Undergraduate

Welcome to Undergraduate Studies in Religion!

As an intellectual inquiry into an important dimension of human experience, the exploration of religion is intrinsically valuable. It constitutes a resource for reflection on meaning in life and for personal growth. It also contributes to preparing students for a wide range of careers, such as law, medicine, social work, teaching, politics from the local to the international level, and leadership in religious organizations.

Religious studies is distinguished by the uniqueness of its subject matter and the diversity of its methods. Its subject matter is global: the scriptures, institutions, teachings, rituals, devotions, iconography, and moral injunctions of all the world’s religious traditions. And it addresses this subject matter with the full range of investigative tools made available by the various disciplines, especially modern historical and scientific human studies and modern philosophy. As such, religious studies is inherently both cross-cultural and interdisciplinary.

Timetable: For information about Fall and Winter 2011-2012 course additions, cancellations, room and time changes please go to http://www.artsandscience.utoronto.ca/ofr/timetable/winter/rlg.html

Join the Undergraduate Listserv and keep in touch with what’s happening at the department. The LISTSERV is directed to students in the religion specialist, major and minor programs and is also open to other students taking religion courses. The purpose of the listserv is to inform students of any new courses the department will be offering; to draw attention to events, talks and colloquia taking place at the department; and provide general information about the undergraduate program. It is not a discussion list.

To subscribe to the list, send an email message from your own email account to listserv@listserv.utoronto.ca (upper or lower case is acceptable). In the BODY of the message type the following message (using your own first and last name):

subscribe rlgmajspe-L firstname lastname

If you are experiencing difficulty with the list or you would like to ask a question, you can contact the owner of the list by writing to rlgmajspe-l-request@listserv.utoronto.ca.

General Academic Information

Academic Counseling

For academic counseling see any faculty member. The Undergraduate Secretary is responsible for the coordination of academic counseling and should be consulted whenever you need approval of a program. Joint specialists should consult regularly with the special faculty adviser listed for their program.

Language Preparation

Ability to read the literature of a religious tradition in the original languages greatly increases understanding and appreciation of that tradition. For this reason, facility in the languages of the tradition one expects to study is a requirement of most graduate programs. Students considering graduate studies in religion should begin the study of relevant languages as early as possible in their undergraduate programs. For further information in this regard, please consult the course offerings of such departments as Classics, East Asian Studies, French, German, Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies, or Near Eastern Studies. As an illustration of the importance of language skills in graduate studies, note the language requirements for graduate degrees in religion at the University of Toronto. For the M.A.: reading knowledge of at least one language, in addition to English, selected from languages of modern scholarship and/or necessary source languages. For the Ph.D.: reading knowledge of at least two languages, in addition to English, selected from languages of modern scholarship and necessary source languages, provided that at least one shall be a language of modern scholarship.

Student Exchanges

Arts and Science students in all departments are encouraged to participate in an international or Canadian exchange offered through the Centre for International Experience.  For more information please  go to  http://cie.utoronto.ca/

Program Requirements

If you are aiming to complete any RLG program, you should consult the Undergraduate Office at least once a year. In a brief meeting, you will receive assistance in selecting courses that address your interests and that fulfill the program’s requirements. To make an appointment, call (416) 978-2395.

PROGRAMS

Enrollment in Religion programs requires completion of four courses.

Religion Specialist (Arts program)

Enrollment in this program requires the completion of 4.0 courses.

If you enrolled as a Religion Specialist BEFORE the April-September 2011 enrollment period, you should follow these requirements:

(10 full courses or their equivalent)

1.   RLG100Y1/280Y1
2.   RLG200Y1/210Y1/SOC250Y1/211Y1/212Y1
3.   Four 300+ series courses, including at least one at the 400-level
4.   Four other courses
5.   Course selection must ensure that more than one religious tradition is studied (RLG100Y1/280Y1 does not fulfill this requirement); it must also ensure depth of study and focus in one area or stream of specialization
6.   Two cross-listed courses may be counted (consult the Departmental Handbook for a list of eligible courses)

If you have just recently enrolled as a Religion Specialist, that is, during the April-September 2011 enrollment period, you must follow these requirements:

(10 full courses or their equivalent)

1. RLG100Y1/RLG280Y1 in first or second year.
2. No later than the third year of study: RLG200H1. RLG200H1 is a prerequisite for all 400 level courses.
3. One course from: RLG 202Y1 – RLG209Y1, RLG241Y1.
4. Three RLG FCEs at the 300+ level course in tradition area chosen for RLG 202Y-209Y/241Y.
If more than one course from RLG202Y1 – RLG209Y1/RLG241Y1 is taken (e.g. in partial fulfillment of req. 6, below) consult the associate chair on which courses from more than one tradition can fulfill this requirement. Certain combinations, such as RLG203Y1 and RLG241Y1, or RLG206Y1 and RLG207Y1, are cognate to one another. At least one of these FCEs must be at the 400 level.
5. One other RLG FCE 300+ level course
6. Three other RLG FCEs at any level.
7. RLG404H1/RLG405H1 or RLG406H1, a capstone integrative course (note: this does not fulfil the requirement of the 400 level FCE in #4 above.)

Two cross-listed course may be counted towards the fulfillment of the degree (consult the Departmental Handbook for a list of eligible courses).

Religion Major (Arts program)

Enrollment in this program requires the completion of 4.0 courses.

If you enrolled as a Religion Specialist BEFORE the April-September 2011 enrollment period, you should follow these requirements:

(6 full courses or their equivalent)

1.   RLG100Y1/280Y1
2.   One course from: RLG201Y1-207H1, 273H5
3.   Two full RLG 300+ series courses
4.   Two other RLG courses
5.   One cross-listed course may be counted (consult the Departmental Handbook for a list of eligible courses)

If you have just recently enrolled as a Religion Specialist, that is, during the April-September 2011 enrollment period, you must follow these requirements:

(6.5 full courses or their equivalent)

1. RLG100Y1/RLG280Y1 in first or second year.
2. RLG 200H1, which is a prerequisite for all 400 level course and must be taken no later than the third year of study.
3. One FCE from: RLG202Y1 – RLG209Y1, RLG241Y1.
4. Two RLG FCEs the 300+ level, one of which must be in the same tradition/area as that for #3 above.
5. 1.5 FCE other RLG courses.
6. RLG404H1 or RLG405H1 or RLG406H1, a capstone, integrative course.

One cross-listed course may be counted towards the fulfillment of the degree (consult the Departmental Handbook for a list of eligible courses)

Religion Minor (Arts Program)

Enrollment in this program requires the completion of 4.0 courses.

(4 full courses or their equivalent)

1. RLG100Y1/RLG200Y1/RLG280Y1.
2. One 300+ series RLG course.
3. Two other courses.
4. No cross-listed courses may be counted.

Religion: Christian Origins Specialist (Arts program)

Enrollment in this program requires the completion of 4.0 courses.

(11 full courses or their equivalent)

1. RLG100Y1/RLG280Y1 in first or second year
2. RLG241Y1
3. RLG203Y1/RLG331Y1
4. No later than the third year of study: RLG200H1. RLG200H1 is a prerequisite for all 400 level courses.
5. Two full courses in Greek, normally fulfilled by GRK101H1, GRK102H1 + GRK200H1, and GRK201H1 and GRK202H1 (Note: Upon approval of the program coordinator, students may be permitted to substitute for these courses two full courses in another ancient language, e.g., Coptic, Syriac, Aramaic.)
6. Five 300+ half-courses (at least one half course must be from the 400-level) chosen from RLG319H1, RLG320H1, RLG321H1, RLG322H1, RLG323H1, RLG324H1, RLG325H1, RLG326H1, RLG327H1, RLG448H1, RLG449H1, RLG451H1, RLG452H1, RLG453H1, RLG454H1, RLG455H1, RLG458H1.
7. Three half courses or the equivalent chosen from CLA204H1, CLA230H1, CLA231H1, CLA232H1, CLA233H1, CLA305H1, CLA308H1, CLA310H1, CLA364H1,  CLA368H1, CLA369H1, CLA371H, CLA378H1, NMC250H1 (formerly NMC329H1), NMC252H1, NMC257H, NMC270Y1, NMC281H1 (formerly NMC252H1), NMC324H1, NMC338H1, NMC360H1, NMC361H1, NML352H1, NML353H1, NML356Y1, NML357H1, NML358H1, NML359H1, NML451H1, NML452H1, NML454H1, FAH300H1, FAH309H1, FAH312H1, FAH313H1, FAH316H1, FAH318H1, FAH319H1, FAH418H1, FAH424H1.
8. One full course in another religious tradition, preferably an Asian tradition such as Hinduism or Buddhism.
9. RLG404H1 or RLG405H1, or RLG406H1, a capstone integrative course (note: this does not fulfil the requirement of the 400 level FCE in #6 above.)

Buddhist Studies Specialist (Arts program)

Enrollment in this program requires the completion of 4.0 courses.

(10 full courses or their equivalent)

1.    RLG100Y1/RLG280Y1 in first or second year.
2.    No later than the third year of study:  RLG200H1. RLG200H1 is a prerequisite for all 400 level courses.
3.    RLG206Y1.
4.     Two consecutive (FCE) language courses in one of: Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Sanskrit or Tibetan.
5.     One FCE drawn from RLG courses in Judaism, Christianity or Islam, or RLG210Y1, RLG211Y1, RLG212H1.
6.     A total of EIGHT half-courses (or equivalent) chosen from the list below. At least six half-courses (or equivalent) must be RLG courses (EAS324H1, EAS325H1, and EAS361Y1 are counted as RLG courses here). At least six half-courses (or equivalent) must be taken at the 300 level or higher, including at least two half-courses (or equivalent) at the 400 level.
Second year courses: RLG205Y1, RLG207Y1, RLG236H1, RLG245Y1, RLG246H1, RLGB03H3F, RLGB07H3F, FAH260H1, EAS209Y1, EAS215H1, HIS280Y1, HIS281Y1, HIS282Y1, HIS283H1, NEW214Y1, NEW232Y1, PHL237H1.
Third year courses: RLG316H1, RLG356H1, RLG361H1, RLG363H1, RLG366H1, RLG367H1, RLG368H1, RLG371H1, RLG372H1, RLG373H1, RLG375H1, RLG371H5, RLG373H5, RLG374H5, RLGC07H3S, FAH361H1, FAH362H1, FAH363H1, FAH364H1, FAH368H1, EAS324H1, EAS325H1, EAS338H1, EAS361Y1, EAS346H1, HIS380H1, NEW331H1, NEW332H1, NEW333H1, NEW339H1, PHL337H1.
Fourth year courses: RLG462H1, RLG463H1, RLG464H1, RLG465H1, RLG466H1, RLG467H1, RLG468H1, RLG469H1, RLG470H1, RLG470H5, RLG473H1, RLG490Y1, FAH461H1, HIS409H1, HIS485H1, NEW433H1.
7.    RLG404H1 or RLG405H1 or RLG406H1, a capstone integrative course (note: this does not fulfil the requirement of the 400 level FCE in #6 above).

Buddhist Studies Major (Arts program)

Enrollment in this program requires the completion of 4.0 courses.

(7 full courses or their equivalent)

1. RLG100Y1/RLG280Y1 in first or second year
2. No later than the third year of study: RLG200H1. RLG200H is a prerequisite for all 400 level courses
3. RLG206Y1
4. A total of EIGHT half-courses (or equivalent) chosen from the following list; at least six half-courses (or equivalent) must be RLG courses (EAS324H, EAS325H, and EAS361Y are counted as RLG courses here). Six half-courses (or equivalent) must be taken at the 300 level or higher, including at least two half-courses (or equivalent) at the 400 level.
Second year courses: RLG205Y1, RLG207Y1, RLG236H1, RLG245Y1, RLG246H1, RLGB03H3F, RLGB07H3F, FAH260H1, EAS209Y1, EAS215H1, HIS280Y1, HIS281Y1, HIS282Y1, HIS283H1, NEW214Y1, NEW232Y1, PHL237H1.
Third year courses: RLG316H1, RLG356H1, RLG361H1, RLG363H1, RLG366H1, RLG367H1, RLG368H1,RLG371H1, RLG372H1, RLG373H1, RLG375H1, RLG371H5, RLG373H5, RLG374H5, RLGC07H3S, FAH361H1, FAH362H1, FAH363H1 FAH364H1, FAH368H1, EAS324H1, EAS325H1, EAS338H1, EAS361Y1, EAS346H1, HIS380H1, NEW331H1, NEW332H1, NEW333H1, NEW339H1, PHL337H1.
Fourth year courses: RLG462H1, RLG463H1, RLG464H1, RLG465H1, RLG466H1, RLG467H1, RLG468H1, RLG469H1, RLG470H1, RLG470H5, RLG473H1, RLG490Y1, FAH461H1, HIS409H1, HIS485H1, NEW433H1.
5. RLG4041H1 or RLG405H1 or RLG406H1, a capstone, integrative course. (Note: this does not fulfil the requirement of the 400 level FCE in #4 above.)

Islamic Studies Major (Arts program)

Enrollment in this program requires the completion of 4.0 courses.

(6.5 full courses or their equivalent)

1. RLG100Y1/RLG280Y1 in first or second year.
2. RLG200H1. RLG200H1 is a prerequisite for all 400 level courses and must be taken no later than the third year of study
3. RLG204Y1 or NMC185Y1Y
4. One full course from the following: RLG210Y1, RLG211Y1, RLG212H1
5. 2.5 (or 3 if RLG212H1 is taken to fulfill requirement 4) full courses from the following list: (2 FCEs must be at the 300+ level): NMC275H1, NMC285H1, NMC286H1, 365H, NMC381H1, NMC387H1, NMC388H1, NMC389H1, NMC393H1, NMC396Y1, NMC481H1; RLG250H, RLG251H1, RLG351H1, RLG350H1, RLG354H1, RLG355H1, RLG456H1, RLG457H1, RLG459H1, RLG461H1; PHL336H1
6. RLG404H1 or RLG405H1 or RLG406H1, a capstone, integrative course.

To enroll in a 400-level course