Previous Years' Course Catalogues

This course serves as a broad survey of the ascetico-mystical theology (Spirituality) of the Eastern Churches, as represented by a multiplicity of authors and texts (using both secondary and primary texts in English translation). Through required readings, lectures, student class presentations and class discussions as well as a renection paper, summative exercise and oral exam, both ancient and modem authors will be studied in this intensive course, with a view to examining the unifying characteristics that underlie the various spiritual traditions, as well as those elements that distinguish various trends, themes, regional emphases and personal particularities of individual authors. Connections will be made to Eastern Christian doctrinal emphases where appropriate, and historical contexts will be taken into account. In addition to work done together as a group, students will have the opportunity to choose from a list of authors/texts for individual study.

This course serves as a broad survey of the ascetico-mystical theology (Spirituality) of the Eastern Churches, as represented by a multiplicity of authors and texts (using both secondary and primary texts in English translation). Through required readings, lectures, student class presentations and class discussions as well as a renection paper, summative exercise and oral exam, both ancient and modem authors will be studied in this intensive course, with a view to examining the unifying characteristics that underlie the various spiritual traditions, as well as those elements that distinguish various trends, themes, regional emphases and personal particularities of individual authors. Connections will be made to Eastern Christian doctrinal emphases where appropriate, and historical contexts will be taken into account. In addition to work done together as a group, students will have the opportunity to choose from a list of authors/texts for individual study.

This course is intended to open multiple avenues of spiritual growth and formation through a dedicated study of the first half of the gospel of Mark. Student participants will participate in 14 two and a half hour studies over the course of 7 days. These studies will consist of an individual study component, a small group discussion and a large group discussion with application. Topics covered include: the authority of Jesus, fear versus faith, the secret of the kingdom of God, conflict, questions of what true unbelief is, and the identity of Jesus. Teaching methods: Pre-course Reading ; Writing assignment; Class participation in Inductive scripture study; Communal living arrangement (Ontario Pioneer Camp at a cost of approximately $400); Journalling; Post-course reflection and summation in final paper. Means of evaluation: Pre course reading assignments with paper; course participation and reflective journaling and final summative paper.

This course is intended to open multiple avenues of spiritual growth and formation through a dedicated study of the first half of the gospel of Mark. Student participants will participate in 14 two and a half hour studies over the course of 7 days. These studies will consist of an individual study component, a small group discussion and a large group discussion with application. Topics covered include: the authority of Jesus, fear versus faith, the secret of the kingdom of God, conflict, questions of what true unbelief is, and the identity of Jesus.

An introduction to Israel's search for wisdom in its Ancient Near Eastern context. Topics include the nature and expression of wisdom, its international context, Lady Wisdom, the place of wisdom literature in Israel's faith and the content of the individual wisdom books: Proverbs, Job, Qoheleth (Ecclesiastes), Sirach and the Wisdom of Solomon, plus consideration of the relevance of Israel's wisdom tradition for today. Participation, presentation, exegetical paper, pastoral application paper. Prerequisite: SMB1007 "Intro Old Testament" or equivalent.

An introduction to Israel's search for wisdom in its Ancient Near Eastern context. Topics include the nature and expression of wisdom, its international context, Lady Wisdom, the place of wisdom literature in Israel's faith and the content of the individual wisdom books: Proverbs, Job, Qoheleth (Ecclesiastes), Sirach and the Wisdom of Solomon, plus consideration of the relevance of Israel's wisdom tradition for today.

An introduction to Israel's search for wisdom in its Ancient Near Eastern context. Topics include the nature and expression of wisdom, its international context, Lady Wisdom, the place of wisdom literature in Israel's faith and the content of the individual wisdom books: Proverbs, Job, Qoheleth (Ecclesiastes), Sirach and the Wisdom of Solomon, plus consideration of the relevance of Israel's wisdom tradition for today.

An introduction to Israel's search for wisdom in its Ancient Near Eastern context. Topics include the nature and expression of wisdom, its international context, Lady Wisdom, the place of wisdom literature in Israel's faith and the content of the individual wisdom books: Proverbs, Job, Qoheleth (Ecclesiastes), Sirach and the Wisdom of Solomon, plus consideration of the relevance of Israel's wisdom tradition for today.

An introduction to Israel's search for wisdom in its Ancient Near Eastern context. Topics include the nature and expression of wisdom, its international context, Lady Wisdom, the place of wisdom literature in Israel's faith and the content of the individual wisdom books: Proverbs, Job, Qoheleth (Ecclesiastes), Sirach and the Wisdom of Solomon, plus consideration of the relevance of Israel's wisdom tradition for today.

Can an understanding of the resident alien in the Bible help us reflect today concerning the manner in which we treat 'the foreigner' in our society and particular communities? Students in this course will conduct a literary survey of the resident alien (a translation of the Hebrew term ) throughout various biblical law codes. Using a method of inner-biblical criticism and reception history, students will observe contextual changes in meaning of this figure through time. Texts to be studied will range from Ancient Near Eastern law codes, law codes of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), along with readings from the Septuagint, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the New Testament.

Can an understanding of the resident alien in the Bible help us reflect today concerning the manner in which we treat "the foreigner" in our society and particular communities? Students in this course will conduct a literary survey of the resident alien (a translation of the Hebrew term ) throughout various biblical law codes. Using a method of inner-biblical criticism and reception history, students will observe contextual changes in meaning of this figure through time. Texts to be studied will range from Ancient Near Eastern law codes, law codes of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), along with readings from the Septuagint, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the New Testament. Lectures, assigned readings involving both biblical texts and secondary literature, and class discussion. Course evaluation: one book review (to be submitted at the first class), class participation, student presentation, and major paper. Prerequisite: Introduction to Old Testament I or permission of the instructor.

Introduction to Homiletics is a one-semester course that gives students the opportunity to look at the theology, tradition and practice of Catholic preaching. Students will examine particular questions, issues and challenges in homiletics from a Catholic perspective, survey the development of preaching throughout Church history, determine how Roman Catholic preaching can be informed by the theory and practice in other traditions, and articulate the characteristics of good preaching. This course is a prerequisite for Advanced Homiletics. Lectures, online postings, presentations, interviews and papers.