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.
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STUDIES
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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 In your first 30 credit hours, take your first two RELS major courses. RELS 1000 and RELS 1001 are recommended. Note that you can also take any two of our language courses (Hebrew, Sanskrit, or Chinese) to fulfill the core Language Study requirement. Consult the University Calendar for program descriptions, degree regulations, course descriptions, important dates, and everything else academic. Work towards the completion of the core requirements for the BA. Record your progress in the degree tracker. Learn about declaring your program by visiting iDeclare or by emailing reghelp@mun.ca.
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In your next 30 to 60 credit hours, take four 2000-level courses. Finalize the BA core requirements (CRW, LS, and QR). Declare your minor or double major. Consult departmental liaisons and the University Calendar, including the general undergraduate academic regulations and Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences regulations. If you are looking for more academic credentials, consider applying for admission into an honours program. |
As part of your 60 to 90 credit hours take four RELS courses at the 3000 level or above. Cross-check your degree advice with the University Calendar regulations, contact your department for information about honours program regulations/requirements, and seek a potential honours essay supervisor with similar research interests.
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In your final 90 to 120 credit hours take one of the following 4000 level courses: RELS 4001, RELS 4002, RELS 4812 and one other RELS at the 3000 level or above. Ensure your Breadth of Knowledge requirement for the BA core requirements has been fulfilled. Apply to graduate before the deadlines posted in your Memorial Self-Service account, under the Graduation menu options. |
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STUDY TIPS
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CAREER
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Pondering your future career interest?
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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.
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Explore career interests related to your major(s). Seek opportunities to network in your community.
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Prepare for life after graduation.
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INVOLVEMENT
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Attend departmental events and Religious Studies Society mixer.
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Attend Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences events.
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Seek academic opportunities through the department or through the Canadian Society for the Study of Religion.
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Think globally about your academic involvement - International Association for the History of Religions.
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GO ABROAD
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Consider Learning Abroad and develop a plan with the go abroad coordinator.
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Review your plan with the go abroad coordinator.
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Prepare for departure with the go abroad coordinator.
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Unpack your go abroad experience.
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WELL BEING
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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 the 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. |
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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.