Christians claim that the Gospel has the power to transform not only individual lives but whole societies. The Christianity and Culture Program offers students an opportunity to explore this bold claim through critical, academic studies of how the Christian faith has shaped—and been shaped by—the institutions, artistic expressions, and intellectual achievements of Western and world cultures. Courses provide a comprehensive and humanistic approach to Christian experience, past and present. By focusing on students’ personal engagement with primary sources, the Program fosters scholarly exchange, intellectual community, and a shared search for meaning.
Individual courses focus on art, literature, science, philosophy, theology, ritual, law, and social and institutional history. The program addresses the broad range of Christian experience, with a particular emphasis on the Catholic tradition.
Christianity and Culture is a good preparation for a career in education, journalism, arts and entertainment, or communications. Many of our students proceed to graduate work in theology and religious studies.For students anticipating teaching careers in Ontario Catholic schools, certain of the Christianity and Culture courses have been judged by the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association as providing equivalent standing in ministry courses required for permanent teachers’ contracts.
The Christianity and Culture Program is open to undergraduate students in the Faculty of Arts and Science at the University of Toronto, and students from across the University are welcome to join our classes.- Special to our Program
C&C Social Club
A social club for students, faculty, staff and alumni associated with the program which sponsors a range of enjoyable events that encourage members to consider the place of Christianity in cultures past and present, including lectures, discussion, films, and cultural outings.
Saeculum
Saeculum is an undergraduate journal for the study of Christianity and Culture edited, produced, and published by the students in the program.
Christianity and the Arts Lecture
The Christianity and the Arts Lecture is an annual public lecture, held in April, by a scholar or practitioner in the field of Christianity and literature, music, poetry. The 2017 lecture on The Church and Contemporary Art was given by Bishop Paul Tighe, Adjunct Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture, Rome.
Previous lecturers include Pier Giorgio di Cicco (poet), John Bentley Mays (art and architecture critic), Philip Marchand (literary critic), the late Richard Bradshaw (conductor and general director of the Canadian Opera Company), Ted Rettig (sculptor), James MacMillan (composer), Sarah Hall (stained glass artist), Claire Keegan (writer), Peter Togni (musician and broadcaster), Thomas Dilworth (University of Windsor), Katharine Lochnan (curator at the AGO), Rev. Dan Donovan (St. Michael’s College), Sr. Rose Pacatte (film critic and Director of the Pauline Center for Media Studies), and Marianne McKenna (architect).
- 2025-2026 Program Requirements: Major and Minor
You are responsible for fulfilling the program requirements of the year you first joined the Christianity and Culture program. Both the CHC and SMC program courses you have completed count toward your program requirements. Please check your specific program requirements and progress on Degree Explorer.
For the most up-to-date requirements and current course offerings, please see the University of Toronto Timetable Builder and Faculty of Arts & Science Calendar.
If you have any questions, please contact us at smc.programs@utoronto.ca.
- 2025-2026 Program Requirements: Minor in Christianity and Education
You are responsible for fulfilling the program requirements of the year you first joined the Christianity and Education Minor. Both the CHC and SMC program courses you have completed count toward your program requirements. Please check your specific program requirements and progress on Degree Explorer.
For the most up-to-date requirements and current course offerings, please see the University of Toronto Timetable Builder and Faculty of Arts & Science Calendar.
If you have any questions, please contact us at smc.programs@utoronto.ca.
CHRISTIANITY AND EDUCATION MINOR REQUIREMENTS 2024-2025
- Course Offerings 2025-2026
Proposed course offerings and information for the 2023/2024 academic year are detailed in the PDF below. For the most up-to-date course listings please see the Faculty of Arts and Science Timetable.
As of the 2021/2022 academic year all Christianity and Culture courses have new course codes. Both the old SMC program courses and new CHC courses will count toward your Christianity and Culture program requirements. If you notice a course not being counted in Degree Explorer please contact us at smc.programs@utoronto.ca.
The course re-coding is taking place across all St. Michael’s College courses. As of Fall 2021, Mediaeval Studies courses will be coded as MST courses, Celtic courses will be CLT courses, and Christianity and Culture courses will be CHC courses.
Preliminary Christianity and Culture Course Listing 2025-2026
- Program Contacts
Faculty
Michael O’Connor, Associate Professor, Program Coordinator
Odette Hall, room 123
Rev. Daniel Donovan, Professor Emeritus
Odette Hall, room 028
Giulio Silano, Professor
Odette Hall, room 118
Reid Locklin, Associate Professor
Odette Hall, room 130
Adam Hincks, Assistant Professor
Odette Hall, Room 120
adam.hincks@utoronto.caJean-Olivier Richard, Assistant Professor
Queens Park Building (PIMS), room 48
jeanolivier.richard@utoronto.ca
Stephen Tardif, Assistant Professor (on leave 2023/2024)
Queens Park Building (PIMS), room 49
Kelly Library Liaison
Noel McFerran
Kelly Library, room 208C
416-926-1300 ext. 3472
noel.mcferran@utoronto.caContact Noel with any library-related questions, including using online resources, arranging library instruction, ordering new titles, and getting help with research.
SMC Programs
For more information about the program, including queries about enrollment and completion, contact smc.programs@utoronto.ca.
- Course Offerings Summer 2024
Proposed course offerings and information for the Summer 2024 academic year are detailed in the PDF below. For the most up-to-date course listings please see the Faculty of Arts and Science Timetable.