Western Research Area
Western Research Area
Research in this area is sponsored in various topics across the three main fields of study (Religion and Politics, Religion and Culture, Western Religious Thought, and Islamic Studies). We also encourage a variety of approaches and methodologies.
GO BACKReligion and Politics
This area studies accounts of the interrelations between religion, ethics, and politics from ancient Greece to the modern West. Areas of concentration include: the history of political philosophy; analysis of literary expressions of an understanding of religion, ethics, and politics; study of critical social and ethical theories with reference to the underlying theological and philosophical anthropologies.
GO BACKWestern Religious Thought
This area covers philosophy of religion, theology, and ethics (Islamic, Jewish, Christian, secular) in the classical and modern periods. Areas of specialization include the interrelations between philosophy and religion, hermeneutical and critical theory, secular challenges to religious thought, modern theology, and ethics. Course work and comprehensive examinations include both historical-systematic-comparative studies of perennial theological and philosophical themes and specialized contemporary topics.
GO BACKReligion and Culture
Religion and culture focuses primarily on the anthropology of religion. Students acquire a thorough knowledge of the historical development, contemporary theory, and methodological approaches of the field. Graduate students have pursued research on a range of topics, such as, religious healing, death rituals and religious feminisms.
GO BACKIslamic Studies
The Islamic studies area focuses on the study of Islamic texts and peoples. Courses cover a range of topics including Qu’ran and Hadith, modern Islamic movements, Islamic fundamentalism, Islamic feminisms, and Islam and globalization. We also offer the opportunity to study Arabic.
RESEARCHERS
Ellen Amster PhD
Associate Professor, Religious Studies
Associate Member, Anthropology
Member, Institute on Globalization & the Human Condition
(905) 525-9140 ext. 24144
Travis Kroeker
Professor, Religious Studies
Associate Member, Anthropology
Member, Institute on Globalization & the Human Condition
Member, Institute on Globalization & the Human Condition
(905) 525-9140 ext. 23385
Zdravko Planinc
Associate Professor, Religious Studies
(905) 525-9140 ext. 23394
Celia Rothenberg PhD
Chair, Religious Studies
Associate Member, Anthropology
Member, Institute on Globalization & the Human Condition
Member, Institute on Globalization & the Human Condition
Associate Professor, Religious Studies
Associate Member, Anthropology
Member, Institute on Globalization & the Human Condition
(905) 525-9140 ext. 24363
Liyakat Takim
Professor, Religious Studies
Associate Member, Anthropology
Member, Institute on Globalization & the Human Condition
Member, Institute on Globalization & the Human Condition
Associate Professor, Religious Studies
Associate Member, Anthropology
Member, Institute on Globalization & the Human Condition
Member, Institute on Globalization & the Human Condition
(905) 525-9140 ext. 20521
