Course Requirements
Unless otherwise mandated by the Bachelor of Theology Committee, courses are as follows:
First Year (U0) courses (30 credits)
Required courses (6 credits)
RELG 203
Bible and Western Culture
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: To provide students of the humanities with knowledge of the Bible as a tool for interpreting religious references in Western literature, art and music. Biblical stories (e.g. Creation, Exodus), key figures (e.g. David, Job, Mary), and common motifs (e.g. Holy City, Pilgrimage, Bride) are explored, then illustrated by later cultural forms.
Offered by: Religious Studies
RELG 207
Intro to Study of Religions
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: This course is an introduction to classic and contemporary approaches to the academic study of religions. This includes perspectives from philosophy, theology, anthropology, sociology, psychology, phenomenology, and feminism. Students are also exposed to applications of these perspectives from visiting scholars who treat some aspect of a religious tradition in light of current-day interests and events. The primary objective is to introduce students to the principal theories and methods that have shaped our understanding of religion, its various meanings as well as its roles and functions in society.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken RELG 255.
- Winter
Complementary courses (24 credits)
3 credits from:
PHIL 200
Intro to Philosophy 1
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Philosophy: A course treating some of the central problems of philosophy: the mind-body problem, freedom, scepticism and certainty, fate, time, and the existence of God.
Offered by: Philosophy
- Philosophy students may use either PHIL 200 or PHIL 201 towards their program requirements, but not both. Students may, however, take both for credit (using the second as an elective), as the content in PHIL 201 does not overlap with PHIL 200
PHIL 201
Intro to Philosophy 2
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Philosophy: An introduction to some of the major problems of philosophy. This course does not duplicate PHIL 200.
Offered by: Philosophy
- Philosophy students may use either PHIL 200 or PHIL 201 towards their program requirements, but not both. Students may, however, take both for credit (using the second as an elective), as the content in PHIL 201 does not overlap with PHIL 200
3 credits in History and Classical Studies at the 200 or 300 level
3 credits in Catholic Studies, Jewish Studies, or Islamic Studies at the 200 or 300 level
0-6 credits in languages (ancient or modern) at the100 level (if necessary)
6 credits in literature (other than biblical), Art History, or Music at the 200 or 300 level.
Note: All courses at the 100 and 300 level require Faculty approval.
3-9 credits to be determined in consultation with the B.Th. program adviser.
Year 1 (U1) courses (30 credits)
Required courses (12 credits)
Students admitted to U1 on the basis of a Quebec Diploma of Collegial Studies (DEC) will normally take the following required courses in their first year.
By permission of the B.Th. Committee, students may substitute courses for any of the required courses if they have already taken them or similar courses for credit elsewhere.
RELG 204
Judaism, Christianity&Islam
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: An introduction to the beliefs, practices, and religious institutions of these three world religions.
Offered by: Religious Studies
RELG 210
Jesus of Nazareth
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: A critical study of selected ancient and modern accounts of the aims and person of Jesus. Attention will be given also to the question of the historical sources and to the relationship between faith and history.
Offered by: Religious Studies
RELG 321
Western Intellectual Tradition
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: Introduces essential sources in western philosophy and theology; examines the interdependence of these disciplines in their historical development; exposes students to the means and methods of argumentation that will allow them to compare and contrast these sources, and to develop and defend their own positions with respect to them.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Prerequisite: U0 students must obtain permission from instructor
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2021 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2021 academic year
RELG 334
Theology of History
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: A study of Christian readings of history, and especially of the present age, including apocalyptic literature and political theology.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Winter and Summer
- Prerequisite(s): One prior course in Christianity, or permission of the instructor.
Complementary courses (18 credits)
3 credits selected from the following list (or another approved course in ethics):
PHIL 230
Intro to Moral Philosophy 1
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Philosophy: A survey of a number of historically important and influential theories. Philosophers to be discussed may include Aristotle, Hume, Kant, Bentham, Mill, and Moore.
Offered by: Philosophy
PHIL 240
Political Philosophy 1
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Philosophy: An introduction to contemporary philosophy of politics by concentrating on a number of contested concepts, such as freedom, justice and equality, in contemporary political philosophy and practice.
Offered by: Philosophy
RELG 371
Ethics of Violence/Non-Violenc
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: Forms of violence and the reaction of religious groups are assessed both for their effectiveness and for their fidelity to their professed beliefs. Different traditions, ranging from the wholesale adoption of violent methods (e.g., the Crusades) to repudiation (e.g., Gandhi; the Peace Churches).
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2021 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2021 academic year
RELG 376
Religious Ethics
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: A discussion of ethical theory will provide the background for an analysis of the relationship between religious world views and moral reason. Attention will be given to the way in which the dominant religious traditions view the exemplars of religious virtue, and to how the virtues exemplified are related to and justified by the faith tradition in which they operate.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2021 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2021 academic year
3 credits selected from the following list (or 3 credits in Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, or Philosophy and Western Religions):
RELG 331
Religion and Globalization
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: An exploration of the distinctive ways in which the world's religions are shaping and are shaped by the dynamics of globalization. It examines the multiple intersections of religion and globalization through a variety of themes and case studies in human rights, development, education, ecology, gender, and conflict
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken RELG 319 when topic was "Religion and Globalization"
RELG 375
Religion, Politics and Society
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: A study of contemporary religious traditions in the light of debates regarding secularization, the relation of religion and politics, and the interaction of religion with major social institutions.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Fall
- Restriction: U2 and U3 students
12 credits to be determined in consultation with the B.Th. program adviser.
Year 2 (U2) courses (30 credits)
Required courses (24 credits)
Students entering the B.Th. as a second degree program would normally take 60 credits and begin with Year 2 (U2) courses. These students should verify with their program adviser regarding course substitutions if they have completed similar courses elsewhere.
RELG 302
Literature of Ancient Israel 1
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: An introduction to the literature of Ancient Israel in English translation. Reading and interpreting representative selections.
Offered by: Religious Studies
RELG 303
Lit of Ancient Israel 2
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: Approaches to historical-critical scholarship and to the historical background of the Old Testament. Part of the course will be an examination of methods of biblical analysis through the use of learning cells.
Offered by: Religious Studies
RELG 311
Formation of the New Testament
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: An introduction to the formation and interpretation of the New Testament, excluding
the Gospels.
Offered by: Religious Studies
RELG 312
The Gospels
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: An introduction to the critical study of the Gospels.
Offered by: Religious Studies
RELG 322
Church and Empire to 1300
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: A survey of major institutional developments in the history of Western Christianity in Church and Empire from the end of the apostolic age to 1300.
Offered by: Religious Studies
RELG 323
Church and State since 1300
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: Significant events and persons in the history of Western Christendom from 1300 to the present.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Terms
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2021 academic year
RELG 333
Principles of Theology
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: An introduction to the central questions, claims, and categories of Christian thought, considered in their narrative and credal context, with discussion of the nature of theology and the relation between faith and reason.
Offered by: Religious Studies
RELG 321
Western Intellectual Tradition
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: Introduces essential sources in western philosophy and theology; examines the interdependence of these disciplines in their historical development; exposes students to the means and methods of argumentation that will allow them to compare and contrast these sources, and to develop and defend their own positions with respect to them.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Prerequisite: U0 students must obtain permission from instructor
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2021 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2021 academic year
(unless taken in Year 1 (U1))
Complementary courses (6 or 9 credits)
6 credits (9 credits if RELG 321 has been taken in Year 1 (U1)) to be chosen from among the 300- or 400-level courses offered in the Bachelor of Theology or Bachelor of Arts Religious Studies programs in consultation with the Bachelor of Theology program adviser, of which 6 credits may be chosen from the following.
RELG 280D1
Course not available
RELG 280D2
Course not available
Year 3 (U3) courses (30 credits)
Required courses (12 credits)
RELG 420
Canadian Church History
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: A survey of the major Christian traditions in Canada from the settlement of New France to the present. Lectures and seminars with use, where possible, of primary source materials.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2021 academic year
- Instructors
*
RELG 434
Advanced Theology
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: Examination of the nature of theology, and particular theological loci, through readings in major theologians. The Lord’s Prayer is added to the Nicene Creed as a second lens for theological study.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Fall
- Prerequisite(s): RELG 333 or permission of the instructor.
RELG 470
Theological Ethics
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: Examines ancient and modern sources of Christian moral thought against a backdrop of contemporary alternatives.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Fall
- Prerequisites: One course in theology or Christian thought and one course in philosophy or ethics.
RELG 479
Christianity in GlobalPerspect
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: Examines varied expressions of Christianity as a global religion with a particular focus on Asia, Africa and Latin America from the 18th century to the present.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Winter
- Prerequisite: A 300 level course in Christianity or permission of the Instructor.
* RELG 420 may be replaced with another 3-credit course if recommended by the program adviser.
Complementary courses (18 credits)
3-credit in a religious tradition* other than Christianity, such as the courses listed below.
ISLA 380
Islamic Philosophy & Theology
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Islamic Studies: A survey of the most important philosophers and theologians in Islamic intellectual history, with a focus on the theories they articulated and the movements they engendered. The impact of European thought on 19th and 20th century Islamic intellectual history is also examined.
Offered by: Islamic Studies
- Prerequisite: ISLA 200 or permission of instructor.
- Note: Reading and discussion in English.
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2021 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2021 academic year
RELG 252
Hinduism & Buddhism
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: The interaction of Hinduism and Buddhism in India with special reference to the law of Karma, caste, women, ritual, death, yoga, and liberation. Determination of interpretative principles for understanding the religious psychology of Hindus and Buddhists.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Terms
- Instructors
- Lara E Braitstein, Hamsa M Stainton
RELG 253
Religions of East Asia
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: This course introduces East Asia's major religions comparatively by addressing the continuous exchange of ideas and practices between traditions. Rather than adopting a mere chronological approach, Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism will be discussed thematically, taking in to account topics such as gender constructs, the secular and the sacred, material culture, and the apparent contrast between doctrine and practice.
Offered by: Religious Studies
RELG 352
Japanese Relig: Hist & Thought
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: This course provides an in-depth introduction to the religious traditions of Japan from the emerging of the Japanese state to the role of religion in contemporary Japan. Kami worship, the Buddhist tradition, Yin Yang divination, Confucianism, and the modern construct of Shinto are addressed in an interdisciplinary approach, taking into account insights from the fields of History, Literature, and Art.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Fall
- Prerequisite: RELG 253 or permission of instructor
RELG 354
Chinese Religions
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: Introduction to the diverse religiosities in the Chinese cultural sphere. Examination of the everyday practice of ancestor worship, longevity practices, morality, rituals, and the veneration of deities and spirits.
Offered by: Religious Studies
*Students who have previously taken a university-level course in world religions may replace this with 3 credits of complementary course.
Old Testament
3 credits from:
RELG 407
The Writings
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: A study of Job with some attention to Proverbs and Ecclesiastes (in English translation).
Offered by: Religious Studies
RELG 408
The Prophets
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: A study of significant texts selected from the prophetic tradition in the Old Testament.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2021 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2021 academic year
New Testament
3 credits from:
RELG 411
New Testament Exegesis
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: A seminar in exegesis on the basis of representative passages chosen from different parts of the New Testament in English.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2021 academic year
- Instructors
- Ian H Henderson, Heidi K Wendt
RELG 482
Exegesis of Greek New Testamnt
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: An intensive seminar in exegesis on the basis of representative passages chosen from different parts of the New Testament.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2021 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2021 academic year
Christian Theology
3 credits from:
RELG 330
Reformed Theology
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: Selected topics illustrating the Reformers' theological agenda, with special reference to Luther, Zwingli and Calvin.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2021 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2021 academic year
RELG 336
Contemp Theological Issues
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: A study of contemporary theological issues. Topic varies by year.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Winter
- Prerequisite: 3 credits in Christianity or permission of instructor
- Terms
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2021 academic year
RELG 399
Christian Spirituality
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: Seminar exploring the phenomena of internal religious experience in their relation to received formularies of Christian thought and practice.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2021 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2021 academic year
RELG 423
Reformation Thought
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: An examination of issues and persons in Europe and the British Isles that contributed to ecclesiastical and social change during the 16th and early 17th centuries.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Terms
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2021 academic year
6 credits, to be chosen from among the 300 or 400 level courses offered in the Bachelor of Theology or Bachelor of Arts Religious Studies programs.
Students who have achieved a CGPA of 3.30 at the end of B.Th. 2 year may apply to the Bachelor of Theology Committee for permission to enter the Honours program. They will be required to complete RELG 494 and RELG 495 in B.Th. 3 with a grade of B or better, to complete the degree with Honours.
Degree Requirements
- The Bachelor of Theology is either (i) a 120-credit program (for those admitted from outside Quebec and without a prior Bachelor's degree), or (ii) a 90-credit program (for those who apply on the basis of a Quebec DCS or equivalent) or (iii) a 60-credit program (for those who apply on the basis of a recognized Bachelor's degree.
- Students must achieve satisfactory academic standing (a grade of C or better) in all required courses and the complementary courses specified in year three, and accumulate sufficient acceptable credits to make a total of either 60 or 90-credits, in order to receive their degree. It should be noted that students who take the B.Th. program as part of the Master of Divinity program need to maintain a minimum CGPA of 2.5 to be eligible for the M.Div. degree.
- Normally the program credits must be earned within five years from the date of entrance.
Students who have achieved a CGPA of 3.30 at the end of B.Th. 2 year may apply to the Bachelor of Theology Committee for permission to enter the Honours program. They will be required to complete RELG 494 and RELG 495 in B.Th. 3 with a grade of B or better, to complete the degree with Honours.
Program Description
The Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) program offered by the School of Religious Studies is the most intensely theological education available as a first undergraduate degree in a publicly-funded University in North America. A steadily growing proportion of B.Th. students at McGill (38% of graduates 2012–2014) are taking a 120-credit or 90-credit program as a first, undergraduate, degree permitting an exceptional concentration on academic study of Christianity. Overall, B.Th. graduates completed their degree on average within 2.8 years.
For students with a prior Bachelor’s degree, however, the 60-credit (two-year) B.Th. can also function as the first 60 credits (or two years) of the ATS-accredited M.Div. program offered by the McGill-affiliated theological colleges of the Montreal School of Theology (MST). ATS accreditation of the MST and its M.Div. degree is thus “by virtue of affiliation with the McGill University School of Religious Studies.” (Bulletin 51 PART 2 Membership List 02/01/2015).
Because of this relationship between the McGill B.Th. and the MST M.Div., one key measure of educational effectiveness of the B.Th. program is that graduates of the 60-credit, post-graduate B.Th. show the expected skills and attitudes required for success in the intensively pastoral third, In-Ministry Year of the MST M.Div. program.
Thus, between 2010 and 2014, out of 52 MST M.Div. graduates, 25 had also graduated with the McGill B.Th. degree from the School of Religious Studies. A further 10 of the 52 MST M.Div. graduates had taken at least some required courses in the McGill B.Th. program before proceeding to the M.Div. degree. The effectiveness of the McGill B.Th. program is therefore heavily and intentionally represented in the overall educational effectiveness of the MST M.Div. and in the data underlying the MST Statement of Educational Effectiveness.
The Bachelor of Theology program offers academic instruction in the disciplines of Theology, Biblical Studies and Church History, and provides a more intensive study of Christianity than is available in the Bachelor of Arts degree programs.
Students interested in completing a Major Concentration, Minor Concentration, Honours or Joint Honours in the broader field of Religious Studies should pursue a the Bachelor of Arts program.
The Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) may be taken as a first or second baccalaureate degree.
As a first degree (90 or 120 credits) it offers a more intensive study of Christianity than is available within the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) programs, while also permitting the student to combine this specialization with other academic or professional interests, whether in Religious Studies or in other faculties and schools of the university.
As a second bachelor’s degree (60 credits) the Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) program is designed primarily for those who intend to qualify for the ordained ministry in a Christian denomination, although here too some students pursue the degree out of an interest in the academic study of theology for its own sake, or with a view to combining these studies with proficiency gained in other disciplines. The 60-credit program forms the core of the Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) degree.
The Bachelor of Theology program can be pursued independently, or in affiliation with one of the three Theological Colleges affiliated with McGill University in the Montreal School of Theology. Those studying for the ordained ministry normally pursue the Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) as part of the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program offered by the colleges of the Montreal School of Theology: Montreal Diocesan Theological College (Anglican Church of Canada), the Presbyterian College (Presbyterian Church in Canada), and United Theological College (United Church of Canada).
Admission Requirements
The B.Th. program has three points of entry:
- To enter the 120-credit degree program from outside Quebec, the applicant must hold a high school diploma, with a minimum average of 75%, or the equivalent. A maximum of 60 credits from another institution of higher learning can be considered for transfer into the 120-credit program.
- To enter the 90-credit first-degree program, the applicant is expected to have completed the Diploma of Collegial Studies (DCS) of a Quebec CEGEP with a minimum average Cote R of 24, or the equivalent elsewhere. A maximum of 30 credits from another institution of higher learning can be considered for transfer into this program.
- To enter the 60-credit program, the applicant must have completed a B.A. or other Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 2.7 (B-). No credits can be transferred from another institution of higher learning into the 60-credit program.
Any McGill student in good standing, with a minimum of 30 credits, may apply for transfer from their current degree program into the B.Th. program. B.Th. students entering the 120- or 90-credit programs are free to pursue Minors in other departments, schools, or faculties, in consultation with their B.Th. adviser(s).
The B.Th. program extends over three academic years of full time studies for those admitted with a Diploma of Collegial Studies and over two academic years for those admitted with a Bachelor's degree. For all other students it requires four years. The normal load consists of five 3-credits courses (15 credits) each term.
ATS Accreditation
The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) in the United States and Canada is a membership organization of more than 250 graduate schools that conduct post-baccalaureate professional and academic degree programs to educate persons for the practice of ministry and for teaching and research in the theological disciplines. The ATS’s mission is to promote the improvement and enhancement of theological schools to the benefit of communities of faith and the broader public. The School of Religious Studies has been accredited by the ATS since 1952.
The Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) program offered by McGill University is applicable to the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program offered by the Theological Colleges. The M.Div. is fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the U.S. and Canada (ATS).The Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) programme offered by the School of Religious Studies is the most intensely theological education available as a first undergraduate degree in a publically-funded University in North America. A steadily growing proportion of B.Th. students at McGill (38% of graduates 2012–2014) are taking a 120-credit or 90-credit programme as a first, undergraduate, degree permitting an exceptional concentration on academic study of Christianity. Overall, B.Th. graduates completed their degree on average within 2.8 years.
The School of Religious Studies is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools, 10 Summit Park Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15275-1100, 412-788-6505. The following degree programmes currently are approved by the Commission on Accrediting: Master of Arts (MA), Master of Sacred Theology (STM), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
Statement of Educational Effectiveness
The School of Religious Studies (SRS) has been accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS) since 1952. The following School of Religious Studies degrees are approved by ATS: MA, PhD, STM (the SRS is currently seeking renewal of ATS approval of the STM degree programme). These advanced research degrees are governed and monitored by the office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. The educational effectiveness of our graduate research programmes is attested by the presence of McGill graduates on the faculties of theological seminaries and religion departments in Canada, the United States and around the world, as well as in positions of leadership in religious communities and public life.
The educational effectiveness of the STM programme is directly ensured by participation of STM students and MA students together in required Master’s seminar RELG 645, and with other graduate students (MA and PhD) in regular graduate seminars.
The educational effectiveness of all the School’s programmes is enhanced by a long tradition of close cooperation with McGill University’s Teaching and Learning Services, which provides research-based support to all aspects of teaching, learning, curriculum development and evaluation.
The Bachelor of Theology (BTh) programme offered by the SRS is the theological education available as a first undergraduate degree in a publically funded University in North America. A steadily growing proportion of BTh students at McGill are taking a 120-credit or 90-credit programme as a first, undergraduate, degree permitting an exceptional concentration on academic study of Christianity. Overall, BTh graduates completed their degree on average within 2.8 years.
For students with a prior Bachelor’s degree, however, the 60-credit (two-year) BTh can also function as the first 60 credits (or two years) of the ATS-approved MDiv programme offered by the McGill-affiliated theological colleges of the Montreal School of Theology (MST). ATS accreditation of the MST and its approved MDiv degree is thus “by virtue of affiliation with the McGill University Faculty of Religious Studies.” (Bulletin 51 PART 2 Membership List 02/01/2015)
Because of this relationship between the McGill BTh and the MST MDiv, one key measure of educational effectiveness of the BTh programme is that graduates of the 60-credit, post-graduate BTh show the expected skills and attitudes required for success in the intensively pastoral third, In-Ministry Year of the MST MDiv programme.
Thus, between 2010 and 2014, out of 52 MST MDiv graduates, 25 had also graduated with the McGill BTh degree from the School of Religious Studies. A further 10 of the 52 MST MDiv graduates had taken at least some required courses in the McGill BTh programme before proceeding to the MDiv degree. From the last review of 2012 up until 2019, 35 students have either graduated with the McGill B.Th. or taken at least some of the McGill required B.Th. courses before proceeding to the 3rd year of the M.Div. degree. The effectiveness of the McGill BTh programme is therefore heavily and intentionally represented in the overall educational effectiveness of the MST MDiv –and in the data underlying the MST Statement of Educational Effectiveness.
Program-Specific Information
Course Selection
Candidates for the ministry from the three Theological Colleges associated with the School must select their courses in consultation with their College advisor. The course selection form needs to be signed also by the Chair of the B.Th. Committee.
Those seeking the degree and not sponsored by one of the three colleges associated with the Faculty will need to clear their course selections with the Chair of the B.Th. Committee.
In all cases this consultation should take place before registration.
Declaring a Minor Concentration
A B.Th. student who wishes to declare a Minor Concentration should first ask an advisor in the Department offering the intended Minor to e-mail the Department’s consent to the B.Th. Chair. The B.Th. Chair will make sure that it is feasible to complete the Minor within the student’s credit limit.
Once a student has made the request and has been approved for the program the B.Th. Chair or an administrator from School of Religious Studies will request the Records Unit at Enrolment Services, Service Point, to add the Minor Concentration manually to the students’ records.
Registration
All students must register on Minerva. Minerva provides web access to registration, class schedules, course descriptions, etc.
- Students can consult the When to register page for course registration deadlines. After this period a late registration fee will be applied.
- All B.Th. students must receive approval from the B.Th. program director before registering for courses.
- Students must also receive permission from the program director to with draw from courses.
Course Requirements
Unless otherwise mandated by the Bachelor of Theology Committee, courses are as follows:
First Year (U0) courses (30 credits)
Required courses (6 credits)
RELG 203
Bible and Western Culture
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: To provide students of the humanities with knowledge of the Bible as a tool for interpreting religious references in Western literature, art and music. Biblical stories (e.g. Creation, Exodus), key figures (e.g. David, Job, Mary), and common motifs (e.g. Holy City, Pilgrimage, Bride) are explored, then illustrated by later cultural forms.
Offered by: Religious Studies
RELG 207
Intro to Study of Religions
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: This course is an introduction to classic and contemporary approaches to the academic study of religions. This includes perspectives from philosophy, theology, anthropology, sociology, psychology, phenomenology, and feminism. Students are also exposed to applications of these perspectives from visiting scholars who treat some aspect of a religious tradition in light of current-day interests and events. The primary objective is to introduce students to the principal theories and methods that have shaped our understanding of religion, its various meanings as well as its roles and functions in society.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken RELG 255.
- Winter
Complementary courses (24 credits)
3 credits from:
PHIL 200
Intro to Philosophy 1
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Philosophy: A course treating some of the central problems of philosophy: the mind-body problem, freedom, scepticism and certainty, fate, time, and the existence of God.
Offered by: Philosophy
- Philosophy students may use either PHIL 200 or PHIL 201 towards their program requirements, but not both. Students may, however, take both for credit (using the second as an elective), as the content in PHIL 201 does not overlap with PHIL 200
PHIL 201
Intro to Philosophy 2
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Philosophy: An introduction to some of the major problems of philosophy. This course does not duplicate PHIL 200.
Offered by: Philosophy
- Philosophy students may use either PHIL 200 or PHIL 201 towards their program requirements, but not both. Students may, however, take both for credit (using the second as an elective), as the content in PHIL 201 does not overlap with PHIL 200
3 credits in History and Classical Studies at the 200 or 300 level
3 credits in Catholic Studies, Jewish Studies, or Islamic Studies at the 200 or 300 level
0-6 credits in languages (ancient or modern) at the100 level (if necessary)
6 credits in literature (other than biblical), Art History, or Music at the 200 or 300 level.
Note: All courses at the 100 and 300 level require Faculty approval.
3-9 credits to be determined in consultation with the B.Th. program adviser.
Year 1 (U1) courses (30 credits)
Required courses (12 credits)
Students admitted to U1 on the basis of a Quebec Diploma of Collegial Studies (DEC) will normally take the following required courses in their first year.
By permission of the B.Th. Committee, students may substitute courses for any of the required courses if they have already taken them or similar courses for credit elsewhere.
RELG 204
Judaism, Christianity&Islam
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: An introduction to the beliefs, practices, and religious institutions of these three world religions.
Offered by: Religious Studies
RELG 210
Jesus of Nazareth
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: A critical study of selected ancient and modern accounts of the aims and person of Jesus. Attention will be given also to the question of the historical sources and to the relationship between faith and history.
Offered by: Religious Studies
RELG 321
Western Intellectual Tradition
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: Introduces essential sources in western philosophy and theology; examines the interdependence of these disciplines in their historical development; exposes students to the means and methods of argumentation that will allow them to compare and contrast these sources, and to develop and defend their own positions with respect to them.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Prerequisite: U0 students must obtain permission from instructor
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2021 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2021 academic year
RELG 334
Theology of History
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: A study of Christian readings of history, and especially of the present age, including apocalyptic literature and political theology.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Winter and Summer
- Prerequisite(s): One prior course in Christianity, or permission of the instructor.
Complementary courses (18 credits)
3 credits selected from the following list (or another approved course in ethics):
PHIL 230
Intro to Moral Philosophy 1
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Philosophy: A survey of a number of historically important and influential theories. Philosophers to be discussed may include Aristotle, Hume, Kant, Bentham, Mill, and Moore.
Offered by: Philosophy
PHIL 240
Political Philosophy 1
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Philosophy: An introduction to contemporary philosophy of politics by concentrating on a number of contested concepts, such as freedom, justice and equality, in contemporary political philosophy and practice.
Offered by: Philosophy
RELG 371
Ethics of Violence/Non-Violenc
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: Forms of violence and the reaction of religious groups are assessed both for their effectiveness and for their fidelity to their professed beliefs. Different traditions, ranging from the wholesale adoption of violent methods (e.g., the Crusades) to repudiation (e.g., Gandhi; the Peace Churches).
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2021 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2021 academic year
RELG 376
Religious Ethics
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: A discussion of ethical theory will provide the background for an analysis of the relationship between religious world views and moral reason. Attention will be given to the way in which the dominant religious traditions view the exemplars of religious virtue, and to how the virtues exemplified are related to and justified by the faith tradition in which they operate.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2021 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2021 academic year
3 credits selected from the following list (or 3 credits in Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, or Philosophy and Western Religions):
RELG 331
Religion and Globalization
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: An exploration of the distinctive ways in which the world's religions are shaping and are shaped by the dynamics of globalization. It examines the multiple intersections of religion and globalization through a variety of themes and case studies in human rights, development, education, ecology, gender, and conflict
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken RELG 319 when topic was "Religion and Globalization"
RELG 375
Religion, Politics and Society
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: A study of contemporary religious traditions in the light of debates regarding secularization, the relation of religion and politics, and the interaction of religion with major social institutions.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Fall
- Restriction: U2 and U3 students
12 credits to be determined in consultation with the B.Th. program adviser.
Year 2 (U2) courses (30 credits)
Required courses (24 credits)
Students entering the B.Th. as a second degree program would normally take 60 credits and begin with Year 2 (U2) courses. These students should verify with their program adviser regarding course substitutions if they have completed similar courses elsewhere.
RELG 302
Literature of Ancient Israel 1
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: An introduction to the literature of Ancient Israel in English translation. Reading and interpreting representative selections.
Offered by: Religious Studies
RELG 303
Lit of Ancient Israel 2
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: Approaches to historical-critical scholarship and to the historical background of the Old Testament. Part of the course will be an examination of methods of biblical analysis through the use of learning cells.
Offered by: Religious Studies
RELG 311
Formation of the New Testament
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: An introduction to the formation and interpretation of the New Testament, excluding
the Gospels.
Offered by: Religious Studies
RELG 312
The Gospels
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: An introduction to the critical study of the Gospels.
Offered by: Religious Studies
RELG 322
Church and Empire to 1300
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: A survey of major institutional developments in the history of Western Christianity in Church and Empire from the end of the apostolic age to 1300.
Offered by: Religious Studies
RELG 323
Church and State since 1300
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: Significant events and persons in the history of Western Christendom from 1300 to the present.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Terms
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2021 academic year
RELG 333
Principles of Theology
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: An introduction to the central questions, claims, and categories of Christian thought, considered in their narrative and credal context, with discussion of the nature of theology and the relation between faith and reason.
Offered by: Religious Studies
RELG 321
Western Intellectual Tradition
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: Introduces essential sources in western philosophy and theology; examines the interdependence of these disciplines in their historical development; exposes students to the means and methods of argumentation that will allow them to compare and contrast these sources, and to develop and defend their own positions with respect to them.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Prerequisite: U0 students must obtain permission from instructor
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2021 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2021 academic year
(unless taken in Year 1 (U1))
Complementary courses (6 or 9 credits)
6 credits (9 credits if RELG 321 has been taken in Year 1 (U1)) to be chosen from among the 300- or 400-level courses offered in the Bachelor of Theology or Bachelor of Arts Religious Studies programs in consultation with the Bachelor of Theology program adviser, of which 6 credits may be chosen from the following.
RELG 280D1
Course not available
RELG 280D2
Course not available
Year 3 (U3) courses (30 credits)
Required courses (12 credits)
RELG 420
Canadian Church History
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: A survey of the major Christian traditions in Canada from the settlement of New France to the present. Lectures and seminars with use, where possible, of primary source materials.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2021 academic year
- Instructors
*
RELG 434
Advanced Theology
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: Examination of the nature of theology, and particular theological loci, through readings in major theologians. The Lord’s Prayer is added to the Nicene Creed as a second lens for theological study.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Fall
- Prerequisite(s): RELG 333 or permission of the instructor.
RELG 470
Theological Ethics
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: Examines ancient and modern sources of Christian moral thought against a backdrop of contemporary alternatives.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Fall
- Prerequisites: One course in theology or Christian thought and one course in philosophy or ethics.
RELG 479
Christianity in GlobalPerspect
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: Examines varied expressions of Christianity as a global religion with a particular focus on Asia, Africa and Latin America from the 18th century to the present.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Winter
- Prerequisite: A 300 level course in Christianity or permission of the Instructor.
* RELG 420 may be replaced with another 3-credit course if recommended by the program adviser.
Complementary courses (18 credits)
3-credit in a religious tradition* other than Christianity, such as the courses listed below.
ISLA 380
Islamic Philosophy & Theology
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Islamic Studies: A survey of the most important philosophers and theologians in Islamic intellectual history, with a focus on the theories they articulated and the movements they engendered. The impact of European thought on 19th and 20th century Islamic intellectual history is also examined.
Offered by: Islamic Studies
- Prerequisite: ISLA 200 or permission of instructor.
- Note: Reading and discussion in English.
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2021 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2021 academic year
RELG 252
Hinduism & Buddhism
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: The interaction of Hinduism and Buddhism in India with special reference to the law of Karma, caste, women, ritual, death, yoga, and liberation. Determination of interpretative principles for understanding the religious psychology of Hindus and Buddhists.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Terms
- Instructors
- Lara E Braitstein, Hamsa M Stainton
RELG 253
Religions of East Asia
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: This course introduces East Asia's major religions comparatively by addressing the continuous exchange of ideas and practices between traditions. Rather than adopting a mere chronological approach, Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism will be discussed thematically, taking in to account topics such as gender constructs, the secular and the sacred, material culture, and the apparent contrast between doctrine and practice.
Offered by: Religious Studies
RELG 352
Japanese Relig: Hist & Thought
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: This course provides an in-depth introduction to the religious traditions of Japan from the emerging of the Japanese state to the role of religion in contemporary Japan. Kami worship, the Buddhist tradition, Yin Yang divination, Confucianism, and the modern construct of Shinto are addressed in an interdisciplinary approach, taking into account insights from the fields of History, Literature, and Art.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Fall
- Prerequisite: RELG 253 or permission of instructor
RELG 354
Chinese Religions
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: Introduction to the diverse religiosities in the Chinese cultural sphere. Examination of the everyday practice of ancestor worship, longevity practices, morality, rituals, and the veneration of deities and spirits.
Offered by: Religious Studies
*Students who have previously taken a university-level course in world religions may replace this with 3 credits of complementary course.
Old Testament
3 credits from:
RELG 407
The Writings
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: A study of Job with some attention to Proverbs and Ecclesiastes (in English translation).
Offered by: Religious Studies
RELG 408
The Prophets
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: A study of significant texts selected from the prophetic tradition in the Old Testament.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2021 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2021 academic year
New Testament
3 credits from:
RELG 411
New Testament Exegesis
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: A seminar in exegesis on the basis of representative passages chosen from different parts of the New Testament in English.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2021 academic year
- Instructors
- Ian H Henderson, Heidi K Wendt
RELG 482
Exegesis of Greek New Testamnt
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: An intensive seminar in exegesis on the basis of representative passages chosen from different parts of the New Testament.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2021 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2021 academic year
Christian Theology
3 credits from:
RELG 330
Reformed Theology
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: Selected topics illustrating the Reformers' theological agenda, with special reference to Luther, Zwingli and Calvin.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2021 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2021 academic year
RELG 336
Contemp Theological Issues
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: A study of contemporary theological issues. Topic varies by year.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Winter
- Prerequisite: 3 credits in Christianity or permission of instructor
- Terms
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2021 academic year
RELG 399
Christian Spirituality
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: Seminar exploring the phenomena of internal religious experience in their relation to received formularies of Christian thought and practice.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2021 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2021 academic year
RELG 423
Reformation Thought
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Religious Studies: An examination of issues and persons in Europe and the British Isles that contributed to ecclesiastical and social change during the 16th and early 17th centuries.
Offered by: Religious Studies
- Terms
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2021 academic year
6 credits, to be chosen from among the 300 or 400 level courses offered in the Bachelor of Theology or Bachelor of Arts Religious Studies programs.
Exceptions
- By permission of the Bachelor of Theology Committee, students may substitute a course for any other required course if they have already taken said course or similar elsewhere (for credit).
- Permission is needed from the Bachelor of Theology Committee for courses selected from the curriculum of other departments of the University.
- By permission of the Director and the Chair of the Bachelor of Theology Committee, students may also enroll for courses at any university in the Province of Quebec. See Inter-University Transfer Agreement in the General Calendar for details.
- Professional and vocational courses (e.g., leading to ordination) are available through the In-Ministry Year (Master of Divinity (M.Div.)) upon the completion of the Bachelor of Theology degree.
Academic Standing and Course Loads
Satisfactory Standing: Students enter the university in satisfactory standing and remain in this standing unless their GPA (grade point average) or CGPA (cumulative grade point average) for any year drops below 2.00. The normal course load in any academic session is five courses per term (15 credits per term). A student with a high GPA (at least 3.00) may take more than the normal five courses per term.
Probationary Standing: A student is placed in probationary standing if either the CGPA or the term GPA falls between 1.50 and 1.99. (For part-time students, the GPA is calculated on the basis of the last 9 credits.) Students in probationary standing may take a minimum of 6 credits and a maxi¬mum of 12 credits per term.
A student in probationary standing returns to satisfactory standing by completing 12 additional credits with a GPA of at least 2.50, or by completing 12 credits with a GPA and a CGPA of 2.00 or greater.
A student in probationary standing who fails to achieve the levels of performance specified above will be placed in unsatisfactory standing, with the exception of those who obtain a GPA of 1.50-1.99 while continuing to have a CGPA of 2.00 or greater.
Unsatisfactory Standing: A GPA of less than 1.50 places a student in unsatisfactory standing.
A student in unsatisfactory standing will have to withdraw or seek re-admission as a probationary student with special permission from the B.Th. Committee and the Dean. A student who is readmitted on probationary standing may have additional restrictions or conditions to meet, over and above those required of students referred to above under "Probationary Standing." A student in unsatisfactory standing for the second time must withdraw permanently.
Incomplete Standing: A student whose record in any year shows a mark of K, K*, L, L*, or && will have no GPA or CGPA calculated for that year, and the record will show "Standing Incomplete." After completing the appropriate course requirements the GPA and CGPA will be calculated and the student's standing determined as described above.
A student whose standing is still "incomplete" at the time of registration for the next academic year must obtain a Letter of Permission to Register from the Chair of the B.Th. Committee.
Graduation Requirements
- The B.Th. is either a 120-credit program (for those admitted from outside Quebec and without a prior Bachelor's degree), a 90-credit program (for those who apply on the basis of a Quebec DCS or equivalent) or a 60-credit program (for those who apply on the basis of a recognized Bachelor's degree.
- Qualification for the degree shall include satisfactory standing (a grade of C or better) in all required courses and the complementary courses specified in year three, and the accumulation of sufficient acceptable credits to make a total of either 60 or 90-credits. It should be noted that students who take the B.Th. program as part of the M.Div. program need to maintain a minimum CGPA of 2.5 to be eligible for the M.Div. degree.
- Normally the program credits must be earned within five years from the date of entrance.
Academic Achievement
Several designations are used to acknowledge the superior academic achievement of in-course and graduating students. These designations are awarded at the discretion of the Faculty of Arts.
- Dean's Honour List: to designate the 10% of graduating students who have completed a minimum of 60 credits at McGill with the highest CGPA .
- Distinction: to designate the 25% of graduating students who have completed a minimum of 60 credits at McGill with the highest CGPA who do not qualify for Dean's Honour List.
- Honours: to designate graduating students who have completed a minimum of 60 credits at McGill and have fulfilled the honours course requirements with a CGPA of at least 3.00 or 3.50 for First Class Honours.
- Dean's Honour List: to designate the top 10% of continuing students based on the combined GPA for the fall and winter terms.
Evaluation
Competence in a course may be determined by examinations and/or essays, or by other means chosen by the instructor and approved by the Dean.
Withdrawal Procedures
In case of withdrawal from the University prior to the published course withdrawal deadline, the student must withdraw from all courses via Minerva. In addition students must contact the Chair of the B.Th. Committee and complete the necessary withdrawal form.