Offered this year

RCS 200: Greek and Roman Mythology

Instructor: TBA

Study of Greek and Roman myths, in the context of the culture and thought of Greece and Rome. Uses literary and artistic sources to establish and analyze the nature and function of myths in these cultures. Topics include the gods, heroes, local myths, political and cultural uses of myths and the origins of the influence of Greek and Roman myths on European culture.

* This course is cross-listed with GRS 200.

RCS 200B: Introduction to Asian Religions

Instructor: Dr. Martin Adam

A survey of the sources, beliefs and practices of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and the Chinese religions. The traditions are studied in their cultural and political contexts from both historical and contemporary perspectives.

*This course is cross-listed with PAAS 204

RCS 303: Origin of Space, Time and Matter in the Universe

Instructor: Dr. Arif Babul

For non-science students interested in expanding their understanding of the physical world. The aim is to combine topics in earth physics, particle physics, astronomy, and cosmology to study the nature and origin of space-time and matter, and the chemical composition of the earth, planets and stars. Highlights of larger issues, such as the nature of scientific knowledge, and the validity of science and the scientific method. A non-mathematical approach.

*This course is cross-listed PHYS 303.

RCS 309: Religion and Sexuality

Instructor: Dr. Rachel Brown

Explores the relationship between sexuality and religion. Topics include sexual and religious ethics, gender roles assigned by religious traditions, the ways these roles are changing and the effect of these changes on contemporary societal norms in Canada and elsewhere.

RCS 349: Jews and Christians in the Greek and Roman World

Instructor: Dr. Gregory Rowe

An introduction to the major approaches to the interpretation of classical myth, from ritualist to structuralist to feminist and beyond.

This course is cross listed with GRS 349.

RCS 351: The Transformation of the Late Roman World

Instructor: Dr. Gregory Rowe

The world of Late Antiquity in the Mediterranean region and the Near East during the period 150-750 CE. Emphasis on Christianization, the shifting role of the central state, the interaction of the Latin-speaking and Greek-speaking worlds and the development of a characteristic Late Antique culture in art and literature.

This course is cross listed with LATI 350. 

RCS 479A: Modern Religion and Empire

Instructor: Dr. Andrew Wender

Critically examines religion, empire, and multiple worldwide cases of their intersection from post-medieval era to the present. Organizing themes may include religious dimensions of empires’ rise and fall, imperial connotations of modern ideas and institutions concerning religion and the nation-state, imperial notions of messianic salvation, religious resistance to empire, civilizational empires, and today’s forms of imperial resurgence. Diverse worldviews (e.g., Abrahamic faiths, further monotheistic and nontheistic religions, Indigenous traditions) are situated within relevant contexts.

This course is cross listed HSTR 479A.

RCS 120: The People, Practices and Politics of Contemporary Yoga

Instructor: Dr. Paul Bramadat

Learn more about and practice various styles of yoga.

RCS 200: Greek and Roman Mythology

Instructor: TBA

Study of Greek and Roman myths, in the context of the culture and thought of Greece and Rome. Uses literary and artistic sources to establish and analyze the nature and function of myths in these cultures. Topics include the gods, heroes, local myths, political and cultural uses of myths and the origins of the influence of Greek and Roman myths on European culture.

*This course is cross-listed with GRS 200

RCS 200A: Introduction to Judaism, Christianity and Islam 

Instructor: Dr. Shamma Boyarin

An introductory survey of the sources, beliefs and practices of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The traditions are studied in their cultural and political contexts from both historical and contemporary perspectives.

RCS 260: The Bible as Literature

Instructor: Dr. Christopher Douglas

Surveys basic stories and books in the Old and New Testaments (including Genesis, Exodus, 1 and 2 Kings, Job, Song of Songs, Psalms, Isaiah, select minor prophets, the Gospels, Acts, select Pauline epistles, Hebrews and Revelations). Focus on the intrinsic literary features of the biblical books themselves. Aims to familiarize students with important biblical stories, genres and references in literature and religious discourse.

*This course is cross-listed with ENSH 233.

RCS 305: Magic, Mysticism and the Occult

Instructor: Dr. Martin Adam

Survey of mysticism and the occult as found in the history and literature of various religious traditions; critical analysis of the nature and significance of mystical experience; an exploration of belief in occult forces and figures; probing the connection between the occult and mysticism and the relationship between mysticism, the occult, and knowledge.

RCS 306: Critics of Religion

Instructor: Dr. Paul Bramadat

Examines critiques of religion from the modern "new atheists" and their historical precursors; may include figures such as Freud, Durkheim, Marx, Weber and Nietzsche. Assessment of these criticisms in order to understand the situation of religions in relation to society in the contemporary period.

RCS 310: Liberation through Anarchy?: A Religious Exploration

Instructor: Dr. Shamma Boyarin

More details coming soon!

RCS 311: Religion and Non-violent Civil Disobedience

Instructor: Dr. Martin Adam

Explores diverse traditions of non-violent civil disobedience, with special emphasis on Mohandas Gandhi’s religious ideals of nonviolence (ahimsā) and truth (satya) as applied in personal, social, political and environmental contexts. Comparisons drawn to the work of religious and political figures such as B. R. Ambedkar, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Krishnamurti, Thich Nhat Hanh, Aung San Suu Kyi, and the Dalai Lama.

*this course is cross-listed with PAAS 367.

RCS 312: Koiné Greek

Instructor: Dr. Gregory Roew

An introduction to the common dialect of ancient Greek used throughout the Greek world in the wake of the conquests of Alexander the Great (d. 323 BC), with an emphasis on gaining fluency. Readings from the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible), the New Testament and selected documents. Differences in grammar and orthography from classical Greek are discussed. May involve a palaeographical element, with readings from ancient papyri and medieval manuscripts.

*This course is cross-listed with GREE 310.

RCS 370: Intersections of Law and Religion from Ancient to Current Worlds

Instructor: Dr. Andrew Wender

Comparative global exploration of relationships among law and religion, across multiple historical contexts and traditions. Includes theistic worldviews like Judaism, Christianity and Islam, with sources and manifestations of law unfolding from the biblical to contemporary worlds. Diverse understandings of law in non-theistic traditions like Hinduism and Buddhism. Within modern settings, emphasis on secularist outlooks that re-embody, rather than eliminate, overlaps between law and religion, and on debates involving states' attempts to monopolize control over religion.

This course is cross listed with HSTR 370A.

RCS 382: Greek and Roman Religion

Instructor: TBA

Survey of Greek and Roman religious thought and practices. Focuses on conventional religious rituals and their social value, and on the success of Greek and Roman polytheism in adapting to changing historical and social circumstances. Particular attention to mystery religions, including Christianity, and their relationship to conventional forms of religious behaviour.

This course is cross listed with GRS 381.

RCS 383: Politics and Religion

Instructor: Dr. Andrew Wender

An exploration of the relationship between politics and religion, including the religious dimensions of state sovereignty, global politics and political conflict. Case studies are drawn from different regions of the world and various religious traditions.

This course is cross listed POLI 382.