Faculty of Arts

Department of Religion

Our program teaches students to think critically about how religion has shaped the way individuals understand themselves, their communities and the world around them. We explore historical and contemporary cultural, religious and spiritual traditions through the study of texts, material culture, performances and media. Students learn about the history and diversity of communities and study the ingenious ways we create new ways of living, maintain traditions or criticize past practices.

Our faculty and staff
multi-color hands reachingout to touch the globe
Multi-coloured sugar skull figurines stacked on top of one another.

Study with us

Courses in the Department of Religion can be divided into three categories: tradition-based, thematic and theoretical.

Tradition-based: Focus on a particular religious or cultural tradition. May be surveys of the variety and diversity of a religious or cultural tradition, an in-depth analysis of a community in a specific time and place or the philosophy of exemplary figures within a tradition.

Thematic: Focus on a theme shared by numerous religious traditions. May deal with death, ethics, evil, faith and reason, food, healing, myth, popular culture, sexuality, storytelling, violence or women.

Theoretical: Focus on methodological considerations and the study of religion, specific disciplinary developments or the history of the study of religion.

Events and news

  • The Canadian Society for the Study of Religion (CSSR) Conference

    Saturday, May 30 – Monday, June 1, 2026
    St. John’s College

    The Canadian Society for the Study of Religion (CSSR) Conference is coming to Winnipeg. Save the date. Full conference program coming soon. 

    The CSSR President’s Reception 

    Sunday, May 31, 2026
    Time: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
    Location: TBA 

    The Canadian Society for the Study of Religion President’s Reception (co-sponsored by the University of Winnipeg and University of Manitoba Religion Programs). Here's a snapshot of Religion faculty and associates’ presentations: 

    • Dr. Justin Jaron Lewis, “Hasidic Tales of Zionism”
    • Dr. Danielle Dubois, “Fostering Critical Thinking Skills in Religion Courses”
    • Dr. David Drewes, “Interpreting Enlightenment and Buddhist Studies as a ‘Bizarro World”
    • Dr. Kenneth MacKendrick; Dr. Nicole Goulet; Kathy Block, MA; Catherine van Reenen, PhD Candidate; Ainsley Brennan, MA Student - Roundtable: Coursework in a Dangerous Time
    • Catherine van Reenen, PhD Candidate - “Materialization Mediums and Other (Spiritualist) Media”
    • Dr. Matt Sheedy, “Religious Studies and AI: What’s at Stake, and What Can We Do?”; Roundtable: Charting the History of Muslims in Canada

    Students and faculty are warmly invited! Please check the Religion Instagram closer to the date for more information.

Programs of study

Idol of Hindu deitie Ganesha on display with people in blue T-shirts surrounding it.

PhD in Religion

We consider applications in the research areas of our faculty, which currently include: religions of south and east Asia, especially Hinduism and Buddhism; Bible, formative Christianity, religions and cultures of Western antiquity; reformation and aspects of early modern/modern Christianity; Christianity, culture and society; Christian texts; Islam; Islamic texts; Judaism; methodology, hermeneutics and critical theory.

Student resources and opportunities

Writing tutor

The Department of Religion funds a writing tutor to work directly with religion students.

Availability:
Tuesday's 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday's 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Room 336 Fletcher Argue

Make an appointment with a tutor

Explore your career options in religion

Studying religion opens up a world of professional opportunities in fields including:

  • Education
  • Social work
  • Government
  • Foreign service
  • Communications
  • Publishing
  • Research

Get the information you need for academic planning and connect with experiences to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes that employers are seeking.

View the Religion Career Compass

Websites about the study of religion

Student awards and financial support

 

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Graduate students

Finding a graduate advisor

Before submitting your application to the Faculty of Graduate Studies for the Religion Joint Master's program or Religion PhD program, you will need to first find an academic advisor. To assist with this, potential students are encouraged to contact a Religion faculty member directly.

In an email, please let the potential advisor know the following:

  • your area(s) of study and research interest,
  • a bit about yourself, and how to best contact you,
  • a brief summary of your relevant education, community and/or work experiences,
  • a description of your proposed research topic.

Please note that tentative acceptance from an advisor does not guarantee admission into the program.

Past theses

Past Department of Religion theses can be found on MSpace.

View past these on MSpace

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Contact us

Department of Religion
328 Fletcher Argue Building
15 Chancellors Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

religion@umanitoba.ca
204-474-9516
204-474-7601