MA in Religious Studies in Vancouver Canada | The University of British Columbia

The Department of Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Studies provides a distinctive interdisciplinary Master's degree program, enabling students to focus on Jewish and Christian history and texts through coursework and thesis research. The curriculum spans diverse subjects including archaeology, material culture, religious traditions, mythology, ancient literature and languages, as well as the historical development of Mediterranean and Near Eastern civilizations from the Bronze Age through Late Antiquity. During their second year, candidates develop a thesis with faculty guidance. This Religious Studies MA stands as Canada's sole program specializing in early Mediterranean and Middle Eastern religious traditions. Graduate students explore varied academic disciplines while investigating material artifacts, spiritual practices, linguistic systems, and historical contexts of these ancient regions. Four dedicated faculty members specialize in Hebrew Scripture, Judaic studies, and early Christian/New Testament scholarship, while other department scholars conduct cross-disciplinary research involving religious studies and mythological traditions, including examinations of Roman religious practices and Greek mythological archaeology.