Religious Studies

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The Department of Religious Studies offers work leading to both the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Religious Studies, i.e., the systematic study of religious phenomena.

Enquiries: 905 525-9140 Ext. 23399
E-mail: relstud@mcmaster.ca
Website: http://www.religiousstudies.mcmaster.ca

Faculty/Fall 2024

Professors

James Benn, B.A., M.A. (Cambridge), M.A. (London), Ph.D. (U.C.L.A.)
P. Travis Kroeker, B.A. (Winnipeg), M.A. (Manitoba), Ph.D. (Chicago)
Liyakat Takim, B.Sc. (City), M.A. (Virginia), Ph.D. (London)

Associate Professors

Shayne Clarke, B.A., M.A. (Canterbury), Ph.D. (U.C.L.A.)
Dana Hollander, B.A. (Oberlin), M.A., Ph.D. (Johns Hopkins)
Zdravko Planinc, B.A., M.A. (York), A.M., Ph.D. (Harvard)
Celia Rothenberg, B.A. (Wellesley College), M.A. (Oxford),Ph.D. (Toronto)
Mark Rowe, B.A. (McGill), M.A., Ph.D. (Princeton)
Hanna Tervanotko, Th.M., Th.D. (Helsinki)
Matthew Thiessen, B.R.S. (Tynedale), M.A. (Trinity Western), M.St. (Oxford), Ph.D. (Duke)

Joint Member

Ellen Amster, B.A. (Pennsylvania), Ph.D. (Chicago)

Associate Members

Faiza Hirji, B.A. (Simon Fraser), M.A., Ph.D. (Carleton)
Basit Iqbal, B.A. (Alberta), M.A. (Toronto), Ph.D. (UC Berkely)
Daniel Machiela, B.B.A. (Grand Valley), M.A. (Jerusalem), Ph.D. (Notre Dame)
Dilyana Mincheva, B.A. and M.A. (Sofia), Ph.D. (Trent)

The Department offers graduate work in nine areas of study, distributed among three fields:

Asian

• Buddhism
• East Asian Religions

Christianity in Antiquity

• Early Judaism
• Early Christianity

Western

• Islamic Studies
• Jewish Studies
• Religion and Politics
• Religion and Culture
• Western Religious Thought

In order that all graduate students have the opportunity to develop both depth and breadth in their courses of study, candidates for M.A. and Ph.D. degrees are normally required to choose one major area of study and one minor area of study from the above list of seven areas.

To ensure acquaintance with the range of religious studies, and to facilitate dialogue and communication among all members of the department, all graduate students are required to have upon entry, or to acquire in the early stages of their program, some familiarity with the breadth of religious studies including both Eastern and Western religious traditions.

Upon arrival, each M.A. and Ph.D. candidate will meet with faculty members from the field in which the student’s major area of study is located (see list above), who will advise the student on choice of advisory committee members, minor area of study, course work, and other requirements.

Programs

• Religious Studies, M.A.

• Religious Studies, Ph.D

• Religious Studies Courses

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