S.08-7
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
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?
Senate Committee on University Priorities
Memorandum
TO:
Senate ?
FROM: ?
John Waterhou
Chair, SCUP
Vice PresidenØademic
RE:
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences: ?
DATE: ?
December 10, 2007
Full Program Proposal for a Certificate in Religious Studies
(SCUP 07-73)
At its December 5, 2007 meeting SCUP reviewed and approved the full program
proposal for a Certificate in Religious Studies from the Faculty of Arts and Social
Sciences.
Motion
That Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors, the proposal for a
Certificate in Religious Studies, in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
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end.
C:
C. Jones
S
MENUSFU]
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SCUP 07-73
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OFFICE OF THE
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT ACADEMIC AND ASSOCIATE PROVOST
MEMO
To: ?
Senate Committee On University Priorities
FROM ?
Bitt Krane. Chair
Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences - Religious Studies (07-48A)
DATE ?
November 13, 2007
Action undertaken by the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies at its
meeting of Nov 6, 2007 gives rise to the following recommendation:
Motion:
"that SCUP approve and recommend to Senate the Full Program
Proposal for a Certificate in Religious Studies."
The relevant documentation for review by SCUP is attached.
.
SiMON PRASER UNIVERSITY
?
THINKING OF THE WORLD
SCUS 07-48A
Department of Humanities
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$
H. Full Program Proposal for a Certificate in Religious Studies
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0
A.
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Preamble/Rationale
1.
Preamble
The Certificate in Religious Studies
is
an interdisciplinary certificate Erogram bringing
together courses from various departments in the religious studies area, allowing
interested students to receive university recognition of this particular area of study.
2.
Rationale
a)
Since its inception in 1981, the Humanities program has covered a number of
areas that were not represented elsewhere or treated systematically within the
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Among these areas was religious studies, a
discipline of great importance in the Department of Humanities and an essential
element in the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences. From its beginning the
Department of Humanities set out to provide an essential lower-level
introduction to religious studies and an upper-level specialized course in the
same. Further, in the early years, a substantial list of
all
the religious studies
courses taught across campus was compiled and included in the Humanities
calendar entry. It was hoped that that list would allow students to rationalize
their religious studies choices. Since then Humanities has added a number of
religious studies courses to its curriculum.
b)
The creation of a Certificate in Religious Studies will build on that continuing
tradition within the Department of Humanities, and will respond to a renewed
interest at the university and within a growing number of departments for a
more systematic approach, to religious studies at SFU. Students will be able to
assemble a coherent program of religious studies and to receive university
recognition of their particular area of study.
c)
A Religious Studies Certificate program at SFU would be unique in British
Columbia. From a search of BC colleges, university-colleges and universities,
only one institution was found with a religious studies program:. UBC offers an
Honours, Major and Minor program in religious studies. At the following
institutions elective religious studies courses are available: Douglas, UCRV,
Malaspina, Thompson Rivers University, Okanagan University College, and
Langara.
d)
Courses taken in the Religious Studies Certificate will provide students with a
more nuanced understanding of religion in culture, literature, and history.
e)
Students would be expected to take the Certificate in the course of their degree
program; no cohort is planned. Students could also be admitted into the
Certificate program only, without registering in a degree credential.
f)
The Department has for some years received frequent queries about a
minor/major or certificate program in religious studies. The HUM religious
studies courses consistently fill and are unable to meet the demand. Five
sections of HUM 230 Introduction to Religious Studies (HUM 130 as of Fall 07)
offered by distance education and in-person in 2006 enrolled a total of 276
,1
4
?
students. Four sections of HUM 330 Religion in Context were offered to a total
•
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enrolment of 94 students. Due to this high demand, Certificate students will be
given priority for the Humanities core courses.
?
3.
?
Governance
a)
The Certificate will be housed in the Department of Humanities administered by
a Steering Committee with three representatives from Humanities and two
interested faculty from other departments. Appointments will be effective for 2
years.
b)
The Department Manager/Advisor will be responsible for advising students,
scheduling courses, recommending graduands and other related tasks.
?
4. ?
Curricu1un1Instruction
a) Certificate Courses:
The program will consist of existing courses from a number
of departments which already have sufficient religious content. The courses
range across disciplines and epochs making the program congruent with the
Humanities interdisciplinary curriculum as a whole.
b) The required courses
were chosen to provide students with a basic understanding
of the study of religion from various disciplinary perspectives. See the attached
list of calendar entries describing the courses applicable to the Certificate.
• ?
c)
Other Relevant Courses:
Courses not on the elective list which, in a given
semester, may have religious studies content may be applied to the Certificate.
with prior approval from the department.
d) Prerequisites: No
upper division course is restricted to Majors in a particular
discipline. Some upper division courses on the electives list require specific
prerequisites that students would need to meet; others require credit hours only.
Since there is a mixture of upper and lower division courses on the electives list,
this is not seen as an obstacle for students. The Women's Studies Department
has indicated they would waive the prerequisites for WS 304 for Certificate
students.
e) Distance Education:
One of the core courses (HUM 130) and one of the elective
courses (HUM 102) are available by distance education.
f)
Course demand:
Though the core HUM courses receive heavy demand, Certificate
students would be given priority to register in them. No excessive impact is
expected on the core/elective courses from other departments given the number
of choices and varied interests of students. See memoranda of support from
departments attached.
g)
Course availability:
Core courses: HUM 130 is offered every semester either by
distance education or in person three semesters per year; HUM 204 and HUM
331 will be offered at least once annually; HUM 330 is offered 2-3 semesters per
year. Core courses from other departments are offered at least once per year. See
chart below.
h)
Transfer Credit:
Following common University practice, students will be able to
transfer up to 15 credits of relevant coursework to the Certificate Program.
ra'i
Past Enrolments and Frequency
of Offerings of Required Courses:
Course ?
1047
?
1051
?
1054
?
1057
?
1061
?
1064
?
1067 ?
1071
Both of.-:
HUM 130*
?
100 ?
61 ?
51 ?
129 ?
93
?
52 ?
128 ?
126
HUM 330
?
0 ?
24
?
23 ?
24 ?
47 ?
24
?
23 ?
27
Two of:
ARCH 226 ?
68 ?
0 ?
34
?
38 ?
0 ?
33 ?
36 ?
0
HUM 204** NEW
HUM
331**
NEW
PHIL 240
?
30
?
32
*was HUM 230 prior to Fall 2007.
**new courses as of Fall 2007—to be offered at least once annually.
4.
?
Funding
a)
No additional funds, lab space, or equipment will be required.
b)
No additional funding for faculty or instructors will be required as the courses
are currently being taught with existing resources.
.
.
0
19,
Proposal for
a Certificate in Religious Studies
• ?
Department of Humanities
B. ?
CALENDAR ENTRY:
The program encourages and facilitates the study of religious thought and its effects on
civilization from an interdisciplinary perspective. Students may select courses that will provide either a
focus on one tradition or a broader thematic study across a range of traditions and cultures. Courses are
mainly drawn from Humanities, History, Asia-Canada and other departments in the university.
This certificate program is available to those without a bachelor's degree. Credits earned in the
program may be applied to a major or minor program and to a bachelor's degree. However, credits
applied to one certificate may not be applied to another SFU certificate or diploma. Students may apply
a maximum of 15 transfer credits of relevant coursewcrk to the Certificate.
Admission Requirements:
Prospective students must apply to Simon Fraser University for admission and meet the normal SFU
admission requirements. Approval into the Certificate program must be obtained from the Humanities
Department advisor.
Certificate Requirements:
Students are required to complete at least 30 credit hours, of which 13-14 are earned by completing the
four required courses. The remaining credits are selected from the electives list.
Note that students are responsible for meeting the prerequisite requirements for courses taken towards
the Certificate.
Required Courses (a minimum
of
13 credits)
Both of.
HUM 130-3
?
Introduction to Religious Studies (HUM 230 prior to Fall 07)
HUM 3304
?
Religion in Context
Two
of
ARCH 226-3 The Prehistory of Religion: Shamans, Sorcerers and Saints
HUM 204-3 ?
Great Religious Texts (new in Fall 07)
HUM 3314
?
Studies in Asian Religions (new in Fall 07)
PHIL 240-3 ?
Philosophy of Religion
**Courses in the above list not used to meet the core requirements can be counted towards the elective requirements.
Elective Courses (16-17 credits)
ASC 202-3 ?
Studies in Asian Cultures*
ASC 302-3 ?
Selected Topics in Chinese Studies*
ASC 303-3 ?
Selected Topics in Japanese Studies*
ASC 400-3 ?
Selected Topics in Asia-Canada Studies*
HIST 220-3
?
Late Medieval and Renaissance Europe
I-lIST 249-3
?
Classical Islamic Civilization
HIST 288-3 ?
History of Christianity to 1500 (new in Fall 07)
HIST 320-4
?
European Reformation
HIST 352-4
?
Religion and Politics in Modern Iran
F-lIST 388-4 ?
Christianity and Globalization (revised for Fall 07)
I-lIST 404-4
?
Protestants, Papists and Puritans: Culture and Belief in Early Modern England 1500-
1640
I-lIST 439-4
Catholicism in Early Modern Europe
HIST 466-4
Religion and Society in Africa, Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries (new in Fall 07)
I-lIST 468-4
Problems in the History of Religion (new in Fall 07)
HIST 469-4
Islamic Social and Intellectual History
HUM 102W-3
Classical Mythology
.
?
HUM 203-3
HUM 219-3
Great Texts in the Humanities 111*
The Early Middle Ages
HUM 305-4
Medieval Studies*
HUM 307-4
Carolingian Civilization
HUM 332-4
Mythology in Context
HUM 350-4
Great Figures in Humanistic Tradition*
HUM 3754
?
The Woodsworth Seminar*
SA 322-4
?
Sociology of Religion (S)
SA 323-4 ?
Symbol, Myth and Meaning (A)
WS 304-4 ?
Women and Religion
WS 305-4 ?
Conceiving Creativity
topics
are appropriate. Consult with the Certificate advisor.
Other courses with appropriate content may be counted with prior approval
of
the Advisor.
.
0
Proposal for a Certificate in Religious Studies
Department of Humanities
C. MEMORANDA OF SUPPORT
The following departments have been consulted and asked for a memorandum
of support.
COPY of MEMO
sent to Departmentsr
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
?
Department of Humanities
?
604-291-3689/Fax: 604-291-4504
?
Memorandum
From: Paul Dutton, UCC Chair
To: ?
Undergraduate Curriculum Chairs:
Asia-Canada
Archaeology
History
Philosophy
Sociology/ Anthropology
Women's Studies
1]
?
Re: ?
Proposal for a Certificate in Religious Studies
?
Date: 2 April 2007
Please find attached a proposal for a Certificate in Religious Studies program to be housed in the
Department of Humanities.
The course list contains relevant courses from your department. We do not anticipate this
having a large impact on your enrolments
-
. Please reply with any suggestions and/or
responses, and, if possible:
1.
A memorandum of support for the Certificate.
2.
A statement that you are either willing or not willing to waive any prerequisites for the
courses from your department and under what conditions.
Please respond by 25' April 2007.
Memoranda of support received from Departments:
Women's Studies
Dear Helen, thank you for the generous and helpful response. We particularly appreciate the
waiving of the pre-reqs for WS 304. Would that we were able to offer that to the certificate
students across the board; but we are not confident that other departments would be prepared to
drop their requirements given the various pressures they are under. Yes, we shall add WS 305
to our list. We have also become cognizant from the response of various departments that we
shall have to monitor and update our list of electives on a regular basis.
Once again our thanks, Paul
. ?
At 10:43 AM 4/20/2007, you wrote:
Dear Dr. Dutton:
I am writing to express our Department's support of the proposed certificate in Religious
Studies. At our Departmental meeting, we have decided that we are willing to waive the WS
pre-regs for WS 304: Women & Religion for students pursuing the Certificate. In addition, we
wonder if you would also consider adding our WS 305 (sample syllabus attached) to your list of
elective courses? The course is regularly taught by Dr. Marilyn MacDonald and deals with the
relation between scientific and religious accounts of creativity. If you would like more
information about the course, please contact Dr. MacDonald <marilynm@sfu.ca
> who would be
more than happy to provide more background to the course and to discuss its suitability for
inclusion in the Certificate.
Sincerely,
Helen Leung
Helen Hok-Sze Leung, Assistant Professor
Chair of Undergraduate Program, Department of Women's Studies
History
Date: Thu, 03 May 2007 14:00:48 -0700
Subject: Re: Religious Studies oposal memo to departments
From: kjfergus©sfu.ca
To: dutton@sfu.ca
Hi Paul,
I realize that this is monstrously overdue, but History supports this initiative.
Regards,
Karen
Karen Ferguson, Associate Professor
Department of History
Archaeology
Date:,Sat, 05 May 2007 06:29:22 -0700
Subject: Re: Certificate in Religious Studies - urgent
From: nicholas@sfu.ca
To: prisland@sfu.ca
Dear Christine
Thank you for the reminder. Between end of term grading and travel, this one slipped by.
Archaeology is in support of the certificate.
At this point, the department has not addressed the future of ARCH 226 following Dr. Brian
Hayden's retirement in about two years. However, we do feel that the course is important in our
curriculum, and certainly for your certificate, and hope that another faculty member will take it on.
George Nicholas
Archaeology Department Undergraduate Curriculum Chair
Philosophy
Date: Wed, 9 May 2007 10:21:56 -0700
To: Christine Prisland <prisland@sfu.ca
>
From: Sam Black <samuel_black@sfu.ca
>
Subject: Re: Certificate in Religious Studies - urgent
This looks like a very good idea.
Sam Black, Philosophy
Asia-Canada Program
MEMORANDUM
To: Dr. Paul Dutton, Undergraduate Studies Chair, Humanities Department
From: Yoshi Kawasaki, Director, Asia-Canada Program
Re: Proposed Certificate in Religious Studies
Date: 9 May 2007
On behalf of the Asia-Canada Program, I support your proposal for a Certificate in Religious
Studies. I am willing to waive prerequisites for the relevant courses from my Program.
Sociology/Anthropology
From: <mailto:kenny@sfu .ca >kenny©sfu .ca
Date: April 17, 2007 7:33:20 AM PDT (CA)
To: <mailto:duguid@sfu.ca
>duguid@sfu.ca
Subject: proposed religion certificate
Hi: I've been given your religious studies proposal to look over, and don't see any problem
from S&A's point of view. We only have one courses listed as an elective (SA323) and the
current inclination is to keep it in the calendar tho it would have to be offered sessionally.
4.
I do note one thing that may be a problem from your point of view, namely the presence of
• ?
ARCH226 in the required option list; it's my impression that Brian Hayden is facing MR pretty
soon, so that might be worth checking on. Don't know whether anyone else in ARCH is there to
pick up the ball should he depart....
cheers: m
.
.
lb.
Department of Humanities
?
Proposal for a Certificate in Religious Studies
Course Descriptions
REQUIRED
COURSES:
Both of:
HUM 130-3 ?
Introduction to Religious Studies (revised for Fall 07)
An introduction to concepts central to the academic study of religion exploring various relevant
methodologies: Provides a framework for understanding the many ways in which humans
experience the phenomenon of the sacred through symbol, ritual, doctrine and experience in a
variety of religious traditions and cultures. Students who have taken HUM 230 prior to Fall 2007
may not take this course for further credit.
HUM 3304 Religion in Context
An in-depth investigation of a specific case of religious history and tradition. Religion will be
studied through the cultural and historical contexts that pervade and structure religious meaning
and expression. Prerequisite: 45 credit hours. Students who have taken this course as HUM 304
cannot take this course for - further credit.
Two of:
ARCH 226-3 The Prehistory of Religion: Shamans, Sorcerers and Saints
Charts the emergence and changes in the expression of human religious behaviour. It covers
the earliest rituals of the Palaeolithic, the importance of fertility cults, ancestor cults, alliance
rituals, shamans, witchcraft, and monotheism. Prerequisite: any lower division archaeology or
anthropology course.
HUM 204-3 ?
Great Religious Texts (new in Fall 07)
A study of some of the key works which have had a formative influence on major religious
traditions. Primary texts will be selected to illustrate core elements in the religious
understanding of human life and its relationship to the sacred. Prerequisite: 30 credit hours.
HUM 130 (HUM 230 prior to Fall 2007) is recommended.
HUM 3314 Studies
in Asian Religions (new in Fall 07)
Studies the history and traditions of specific Asian religions through the cultural and historical
contexts that structure religious meaning. Prerequisite: 45 credit hours.
PHIL 240-3 ?
Philosophy of Religion
A critical analysis of classic and contemporary arguments concerning the rationality of belief in
God, and related issues.
ELECTIVE COURSES:
ASC 202-3 Studies in Asian Cultures*
An introduction to East, Southeast or South Asian art, literature, history or philosophy. The
emphasis will be on the cultural importance of the themes covered and on their relationship to
contemporary societies.
ASC 302-3 ?
Selected Topics in Chinese Studies*
ASC 303-3 ?
Selected Topics in Japanese Studies*
ASC 400-3 ?
Selected Topics in Asia-Canada Studies*
HIST 220-3 ?
Late Medieval and Renaissance Europe (revised title and description as of Fall 07)
An introduction to the world of late Medieval and Renaissance Europe (c. 1200 - c. 1500).
Principal themes include the changing shape of medieval spirituality; the clash and integration
of Christian, Jewish and Muslim cultures; the rise of new forms of secular and religious
1/.
.
M.
authorities; the Black Death and the crises of the fourteenth century; and the intellectual and
cultural movements of the Italian Renaissance. ?
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HIST 249-3 ?
Classical Islamic Civilization
This course offers a broad survey of the development of classical Islamic civilization. It begins
with an examination of the origins of Islam in seventh century Arabia and concludes with the
break-up of the Abbasid Caliphate of Baghdad in the 13th century. Emphasis will be placed on
gaining an understanding of the doctrines of Islam, the significance of the rise and fall of the
early Arab-Islamic empires, and the role of Islam in world history.
HIST 288-3 ?
History of Christianity to 1500 (new in Fall 07)
A survey of the history of Christianity from its origins to 1500.
HIST 320-4 ?
European Reformation
An advanced examination of the complex history and patterns of the Religious Reformation in
sixteenth-century Europe. Emphasis will be placed on the religious thought of the period, and
on its social and political context. Prerequisite: nine hours of lower division history credit
including I-lIST 315 or permission of the department. Strongly
,
recommended: HIST 220 or 223.
Students who have taken HIST 403-4 prior to 2005-3 cannot take this course for further credit.
HIST 352-4 ?
Religion and Politics in Modern Iran
The intellectual and social history of greater Iran from the Safavids to the twentieth century.
Emphasis will be on the relationship between religion and politics. Prerequisite: nine hours of
lower division history credit. Recommended: one of HIST 151, 249, 241.
HIST 388-4 ?
Christianity and Globalization (revised for Fall 07)
•
?
An examination of select topics in Christianity and globalization, with an emphasis on the early-
modern period. Students will explore the connections between regions rather than individual
regional histories. Prerequisite: 45 credit hours, including 9 hours of lower division History
credit. (Was previously titled Global Histories)
HIST 404-4 ?
Protestants, Papists and Puritans: Culture and Belief in Early Modem England 1500-1640
From the Reformation to the outbreak of the Civil War, this research seminar will examine the
origins, development and impact of Protestantism within English society. Prerequisite: nine
hours of lower division history credit including HIST 315 or permission of the department.
HIST 439-4 ?
Catholicism in Early Modern Europe
An examination of the complex history of Catholicism in Europe in the period 1500-1789. By
elucidating the diversity within and among institutions and religious experiences, it will
challenge the traditional assumption that Catholicism constituted a religious monolith
impervious to historical change. Subject for particular focus may include historiographical
approaches to Catholicism, the papacy, the Society of Jesus, popular religion, the role of art.
Prerequisite: 45 credit hours, including nine hours of lower division History credit and one of
MIST 220, 223 or 321.
HIST 4664 ?
Religion and Society in Africa, Nineteenth and Twentieth-Centuries (new in Fall 07)
Explores the transition from the practice of indigenous religions to adherence to Christianity or
Islam in Africa over the last century. Through a series of case studies, this course examines the
growth of the world religions in Africa and the interaction of both with African religion.
Prerequisite: 45 credit hours including nine hours of lower division history credit.
Recommended: HIST 146.
S ?
HIST 468-4
?
Problems in the History of Religion (new in Fall 07)
An advanced examination into the concepts and methodology of the history of religion.
Prerequisite: 45 credit hours, including 9 hours of lower-division History credit.
HIST 469-4
?
Islamic Social and Intellectual
History ?
j
Advanced analysis of specific problems in Islamic social and intellectual history, with an
? -
emphasis on traditional patterns and on their transformation in the modern world. Prerequisite:
45 credit hours, including 9 hours of lower division History credit. Recommended: one of HIST
249 or 352.
?
0
HUM 102W-3 Classical Mythology
An.introduction to the central myths of the Greeks and Romans. The course will investigate the
nature, function, and meaning of myths in the classical world and their considerable influence on
western civilization.
HUM 203-3 ?
Great
Texts in
the Humanities 111*
'An introduction to classic texts which have endured as monuments of Asian thought and literature.
Readings and discussions of primary texts and their central ideas will introduce students to
philosophical, literary and religious themes in a selected, major Asian tradition. Prerequisite: 30
credit hours.
HUM 219-3 ?
The Early Middle Ages
An examination of Eastern and Western Christendom from Late Antiquity to the 12t"-Century
Renaissance emphasizing-religious, political, cultural, and social change. Students who have
taken HIST 219 may not take this course for further credit.
HUM 305-4 ?
Medieval Studies*
A detailed interdisciplinary analysis of a selected topic, issue, or personality in the Middle Ages.
(seminar) Prerequisite: 45 credit hours.
HUM 307-4
?
Carolingian Civilization
A focused interdisciplinary study of the Carolingian civilization achieved in early medieval Europe
under Charlemagne and his family. Prerequisite: 45 credit hours.
HUM 332-4 ?
Mythology
in Context
A detailed interdisciplinary study of the role of mythology within a particular culture or
tradition. Prerequisite: 45 credit hours. Recommended: HUM 102.
HUM 350-4 ?
Great Figures in Humanistic Tradition*
An interdisciplinary study of the lives and works of a man or woman who has made a lasting
contribution to the humanistic tradition in more than one field of endeavour (eg, philosophy,
politics, literature, economics, religion). Prerequisite: 45 credit hours. Students who have taken
this topic under another humanities course number cannot take this course for further credit.
HUM 375-4 The Woodsworth Seminar*
A special topic in the Humanities to be offered by the Woodsworth chair. Prerequisite: 45 credit
hours.
SA 322-4 ?
Sociology of Religion (S)
An examination of the development and social impact of religious institutions in modern
industrial societies. Consideration will be given to the classical theoretical approaches to the
sociology of religion, and further topics which may be considered include: denominational
religion in Britain and North America; the secularization thesis; the relationship between
science and religion, and the organization, structure and social appeal of sectarian groups in
contemporary society. Prerequisites: SA 150 and one second year sociology (5) or
sociology/ anthropology (SA) course.
An
SA 323-4
examination
?
of
Symbol,
myth, symbolism,
Myth and Meaning
ritual and
(A)
cosmological
?
systems. Anthropological theories
0
of magic, possession, witchcraft, healing and religious movements analyzed in ethnographic
context. Prerequisite: SA 101 and one of SA 201, 263, 286 or 293.
13
?
WS 304-4 ?
Women and Religion
This course examines critical issues of women's relationships to theology and religious practice in
major religious traditions. Prerequisite: six credits in women's studies including WS 101 and/or 102.
?
WS 305-4 ?
Conceiving Creativity
Through the lens of science fiction, this course focuses on scientific and religious accounts of
creativity, and of responsibility for (and to) the outcomes of that creativity. In considering the
range of relations amongst science and religion, it draws upon theories from social justice
studies, including such topics as representation, participation and motivation within professional
and other community domains of creativity. Prerequisite: 30 credit hours. Students who have
taken WS 310 (Special Topics) under this title may not take WS 305 for further credit.
topics contain sufficient Religious Studies content. Consult with the Certificate advisor.
S
0
Ml
