Note: This is the 2011–2012 edition of the eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or click here to jump to the newest eCalendar.
Jump To:
- Religious Studies Admission Requirements and Application Procedures
- Religious Studies Faculty
- Master of Arts (M.A.); Religious Studies (Thesis) (48 credits)
- Master of Arts (M.A.); Religious Studies (Thesis) — Gender and Women’s Studies (45 credits)
- Master of Arts (M.A.); Religious Studies (Thesis) — Bioethics (45 credits)
- Master of Arts (M.A.); Religious Studies (Non-Thesis) (45 credits)
- Master of Sacred Theology (STM); Religious Studies (Non-Thesis) (48 credits)
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Religious Studies
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Religious Studies — Gender and Women’s Studies
Religious Studies
Location
Location
- Faculty of Religious Studies
- William and Henry Birks Building
- 3520 University Street
- Montreal, QC H3A 2A7
- Canada
- Telephone: 514-398-4121
- Fax: 514-398-6665
- Website: www.mcgill.ca/religiousstudies
About Religious Studies
About Religious Studies
The Faculty of Religious Studies offers programs leading to the degrees of Master of Arts (M.A.) (Thesis and Non-Thesis), Master of Arts (M.A.) (Thesis) with Specialization in Bioethics, Master of Arts (M.A.) (Thesis) with Specialization in Gender and Women’s Studies, Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). A new interdisciplinary option in Gender and Women's Studies is also available for doctoral students.
The areas of graduate specializations of our world-renowned Faculty are: Hebrew Bible and/or Old Testament Studies, Early Judaism, Greco-Roman Judaism, New Testament and Early Christianity, Church History, Christian Theology, Philosophy of Religion, Religious Ethics, Biomedical Ethics, Hinduism, and Buddhism. The many different areas of research interest among the members of the Faculty frequently require the hiring of graduate students as Research Assistants especially as the Faculty is so successful in gaining research grants. The Faculty also seeks to train young scholars in the art of lecturing/teaching; to this end it has created opportunities for Ph.D. students to teach courses in the summer and permits M.A. and Ph.D. students to work as teaching assistants. The individual programs are described below.
Adequate library facilities are available in the William and Henry Birks Building and elsewhere in the University for the courses listed, and for research.
Language Requirements
The Faculty of Religious Studies offers courses in primary text source languages, such as Biblical Hebrew, Aramaic, Biblical Greek, Sanskrit, Pali, Tamil, and classical literary Tibetan. The Faculty does not guarantee instruction in any languages other than those mentioned above. Therefore, if a student wishes to have a language such as French, German, or Japanese counted as a second language, instruction may have to be sought outside the Faculty. The successful completion of at least 12 credits at the post-secondary level in a language course, or successful completion of a language examination administered by the appropriate member of the Faculty, will constitute evidence of the student's having the required reading knowledge of the language in question.
M.A.
Students are required to give their area committee evidence of reading knowledge of a scholarly language other than English. This language may be either a modern language in which there is a significant amount of scholarship relevant to the student's area of research, or a classical language relevant to the student's area of research. If a classical language is chosen, it must be in addition to any prerequisite language for the area in question.
Ph.D.
Students are required to give their area committee evidence of reading knowledge of two languages other than English. These languages must be chosen from modern languages in which there is a significant amount of scholarship relevant to the student's area of research or classical languages relevant to the student's area of research.
Research in some disciplines, or on certain thesis topics, may require proficiency in more than two languages besides English. In that case, additional language requirements may be stipulated by the supervisor.
S.T.M.
The S.T.M. program has no language requirement.
Master of Arts (M.A.); Religious Studies (Thesis) (48 credits) |
---|
The purpose of the M.A. (Thesis) degree is to encourage advanced study and research in one of the disciplines of religious studies for those who wish to become scholars or teachers, or will be engaged in some field of religious or public service. An option in the M.A. (Thesis) program is the M.A. in Religious Studies with specialization in Bioethics, offered in collaboration with the Bioethics Unit. |
Master of Arts (M.A.); Religious Studies (Thesis) — Gender and Women’s Studies (45 credits) |
---|
The graduate option in Gender and Women’s Studies is an interdisciplinary program for students who meet degree requirements in Religious Studies (and other participating departments and faculties) and who wish to focus on gender-related issues and feminist research and methodologies. Research focus is on a topic relating to gender issues or women’s studies. |
Master of Arts (M.A.); Religious Studies (Thesis) — Bioethics (45 credits) |
---|
The M.A. (Thesis) with specialization in Bioethics is offered in conjunction with the Bioethics Unit. Please contact the Religious Studies Department or Bioethics Unit for more information about this specialization. The curriculum is composed of required courses (6 credits) offered in the Biomedical Ethics Unit, bioethics courses (6 credit minimum) offered by the base faculty or department, and any graduate course required or accepted by a base faculty for the granting of a master’s degree, for a total of 21 credits. A minimum of 45 credits is required including the thesis. |
Master of Arts (M.A.); Religious Studies (Non-Thesis) (45 credits) |
---|
The M.A. without thesis is intended to ensure a student's well-rounded exposure to several religions and to several of the disciplinary approaches currently used in their academic study. Particular to this program is its ability to provide the student with the opportunity to develop three different research papers with reference to the student’s own interests in Religious Studies under the supervision of professors from various parts of the University. |
Master of Sacred Theology (STM); Religious Studies (Non-Thesis) (48 credits) |
---|
The S.T.M. is meant for those who intend to enter the ministry of the Christian Church or another religious institution, or proceed to a teaching career or to some form of social work. This degree enables students to specialize in one area or discipline of theological study before or after the third year of the M.Div. and is unique in Canada. The S.T.M. program is fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the U.S. and Canada. |
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Religious Studies |
---|
The purpose of the Ph.D. program is to engage students in advanced academic studies normally in preparation for an academic career. The community of graduate scholars in this program is engaged in a broad spectrum of critical research involving any number of interdisciplinary approaches conducted on a number of different religious traditions. The Faculty members are committed to the training of teaching scholars making the FRS one of very few schools which values its ability to offer graduate students opportunities under faculty supervision to teach/lecture during their time in the program. |
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Religious Studies — Gender and Women’s Studies |
---|
The graduate option in Gender and Women's Studies is an interdisciplinary program for students who meet the degree requirements in Religious Studies who wish to focus on gender-related issues and feminist research and methodologies. Research focus is on a topic relating to gender issues or women’s studies. Please contact the Department for more information about this option. |
Religious Studies Admission Requirements and Application Procedures
Religious Studies Admission Requirements and Application Procedures
Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements
Master of Arts (M.A.) Thesis
Applicants must possess a B.A. with a Major or Honours in Religious Studies or a Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.), or a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree, normally with a minimum CGPA of 3.3/4.0 (B+) from an accredited university or college. Applicants with fewer than 30 appropriate credits in Religious Studies or Theology are normally required to take a Qualifying Program before entering the M.A.
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Religious Studies (Thesis) – Gender and Women’s Studies Option/Concentration
The graduate option in Gender and Women's Studies is an interdisciplinary program for students who meet degree requirements in Religious Studies (and other participating departments and faculties) who wish to focus on gender-related issues and feminist research and methodologies. Research focus is on a topic relating to gender issues or women's studies.
Master of Arts (M.A.) (Thesis) in Religious Studies with specialization in Bioethics
For information contact the Chair, Master's Specialization in Bioethics, Biomedical Ethics Unit, 3690 Peel Street, Montreal, QC, H3A 1W9. Telephone: 514-398-6980. Fax: 514-398-8349. Email: jennifer.fishman [at] mcgill.ca.
Master of Arts (M.A.) (Non-Thesis)
Applicants must possess a B.A. with a Major or Honours in Religious Studies or a Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.), or a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree, normally with a minimum CGPA of 3.3/4.0 (B+) from an accredited university or college. Applicants with fewer than 30 appropriate credits in Religious Studies or Theology are normally required to take a Qualifying Program before entering the M.A.
Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.)
Applicants must possess a B.A., normally with at least a good second class standing (B+ or CGPA 3.3/4.0), in a major or honours program in religious studies or theology from an accredited university or college. Those who have a 91ÉçÇø B.Th. or an equivalent degree in addition to a B.A. degree with a second class standing may be admitted to the second year of the S.T.M. program.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Entry into the doctoral program is limited to applicants who have earned an academic master's degree in Religious Studies or Theology in a recognized graduate program, or those who have finished the course requirements of such a program with a minimum CGPA of 3.5/4.0.
Advanced standing (Ph.D. 2) may be granted if the completed master's-level work including a thesis is in the same area as that of the intended doctoral specialization and involved not less than six (6) courses (18 credits).
It is recommended that a foreign language related to the area of study be included in the bachelor's or master's work preceding doctoral study.
Applicants for doctoral programs are requested to submit a substantial sample of their scholarly writing (15-20 pages) with their application. The application should specify one of the specializations listed in About Religious Studies.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Religious Studies – Gender and Women’s Studies Option/Concentration
The graduate option in Gender and Women's Studies is an interdisciplinary program for students who meet the degree requirements in Religious Studies who wish to focus on gender-related issues and feminist research and methodologies. Research focus is on a topic relating to gender issues or women's studies.
Application Procedures
Application Procedures
Application forms for admission are available at www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/apply. Applications are completed online and submitted electronically. All supporting documents must be submitted to the Graduate Admissions Office of the Faculty of Religious Studies.
The following items must be submitted before the application can be considered by the Faculty's Graduate Admissions Committee:
- application form;
- non-refundable $100 application fee (payable by credit card only);
- two copies of the official transcripts of all post-secondary courses taken and degrees completed;
- two academic letters of recommendation addressed to the Chair of the Graduate Admissions committee;
- a statement of intent of approximately 500 words;
- a sample of recent academic writing;
- non-Canadian applicants whose mother tongue is not English and who have not completed an undergraduate degree from a recognized institution where English is the language of instruction must submit documented proof of competency in oral and written English, e.g., TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) with a minimum score of 577 on the paper-based test.
Permanent residents may be required to submit a TOEFL score.
Dates for Guaranteed Consideration
For dates for guaranteed consideration, please consult the following website: www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/programs. Then select the appropriate program.
For funding consideration: the application for September admission must be submitted by February 1. For general admission, please consult the dates for guaranteed consideration.
Religious Studies Faculty
Religious Studies Faculty
Dean, Faculty of Religious Studies |
---|
Ellen B. Aitken |
Graduate Program Chair |
---|
Patricia G. Kirkpatrick |
Graduate Admissions Chair |
---|
Lara Braitstein (on sabbatical Fall 2011) |
Emeritus Professors |
---|
G.B. Baum; B.A.(McM.), M.A.(Ohio), D.Th.(Fribourg) |
M. Boutin; B.A., B.A., B.A.(Montr.), D.Th.(Munich) (J.W. McConnell Professor of Philosophy of Religion) |
R.C. Culley; B.A.(Tor.), B.D.(Knox, Tor.), M.A., Ph.D.(Tor.), D.D.(Montr. Dio. Coll.) |
D.J. Hall; B.A.(W. Ont.), M.Div., S.T.M., Th.D.(U.T.S., N.Y.), D.D.(Qu.), LL.D.(Wat.), D.D.(Presb. Coll.) |
J.C. McLelland; B.A.(McM.), M.A.(Tor.), B.D.(Knox, Tor.), Ph.D.(Edin.), D.D.(Montr. Dio. Coll.), D.D.(Knox, Tor.) |
D. R. Runnalls; B.A.(Br. Col.), B.D.(McG.), Ph.D.(Tor.) |
F. Wisse; Ing.(Utrecht), B.A., B.D.(Calvin), Ph.D.(Claremont) |
Professors |
---|
D.B. Farrow; B.R.E.(Providence), M.Div.(Grace), M.Th.(Regent), Ph.D.(Lond.) |
T. Kirby; B.A.(KCNS), M.A.(Dal.), D.Phil.(Oxf.) |
G.S. Oegema; B.A., Th.D.(Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam), M.A., Ph.D.(Free Univ., Berlin), Dr. Theol. Habil(Tübingen) |
A. Sharma; B.A.(Alld.), M.A.(Syrac.), M.T.S., Ph.D.(Harv.) (Henry Birks Professor of Comparative Religion) |
K.K. Young; B.A.(Vermont), M.A.(Chic.), Ph.D.(McG.) (James 91ÉçÇø Professor of Hinduism/Comparative Religion ) (Post-Retirement) |
Associate Professors |
---|
E.B. Aitken; A.B.(Harv.), M.Div.(Univ. of the South), Th.D.(Harv.) |
L. Braitstein; B.A., M.A., Ph.D.(McG.) |
G. Fiasse; B.A., M.A., Ph.D.(Louvain) (joint appt. with Philosophy) |
I.H. Henderson; B.A.(Manit.), B.D.(St. And.), M.A.(McM.), D.Phil.(Oxf.) |
G.V. Hori; B.A.(York), M.A.(Tor.), Ph.D.(Stan.) |
P.G. Kirkpatrick; B.A.(McG.), M.Th.(Lond.), D.Phil.(Oxf.), D.D.(Montr. Dio. Coll.) |
D. Soneji; B.A.(Manit.), Ph.D.(McG.) |
Assistant Professors |
---|
D. Cere; B.A., M.A.(McG.), Ph.D.(C'dia) |
G. Green; B.A.(Ariz.), M.A.(Catholic Univ. of Louvain), M.A., Ph.D.(Boston) |
Faculty Lecturers |
---|
J. Kanaris; B.A.(C'dia), M.A., Ph.D.(McG.) |
F. Udoh; B.Phil.(Institut de Philosophie, Kinshasa), S.T.B.(Pontificia Universitas Gregoriana), M.Phil.(Oxf.), Ph.D.(Duke) |
Numata Visiting Professor |
---|
M. Adam; B.A.(Calg.), M.A.(Wat.), Ph.D.(McG.) |
Adjunct Professors |
---|
P. Jennings; E. Jones; P. Joudrey; W. Klempa; T.J. Langri; L. Marr; V. Sasson; J.M. Simons; J. Vissers; D. Woods |
Master of Arts (M.A.); Religious Studies (Thesis) (48 credits)
For more information, see Master of Arts (M.A.); Religious Studies (Thesis) (48 credits).
Master of Arts (M.A.); Religious Studies (Thesis) — Gender and Women’s Studies (45 credits)
For more information, see Master of Arts (M.A.); Religious Studies (Thesis) — Gender and Women’s Studies (45 credits).
Master of Arts (M.A.); Religious Studies (Thesis) — Bioethics (45 credits)
For more information, see Master of Arts (M.A.); Religious Studies (Thesis) — Bioethics (45 credits).
Master of Arts (M.A.); Religious Studies (Non-Thesis) (45 credits)
For more information, see Master of Arts (M.A.); Religious Studies (Non-Thesis) (45 credits).
Master of Sacred Theology (STM); Religious Studies (Non-Thesis) (48 credits)
ATS Accreditation: ...
For more information, see Master of Sacred Theology (STM); Religious Studies (Non-Thesis) (48 credits).
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Religious Studies
For more information, see Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Religious Studies.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Religious Studies — Gender and Women’s Studies
For more information, see Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Religious Studies — Gender and Women’s Studies.