Religious Studies
Follow us on social media! 
Welcome to the Religious Studies Department! For more than 50 years, the University of Waterloo has offered courses in religious studies. Religious Studies is a flexible program that offers several plans for undergraduate students and includes a wide range of courses. Students are able to specialize in three main areas: World Religions; Christian Traditions; and Religion, Culture, and Society. Religious Studies is also a great complement to other programs where students can pursue a joint honours degree or a minor.
Our faculty have varied research interests and also contribute to other university departments and programs, including: Sociology, Anthropology, Jewish Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, Social Development Studies, Gender and Social Justice, Fine Arts, and Graduate Theological Studies.
Our department enjoys the diverse resources of St. Jerome’s University, Conrad Grebel University College, St. Paul’s University College, Renison University College, and the Faculty of Arts.
The Department of Religious Studies at the University of Waterloo in partnership with the Religion and Culture Department at Wilfrid Laurier University, offers a joint PhD in Religious Studies with a unique concentration on religious diversity of North America.
News
- Nov. 19, 2019Prof. Alicia Batten's interview on the Epistle of James
Dr. Alicia Batten featured on the Classical Ideas Podcast's hundreth episode on the Epistle of James. She discusses the Epistle of James, Quelle, and the meaning of James in 2019. She dives into history; ancient economics; philosophy; the identity, reception, and interpretation of James; parallels between the letter of James and the teachings of Jesus; and more.
- Nov. 11, 2019Prof. Doris Jakobsh's new article on "Sundri, then and now"
Congratulations to professor Doris Jakobsh on her new article "Sundri, then and now" published by Sikh Formations, Taylor and Francis online.
- Oct. 21, 2019Prof. Jeff Wilson's new article: Buddhism without merit
Congratulations to professor Jeff Wilson on his new article: "Buddhism Without Merit: Theorizing Buddhist Religio-Economic Activity in the Contemporary World", published by the Journal of Global Buddhism.
Events
- Nov. 24, 2019Arab Cultural Festival
Join us for a night of celebration in poetry, fashion, creative arts, music and dance! Admission is FREE.
Performances include:
- Nov. 29, 2019Talk: Sikhs Online: A Gendered Perspective
A free lecture by professor Doris Jakobsh at the University of Winnipeg.
