz (Fall)

    • Fall
    • Prerequisite: RELG 252 or permission of the instructor
  • RELG 352 Japanese Religions (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: 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: Winter 2011

    Instructors: Hori, G (Winter)

    • Fall
    • Prerequisite: RELG 253 or permission of instructor
  • RELG 354 Chinese Religions (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: 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: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.

  • RELG 357D1 Sanskrit 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : Advanced grammar and vocabulary with readings in epic and similar texts.

    Terms: Fall 2010

    Instructors: Sainath, R Saraswati (Fall)

    • Prerequisite: RELG 257 or permission of the instructor
    • Students must register for both RELG 357D1 and RELG 357D2.
    • No credit will be given for this course unless both RELG 357D1 and RELG 357D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
  • RELG 357D2 Sanskrit 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : See RELG 357D1 for course description.

    Terms: Winter 2011

    Instructors: Sainath, R Saraswati (Winter)

    • Prerequisite: RELG 357D1
    • No credit will be given for this course unless both RELG 357D1 and RELG 357D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
  • RELG 364 Intermediate Tibetan 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : Advanced Tibetan grammar, and translation of selected Tibetan texts.

    Terms: Fall 2010

    Instructors: Turenne, Philippe (Fall)

    • Fall
    • Prerequisite: RELG 265 or permission of the instructor.
  • RELG 365 Intermediate Tibetan 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : Continuation of advanced Tibetan grammar and translation of selected Tibetan texts.

    Terms: Winter 2011

    Instructors: Turenne, Philippe (Winter)

    • Winter
    • Prerequisite: RELG 364 or permission of the instructor.
  • RELG 369 Tibetan Buddhism (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : Buddhism has been central to Tibetan culture and identity since the 7th century CE. This course introduces key aspects of the history and practices of Tibetan Buddhism, including: early history, political and sectarian developments, the spread of Tibetan Buddhism outside of Tibet, and the myth of "Shangri-La".

    Terms: Winter 2011

    Instructors: Braitstein, Lara E (Winter)

    • Winter
    • Prerequisite(s): RELG 252 or RELG 253
    • This course is expected to be offered every 3 years
  • RELG 442 Pure Land Buddhism (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : The concept of Buddha Countries and Pure Lands in Buddhism, the Western Pure Land of Amida (Jodokyo) and its basic scriptures, the Chinese Buddhist schools, the introduction to Japan and the foundation of the Pure Land school by Honen, the Pure Land School of Shinran and its development, and the other Pure Land related schools.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    • Prerequisite: RELG 252 and RELG 253, or RELG 342 or RELG 344, or permission of instructor
  • RELG 443 Japanese Esoteric Buddhism (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : The development of esoteric Buddhism in India and Tibet; its Chinese formation and introduction to Japan; Kukai, Shingonshu and Tendai esotericism; the Tachikawa traditions of sexual esotericism; Mandal, iconography and liturgy.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    • Prerequisites: RELG 252 and RELG 253, or RELG 342, or RELG 344
  • RELG 451 Zen: Maxims and Methods (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : Through the reading of such key Zen writings as The Platform Sutra and selections from Zen Masters Chinul of Korea and Dôgen of Japan, an attempt will be made to relate Zen anecdote to meditational practice.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    • Prerequisites: RELG 252, RELG 342 or RELG 344, or permission of instructor
  • RELG 452 East Asian Buddhism (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : Topic for 2000: Precept and Ritual in East Asian Buddhism and Confucianism.

    Terms: Winter 2011

    Instructors: Lai, Lei Kuan (Winter)

    • Winter
    • Prerequisite: RELG 253 or RELG 344
  • RELG 453 Vajrayana Buddhism (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : A study of the history, philosophy and practices of Vajrayana Buddhism.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    • Prerequisite: RELG 344.
  • RELG 454 Modern Hindu Thought (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : A study of the developments in religious thought with special reference to such thinkers as Ram Mohan Roy, Dayananda Saraswati, Ramakrishna, Vivekananda, Gandhi, Tilak, Aurobindo, and Radhakrishnan.

    Terms: Winter 2011

    Instructors: Sharma, Shital (Winter)

    • Winter
    • Prerequisite: RELG 252
  • RELG 457D1 Advanced Sanskrit (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : Critical reading of selected Sanskrit texts.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    • Prerequisite: RELG 357 or permission of instructor
    • Students must register for both RELG 457D1 and RELG 457D2.
    • No credit will be given for this course unless both RELG 457D1 and RELG 457D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
  • RELG 457D2 Advanced Sanskrit (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : See RELG 457D1 for course description.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    • Prerequisite: RELG 457D1
    • No credit will be given for this course unless both RELG 457D1 and RELG 457D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
  • RELG 464 Advanced Tibetan 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : Translation of specially selected Tibetan texts.

    Terms: Fall 2010

    Instructors: Braitstein, Lara E (Fall)

    • Fall
    • Prerequisite: RELG 365 or permission of instructor.
  • RELG 465 Advanced Tibetan 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : Continuation of translation of specially selected Tibetan texts.

    Terms: Winter 2011

    Instructors: Braitstein, Lara E (Winter)

    • Winter
    • Prerequisite: RELG 464 or permission of the instructor.
  • RELG 545 Ramayana: Multiple Lives (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : Focus on the Rama story in South Asia. Exploration of the multiple versions of the narrative from classical Sanskrit textual versions, to rural vernacular retellings, to contemporary TV versions, and examination of the various religious, social, cultural and political significations of the narrative in these contexts.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    • Winter
    • Prerequisite: RELG 252 Hinduism & Buddhism
  • RELG 546 Indian Philosophy (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : Introduction to the orthodox systems of Hindu Philosophy leading up to Vedanta i.e., Nyaya, Vaisesika, Sankhya, Yoga and Mimamsa, which will include discussion of such topics as: grounds for belief and disbelief in God, the nature of revelation, means of knowledge, etc.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    • Prerequisites: 6 credits in Indian religions, philosophy of religion, philosophy, or permission of the instructor
  • RELG 548 Indian Buddhist Philosophy (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : The rise of buddhist schools of philosophy, especially the Theravada and Sauntrantika, as an attempt to systematize the canonical teachings and defend Buddhism against its critics.

    Terms: Winter 2011

    Instructors: Braitstein, Lara E (Winter)

    • Winter
    • Prerequisites: RELG 252 or RELG 342 or permission of instructor
  • RELG 552 Advaita Vedanta (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : The relation of Nyaya-Vaisesika and Mimamsa to Kevaladvaita with concentration on Sankara's Brahmasutrabhasya, Pada 1 and 2.

    Terms: Fall 2010

    Instructors: Sharma, Arvind (Fall)

    • Fall
    • Prerequisites: 6 credits in Indian religions
  • RELG 553 Religions of South India 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : Topics include: definitions of Tamil identity, the relation of akam to bhakti poetry, the theology of the Alvars and Nayanmars, inter-religious and sectarian competition, the motif of pilgrimage, questions of caste and women.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    • Prerequisite: 6 credits in Indian religions
  • RELG 554 Religions of South India 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : Analysis of the following: sampradaya; ubhayavedanta; comparison of Visistadvaita and Saiva Siddhanta with reference to selected themes that illustrate the Tamil contribution; the relationship of theology to the sociology of knowledge in Tamilnad.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    • Prerequisite: RELG 553
  • RELG 560 Buddhist Poetry (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Religious Studies)

    Administered by: Faculty of Arts

    Overview

    Religious Studies : Since the time of Buddha, poetry has been used by Buddhist to express devotion, to compose philosophical treatises, and to communicate insight into the experience of awakening. The seminar's content will vary, treating the history, poetics, esthetics, roles and genres of Buddhist poetry in India, Tibet, China and Japan.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.

    • Prerequisite (s): RELG 252 or RELG 253 or RELG 344 or permission of the instructor
    • This course is expected to be offered every 3 years
    • Readings will be English translations of the original texts
Faculty of Arts—2010-2011 (last updated Jan. 19, 2011) (disclaimer)
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