Religious Studies (BA)
Study religious beliefs and practices across cultures.
Why choose this program?
Many societies and people around the world organize their lives within the framework of religious beliefs and practices. You'll explore religious texts and traditions in a rigorous academic environment. With lively, interesting courses in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and many other topics, there is much to engage the curious, questioning student.
As with any discipline in the humanities, taking Religious Studies at Dalhousie may strengthen, broaden, or challenge your personal beliefs. In our courses, you’re encouraged to be open to the intellectual adventure available to you.
Admission requirements
Minimum admission requirements
To be considered for admission to this program, you must meet minimum academic criteria:
- Completion of secondary school (Grade 12)
- Achievement of the minimum average for your program of choice.
- Completion of Grade 12 English (or equivalent course).
Admission to many Dalhousie programs is competitive. This means that meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Program-specific admission requirements
Minimum overall average: 70%
Academic English 12
Four additional academic subjects
Financial information
A university education is a significant financial investment. Every student is unique, and so are their financial circumstances. We offer competitive tuition, a robust scholarship and bursary program, and resources and support to help you explore financial options and develop a plan that works for you.
Program options
Courses in Religious Studies are administered by the Classics Department. Religious Studies at Dalhousie offers the full range of electives and degree programs: minors, majors, and honours for bachelor’s degrees. We have minors in Religious Studies, Abrahamic Religions, and Middle East and South Asian Studies.
The following Religious Studies program options are offered by Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Connect with an academic advisor after you start your studies to explore options such as:
Bachelor of Arts with Major in Religious Studies
Bachelor of Arts with Double Major in Religious Studies
Bachelor of Science with Major, Second Subject in Religious Studies
BA Combined Honours in Religious Studies
Bachelor of Science Combined Honours, Second Subject in Religious Studies
Minor in Religious Studies
What you will learn
Religious Studies is an academic discipline that examines the world's religious cultures and expressions, both historical and contemporary. It involves the study of religious institutions, rituals, forms of social organization, theology, philosophy, mythology, and artistic expression.
Sample courses may include:
Religions of the East
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam: The Abrahamic Religions
Judaism
Hinduism
Death, Dying and the Afterlife in South Asian Religions
Mystics of the Middle East
The Self and the World in Indian Story
Vishnu and Krishna the Dark Lord
Christian Theology in Islamic Lands: John of Damascus
Islamic Philosophy: al-Ghazali
Philosophy of the Greek Church Fathers
Scholars of Religious Studies try to understand human religious culture by various means: conducting fieldwork and interviews with living religious societies, mastering ancient and modern languages, examining textual sources, and studying archaeological, art-historical, and other non-textual evidence. As such it intersects with other arts, humanities, and social science disciplines.
Careers
Those completing Religious Studies degrees often pursue careers within universities and post-secondary educational environments. However, the cultural fluency provided by Religious Studies is highly valued in many career environments where effective interaction with the public is necessary.
Future studies could include programs at the graduate level in Religious Studies or other related humanities and social science disciplines, or you might choose a professional program such as law.
