1. What is Society, Culture & Religion?

Society, Culture & Religion (SCaR) uses interdisciplinary approaches to study how ancient and contemporary human cultures ask and answer the ‘big questions’: “Where did we come from?”, “Where are we going?”, “What does it all mean?”

2. What are the program options for Society, Culture & Religion?

Program options are:

• Society, Culture & Religion (BA)
• Honours Society, Culture & Religion (BA)
• Combined Honours in Society, Culture & Religion and Another Subject (BA)
• Interdisciplinary Minor in Jewish Studies
  
• Interdisciplinary Minor in Muslim Studies
• Minor in Asian Studies
• Minor in Religion & Diversity
• Minor in Society, Culture & Religion
• Minor in Health, Well-Being & Religion

3. What can I do with this degree (career pathways)?

Recent graduates are now pursuing degrees in:

• Teaching
• Law
• Counselling
• Social Work
• Not-for-Profit Agencies
• Public Policy
• Library Science
• Civil Service
• Law Enforcement
• Human Resources Management
• Social or Human Services
• Journalism
• Social Activism
• Conflict Resolution

4. What are some experiential opportunities in the program?

• Many courses include field-trips to local sites.
• Several of our students have been successful in winning an USRA from Social Science’s Office of Experiential Education to conduct paid research for a particular project.
• We have many opportunities each year to hear and interact with leading scholars at sponsored lectures and workshops.
• Some of our faculty have developed opportunities for students to live and study abroad, including a course on maternal health in Morocco and extended trips to Japan.

5. Do you have to be religious?

A SCAR degree is an academic degree in the same way Anthropology and Political Science degrees are academic degrees.

The course does not train you to be religious. Indeed, many of our students and faculty have no personal religious affiliation. Although some of our graduates pursue a theological education in order to become clergy and other religious professionals, this is not the primary purpose of our program. The program welcomes all students who are interested in understanding how religious behaviours and beliefs have affected human societies historically and cross-culturally.

6. What are the required courses?

Once you complete the Level I requirements for Social Sciences, you are invited to design your own program in consultation with departmental advisors and based on your interests and goals. The only required course is “Approaches to the Study of Religion” (SCAR 3F03).

7. What should I expect re: the structure of SCAR courses?

Most SCAR courses have modest enrolments and are often staffed by a faculty member with the addition of a graduate teaching assistant. SCAR courses focus on cultivating good writing and critical thinking. Few SCAR courses have formal final examinations.

8. What types of courses are offered?

Our courses cover topics that include:

• Health & Healing
• Death & Dying
• The Paranormal
• Conspiracy Theories
• Popular Culture
• Sport
• Film
• Gender
• Humour
• Violence
• Politics
• Ancient Texts & Scriptures
• Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity & Islam
• We also offer optional language training in Arabic, Hebrew and/or Sanskrit

9. What about student/social opportunities?

We have an active student club, SCARS (Society, Culture & Religion Scholars), that develops several student-led initiatives each year. We also have a strong social media presence. You will have many opportunities to know your instructors and your fellow students in and outside of the classroom!

10. Can I talk to students who have completed or are still completing the program?

Absolutely. There are two Zoom sessions available hosted by current students. You can also visit the Religious Studies website to read testimonials from other students, including some who graduated recently.