Previous Years' Course Catalogues

This course provides practice analyzing and translating early Christian and Jewish Greek texts, and interpreting them with respect to their literary and social contexts.

This course provides practice analyzing and translating early Christian and Jewish Greek texts, and interpreting them with respect to their literary and social contexts. Lecture, discussion. Quizzes, exegetical assignment, final exam.

This course provides practice analyzing and translating early Christian and Jewish Greek texts, and interpreting them with respect to their literary and social contexts.

This course provides practice analyzing and translating early Christian and Jewish Greek texts, and interpreting them with respect to their literary and social contexts.  Lecture, discussion.  Quizzes, exegetical assignment, final exam.

This course explores the encyclical Laudato sl in the context of the Catholic Social Tradition, the discipline of Ecotheology, and the broader geo-political matrix of modern society. The course emphasizes the historical development of the encyclical, the scientific content of its assumptions, the ground of its theology and ethics, the practical applications of its teachings, and the pastoral implications of its ideas. Beginning with a background on the history of the environmental movement and ecotheologlcal movements, the course uses a chapter of the encyclical each week as a springboard for a deeper analysis of relevant topics. Students will explore the realities of ecological crises and the cultural, religious and scientific roots of the tenuous relationship between humanity and Earth. Pope Francis' "Gospel of All Creation" will be explored through the lens of the Catholic Social Tradition and ethical reflections on the non-human world and ecoúChristology. An examination of the liberation theology influences (e.g., Boff) at work In the encyclical will be followed with a review of various ecological themes such as race, gender and sexuality, that do not figure as prominently in the encyclical. The course will end by considering some "Lines of Approach and Action" and the practical application of the encyclical in activism, churches and the classroom. To this end, the final integration paper/project will ask students to apply the themes of the encyclical to their own teaching and/or activist context.

This course explores the encyclical Laudato sl in the context of the Catholic Social Tradition, the discipline of Ecotheology, and the broader geo-political matrix of modern society. The course emphasizes the historical development of the encyclical, the scientific content of its assumptions, the ground of its theology and ethics, the practical applications of its teachings, and the pastoral implications of its ideas. Beginning with a background on the history of the environmental movement and ecotheologlcal movements, the course uses a chapter of the encyclical each week as a springboard for a deeper analysis of relevant topics. Students will explore the realities of ecological crises and the cultural, religious and scientific roots of the tenuous relationship between humanity and Earth. Pope Francis' "Gospel of All Creation" will be explored through the lens of the Catholic Social Tradition and ethical reflections on the non-human world and ecoúChristology. An examination of the liberation theology influences (e.g., Boff) at work In the encyclical will be followed with a review of various ecological themes such as race, gender and sexuality, that do not figure as prominently in the encyclical. The course will end by considering some "Lines of Approach and Action" and the practical application of the encyclical in activism, churches and the classroom. To this end, the final integration paper/project will ask students to apply the themes of the encyclical to their own teaching and/or activist context.

The contemporary revival of interest in the Celtic world is a feature of our age. Heightened interest has led to the appropriation of the Celtic tradition for different purposes by different interest groups. The result at a popular level has been that the historical reality of Celtic Christianity is increasingly elusive as claims made about it become exaggerated. The purpose of this course is to situate the Celtic Christian experience of the spiritual in the context of its development in Ireland between the 5th and the 12th centuries. Topics addressed include the transition from pagan to Christian, monasticism, creativity and art, prayer, scripture, and evangelism. Attention is also given to the pattern of revivals over the centuries and connections between postmodernism and the Celtic tradition.

Examination of the interaction between Theology and Architecture. Exploration of space as a medium of expression. Analysis of the structures inherent in worship and their relation to archetypal building plans. Assisting a congregation to adopt and live its mission. Presentations and analyses. Assessments and re-planning of individual places of worship.

Examination of the interaction between Theology and Architecture. Exploration of space as a medium of expression. Analysis of the structures inherent in worship and their relation to archetypal building plans. Assisting a congregation to adopt and live its mission. Presentations and analyses. Assessments and re-planning of individual places of worship.

Examination of the interaction between Theology and Architecture. Exploration of space as a medium of expression. Analysis of the structures inherent in worship and their relation to archetypal building plans. Assisting a congregation to adopt and live its mission. Presentations and analyses. Assessments and re-planning of individual places of worship.

Examination of the interaction between Theology and Architecture. Exploration of space as a medium of expression. Analysis of the structures inherent in worship and their relation to archetypal building plans. Assisting a congregation to adopt and live its mission. Presentations and analyses. Assessments and re-planning of individual places of worship.

The course will focus on the ways humans respond to their worship spaces. This will include examining the configuration and focus of the venues themselves, and the facilities they offer. Each student will "adopt" a church and use this as a test-bed to apply the concepts learned in the course.

The goal of the course is to equip the student for a pastoral ministry of leading a congregation in its discovery and implementation of the changes that will be required if the church is to serve the new needs of a changing society.