Our Religion, Culture, and Spirituality (RCS) program at the University of Waterloo offers a flexible and interdisciplinary approach to exploring how belief systems shape individuals, communities, and cultures across time and place. Rooted in a commitment to high-quality undergraduate teaching, RCS courses encourage students to explore ideas and think critically.
Religion, culture, and spirituality are central to human societies around the world. They provide the foundations for social, political, economic, philosophical, and ethical activity. Understanding the complex relationship between religion, culture, and spirituality prepares us to engage an increasingly diverse world.
Learn from engaged and Interdisciplinary faculty.
Our faculty have varied research interests and also contribute to other university departments and programs, including: Sociology, Anthropology, Political Science, Peace and Conflict Studies, History, Philosophy, Gender and Social Justice, Classical Studies, Health Humanities, Jewish Studies, Studies in Islamic and Arabic Cultures.
Flexible academic options and courses.
Whether you’re looking to major, pursue a minor, or combine your interests through a joint honours degree, this program offers a wide range of academic options and course offerings. It also pairs well with other areas of study—like Sociology, Political Science, or Peace and Conflict Studies—making it a valuable complement to many programs.
Collaboration across campus.
You’ll study in a collaborative environment supported by St. Jerome’s University, Conrad Grebel University College, United College, Renison University College, and the Faculty of Arts.
Graduate Studies: Joint PhD in Religious Studies
Thinking beyond your undergraduate degree? We offer a Joint PhD in Religious Studies in partnership with Wilfrid Laurier University. This unique program focuses on the religious diversity of North America and draws on the combined strengths of both institutions.
Undergraduate studies
Learn more about program options and courses in Religion, Culture, and Spirituality.
Graduate studies
Discover the joint Laurier-Waterloo PhD in Religious Studies and areas of research.
Why study religion?
See the benefits studying religion can have on your education and career.
News
Pizza, Profs, and People!
On Thursday, October 24, 2024, the Religious Studies department held a student event.
An opportunity for students and professors connected to the program to get to know each other. More than twenty people came out for pizza and great conversation!
Congratulations to Tucker Finch, winner of the Distinguished Achievement Award in Religious Studies
Congratulations to Tucker Finch, winner of the Distinguished Achievement Award in Religious Studies for 2023 - 2024.
New book by Prof. James Diamond
Congratulations to our faculty member, James Diamond, on his recently published book entitled Reinventing Maimonides in Contemporary Jewish Thought (Littman Library Of Jewish Civilization/Liverpool University Press, 2019), coauthored with Menachem Kellner.