Head: Dawne McCance
General Office: 328 Fletcher Argue
Telephone: (204) 474 9516
Fax: (204) 474 7601
Email: mccance@ms.umanitoba.ca
Website: umanitoba.ca/arts/religion/
Graduate Program Assistant: Anna Cianflone
Academic Staff
Program Information
Introduction
The Department of Religion 0ffers bath an M.A. and a Ph.D. The M.A. is offered as a Joint Program in co-operation with the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Winnipeg. The Ph.D. is offered solely by the Department of Religion, University of Manitoba.
These highly successful programs have graduated students in Biblical studies, history of Christianity, world religions, Asian religions, Islam, women and religion, hermeneutics, critical theory and other religion and culture fields.
Fields of Research
Research interests of the department include: World religions; Bible, Christian Origins, religions and cultures of Western antiquity; medieval, early modern and modern Christianity; Christianity and culture; Islam; Buddhism; Hinduism; south Asian religion and culture; Judaism; religion in Canada; ethics; body history; hermeneutics; critical theory.
Research Facilities
Department programs are supported by substantial library holdings. Required research languages are offered either through the Department or through affiliated units. Research space and computer resources are available on a limited basis.
M.A. in Religion
Admission
The Department of Religion at the University of Manitoba and the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Winnipeg offer a joint Master of Arts program. Eligible for admission are graduates of the University of Manitoba holding a B. A. (Honours) degree in Religion; graduates of the University of Winnipeg holding a B.A. (four-year) in Religious Studies; students who hold degrees equivalent to the B.A. (Honours) in Religion from other recognized universities or colleges; students who have completed a recognized pre-Master's program in Religion. Students who have courses with equivalent content or cognate courses in recognized departments or faculties other than Religion or Religious Studies may be given credit for up to 12 credit hours towards admission. To be eligible for admission, applicants must have achieved a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 point scale) in their last 60 credit hours of study and they must have completed a total of 60 credit hours in Religion. Breadth in preparation is expected as indicated by the description of the B.A. (Honours) in Religion in the University of Manitoba Undergraduate Calendar, or the four-year B.A. in Religious Studies in the University of Winnipeg Calendar. Applications will be considered from B.A. (Honours) graduates in other disciplines with a strong background in Religion. Such students may be admitted at the pre-Master's level and required to complete a program of study as specified by the department. Contact the Department of Religion for further information.
Application Deadlines
Canadian/U.S. students should submit their application and supporting documentation to the department at least 3 months prior to their intended start date. International students should submit their application and supporting documentation to the department at least 7 months prior to their intended start date.
Program Requirements
Minimum program requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies are found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section of this Calendar. Students completing the Joint M.A. Program in Religion may elect to receive their degrees from either of the participating universities. Two types of program are available:
- Thesis Option: a minimum or 12 credit hours of coursework including:
- Major courses: a minimum of six credit hours at the 700/7000 level;
- Ancillary courses: a minimum of six credit hours at the 700/7000, 400/4000(UM)/5000(UW), or in special cases, at the 300/3000(UM)/3000(UW) level.
- Course and Comprehensive Option: a minimum of 24 credit hours beyond the level required for admission to the M.A., with at least 6 credit hours to be ordinarily taken from each of the two departments involved in the JMP in Religion, at least 18 credit hours to be taken at the 700/7000 level, and at least 18 credit hours to be in Religion. Students may take 6 credit hours at the 400/4000(UM)/5000(UW) level or in exceptional circumstances at the 300/3000 level, and this is usually chosen from an extra-departmental field or ancillary. Students can, however, elect to take all 24 credit hours from within the two departments of the JMP in Religion. Students must demonstrate competence in Western religions, world religions and religion and culture, with one of these areas to be designated the major area from which graduate courses amounting to 12 credit hours are normally chosen. The other two are designated as minor areas, and usually a student will take graduate courses amounting to 6 credit hours in each of these areas. An Ancillary may be substituted for one of the minor areas of study.
Students must have 6 credit hours in Methodology from a recognized university or college. A student who does not have this training in methodology will be required to take either RLGN 4770 Method and Theory in the Study and Interpretation of Religion UM, or 47.5000-1 Method and Theory in the Study of Religion UW or RLGN 4510 and RLGN 4520 Hermeneutics Western Traditions and Hermeneutics Eastern Traditions UM, in addition to normal credit hours required for their program.
Second Language Reading Requirement: Yes
Expected Time to Graduate: two years
Ph.D. in Religion
The Department of Religion of the University of Manitoba offers a Ph.D. program in the following areas: Religions of south and east Asia with a special emphases in Hinduism and Buddhism; Bible, Christian Origins; religions and cultures of Western antiquity; Reformation and aspects of early modern/modern Christianity; Christianity, culture and society; Christian texts; Islam; methodology, hermeneutics and critical theory.
Admission
Admission requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies are found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section of this Calendar. Normally a thesis based M.A. in Religion (with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5) or its equivalent will be required for entry into the Ph.D. program. Applicants are also to submit a statement of intent, a representative sample of written academic work, and three references.
Application Deadlines
Canadian/U.S. students should submit their application and supporting documentation to the department at least 3 months prior to their intended start date. International students should submit their application and supporting documentation to the department at least 7 months prior to their intended start date.
Program Requirements
Minimum program requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies are found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section of this Calendar. Students accepted into the program will be required to complete a minimum of 18 credit hours of coursework at the 700/7000 level. Students must be able to demonstrate not only proficiency in written and spoken English but also a reading knowledge of two other research languages, determined by the advisory committee according to the program of studies.
Before submitting their thesis proposal students will be required to demonstrate competence in the primary research language(s) specified by their thesis advisor.
Second language requirement: yes
Expected time to graduation: approximately 4 years
Course Descriptions
NOTE: University of Manitoba Religion courses bear a “RLGN” prefix; University of Winnipeg courses carry a “47” prefix.
RLGN 7000 /47.7301-1 Seminar in the History of Religions Cr.Hrs.6 (Formerly 020.700) Description not available for this course.
RLGN 7010 /47.7501-1 Seminar in Religion and Culture Cr.Hrs.6 (Formerly 020.701) Description not available for this course.
RLGN 7020 /47.7901-5 Special Topics 1 Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 020.702) Description not available for this course.
RLGN 7030 /47.7902-5 Special Topics 2 Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 020.703) Description not available for this course.
RLGN 7040 /47.7101-1 Seminar in Biblical Religions Cr.Hrs.6 (Formerly 020.704) Description not available for this course.
RLGN 7050 /47.7201-1 Seminar in the History of Christian Thought Cr.Hrs.6 (Formerly 020.705) A study of a selected period, major figures, texts, or issues in the history of Christianity.
RLGN 7060 /47.7701-1 Seminar in Comparative Religion Cr.Hrs.6 (Formerly 020.706) A comparative examination of themes, texts, personalities or movements in the history of religions.
RLGN 7070 /47.7801-1 Seminar in Religion in the Modern World Cr.Hrs.6 (Formerly 020.707) A seminar dealing with specific aspects of the interaction between religions and modern culture with an emphasis on spiritual and ethical issues.
For doctoral students only:
RLGN 7080 Seminar in Research Methods and Theory Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 020.708) Description not available for this course. For doctoral students only.
RLGN 7090 Seminar in Hinduism Cr.Hrs.6 (Formerly 020.709) Description not available for this course. For doctoral students only.
RLGN 7100 Seminar in Reformation History Cr.Hrs.6 (Formerly 020.710) Description not available for this course. For doctoral students only.
RLGN 7110 Seminar in Christian Origins Cr.Hrs.6 (Formerly 020.711) Description not available for this course. For doctoral students only.
RLGN 7120 Seminar in the History of Christianity Cr.Hrs.6 (Formerly 020.712) Description not available for this course. For doctoral students only.
