In-Person if the course requires attendance at a specific location and time for some or all course activities. These courses will have section codes starting in 0 or 4.
Online – Asynchronous if the course has no requirement for attendance at a specific time or location for any activities or exams. These courses will have the section code starting with 61.
Online – Synchronous if online attendance is expected at a specific time for some or all course activities, and attendance at a specific location is not expected for any activities or exams. These courses will have the section code starting with 62.
Hybrid if the course requires attendance at a specific location and time, however 33-66% of the course is delivered online. If online attendance is expected at a specific time, it will be in place of the in person attendance. These courses will have the section code starting with 31.
Some courses may offer more than one delivery method please ensure that you have the correct section code when registering via ACORN. You will not be permitted to switch delivery method after the last date to add a course for the given semester.
How does the biblical portrayal of Jesus relate to the narrative movement(s) of the Hebrew Bible? To what extent do the OT themes of exile and return, old age and new age, help deepen our understanding of the birth and crucifixion of the Messiah? If we worship Jesus, are we to worship his humanity as well as his divinity? Does Mary’s encounter with Gabriel, who is a named presence in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament only in the Book of Daniel, indicate that her conception of Jesus is to be read apocalyptically? Is it significant that Elizabeth initially greets Mary with words otherwise associated with Jael and Judith? These are some of the exegetical and theological questions we will consider in this engagement with issues at the edge, and at the heart, of contemporary Christology. Conversation partners will include: James Dunn (Did the First Christians Worship Jesus?), Jane Schaberg (The Illegitimacy of Jesus), and N.T. Wright (The Day the Revolution Began).
How does the biblical portrayal of Jesus relate to the narrative movement(s) of the Hebrew Bible? To what extent do the OT themes of exile and return, old age and new age, help deepen our understanding of the birth and crucifixion of the Messiah? If we worship Jesus, are we to worship his humanity as well as his divinity? Does Mary’s encounter with Gabriel, who is a named presence in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament only in the Book of Daniel, indicate that her conception of Jesus is to be read apocalyptically? Is it significant that Elizabeth initially greets Mary with words otherwise associated with Jael and Judith? These are some of the exegetical and theological questions we will consider in this engagement with issues at the edge, and at the heart, of contemporary Christology. Conversation partners will include: James Dunn (Did the First Christians Worship Jesus?), Jane Schaberg (The Illegitimacy of Jesus), and N.T. Wright (The Day the Revolution Began).
The course will look at developments in Scotland during the Reformation era. The failure of early attempts at reformation, both Lutheran and Catholic, will be discussed as will the eventual success of a model of reformation derived from Calvin's Geneva. The course will look at the evolution of this vision within Scotland and the nature of the reformed Church of Scotland. The course will continue up through the seventeenth century and will look at what scholars are beginning to see as a second reformation.
The course develops major themes in the history of Christian spirituality, through a close reading of selections by Plato, Origen, Pseudo-Dionysius, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, St. Bonaventure, St. Gregory of Palamas, Julian of Norwich, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Teresa of Avila, and Dorothy Day. Special attention will be given to ideas of "love".
The course develops major themes in the history of Christian spirituality, through a close reading of selections by Plato, Origen, Pseudo-Dionysius, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, St. Bonaventure, St. Gregory of Palamas, Julian of Norwich, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Teresa of Avila, and Dorothy Day. Special attention will be given to ideas of "love".
A critical exploration of religious responses to suffering. Focal issues will include the relation of love and spiritual transformation to suffering, the role of religious models or exemplars of suffering, and religious experience and the problems of theodicy. Readings will include works by Fyodor Dostoevsky, Dorothee Soelle and Simone Weil, as well as other selections drawn from the Christian, Buddhist, and Jewish traditions.
A critical exploration of religious responses to suffering. Focal issues will include the relation of love and spiritual transformation to suffering, the role of religious models or exemplars of suffering, and religious experience and the problems of theodicy. Readings will include works by Fyodor Dostoevsky, Dorothee Soelle and Simone Weil, as well as other selections drawn from the Christian, Buddhist, and Jewish traditions.
A comparative study of selected mystical traditions of the major world religions. Themes of analysis will include: the nature and forms of mystical experience; perspectives on ultimate Reality; the role of the spiritual teacher or master; spirituality and social action; disciplines, methods and ideals of spiritual salvation or liberation. Readings will be drawn both from mystic writers and comparative theorists.Â
This course explores Christian contemplative practices within the religious orders and related traditions. There is specific attention given to the Dominican, Benedictine, Franciscan, Carmelite, Ignatian, and Vincentian traditions. Instead of an overly abstract form of reflection, the course considers contemplation as part of embodied, historical, and communal practices. To this end, practices of prayer, liturgy, reading, writing, and service to the poor are all considered. The course is particularly attentive to the historical interactions between philosophy and spirituality within the history of Christian contemplation. Students also will be expected to explore and reflect on the practices of contemplation within their own lives over the course of the semester.
The goal of this intensive course is 1. to prepare a student to present the spiritual exercises 2. to allow the student to understand the dynamics of these exercises 3. to expose the student to the underlying theology of these exercises. All this will be done through an close reading of the text of the Exercises from the perspective of the experienced director using interdisciplinary studies in theology, literature, and the humanities. Pre-requisites: 1. Some personal experience of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola; 2.
The goal of this intensive course is 1. to prepare a student to present the spiritual exercises 2. to allow the student to understand the dynamics of these exercises 3. to expose the student to the underlying theology of these exercises. All this will be done through an close reading of the text of the Exercises from the perspective of the experienced director using interdisciplinary studies in theology, literature, and the humanities. Pre-requisites: 1. Some personal experience of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola; 2.
The course intends to examine the dialogue between spirituality and culture in a post-modern world. It will trace the development of faith from the end of the mediaeval period to the present time and show why the narratives of our time with regard to spirituality are situated in that historical context and how they affect a reading of and engagement in our world today. Students will be presented with 1. a knowledge of contemporary critical theory and praxis. 2. development of research skills. 3. an exposure to the main issues of contemporary faith and culture. 4. an exposure of the ways these issues are dealt with in contemporary art/film/poetry. 5. A way of appropriating their lives through interiority analysis. For Basic Degree Students: class participation and papers. For Advance Degree Students: active, intelligent and focused class participation, short papers and a major paper.