Queen's School of Religion

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of our colleague and friend, Dr. Forough Jahanbakhsh. She passed away on 14 November 2025, after complications related to a long-term illness. Her sister, nephew, and other family were by her side in her final days.
Dr. Jahanbakhsh is best known for her book Islam, Democracy and Religious Modernism in Iran (1953–2000), which remains widely cited for its examination of Iranian reformist thinkers and the evolving trajectory of religious reform in Iran. She called Queen’s University home from July 2002, and taught courses on Islam and modernity, contributing significantly to our department’s curriculum and to the intellectual growth of countless students. She is part of a generation of scholars analyzing how Iranian reformist thinkers grappled with modernity, pluralism, and democratic theory through Islamic frameworks.
Dr. Jahanbakhsh’s contributions to the study of religion and mentorship of students has left a lasting impact on generations of students and colleagues on campus. Her kindness, generosity, and commitment to her field will be deeply missed. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, students, and to all in the Iranian Canadian community who are mourning this loss. May her memory be a blessing.

📢 Final Call for Applications – Teaching Opportunities for Winter 2026

The School of Religion is inviting applications for the following Winter 2026 courses:
📘 RELS 235 – Religion and Environment
📗 RELS 342/842 – Indigeneity and Nature Units

Applications close today, Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
👉 View full details and apply here: https://www.queensu.ca/religion/teaching-positions-available-winter-2026

📣 The 2025 George and Ruth Toller Lectureship
Join us for Dr. Cédric Brélaz’s talk, “The Response of Early Christ Groups to Civic Participation and Greek Democracy.”

🗓 Tuesday, November 18
🕠 5:30–7:00 p.m.
📍 Watson Hall, Room 517

Presented by the School of Religion in association with the Department of Classics and Archaeology.

📢 Teaching Opportunities – Winter 2026

The School of Religion is inviting applications for the following teaching positions available in the 2025–2026 academic year:

🗓 Winter 2026

RELS 235 – Religion and Environment
RELS 342/842 – Indigeneity and Nature Units

If you’re interested in applying, please visit our website for full position details and application instructions:
👉 https://www.queensu.ca/religion/teaching-positions-available-winter-2026

📅 Application deadline: Wednesday, October 29, 2025.

✨ Thinking about adding a 5th or 6th course this Fall?
There’s still time to fit one more class into your schedule before the September 15 add/drop deadline!

📚 Spotlight Course: RELS 255 - Religious Studies Research & Writing.

More details on our website: https://www.queensu.ca/religion/undergraduate/current-course-offerings

"Transit" - screening & history talk on September 21 at The Screening Room



Christian Petzold’s 2018 film "Transit" adapts Anna Seghers’ novel from 1944, following Georg, a German refugee in Nazi-occupied France who assumes a dead writer’s identity to escape via Marseille. By setting the story in a modern, ahistorical France, the movie blurs past and present and captures the timeless struggles of refugees between displacement, bureaucracy, identity loss, and existential despair.

Dr. Swen Steinberg (Department of History and School of Religion at Queen’s University) will introduce the film and lead a post-screening discussion. The screening is presented by The Cinema Society of Kingston and the Department of History at Queen's University.

📣 Open Registration Starts Today!
🆓 No prerequisites for 100-level RELS courses!
📍Open to all students
📧 Questions? [email protected]

📣 Second-Year Registration Starts Today!

🧘‍♀️ RELS 223/3.0 – Buddhism
Offered Fall 2025

Explore the life of Siddhartha Gautama, key teachings like the Four Noble Truths, karma, rebirth, and the Eightfold Path, and trace Buddhism’s evolution from ancient roots to its modern-day influence in wellness culture.

Whether you're curious about meditation, art therapy, or how Buddhist thought shapes mind-body awareness, this course is for you.

🔗 View full course details:
👉 queensu.ca/religion/undergraduate/current-course-offerings

Questions? Contact:
📧 [email protected]
📞 613-533-2106

📣 Upper-Year Registration Starts Today!

Looking for something unique this fall? Check out these exciting upper-year RELS courses:

🪦 RELS 316/806 – Living with the Dead
💼 RELS 368/868 – Business Ethics and Religion

📅 Both offered in Fall 2025
🔗 View full course details: queensu.ca/religion/undergraduate/current-course-offerings

📩 Questions? Contact [email protected]