You are reading the 2024/25 Academic Calendar. The 2023/24 version remains in effect until August 31, 2024 and is available here.

Study of Religion, Faculty of Arts

RGST: Study of Religion


  1. RGST 160 (3) Introduction to Religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam

    An overview of the foundational texts, histories, and contemporary expressions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Key concepts and approaches used in the study of religion. Credit will be granted for only one of RGST 160, AMNE 160, or RELG 101.

    Equivalency: AMNE 160.

  2. RGST 200 (3) Introduction to the Study of Religion

    Study of religion through a comparative, cross-cultural, and interdisciplinary approach to humans' engagement with the sacred. Examines religions as complex systems that share certain fundamental common features.

  3. RGST 300 (3) Theory and Method in the Study of Religion

    Theories and methods for the critical study of religion as believed and practiced in different times and places. Explores methodologies for studying dimensions of religion such as space, bodily practices, cognition, and material culture.

  4. RGST 330 (3) The Science of Religion

    Explaining religious belief and practice using approaches and methodologies from evolutionary and cognitive science. Topics include gene-culture coevolution, ritual and supernatural belief, religion in groups, and digital humanities techniques.

  5. RGST 400 (3) Advanced Seminar in the Study of Religion

    Seminar focused on a special theme in the interdisciplinary study of religion (e.g., religious violence, religion and the secular, religious space). Analysis of the theme's contemporary manifestations and implications, through discussion of recent scholarship, both theoretical and case studies.

  6. RGST 420 (3) Religion in Canada

    An examination of Canadian religious development with special reference to the separation of church and state, the rise of denominationalism and religious pluralism, secularization and ecumenicity, and the emergence of new religious movements.

  7. RGST 480 (3) Women and Religion

    A study of the roles of women in the literature of one or more religious traditions.

  8. RGST 499 (6) Honours Thesis

    Undergraduate thesis on a subject in the study of religion. Restricted to students admitted to the Honours Program in the Study of Religion.


UBC Crest The official logo of the University of British Columbia. Urgent Message An exclamation mark in a speech bubble. Caret An arrowhead indicating direction. Arrow An arrow indicating direction. Arrow in Circle An arrow indicating direction. Arrow in Circle An arrow indicating direction. Chats Two speech clouds. Facebook The logo for the Facebook social media service. Information The letter 'i' in a circle. Instagram The logo for the Instagram social media service. Linkedin The logo for the LinkedIn social media service. Location Pin A map location pin. Mail An envelope. Menu Three horizontal lines indicating a menu. Minus A minus sign. Pencil A pencil indicating that this is editable. Telephone An antique telephone. Plus A plus symbol indicating more or the ability to add. Search A magnifying glass. Twitter The logo for the Twitter social media service. Youtube The logo for the YouTube video sharing service.