About
Welcome to the Department of Religious Studies
McMaster’s Department of Religious Studies offers a vibrant range of courses at every level. We pride ourselves on working closely with each of our students, graduate and undergraduate, offering them our insight, experience, and knowledge as they pursue their interests and goals.
Our undergraduate program, Society, Culture and Religion, allows students the opportunity to tailor their degrees to their interests while working under the guidance of our faculty. Our courses examine topics such as religion and sports, cults, apocalypse, magic, Bollywood, and the relationship of science to religion. Many of our undergraduate majors planned to take just a course or two with us, but found they were too intrigued to stop!
Our graduate program, one of the oldest in Canada, offers both one and two year MA degrees as well as the PhD. Faculty specialize in a range of traditions, including Buddhism, Christianity, East Asian religions, Islam, and Judaism. We are also multidisciplinary, drawing on fields of study including anthropology, history, ethics, philosophy, and health studies, as well as a range of research methodologies. Our graduates go on to successful careers both within and outside of academia.
Get in touch with us! We would be delighted to hear from you.
Celia E. Rothenberg, Associate Professor and Chair
Our Location
Department of Religious Studies
University Hall Room 123
1280 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
L8S 4K1
Contact Information
Undergraduate Studies & General Inquiries
Phone: (905) 525-9140, ext. 23109
Email: askrs@mcmaster.ca
Graduate Studies
Phone: (905) 525-9140, ext. 23399
Email: relstud@mcmaster.ca
Administrative Contacts
Celia E. Rothenberg Learn More
Department Chair
University Hall (UH), 115
Email: rothenb@mcmaster.ca
Hanna Tervanotko Learn More
Chair of Graduate Affairs, Associate Professor
University Hall, 130
Email: tervanoh@mcmaster.ca
Matt Thiessen
Chair of Undergraduate Affairs University Hall 119
thiessem@mcmaster.ca
Leahann Hendrickse
Academic Department Manager
University Hall (UH), 116
Phone: (905) 525-9140, ext. 24567
Email: lhendri@mcmaster.ca
Doreen Drew
Graduate Administrative Assistant
University Hall (UH), 126B
Phone: (905) 525-9140 ext. 23399
Email: relstud@mcmaster.ca
Miranda MacDougall / Danielle Schumacher
Undergraduate Administrative Assistant
University Hall, 123
Phone: (905) 525-9140, ext. 23109
Email: askrs@mcmaster.ca
Associated Groups and Societies
Society, Culture and Religion Scholars (S.C.a.R.S.) Visit SCARS
SCaRS, the undergraduate student association within the Department of Religious Studies, seeks to champion and advocate for student interests. The primary goal of SCaRS is to cultivate a vibrant sense of community among members of the Religious Studies Department.
Graduate Students Association Religious Studies (G.S.A.R.S) Visit GSARS
GSARS is the association of graduate students in the Department of Religious Studies. The aim of GSARS is to promote and represent graduate student interests and to maintain an active sense of community amongst members of the Religious Studies Department.
McMaster Social Sciences Society Learn More
Throughout the year the MSSS offers various academic and social events, with the aim of meeting the wide variety of interests within our diverse membership.
Society for Contemporary Jewish Philosophy (CJP) Learn More
A platform for scholars delving into the intersections of Jewish philosophical and textual traditions with Continental European philosophy.