Religious studies in Francophone Canada

Abstract

The article gives a brief descriptive overview of Religious Studies departments (and programs) in Francophone Canada in general, and in Quebec in particular. The scope of inquiry is limited to officially recognized Francophone and bilingual departments. Following Alles (2008), the article privileges a specific understanding of Religious Studies departments: those who constrained themselves to a 'scientific' (secular), non-theological, approach to the study of religion. Therefore, Theology programs are excluded from the present survey; these programs represent, however, a large proportion of the academic study of religion in the province of Quebec.KEY WORDS study of religion in Québec; ethic and religious culture program; secularization in Québec; reasonable accommodation