Arts Academic Plans

Studies in Islam at the University of Waterloo seeks to situate Islam in the context of other religions, issues and topics. This program is housed at and administered by Renison University College.

The Diploma is open to non-degree or post-degree students interested in the study of Islam.

Requirements

The Diploma in Studies in Islam requires successful completion of a minimum of five academic course units (ten courses) with a minimum cumulative average of 65%.

1. Required courses (four):
   SI 121R Islam in the World
   RS 110 Religions of the West
   RS 216 Islam
   SI 390R Understanding Islam
2. Elective courses (six):
   The remaining six elective courses are to be chosen from the following three lists.
   Faculty of Arts courses:
   GEOG 101 Geography and Human Habitat
   GEOG/ERS 203 Environment and Development in Global Perspective
   HIST 230/PSCI 257 Introduction to the Modern Middle East
   ISS 240R Art and Society
   MUSIC 245 World Music
   PACS 326/RS 380 Religion and Peace-Building
   PSCI 252 Global South: Introduction to International Development
   PSYCH 222R Cross-Cultural Psychology
   RS 125 Introduction to Religion
   RS 284/WS 261 Women and the Great Religions
   RS 325 Sex and the Great Religions
   SI 101R Introduction to Arabic 1
   SI 102R Introduction to Arabic 2
   SOC/HLTH 253 Demographic Change in Canada
   Faculty of Environment courses:
   ERS 404/PSCI 432 Global Environment Governance
   INDEV 100 Introduction to International Development
   INDEV 300 Culture and Ethics
   Faculties of Mathematics and Engineering courses:
   CO 480 History of Mathematics
   STV 100 Society, Technology and Values: Introduction
   STV 202 Design and Society
   STV 203 Biotechnology and Society
   STV 205 Cybernetics and Society
   STV 302 Information, Technology and Society

Notes:

1. Following personal interest or an academic discipline, a student may put together any combination of these courses - across faculties - subject to course enrolment limits, degree requirements, approval from a department advisor, and prerequisites and/or antirequisites. The Director of Studies in Islam, at Renison University College, can help students develop an appropriate sequence of courses. Students may petition the Director of Studies in Islam for permission to have a course not on the list accepted as an elective. This should happen before registration in the course is finalized. Please consult the Director for details.
2. Students may take no more than two STV courses.
3. Letter of Permission: Subject to the usual University of Waterloo / Wilfrid Laurier University procedures, up to four courses (no more than two language courses) may be substituted for UW elective courses. Please see the Director of Studies in Islam at Renison University College for permission to count WLU courses.