Degree Maps : Faculty Humanities and Social Sciences : Memorial University

2024 - 2025

RELIGIOUS STUDIES

Upcoming Courses | Calendar | Department | Advice | My Degree Tracker

The Department of Religious Studies approaches the world's religious traditions and contemporary religiosity as historical and cultural phenomena. Courses offered examine the histories, texts, beliefs, values, and practices of a variety of the world's religions (including Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam), as well as the religious and spiritual dimensions of contemporary and popular culture. In addition to studying the beliefs and practices that comprise religion in its historical and contemporary reforms, our curriculum includes courses that contextualize religions in relation to the arts, politics, gender, sciences, ethics, and secularism. The study of religion invites multiple perspectives on the enduring place of religions and spiritualities in human society.

See the "My Degree Tracker" link above, for a suggested pattern of course sequencing for this major.

	Year One	Year Two	Year Three	Year Four and Beyond
STUDIES	To earn a Bachelor of Arts you must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours including the following degree components: core requirements, major or honours program, minor or second major, and electives. Work towards the completion of the BA's core requirements. Record your progress in the degree tracker. Ideally you should declare your major program by the end of the winter semester. Before you do, meet with an HSS academic advisor to review your intended degree requirements. Students who are not declared in an HSS major program (by the last day of exams for the winter semester) will not be eligible for the HSS Dean's List or HSS scholarships.	Finalize the BA core requirements (CRW, LS, and QR). Declare your second required program (minor or second major). Consult Undergraduate Program Directors and the Calendar, including the general undergraduate academic regulations and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences regulations. Meet with an HSS academic advisor to review progress in your degree program. Why not consider: applying for admission to an honours program or Co-op (if available). supplementing your degree with a certificate or diploma. Request an official degree audit when you complete 60 credit hours of course work.	Cross-check your degree advice with the University Calendar regulations, contact your department for information about honours program regulations/requirements. Check your Departmental web page for ongoing research. Meet with an HSS academic advisor to review progress in your degree program. If interested in pursuing a Masters program, discuss this with your department. Request an official degree audit when you complete 90 credit hours of course work.	Ensure all BA core requirements have been fulfilled. Meet with an HSS academic advisor to review progress in your degree program. When completing your final courses you must apply to graduate as per the steps to graduate web page. Make sure you apply before the deadlines posted on this web page. If you plan to attend convocation, keep an eye on the Convocation FAQ web page for information on registering for convocation (requesting tickets, booking academic dress, etc.).
STUDY TIPS	Begin your degree workplan with the Academic Advising Centre Be an active student; carefully examine your course syllabus, attend class, participate, ask questions, and visit instructors during office hours Improve your writing skills, avoid plagiarism, and maintain academic integrity with the help of the Writing Centre in SN 2053 Study tips, individual, and group counselling are available at the Student Wellness and Counselling Centre Seek support for disabilities, illness, mental health, and injuries through Accessibility Services The Academic Success Centre is a resources hub created to help students succeed Explore the study tips for years two through four - any tip is always helpful	Update your degree workplan with your academic advisor Complement your degree with certificate and diploma programs Explore scholarships and funding Understand rules through the Student Code of Conduct Do you have more than 60 credit hours? Get an official degree audit Have questions about your official degree audit? Follow up with the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Assistant Registrar at arts_registrar@mun.ca Avoid plagiarism and maintain academic integrity	Request a final official degree audit after winter semester to ensure you are on track for graduation Have questions about your official degree audit? Follow up with the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Assistant Registrar at arts_registrar@mun.ca Seek advice from instructors about graduate or professional schools Consider grants for graduate or professional studies in the fall Be mindful of application deadlines for professional and graduate schools everywhere and apply early Approach your instructors for academic references for future academic and professional endeavors	In September - if you have not had an audit within the last 3 semesters, request one now. The audit will ensure you are on track for graduation Finalize applications and academic references for professional or graduate school Graduation process: Apply to graduate before the deadlines posted in the graduation menu of your Self-service account
CAREER	Pondering your future career interest? Student Life offers career advice. Consultations with an experienced career advisor as well as professional development events are available. Current students can book a Career advising appointment through Navigate. Explore career interests with Career Cruising Learn how to build a professional resume/CV Gain experience by getting involved on campus and in the community.	Learn about the career versatility of the BA through BA Professional: A Career Conversation Series. Watch episodes on demand to hear from Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences alumni on how to build a successful career. Explore on-campus and summer jobs through MUCEP, ISWEP, and SWASP for exposure to research and administration Attend fall Career and Graduate School Fair and Summer Job Fair Meet up for career conversations, gain a better understanding of what careers are available with your degree and develop your networking and communications skills, in-person or online through the Meet Employers sessions.	Explore career interests related to your major(s). Seek opportunities to network in your community. Attend employer networking events such as Coffee and Connect Contact Student Life for Career planning advice. Ask about the Externship program. Get tips for your interview, or book a mock interview through Student Life. Check out the Peter Gzowski Internship Apply for a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placement - micro-placements program (5 or 10 days) available to all full-time and part-time undergraduate students at Memorial.	Prepare for life after graduation. Attend the Career and Graduate School Fair in the fall semester. Have your resume/CV critiqued by a Career Advisor. Check out the Graduate Transition to Employment Program (GTEP). Utilize the various Career Resources available through Student Life. Student Life is also available to alumni. Review the Graduating Student Handbook.
INVOLVEMENT	Register and attend the HSS welcome event Join the Religious Studies student society Attend departmental and society events Explore on- and off-campus volunteer opportunities through the Student Volunteer Bureau Attend the Get Involved and Volunteer Expo (GIVE) in the Fall Record your involvement in Memorial’s Online Record of Experience (MORE), an experiential tracking tool that provides students with the ability to record and capture their various co-curricular experiences	Attend departmental and HSS events Register for the VIP (Volunteer Incentive Program) Explore MUNSU services and resource centres Join clubs and societies Explore leadership programs through Student Life Join the HSS online communities on X, Facebook, and Instagram	Continue with previous involvement opportunities Seek opportunities to attend academic conferences through the department or the Canadian Society for the Study of Religion (CSSR) Create your own club or society through MUNSU ratification Consider running in MUNSU general elections	Think globally about your academic involvement through the International Association for the History of Religions Complete your Volunteer Incentive Program through the Student Volunteer Bureau Finalize your Memorial’s Online Record of Experience (MORE)
GO ABROAD	Consider Learning Abroad and develop a plan with the go abroad coordinator Explore Harlow Campus opportunities Attend the Global Opportunities Fair in the fall or winter to explore study/work/volunteer opportunities Discuss funding options for academic travels with the go abroad coordinator Explore international exchange programs	Review your plan with the go abroad coordinator Meet with department advisor to ensure you are academically on track to study abroad Know application deadlines and apply early	Prepare for departure with the go abroad coordinator Attend pre-departure orientation Complete pre-departure checklist and reflection Make the most of your travel experience; become a Memorial student leader	Unpack your go abroad experience Attend go abroad debrief and participate in a reflection Add international experience to your resume/CV Seek additional opportunities to work, volunteer and/or study abroad
WELL BEING	Well-being is integral to long-term student success. At Memorial we offer resources designed to maintain your health and equilibrium, and promote academic success. If you're in distress or crisis reach out for help • Become aware of supports available through the MUN Safe app - it is your direct line to a safer Memorial University. If you need a doctor, go to Student Wellness and Counselling Centre • Health and Dental insurance is offered through MUNSU • Foster well-being through online and in-person supports • Open the conversation about sexual harassment • Be a money smart student - know your finances, if you are in need, emergency loans and the campus food bank are available • The Works offers scheduled fitness programs and workout facilities • Living on-campus? Check out residence life • Living off-campus? Check out Off-Campus housing • Be safe with safedrive • Visit Wellness and Chaplaincy during exams • Still have questions? Checkout the wellness videos or talk to a counsellor.

A widely known activist and up-and-coming poet, Gemma Hickey is the advocate of many causes, but is best known for co-leading the movement that legalized same-sex marriage in Canada. She is the Founder of the Pathways Foundation, an emerging agency that offers support to survivors of clergy abuse and the Executive Director of For the Love of Learning, an arts-based charity that works to improve the lives of at-risk youth. A proud graduate of the religious studies department, she is the recipient of many scholarships and awards, including a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013. She is now a graduate student in the gender studies department. In the summer of 2015 she walked 900 kilometres across the island of Newfoundland to raise funds and awareness for the Pathways Foundation, an organization focused on those who have suffered abuse at the hands of the clergy.

What would your undergraduate self think of your current job?

My undergraduate self would be impressed by my current job, which is executive director of For the Love of Learning. I design cool arts projects that inspire and empower at-risk youth and I’m also a writer. Through my job, I combine my passion for social justice with my love of the arts. I actually considered doing social work as an undergraduate degree, but switched to religious studies out of pure interest. I was able to draw on my academic background when I founded Pathways, a non-profit for men and women who have experienced abuse within religious institutions in 2013.

What was your biggest challenge when arriving at university and how did you address this?

My biggest challenge was myself. I was still struggling with being a survivor of clergy sexual abuse. It was very difficult for me to focus on my studies. I ended up having to take a break from school after my first semester. I did go back eventually and finish my degree. And, this past January (2015), began my masters with the Department of Gender Studies at Memorial. My focus will be on activism as healing in terms of religious institutional abuse.

What resources did you use while at Memorial?

Mainly the resource centres. I often frequented the Women’s Resource Centre and was the general director of LBGT-MUN. The library was helpful, but the Breezeway more so.

Did you ever meet with advisors, faculty or staff while a student?

I resurrected the religious studies society so I was always organizing socials and lectures that provided students and faculty the opportunity to get to know one another. I like the idea of learning from someone who I can relate to on many levels.

How did your extracurricular activities (on and off campus) influence your success?

The activism and organizing I did on campus lit a fire in me that’s still burning! Nothing motivates me like a cause and when I believe in something I give it all I got.

Was there an experience you had during your university years that influenced or put you on a path to your current career?

As general director of LBGT-MUN I travelled to Halifax to present a brief on same-sex marriage to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights in 2003. After I graduated, I co-led the fight for equal marriage across Canada as president of Egale Canada and as an executive member of Canadians for Equal Marriage, playing a key role in the provincial court challenge, which I later wrote about. My essay, "Apples and Oranges" was published by Breakwater Books in an anthology called Out Proud: Stories of Pride, Courage and Social Justice.

Did you participate in a study abroad program?

No, because there’s no better place to learn or to live than right here in this province.

What advice do you have for undergraduate students?

Follow your dreams. They can actually be employable if you’re creative, witty, and have a lot of heart.

Make sure that you are preparing for your future but do it in a way that you get to study things that genuinely interest you.

by Sophie St. Croix - BA ’09, Classics (Memorial), Juris Doctor 2013, Schulich School of Law (Dalhousie), currently an associate at Roebothan McKay Marshall (St. John's)