Religious Studies turns 40

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/robertson_john.jpg” caption=”Dr. John C. Robertson, professor emeritus in the Great Hall, University Club”]The Department of Religious Studies celebrated the 40th anniversary of its graduate program Thursday, April 6. The first graduate program of its kind in Canada, McMaster has had a tremendous influence on the academic study of religion in Canada and abroad.

Founding members of the Religious Studies graduate program, Paul Clifford and George Grant, envisioned the interdisciplinary, comparative study of religions in a secular university setting. Though it has gone through various configurations, identities and eras, from its earliest days McMaster's program was divided into three fields: Asian religions, Biblical studies, and Western religious traditions. All three fields have made enormous contributions in the form of scholarship by faculty and graduate students, an outstanding placement record of McMaster graduates in universities across Canada, the U.S. and in other parts of the world.

The reunion was well attended with guests from as far away as Alberta, Nova Scotia to the Southwestern USA, and even from Israel. Alumni from as far back as the 60s and 70s came to the popular event, commented professor emeritus John C. Robertson. “It was like a joyful family reunion. There were students, faculty, support staff, and even a number of past McMaster presidents and deans. It all made us proud and grateful to have been a part of the reunion – and the 40-year tradition.”

Returning to give talks at the celebration were distinguished past professor E.P. Sanders (1966-1983, part-time until 1988 during which time he was Dean Ireland's Professor at Oxford), whose research in early Christianity and early Judaism is world-renowned, and distinguished alumnus Harold Coward '73 (founding director of the Center for Studies in Religion and Society, University of Victoria and former professor and chair of Religious Studies, University of Calgary) whose research in comparative religions includes eighteen monographs and countless edited volumes and academic articles.

Sanders, now professor emeritus of religion at Duke University, hailed McMaster's visionary administration for its support in building a first-rate graduate program and center for religious studies research that remains truly outstanding. Coward provided a detailed account of the pervasive influence of the McMaster program in Canadian religious studies through its many well-placed alumni and its compelling vision of comparative scholarship.

Current & former faculty and graduate students in the Department of Religious Studies. Click here for FULL Size.

“It was wonderful seeing friends and professors from twenty years ago. This celebration reminded me that McMaster's graduate program in Religious Studies has had an incredible impact on the academic study of religion across Canada and internationally,” said Philippa Carter, PhD graduate and assistant professor in Religious Studies.

Program chair, Travis Kroeker agreed with guest speaker, past McMaster President and professor emeritus Alvin Lee that McMaster's Religious Studies department is comprised of interesting, distinctive scholars, “who nevertheless have found a way of creating a strong sense of collegiality and good will.”

“That is what I experienced at our 40th anniversary event,” commented Kroeker, “a legacy of interesting people who have worked together to create a context of both academic excellence and stimulating intellectual community that continues into the present and future. We look forward to the next forty years.”