Information For

• Prospective Students
• Current Students
• • Campus Ministry
  • Career and Vocation Centre
  • Community Service-Learning
  • New First-Year Students
  • Programs and Departments
  • • Academic Departments
    • Course Catalogue
    • • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • Catholic Studies
      • Classic, Medieval And Renaissance Studies
      • Economics
      • English
      • French
      • Hebrew
      • History
      • Interdisciplinary Studies Courses
      • Philosophy
      • Political Studies
      • Psychology
      • Religious Studies
      • Sociology
      • Spanish
      • Ukrainian
    • Special Course Offerings
    • Spring Session in Ukraine
  • Registration
  • Scholarships, Bursaries & Awards
  • Shannon Library
  • Student Clubs
  • Student Services
• Alumni
• Faculty & Staff

About STM College

• Catholic Mission
• Programs and Departments
• Research & Publications
• Shannon Library
• Choices at St. Thomas More
• General Information
•   Login

RELIGIOUS STUDIES

RLST 110.6 — 1&2(3L)

World Religions

A critical survey of the history, sources and chief characteristics of major world religions, including, in particular, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Particular attention will be given to an investigation of the phenomenon called religion, and to the relationships between religion and culture.

RLST 219.3 — 1/2(3L)

Bible and Western Culture

Explores the influence of the Bible on the culture of the west, ancient and modern, with a particular focus on the role of biblical themes, symbols and characters in art, literature, music and popular culture.
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in RLST or 24 credit units at the university level.

RLST 220.3 — 1/2(3L)

Women in Western Religious Traditions

Study of women in major western religious traditions: influence of conceptual systems and language; women’s embodiment and religion, feminine spirituality, women’s contributions to western faiths, and feminine aspects of divinity.
Formerly:RLST 325.
Prerequisite(s): RLST 110 or 24 credit units at the university level.
Note: Students with credit for RLST 325 may not take this course for credit.

RLST 221.3 — 1/2(3L)

Introduction to Christianity

A systematic examination of the foundations of belief in the major divisions of Christianity - Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, and Protestantism - with emphasis on various theories of revelation, religious authority and public worship.
Prerequisite(s): RLST 110 or 24 credit units at the university level.

RLST 222.3 — 1/2(3L)

Intro to Christian Contemplative Tradition

Introduces Christianity from the perspective of the contemplative tradition. Commencing with the pre-Christian Greek heritage the course examines the early Christian period of the desert contemplative life in various mystical writings and contemporary expressions of Christian contemplation.
Prerequisite(s): RLST 110 or completion of 30 credit units at the university level.

RLST 223.3 — 1/2(3L)

Introduction to Christian Thought

A study of the fundamental teachings of Christianity - the Trinity, creation, redemption, and sanctification - with an examination of the forms of worship and theories about morality, both individual and social, as these are found in the various sectors of contemporary Christianity.
Prerequisite(s): RLST 110 or 24 credit units at the university level.

RLST 224.3 — 1/2(3L)

Introduction to Christian Ritual and Worship

Examines Christian ritual and worship through historical and comparative approaches. Special emphasis will be placed on the role of the rites of initiation and Eucharist. Students will examine the contemporary practices of Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches.
Prerequisite(s): RLST 110 or 24 credit units at the university level.

RLST 225.3 — 1/2(3L)

Perspectives on Jesus

The findings of modern biblical and historical research will be applied to the figure of Jesus as presented in the New Testament, and to the development of doctrine in Christianity.
Prerequisite(s): RLST 110 or 24 credit units at the university level.

RLST 227.3 — 1/2(3L)

Introduction to Judaism

An introduction to basic Jewish ideas, beliefs, and practices from the biblical times to the present.
Prerequisite(s): RLST 110 or 24 credit units at the university level.

RLST 228.3 — 1/2(3L)

Jewish Religious Thought

An introduction to Jewish theology and treatment of the concepts of God, Torah, and Israel by major Jewish philosophers.
Prerequisite(s): RLST 110 or 24 credit units at the university level.

RLST 253.3 — 1/2(3L)

Introduction to Old Testament

A basic introduction to the Old Testament, focussing on the historical, literary and theological characteristics of the various writings. Scholarly methods by which they are studied, and their relationship to the history of Israel will also be examined.
Prerequisite(s): RLST 110 or 24 credit units at the university level.
Note: Students with credit for RLST 250 may not take this course for credit.

RLST 254.3 — 1/2(3L)

Introduction to New Testament

A basic introduction to the New Testament, focussing on the historical, literary and theological characteristics of the various writings. Scholarly methods by which they are studied, and their relationship to Christianity will also be examined.
Prerequisite(s): RLST 110 or 24 credit units at the university level.
Note: Students with credit for RLST 252 may not take this course for credit.

RLST 280.3 — 1/2(3L)

Methodologies and Approaches to Study of Religions

An introduction to theories and approaches in the academic study of religion. Origins and development of social scientific, historical, phenomenological and comparative approaches will be examined.
Prerequisite(s): RLST 110 or 24 credit units at the university level.

RLST 298.3 — 1/2(3L)

Special Topics

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

RLST 303.3 — 1/2(3L)

Goddesses in Myth and History

Investigates the role of goddesses in religion from prehistory to the present, east and west. Combines historical and thematic approaches, focussing on the many roles of the female divine. Ancient goddesses, goddess worship in world religions, and contemporary feminist goddess spirituality, including Wicca, will be examined.
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in RLST or 48 credit units at the university level.

RLST 314.3 — 1/2(3L)

Contemporary Catholic Thought

An analysis of contemporary Roman Catholic thought with emphasis on the second Vatican Council (1962-1965) and its effects. Themes include identity of and membership in the church, liturgical renewal, post-concilliar forms of spirituality and community, social doctrine, and moral issues.
Prerequisite(s): A 200-level RLST course or 48 credit units at the university level.

RLST 315.3 — 1/2(3L)

Eastern Christian Thought First Millennium

A survey of individuals and movements that shaped and influenced the development of Eastern Christianity during the first millennium.
Prerequisite(s): A 200-level RLST course or 48 credit units at the university level.

RLST 316.3 — 1/2(3L)

Eastern Christianity Thought Second Millennium

A survey of individuals and movements that shaped Eastern Christianity from the conversion of the Slavs to the present-day diaspora.
Prerequisite(s): A 200-level RLST course or 48 credit units at the university level.

RLST 320.3 — 1/2(3L)

Contemporary Protestant Thought

Analysis of 20th-century Protestant thought. Special emphasis given to problems of religious knowledge and to the stance of Christianity in the modern world. Relationship to Roman Catholic thought is included.
Prerequisite(s): A 200-level RLST course or 48 credit units at the university level.

RLST 321.3 — 1/2(3L)

Gender and God Talk

An overview of feminist theological perspectives, both as critiques of traditional culture and theology and as constructions of new visions and ways of religious life.
Prerequisite(s): A 200-level RLST course or 48 credit units at the university level.

RLST 326.3 — 1/2(3L)

Christian Thought in Art

Introduction to iconography in Christianity with emphasis on exploring the relationship between uniquely Christian themes and art as a bearer of meaning. Attention will be given to the historical and doctrinal developments relating to icons and their use in worship and reflection in early Christianity and the Eastern Christian Churches.
Prerequisite(s):A 200-level RLST course or 48 credit units at the university level.
Note: Students with credit for RLST 226 cannot take this course for credit.

RLST 328.3 — 1/2(3L)

Jewish Christian Relations in Historical Perspective

Christianity emerged out of Judaism, and this course examines the relationships that have existed between the two religions through the ages. Both Christian and Jewish sources will be examined to develop a critical perspective on this important aspect of western religious heritage.
Prerequisite(s): A 200-level RLST course or 48 credit units at the university level.

RLST 359.3 — 1/2(3L)

Women and Bible

Examines historical, social and theological aspects of women’s relationship to the Old and New Testament, the portrayal of women in biblical texts, the interpretation of biblical texts about women, biblical attributions of gender to the divine, the history of women as biblical interpreters, and feminist hermeneutics.
Prerequisite(s): A 200-level RLST or WGST course.

RLST 361.3 - 1/2(3L)

Rabbinic Literature

A study of post-Biblical Jewish religious literature, including legal, ethical and theological material. Emphasis will be placed on both methodology and content, with illustrative texts read in English.
Prerequisite(s): RLST 227 or 228.

RLST 363.3 — 1/2(3L)

Early Christian Literature

A study of extra-biblical Christian writings up to 150 CE with emphasis on the beliefs of early Christianity, relationship with paganism and Judaism, and the development of internal organizational structures.
Prerequisite(s): A 200-level RLST course or 48 credit units at the university.
Note: Students with credit for RLST 309 or 311 may not take this course for credit.

RLST 365.3 — 1/2(3L)

Bible and Film

An examination of the uses of the Bible in film, including epic films, contemporary retellings of biblical stories, and the use of biblical themes and motifs in cinema. Uncovers the many ways in which biblical-theological themes shape and are shaped by contemporary culture.
Prerequisite(s): RLST 110, 253, 254, ENG 298, or 30 credit units at the university level.

RLST 375.3  - 1/2 (3L)

Religion and Science

The course investigates the relationship between Religion and Science. The course takes a historical and transcultural approach, beginning with Ancient Chinese, Amerindian, and pre-Enlightenment European understandings of the issues. Contemporary approaches to the relationship between religion and science are analyzed with emphasis on the influence of physics, evolutionary biology, and ecology.
Prerequisite(s):  RLST 110.6 or 3 credit units RLST at the 200 level or 48 credit units  at the university.

RLST 382.3 — 1/2(3L)

Sex, God and Rock n’ Roll Re-Vamping the Sacred

This course on religion, music, and pop culture will investigate the intimate connections between human musicality and sexuality, and assess their impact on definitions of divinity and the sacred. Theoretical issues include the ideology of sacred/profane dichotomies, musical/sexual taboos, and the politics of gender, race and class as expressed in ritual and liturgy.
Prerequisite(s): 200-level RLST course or 48 credit units at the university level.
Note: Students with credit for RLST Special Topics: Sex, God and Rock n Roll: Re-Vamping the Sacred may not take RLST 382 for credit.

RLST 391.3 — 1/2(3S)

Readings in Western Religions

Exposes the student to primary source materials. Emphasis is placed on individual study and research.
Prerequisite(s): A 200-level RLST course or 48 credit units at the university level.

RLST 392.3 — 1/2(3S)

Readings in Themes and Methods of Religious Studies

A reading course dealing with methodological issues or comparative themes in religious studies.
Prerequisite(s): A 200-level RLST course or 48 credit units at the university level.

RLST 411.3  - 1/2(3S)

Seminar in Religion and Literature

An advanced seminar in religious literature, chosen from either Eastern or Western religious traditions. Student  presentations and discussions are emphasized.

RLST 412.3 — 1/2(3S)

Seminar in Religions and Culture

A critical examination of religious ideas, beliefs, and practices in varied cultural contexts.
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units 300-level RLST or 18 credit units RLSTor permission of the department.

RLST 413.3 — 1/2(3S)

Seminar in Religious Thought

An advanced seminar in contemporary religious thought focusing on an important theme such as the nature of religious belief, the problem of suffering and evil, or religious pluralism.
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units 300-level RLST or 18 credit units RLST or permission of the department.

RLST 498.3 — 1/2(3S)

Special Topics

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish; Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal.” — St. Thomas More