The University of Victoria's program in Religious Studies introduces students to the academic discipline of Religious Studies with a particular focus on the place and function of religions in society both today and in the past. Formal study of the world's religious traditions is widely considered to be an integral part of humanistic studies. The UVic program reflects the growing diversity of belief systems within Canada and emphasizes the need to understand differences between religions in our increasingly interconnected world. Students will be introduced to the major world religions and contemporary religious issues, learn ways of understanding religion and develop their knowledge of specific topics in the field of Religious Studies.