What is beauty and why is it important? How do human rights and humanitarian law preserve peace? How do gender politics influence the global foodscape? Why has the Bible inspired so much violence? How did religious conflicts affect worship? How do social trends impact the art of sound? What can we learn from great musical works?
These questions are just a taste of what Grebel professors will explore with their students this fall.
Conrad Grebel University College administers the Music, Peace and Conflict Studies, and Mennonite Studies undergraduate programs at the University of Waterloo. In addition, Grebel professors teach History, Religious Studies, and Sociology courses. Grebel courses are engaging, intimate, and thought-provoking. And students are encouraged to broaden their world view by taking courses outside their immediate program of study.
Students can also earn additional course credit for participating in choirs and ensembles. The Music Department offers three choirs, chamber music and jazz ensembles, and Balinese Gamelan.
With lectures in close proximity to the Grebel residence, small class sizes, and friendly profs, what’s not to love? Students can mix and match to make their academic experience as unique as they are!
Below is a small sampling of Grebel courses for Fall 2018. See a complete course list.
| Course | Description |
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MUSIC 100 – Understanding Music The styles, forms, techniques, and terminology of Western music through lectures and listening, as exemplified by great works from all eras of music history. |
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MUSIC 110 – Music in Cultural Contexts From the music of Medieval monasteries, to gamelan music on the Isle of Bali, and a 20th-century concert with no music, find out more about the ideas, cultural traditions, and social trends that impact the art of sound. Work with a team of teachers who are passionate about their topics and love to share their knowledge and interests with students! |
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CMW 364/MUSIC 364/RS 358/TS 653 – Worship and its Music Who needs worship? Join us to learn about how Christian worship from the early church through modern era has turned experiences of torture, religious conflicts, and music cultures into a sacrifice of praise to God. Explore how worship shapes your life, and learn how to design a worship service that confronts us with divine reality today. |
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MUSIC 390 – Special Topics in Music: Orchestration & Arranging |
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HIST 224 – Food, Culture, and History Ever wonder about the food on your dinner plate? In this class you will explore the food systems, modes of production, race and gender politics, cultural customs, environmental considerations, and other factors that have influenced our global foodscape. Special attention will also be paid to the Canadian context and your own personal food culture and history. |
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PACS 202/LS 271 – Conflict Resolution One of the most practical courses on campus: Gain new understanding of your conflicts and learn new ways to respond. |
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PACS 301 – Special Topics in Peace and Conflict Studies: Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Interested in learning how human rights and humanitarian law are essential for the preservation of peace? Topics covered in this exploration will include key human rights treaties and principles, the laws of war, the conflict in Syria, and international criminal prosecution of war crimes. |
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RS 225 – Sacred Beauty: Religion and the Arts This course examines the role of art and various art forms (including, for example, architecture, painting, calligraphy, gardening) in a range of different religious traditions. We explore questions of what beauty is and why it is important. There will be several guest speakers as well as an Islamic calligraphy workshop. |
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RS 335 – The Violence of the Bible Why has the Bible inspired so much violence? This course explores how the Bible has been used to justify, and to oppose, violence in historical and contemporary contexts. It will address topics such as the crusades, slavery, the "conquest" of the Americas, apartheid in South Africa, the residential school system in Canada, gender violence, and the environmental crisis. |