Previous Years' Course Catalogues

This course studies icons in the Eastern Christian tradition from the perspectives of history, theology, liturgy and spirituality. The course focuses notably the origins of Christian art, the development of features particular to icons, the iconoclastic controversy of the 7th-8th centuries, and the major schools and styles of icons in the Orthodox world, especially the Byzantine-Greek and Russian styles. The theology of the icon will be studied primarily through the iconoclastic conflict and modern theology of icons, with emphasis on primary texts from the iconoclasts and the Orthodox position, especially St. Theodore Studite, St. John of Damascus, and the pronouncements of the Seventh Ecumenical Council (Nicea, 787) and the Triumph of Orthodoxy (843). The course analyses the spirituality and interpretation of iconographic symbolism, with a focus on the main types of icons of Christ, the Mother of God, Holy Week, the twelve major liturgical feasts, and important saints. Primary sources include Biblical, patristic, liturgical, and hagiographic material.

This course studies icons in the Eastern Christian tradition from the perspectives of history, theology, liturgy and spirituality. The course focuses notably the origins of Christian art, the development of features particular to icons, the iconoclastic controversy of the 7th-8th centuries, and the major schools and styles of icons in the Orthodox world, especially the Byzantine-Greek and Russian styles. The theology of the icon will be studied primarily through the iconoclastic conflict and modern theology of icons, with emphasis on primary texts from the iconoclasts and the Orthodox position, especially St. Theodore Studite, St. John of Damascus, and the pronouncements of the Seventh Ecumenical Council (Nicea, 787) and the Triumph of Orthodoxy (843). The course analyses the spirituality and interpretation of iconographic symbolism, with a focus on the main types of icons of Christ, the Mother of God, Holy Week, the twelve major liturgical feasts, and important saints. Primary sources include Biblical, patristic, liturgical, and hagiographic material.

This course will explore the thought and career of Fyodor Dostoevsky. Often discussed for his contributions to 20th Century existentialist philosophy (of which he was a pioneer), Dostoevsky also remains one of the most influential voices in Orthodox Christian theology to the present day, presenting a unique approach to the religious questions at the centre of his work. Here, we will explore Dostoevsky especially as a theologian and religious thinker by examining his context in 19th Century thought, exploring some of his early fiction and non-fiction, and especially by careful reading of Dostoevsky's most important novels.

The course on congregational song has no prerequisites related to musical ability, keyboard skills, or to hymnic background. Attendance at lectures for the exploration of current song resources (Voices United, More Voices, and a hymn book of the student's choice) forms part of the evaluation process.

This course seeks to equip students with both knowledge and a practical skill set in worship leadership, ritual construction, and music-making. The course examines the theology, design, and performance practices of ritual design and music-making pertaining to public worship leadership. Students will have the opportunity to create rituals and lead public worship events to demonstrate the acquired skill set in this course.

The course on congregational song has no prerequisites related to musical ability, keyboard skills, or to hymnic background. Attendance at lectures for the exploration of current song resources (Voices United, More Voices, and a hymn book of the student's choice) forms part of the evaluation process.

The course on congregational song has no prerequisites related to musical ability, keyboard skills, or to hymnic background. Attendance at lectures for the exploration of current song resources (Voices United, More Voices, and a hymn book of the student's choice) forms part of the evaluation process.

The course on congregational song has no prerequisites related to musical ability, keyboard skills, or to hymnic background. Attendance at lectures for the exploration of current song resources (Voices United, More Voices, and a hymn book of the student's choice) forms part of the evaluation process.

The course on congregational song has no prerequisites related to musical ability, keyboard skills, or to hymnic background. Attendance at lectures for the exploration of current song resources (Voices United, More Voices, and a hymn book of the student's choice) forms part of the evaluation process.

Improvisation, theatre games, mask, mime and voice work as a basis for acting and story telling in faith communities; brief histories of liturgical drama; telling and exegesis of the Story in a society that is becoming biblically illiterate; finding creative ways to present individual gospels.

This course introduces students to some of the historical, ethical, and theological dimensions of food and eating, with an aim toward thinking about food and eating in the context of practical ministry. Whether one is thinking about a community potluck, a food based outreach program, a local partnerhsip, or the Eucharist, food and eating remain central to the practice of the Christian faith and to a proper theological self-understanding.

The settler churches in Canada were deeply involved in the devastation of Indigenous cultures through processes of land dispossession, repressive legislation, residential schools, and racist child welfare systems, among other things. One might therefore expect that most Indigenous people would reject Christianity. Perhaps surprisingly, however, the 2011 Canadian census found that 63% of Indigenous people in private households identified as Christian. What stories can help us understand this outcome? This course will survey the history of Indigenous/settler religious encounter, consider Important themes, names, and stories, identify significant questions of interpretation, and reflect on possible future paths for Indigenous/settler Christianities In Canada. As the
instructors are a settler Anglican and an Indigenous Anglican, the course will use many Anglican examples but not to the exclusion of other denominations.