Religion & Politics

We study accounts of the interrelations between religion, ethics, and politics from ancient Greece to the modern West.

Areas of concentration include: the history of political philosophy; analysis of literary expressions of an understanding of religion, ethics, and politics; study of critical social and ethical theories with reference to the underlying theological and philosophical anthropologies.

Religion & Culture

The “Religion and Culture” area includes courses that are both thematic and tradition-specific, and that highlight some of the most enduring as well as emerging topics in the study of religion and culture.

Specifically, we offer an overview of classic and contemporary anthropological theory in the study of religion (RS 781), as well courses that focus on the development of anthropological theory in the study of Asian religions (RS 709) and Islam (RS 788). The field of diaspora study and globalization is a focus of much recent research and analysis, and is covered in our seminar on the topic (RS 782). Gender and feminist theory in the study of religion forms another significant body of literature, a literature that students may engage with in our seminar on the topic (RS 789). Also of note is the wide appeal and cross-listing of most of our graduate seminar offerings. Specific seminars are cross-listed with Anthropology, Sociology, the Institute for Globalization and the Human Condition, and Gender and Social Justice. Students from other Departments may also take our seminars for credit in their home Departments.

Western Religious Thought

Research examines philosophy of religion, theology, and ethics (Islamic, Jewish, Christian, secular) in the classical and modern periods.

Areas of specialization include the interrelations between philosophy and religion, hermeneutical and critical theory, secular challenges to religious thought, modern theology, and ethics.

Course work and comprehensive examinations include both historical-systematic-comparative studies of perennial theological and philosophical themes and specialized contemporary topics.

Jewish Studies

McMaster University’s Department of Religious Studies offers excellent graduate opportunities to study Jews and Judaism in ancient, modern, and contemporary contexts.

Islamic Studies

Research studies Islamic texts and peoples. Courses cover a range of topics including: Qu’ran & Hadith, modern Islamic movements, Islamic fundamentalism, Islamic feminisms and Islam & globalization.

We also offer the opportunity to study Arabic.