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Religion and Culture (BA)

waterloo

Explore the rich diversity of faiths in many regions of the world and study how religion interacts with culture. Discover and discuss issues relating to human rights, religious rights and freedoms, the status of women, identity and belonging, inter-group conflict and coexistence in a multicultural society. Examine ancient and contemporary spiritual experiences using data such as sacred texts, oral narratives and works of visual or performing art.

Apply Your Learning

Make the most out of your university career by taking advantage of all that Laurier has to offer you. Volunteer work, campus clubs, leadership programs, studying abroad, work experience – there are so many ways you can extend your classroom experience into the real world.

Here are just a few examples of the experiences you can add to your Religion and Culture program.

  • Study abroad for an academic term and immerse yourself in another culture.
  • Complete a course with a Community Service-Learning component to be involved in the local community.
  • Add a language to your degree, such as French or Spanish, and gain practical translation skills that you can add to your resume.
  • Thinking about graduate studies? Participate in faculty-led research opportunities available.

Check out the Religion and Culture Experience and Career Guide for more!

 

2022 graduates who secured employment or went on to postgraduate studies

 

Laurier ranks in the top 6 percent of universities worldwide*

 

students who gained hands-on learning experiences at Laurier in 2022

*Center for World University Rankings (CWUR)

Admissions

Format: full time or part time      Duration: four years     Start: September (fall term) or January (winter term)     OUAC code: UH (Religion and Culture); UMA (BA + MA Pathway)

Your Next Steps

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Program Details

Religion and Culture at Laurier

If issues in Religion and Culture excite you, this program offers courses that provide an excellent basis for engaging debates. You'll discover and discuss issues about human rights, religious rights and freedoms, the status of women, identity and belonging, inter-group conflict and coexistence in a multicultural society.

Our popular first- and second-year intro courses explore the rich diversity of religion in many different regions of the world and study how religion interacts with culture. Our fourth-year capstone course allows you to develop an individualized research project connected to your professional interests.

The department encourages students to take language courses, and up to 1.0 credit of language study at the senior level can count toward your Religion and Culture requirements.

Graduates of the Religion and Culture program include, but are not limited to, social workers, teachers, professors, counsellors, librarians, editors, government workers, community organizers, filmmakers, artists, and writers.

Learn Online

This program is offered both as an on-campus degree and as a fully online degree, giving you the flexibility to choose how you want to learn and what works best with your lifestyle.

Study Abroad

This program encourages students to complement their degrees with international experience. The Religion and Culture program makes it easier for you to study abroad for one or two semesters by offering upper-level courses without demanding prerequisites, counting certain language courses toward an honours major, and not requiring that you take specific courses in your third year.

Past Religion and Culture majors have studied abroad in places such as France, England, Japan and Morocco.

Program Options and Courses

Options and Minors

These are a few of the many popular academic opportunities which allow you to dive deeper into your major area of study or broaden your knowledge:

  • Teaching Option (Coming soon!)
  • Leadership Minor
  • Management Option
  • Muslim Studies Option
  • Public Policy Minor

Check out other options to enhance your degree.

First-Year Courses

You'll choose two of the following courses:

  • Evil and Its Symbols
  • Love and Its Myths
  • Religion and Cinematic Culture
  • Religion and Visual Culture
  • Religions of the Americas: Asian and Middle Eastern
  • Religions of the Americas: Indigenous, African and European
  • Sports and the Sacred

Plus 4.0 elective credits in courses that interest you.

Sample First-Year Electives

  • Introduction to Global Studies
  • Cultures Today
  • Sociology I + II: Foundations & Social Life
  • Mediterranean Culture and Civilization
  • Modern Standard Arabic

Sample Upper-Year Courses

  • Canadian Religious Controversies
  • Religion and Popular Culture
  • Psychology & Religion
  • World Religions in Global Perspective

Similar Programs

Co-op

Note: The Religion and Culture (BA) co-op program is pending senate approval.

Co-op is a way to integrate what you are learning in the classroom with practical experience in your field of study. Build your resume, earn money, develop your network, and graduate with work experience.

You can apply for admission to co-op in your first year and may be eligible for an admission interview early in your second year. As a student in this program, you will be eligible to complete paid work terms lasting 12 to 16 weeks.

Interested? Learn more about co-op.

Tuition and Scholarships

Getting a university education is an investment in your future.

At Laurier, we take financial health seriously by providing a wide variety of funding opportunities for you throughout your degree, such as scholarships and bursaries, and by equipping you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.

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"Not only have I gained knowledge in a variety of areas of interest, but I was also given the opportunity to hone my skills in reading, writing, research, communication, interpersonal relations and critical thinking. Since we are living in the era of globalization, these softer skills have become more relevant as they are the base for which dialogue can occur – both within the workplace and out."

Brandi May, Religion and Culture graduate

Your Career Awaits

It’s not only about the journey; it’s about the destination. Let us help you get to where you’re going.

Here are just some examples of our graduates' destinations. What’s yours?

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • activist/advocate
  • community program manager
  • filmmaker
  • foreign services worker
  • humanitarian aid worker
  • journalist/editor
  • lawyer
  • non-profit program facilitator
  • public administrator/policy analyst
  • social services director

Explore more careers.

Support After Graduation

Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.

Waterloo Campus

The Waterloo campus is tucked into about one city block, so you’re steps away from your classes, food and your new favourite study spot.

There are many ways to tour our Waterloo campus, whether that's on a guided tour with one of our Laurier student ambassadors, on your own using virtual reality, or even on-demand through one of our pre-recorded tours. See our campus spaces and start to picture yourself at Laurier.

"Taking a course called the Hindu Tradition during my second year at Laurier ignited a passion for all things religious that will never leave me. […] Courses on Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity widened my perspective and appreciation of these traditions and the cultures they are a part of. "

Shane Glosnek, Religion and Culture graduate

Interested in More Info?

Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 548.889.8888 or see all contact information.

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