Note: This is the 2018–2019 eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or .
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 0 (U0).
Students who enter in Year 1 (U1) with 30 credits of advanced standing based on a Quebec Diploma of Collegial Studies (DEC) are exempt from taking RELG 203 Bible and Western Culture and RELG 207 The Study of World Religions 1.
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 are exempt from taking RELG 203 Bible and Western Culture, RELG 207 The Study of World Religions 1, RELG 204 Judaism, Christianity & Islam, RELG 210 Jesus of Nazareth, and RELG 334 Christian Thought and Culture.
The normal course load in the degree for full-time students is 15 credits per term, five 3-credit courses.
By permission of the Chair of the B.Th. Committee, students may also enroll for courses at any university in the province of Quebec. For further information, see University Regulations and Resources > Registration > Quebec Inter-University Transfer Agreement > Quebec Inter-University Transfer Agreement: McGill Students.
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 (51 credits)
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RELG 203 Bible and Western Culture (3 credits)
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 2018
Instructors: Ricker, Aaron (Fall)
Fall and Winter
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RELG 204 Judaism, Christianity and Islam (3 credits)
Overview
Religious Studies : An introduction to the beliefs, practices, and religious institutions of these three world religions.
Terms: Winter 2019
Instructors: Cere, Daniel M; Caplan, Eric; Salvatore, Armando (Winter)
Winter
-
RELG 207 Introduction to the Study of Religions (3 credits)
Overview
Religious Studies : This course is an introduction to classic and contemporary approaches to the academic study of religions. This includes perspectives from philosophy, theology, anthropology, sociology, psychology, phenomenology, and feminism. Students are also exposed to applications of these perspectives from visiting scholars who treat some aspect of a religious tradition in light of current-day interests and events. The primary objective is to introduce students to the principal theories and methods that have shaped our understanding of religion, its various meanings as well as its roles and functions in society.
Terms: Winter 2019
Instructors: Kanaris, Jim (Winter)
Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken RELG 255.
Winter
-
RELG 210 Jesus of Nazareth (3 credits)
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 2018
Instructors: Henderson, Ian H (Fall)
Fall, Winter and Summer
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RELG 302 Literature of Ancient Israel 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Religious Studies : An introduction to the literature of Ancient Israel in English translation. Reading and interpreting representative selections.
Terms: Fall 2018
Instructors: Kirkpatrick, Patricia (Fall)
Fall
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RELG 303 Literature of Ancient Israel 2 (3 credits)
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 2019
Instructors: Oegema, Gerbern (Winter)
Winter
-
RELG 311 New Testament Studies 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Religious Studies : An introduction to the interpretation of the New Testament.
Terms: Fall 2018
Instructors: Wendt, Heidi (Fall)
Fall
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RELG 312 New Testament Studies 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Religious Studies : An introduction to the critical study of the Gospels.
Terms: Winter 2019
Instructors: Henderson, Ian H (Winter)
Winter
-
RELG 321 Western Intellectual Tradition (3 credits)
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: Winter 2019
Instructors: Blakeburn, Jason; Nini, Mathiew (Winter)
Prerequisite: U0 students must obtain permission from instructor
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RELG 322 The Church in History 1 (3 credits)
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 2018
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.
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RELG 323 The Church in History 2 (3 credits)
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 2019
Instructors: Kirby, W J Torrance (Winter)
Winter
-
RELG 333 Principles of Christian Theology 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Religious Studies : An introduction to the central questions, claims, and categories of Christian thought, considered in their narrative and credal context, with discussion of the nature of theology and the relation between faith and reason.
Terms: Winter 2019
Instructors: Farrow, Douglas B (Winter)
Winter
-
RELG 334 Christian Thought and Culture (3 credits)
Overview
Religious Studies : Examines selected cultural and countercultural features of Christianity, with attention to theological anthropology and, for example, to political and legal philosophy, or social and bioethics, or the creative arts.
Terms: Winter 2019
Instructors: Farrow, Douglas B (Winter)
Winter and Summer
Prerequisite(s): One prior course in Christianity, or permission of the instructor.
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RELG 420 Canadian Church History (3 credits) *
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 2019
Instructors: Marr, Lucille (Winter)
-
RELG 434 Principles of Christian Theology 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Religious Studies : This course is normally pursuant to RELG 333. It examines in more depth methodological issues as well as particular themes in theology, christology, soteriology, ecclesiology, and eschatology, through readings in major theologians.
Terms: Fall 2018
Instructors: Retallick, Shaun (Fall)
Fall
Prerequisite(s): RELG 333 or permission of the instructor.
-
RELG 470 Theological Ethics (3 credits)
Overview
Religious Studies : Examines ancient and modern sources of Christian moral thought against a backdrop of contemporary alternatives.
Terms: Fall 2018
Instructors: Fiasse, Gaelle (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)
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 2019
Instructors: Zink, Jesse (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 (69 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 School approval.
3 credits from:
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PHIL 200 Introduction to Philosophy 1 (3 credits)
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 2018
Instructors: Carson, Emily J (Fall)
-
PHIL 201 Introduction to Philosophy 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Philosophy : An introduction to some of the major problems of philosophy. This course does not duplicate PHIL 200.
Terms: Winter 2019
Instructors: Magal, Oran (Winter)
3 credits selected from the following list (or another approved course in ethics):
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PHIL 230 Introduction to Moral Philosophy 1 (3 credits)
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 2018
Instructors: Leary, Stephanie (Fall)
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PHIL 240 Political Philosophy 1 (3 credits)
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 2018
Instructors: Sharp, Hasana (Fall)
-
RELG 371 Ethics of Violence/Non-Violence (3 credits)
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 2018-2019 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Summer
-
RELG 376 Religious Ethics (3 credits)
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 2018-2019 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2018-2019 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)
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 2018
Instructors: 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)
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: Winter 2019
Instructors: Nelson, Samuel (Winter)
Fall
Restriction: U2 and U3 students
15 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:
-
RELG 280 Elementary New Testament Greek (6 credits)
Overview
Religious Studies : An introduction to the grammar and syntax of New Testament Greek.
Terms: Fall 2018, Winter 2019
Instructors: Giorgio, Daniel (Fall) Giorgio, Daniel (Winter)
Summer
Open to students in the Honours and Major programs in Religious Studies. Other Arts and Science students may take the course as an elective outside their faculty, in accordance with Arts and Science regulations.
3 credits in a religious tradition* other than Christianity, such as:
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ISLA 380 Islamic Philosophy and Theology (3 credits)
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 2018
Instructors: Dumairieh, Naser; Maghsoudlou, Salimeh (Fall)
Prerequisite: ISLA 200 or permission of instructor.
Note: Reading and discussion in English.
-
RELG 252 Hinduism and Buddhism (3 credits)
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 2018
Instructors: Braitstein, Lara E; Stainton, Hamsa (Fall)
Fall
-
RELG 253 Religions of East Asia (3 credits)
Overview
Religious Studies : This course introduces East Asia's major religions comparatively by addressing the continuous exchange of ideas and practices between traditions. Rather than adopting a mere chronological approach, Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism will be discussed thematically, taking in to account topics such as gender constructs, the secular and the sacred, material culture, and the apparent contrast between doctrine and practice.
Terms: Winter 2019
Instructors: Bauer, Mikaël; Li, Jingjing (Winter)
Winter
-
RELG 352 Japanese Religions: History and Thought (3 credits)
Overview
Religious Studies : This course provides an in-depth introduction to the religious traditions of Japan from the emerging of the Japanese state to the role of religion in contemporary Japan. Kami worship, the Buddhist tradition, Yin Yang divination, Confucianism, and the modern construct of Shinto are addressed in an interdisciplinary approach, taking into account insights from the fields of History, Literature, and Art.
Terms: Fall 2018
Instructors: Bauer, Mikaël (Fall)
Fall
Prerequisite: RELG 253 or permission of instructor
-
RELG 354 Chinese Religions (3 credits)
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 2018-2019 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2018-2019 academic year.
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)
-
RELG 408 The Prophets (3 credits)
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 2018-2019 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2018-2019 academic year.
New Testament
3 credits from:
Christian Theology
3 credits from:
-
RELG 330 Reformed Theology (3 credits)
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 2018-2019 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Winter
-
RELG 336 Contemporary Theological Issues (3 credits)
Overview
Religious Studies : A study of contemporary theological issues. Topic varies by year.
Terms: Winter 2019
Instructors: De Vries, Roland James (Winter)
Winter
Prerequisite: 3 credits in Christianity or permission of instructor
-
RELG 399 Christian Spirituality (3 credits)
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 2018-2019 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Summer
-
RELG 423 Reformation Thought (3 credits)
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: Winter 2019
Instructors: Kirby, W J Torrance (Winter)
Option 1 or Option 2
Option 1: 15-21 credits to be determined in consultation with the B.Th. program adviser.
OR
Option 2: An Arts or Science 18-credit minor and an additional 3 credits.
Faculty of Arts—2018-2019 (last updated Aug. 22, 2018) (disclaimer)
