McGill University
The Religion and Globalisation course at McGill examines the evolving relations of religious traditions to the many faces of globalisation. Religion is perceived, both theoretically and in practise, to be a global reality, and the world religions are now recognised as major players in an increasingly interconnected world.
The course offers:
- a comparative and historical exploration of the distinctive ways in which the world’s religions are shaping (and are shaped by) the social, political, and economic dynamics of globalisation
- explores the tensions at play in globalisation, modernisation, secularisation, and post-colonialism
- examines the multiple intersections of religion and globalisation through a variety of themes and case studies: human rights, development, health, environmental sustainability, conflict and violence, pluralism, faith-based political mobilisation, and the role of religion in the public sphere
This course is characterised by the following special features:
- A multi-faculty approach that enlists the expertise and participation of a wide range of McGill professors and students..
- A multi-religious approach that examines issues of globalisation from the perspectives of Jewish, Christian, Islamic, Hindu, and Buddhist traditions.
- A multi-disciplinary approach in which students engage a variety of core topics, such as human rights, international development, health, environment, multiculturalism, gender, conflict, and education.
- A teaching approach that makes use of small group modules to address the core topics listed above. These modules are led by teaching-fellows with expertise in the field. Students participate in two six-week modules over the duration of the semester. The modules allow students to examine specific case studies related to the broader themes of the course. Students will also have the opportunity to interact with their peers around the world in discussing the topics of this course.
- Students will be afforded the opportunity to interact with world-renowned scholars of religion and globalisation through a schedule of seven plenary sessions.
- Finally, the course will provide students with the intellectual foundations necessary to engage the practical dimensions of religion and globalisation in specific situations.
Programme director: Professor Ellen Aitken and Professor Daniel Cere
Email: daniel.cere@mcgill.ca; ellen.aitken@mcgill.ca
McGill University is one of Canada's best-known institutions of higher learning and one of the country's leading research-intensive universities. McGill is recognised around the world for the excellence of its teaching and research programmes. With students coming to McGill from over 150 countries, our student body is internationally diverse.
The oldest university in Montreal, McGill was founded in 1821 from a generous bequest by James McGill, a prominent Scottish merchant. Since that time, McGill has grown from a small college to a bustling university with two campuses, 11 faculties, some 300 programs of study, and more than 36,000 students.
In addition to a stellar faculty, McGill is known for attracting the brightest students from across Canada, the United States and abroad. McGill students have the highest average entering grades in Canada, and our commitment to fostering the best has helped our students win more national and international awards on average than their peers at any other Canadian university.
The ability to balance academic excellence with the extra-curricular is another hallmark of the McGill student. In addition to a rich athletic tradition that includes many Olympians, thousands of McGill students participate in the hundreds of clubs, associations and community groups that enrich Montreal and contribute to a vibrant campus life.
