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.

Jewish Studies

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

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.

Theory, Religion, Politics

This area of study, new as of Fall 2025, links students to faculty across McMaster representing a range of Theory methodologies or traditions of philosophy/theology/thought. Theory, Religion, Politics area allows students to build combined expertise in specific religious traditions (e.g., Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam) and in a variety of theoretical/philosophical approaches, through seminars in the Departments of Religious Studies, English & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Anthropology, or Philosophy.