Congrats to All Students Named to the 2021-2022 Dean's List!

Congratulations to all students named to the 2021-2022 Dean's List, as well as the Program Book Prize winners, and receipients of the Dean's Award for Academic Excellence, and the HSS International Student Excellence Award. 

Finding an elective has never been easier

The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) has hundreds of courses that have zero or one prerequisite. To make it easy for our students to find electives of interest, we have launched a searchable listing of electives that you can browse by semester and subject. 

Fall Welcome Session for New Students

On Sept. 6, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is hosting a welcome event to help new students get started on the right track. At this interactive event, you'll hear from the Dean and Associate Dean of Curriculum and Programs, learn more about areas of study in HSS, and meet other HSS students! Register now: https://loom.ly/TTXWfYo

HSS Commons Student Space Cozier Than Ever

When we think of university campuses, we picture lecture halls and labs. But what about a space for that time between classes? It is equally essential to have a comfortable space to study or kick back and relax between lectures. The newly refurbished Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) Commons, in SN-1107, offers HSS students such a space. Check out this Gazette article on why interim Dean, Dr. Craig, wanted to rejuvenate this space for students. 

Gradcolades 2022

In the last academic year, graduate students in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Memorial University won more than 40 awards, 40 grants, and 140 fellowships & scholarships. Additionally, they produced more than 40 publications and creative endeavours. Watch the video celebration of all this success.

Dr. Jennifer Selby Wins President's Award for Outstanding Research

Huge congrats to Dr. Jennifer Selby, Department of Religious Studies, for receiving the President’s Award for Outstanding Research (PAOR). The PAOR recognizes outstanding contributions to a scholarly discipline. Read the full story in the Gazette: Top Notch Recipients

Announcement of Passing

We are sad to share the news of the passing of our colleague and friend, Dr. Lee Rainey.

Dr. Hans Rollman, Professor Emeritus

Hans J. Rollmann has been awarded Professor Emeritus status in recognition of his exceptional career in the classroom and as a path-breaking researcher. 

Teaming-Up for Sanskrit

Religious Studies MUN is partnering with Religious Studies and Classics at Dalhousie University, offering a shared teaching plan for introductory Sanskrit courses. 

Congratulations to Jessica Williams and Robyn Cossitt!

The Department of Religious Studies congratulates Jessica Williams and Robyn on the successful completion of their MA theses. 

Black Muslim History in Newfoundland and Labrador

Join the MNL in NL team (www.nlmuslimlives.ca) and friends for this hour-long talk with Dr. Afua Cooper (Dalhousie University) on Thursday, February 18th at 7pm.

Dean's Research Award

Congratulations to Dr. Jennifer Selby, recipient of the Dean's Award for Distinguished Scholarship. 

Instructor for course on Jerusalem

We are delighted to welcome Dr. Laura Jurgens to our department. Dr. Jurgens will be teaching RELS 2180 Jerusalem and the Politics of Sacred Space, an online course that runs this Winter term for only the second time. Spaces are available (CRN 90208). 

Talk by Dr. Dietrich Jung

Join us for this special lecture by Dr. Dietrich Jung, visiting from the University of Southern Denmark.

Department of Religious Studies' July 2020 Fieldschool

The Department of Religious Studies is excited to announce the French Religion and Culture Field School to be held in France in July 2020.

More details are available here and here.

Please join us for an information session on Wednesday, October 2nd at 1pm in EN 1051.

Meet Jennifer Selby

Jennifer Selby thinks religious studies allows a unique lens into thinking about politics. She wants students to see how what they learn in religious studies can help them interpret and live in the different worlds they inhabit.

Read more about Dr. Selby and her research here.

Text and Context Symposium:'Religion Out of Place' - Call for Papers - April 8-9, 2019

The Department of Religious Studies is pleased to announce the Sixth Annual Text and Context Symposium, a two-day event held on the Memorial Campus, exploring the textual and contextual underpinnings of methodological approaches to the study of religion.

MICHELLE REBIDOUX, ARTIST AND SCHOLAR

Dr. Michelle Rebidoux is both an artist and scholar and combines her various skills on a grade scale in a four panel mural she has completed for St. Mark's Anglican Church. On January 13th at 10:30 a.m., the mural will be blessed at St. Mark's and Dr. Rebidoux will explain the symbolism of the evangelists in her paintings. The photo here likely does not do justice to the actual works since each panel is 5 feet wide and 13 feet high. A year and a half of creative work!

Study abroad in 2019

Religious Studies offers two study abroad opportunities in 2019:

For information on Dr. Jennifer Porter’s Disney Parks course (RELS 4812), which includes a week-long field component in Florida, see www.religionanddisney.com. For information on Dr. Jennifer Selby’s Summer Field School in Bordeaux France, see www.mun.ca/relstudies/programs/undergraduate/bordeaux.php. Students participating in this field school, can earn six credits (RELS/ANTH 2350 Religious Institutions and RELS 3058 Topics in Religion and Politics).

Jessica Williams and Mehmet Basak named as Fellows of the School of Graduate Studies

 Congratulations to Jessica Williams and Mehmet Basak for this honour! The title, "Fellow of the School of Graduate Studies” is awarded in recognition of high academic achievement and exemplary contribution to the community both within and beyond the University. We are proud of your accomplishments, Jessica and Mehmet, and thank you both for your contributions to our department and its programs. Begin forwarded message:

Join MUN in France Next August!

Looking to pick up two undergraduate HSS electives? Join MUN in France Next August. Contact  Jennifer Selby at jselby@mun.ca for more info.

Islam in "Western" Scholarship: The rise of Islamic Studies as an Academic Discipline.

PLEASE JOIN DR. DIETRICH JUNG, PROFESSOR & DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR MIDDLE EAST STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DENMARK. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1 ST , 2-3:15PM ARTS & ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, A5014 FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT JSELBY@MUN.CA

All are welcome!

"Multiple Modernities" Within Islam: The Case of Jihad

Public Lecture.  Join Dr. Dietrich Jung, Professor and Director of the Center for Contemporary Middle Eastern Studies, University of Southern Denmark. A1043, ARTS & ADMINISTRATION BUILDING TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30 TH FROM 7-8PM RECEPTION TO FOLLOW

Grad student of the month - Mehmet Ali Basak (religious studies)

Graduate student Mehmet Ali Basak is studying the anthropology of Islam with an emphasis on how notions of secularism, multiculturalism and Islamic movements impact individual Muslims’ identities.  Read more about him and his research here.

Reflection Room

The Reflection Room, The Loft, University Centre

Job Opportunities: PCIs Spring 2017

The Department of Religious Studies invites applications from individuals interested in teaching undergraduate courses in the Spring Intersession 2017.

Find out more.

Fall Courses, 2017

See our courses available in the Fall 2017 semester under the "course offerings" tab above.

MA Graduates, 2016

Congratulations to our recent MA grads!

Saint Elizabeth Reflection Room

The May edition of The Hospital News has a short article on a research project on end of life spiritual care, with contributions from Department member Barry Stephenson. 

4th Annual Text and Context Symposium 2016: Program now available

The program of the Fourth Annual Text and Context Symposium April 21-22, 2016 is now available.

Symposium Program, 21-22 April 2016 [PDF]

The two-day event explores the textual and contextual underpinnings of methodological approaches to the study of religion.

Job Opportunity: Per Course Instructors Spring 2016

The Department of Religious Studies invites applications from individuals interested in teaching undergraduate courses in the Spring Intersession 2016.

Visit the Employment Opportunities page for more details.

Closing Date: March 4, 2016

The Religion of Disney

'Religion and Disney Parks' is a fourth-year course that looks at Disney through an academic lens, examining religious themes and ideas in the famous theme parks.

The course, which includes fieldwork at Disney's Orlando site, will be lead by Jennifer Porter, a religious studies professor who specializes in Disney and popular culture.

Recent Events

April Text and Context Symposium

The Islamic State and the Middle East

Student News

The comings and goings of Religious Studies students. 

Public Talk on Islam Online

Join us on Thursday, August 13th at 5:30pm at the Rocket Room (the 3rd floor of the Rocket Bakery) for a talk by Jon A. Anderson, "Islam through the Internet Looking-Glass."

Fall 2015 Courses

Our list of course offerings this fall.