Previous Years' Course Catalogues

This course explores the development of monasticism in the first millennium of Christianity that continues to inform Christian life today. Attention will be paid to the biblical background and social-cultural context that led to its growth, as well as its relationship to the development of Christian institutions across the diverse cultural realities of the Christian East. The course also studies role monasticism played in the articulation of the liturgical, spiritual and doctrinal tradition.

This course explores the development of monasticism in the first millennium of Christianity that continues to inform Christian life today. Attention will be paid to the biblical background and social-cultural context that led to its growth, as well as its relationship to the development of Christian institutions across the diverse cultural realities of the Christian East. The course also studies role monasticism played in the articulation of the liturgical, spiritual and doctrinal tradition.

Catholic education, catechesis, and schooling are rooted in a centuries-long tradition of educating in faith as articulated in a variety of schools of spirituality. These schools of spirituality influence not only what is taught, but the educational approaches and practices that are used. This course will explore the foundational texts from major schools of spirituality and explore the ways that these have led to a variety of pedagogical practices in the formation of faith. Particular attention will be given to how these spiritual traditions inform the life of Catholic schools and universities, but application to other congregational and other ministerial contexts will also be explored.

Catholic education, catechesis, and schooling are rooted in a centuries-long tradition of educating in faith as articulated in a variety of schools of spirituality. These schools of spirituality influence not only what is taught, but the educational approaches and practices that are used. This course will explore the foundational texts from major schools of spirituality and explore the ways that these have led to a variety of pedagogical practices in the formation of faith. Particular attention will be given to how these spiritual traditions inform the life of Catholic schools and universities, but application to other congregational and other ministerial contexts will also be explored.

This course - Food/Justice, Farming, and Eco-Theology in the City - engages with these theological and ethical perspectives in the context of the Greater Toronto Area. Where does food in the city come from, how does it shape our communities and sense of belonging? Who gets to eat nutritious foods and who goes hungry? How are churches advocating for food justice? How may we decolonize our food systems in an urban environment? The course will focus in on these and other questions in conversation with and informed by (Christian) eco-theology, Ignatian (eco)-spirituality, and Indigenous teachings.

This course studies the contemporary ecumenical and interreligious movements from a Roman Catholic perspective. It offers an historical and theological overview of the issues that divide Christians as well as the bonds that unite them. It also explores relations with other religious traditions. The course is in English and held in Rome at the " Centro Pro Unione". Students will travel to Rome, participate fully in the lectures, seminars, workshops and excursions organized by the Centro's faculty.

This course studies the contemporary ecumenical and interreligious movements from a Roman Catholic perspective. It offers an historical and theological overview of the issues that divide Christians as well as the bonds that unite them. It also explores relations with other religious traditions. The course is in English and held in Rome at the "Centro Pro Unione". Students will travel to Rome, participate fully in the lectures, seminars, workshops and excursions organized by the Centro's faculty.

Introduction to Old Testament literature and history, with emphasis on application within the church.

This course focuses on the unity of the Book of Isaiah with special attention to the key themes of Zion and the Servant. Students completing this course will understand key components of the Zion tradition and the reworking of this tradition in Isaiah following the Assyrian invasion in 701 and the fall of Jerusalem in 587/6. Students will be able to describe the coherence of the Book of Isaiah through the figures of Zion and the Servant. Finally, students will apply the Zion and Servant texts in the context of proclamation within the church.

This course should be of interest to specialists in Bible and in Theology. It explores the related themes of time, participation in Christ and 'theosis' in Paul. The standard understandings of Paul's view of time are either that he thought in terms of salvation history- time as progressive and directed by God towards a goal; or that the apostle thought apocalyptically - time has been interrupted by God's work in Christ. The course will study and discuss important works advocating these influential views. Opinions on Paul's conception of time are fundamental for interpretation of his central concepts, including the related themes of participation in Christ and theosis. The course will consider significant works on these themes and it offers opportunity to engage with some pivotal Pauline scholarship.

This course should be of interest to specialists in Bible and in Theology. It explores the related themes of time, participation in Christ and 'theosis' in Paul. The standard understandings of Paul's view of time are either that he thought in terms of salvation history- time as progressive and directed by God towards a goal; or that the apostle thought apocalyptically - time has been interrupted by God's work in Christ. The course will study and discuss important works advocating these influential views. Opinions on Paul's conception of time are fundamental for interpretation of his central concepts, including the related themes of participation in Christ and theosis. The course will consider significant works on these themes and it offers opportunity to engage with some pivotal Pauline scholarship.

Surveys the Reformation in Britain and Ireland from the accession of Henry VIII (1509) to the death of Elizabeth (1603). Identifies the historiographical debates and the perspectives of modern scholarship. Assesses the condition of the late medieval church in respect of vitality, institutional disfunction, and reform. Provides a detailed examination of developments under Henry VIII including the king's great matter, the enactment of royal supremacy, the formal break with Rome, and the emergence of a nascent evangelical group. Accounts for the rise of a more overt, official Protestantism under Edward VI, followed by the reverse actions of Mary I to place England at the forefront of Catholic attempts to stem Protestantism. Details the nature of the Elizabethan settlement and the challenges to it from Catholic and Puritan elements. The differing experiences of the reform in Scotland and Ireland are addressed. Consideration of doctrinal and liturgical developments. Assessment of the legacies of the Reformation.