Previous Years' Course Catalogues

This course explores the complex role of Christianity (and religion more broadly) in cases of genocide and extreme violence in the late-nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Through a series of case studies we will discuss broader themes such as the role of church institutions, religion and war, religious buildings as sites of violence, religious identity and nationalism, spiritual resistance, solidarity and rescue, reconciliation, Christianity's role in coming to terms with past atrocities. Topics may vary but could include: aboriginal peoples in the Americas, Australia, and New Zealand (19th and 20th centuries); the Herero-Nama Genocide in German Southwest Africa (1900s); the Armenian Genocide (1910s); the Holocaust (1940s); Cambodia (1970s); Guatemala (1980s); Rwanda (1990s); and the former Yugoslavia (1990s). We will study the subject matter with an interdisciplinary approach, primarily using the tools of the historian, but also considering those of theology, ~chology, and the sociology of religion. This course deals with some of the most powerful, painful, and controversial aspects of human life. Please be prepared to encounter disturbing and sometimes graphic material in the readings and films. We should probably also all expect to be challenged, surprised, and sometimes distressed by what is said in discussions. In crafting the course, I have tried to be sensitive, respectful, and inclusive without turning away from difficult realities in the past and present. I ask you to do the same in the way you engage the subject matter and one another.

This course introduces Augustine of Hippo (A.D. 354- 430) as an influential philosopher and theologian as well as a North African pastor in the Roman Empire. We will trace Augustine's life from birth to youth, then from his education, 'conversion' to ordination as bishop, then his later days till death, with the relevant historical and social contexts introduced along the way. In addition, this course will cover the basics of his philosophy/theology on freedom and grace, salvation and predestination, ecclesiology and liturgy, and, perhaps the most important of all, trinity, and how Augustine develops his theology in polemic responses to the Manicheans, Donatists and Pelagians.

This course introduces Augustine of Hippo (A.D. 354- 430) as an influential philosopher and theologian as well as a North African pastor in the Roman Empire. We will trace Augustine's life from birth to youth, then from his education, 'conversion' to ordination as bishop, then his later days till death, with the relevant historical and social contexts introduced along the way. In addition, this course will cover the basics of his philosophy/theology on freedom and grace, salvation and predestination, ecclesiology and liturgy, and, perhaps the most important of all, trinity, and how Augustine develops his theology in polemic responses to the Manicheans, Donatists and Pelagians.

This course introduces Augustine of Hippo (A.D. 354- 430) as an influential philosopher and theologian as well as a North African pastor in the Roman Empire. We will trace Augustine's life from birth to youth, then from his education, 'conversion' to ordination as bishop, then his later days till death, with the relevant historical and social contexts introduced along the way. In addition, this course will cover the basics of his philosophy/theology on freedom and grace, salvation and predestination, ecclesiology and liturgy, and, perhaps the most important of all, trinity, and how Augustine develops his theology in polemic responses to the Manicheans, Donatists and Pelagians.

This course introduces Augustine of Hippo (A.D. 354- 430) as an influential philosopher and theologian as well as a North African pastor in the Roman Empire. We will trace Augustine's life from birth to youth, then from his education, 'conversion' to ordination as bishop, then his later days till death, with the relevant historical and social contexts introduced along the way. In addition, this course will cover the basics of his philosophy/theology on freedom and grace, salvation and predestination, ecclesiology and liturgy, and, perhaps the most important of all, trinity, and how Augustine develops his theology in polemic responses to the Manicheans, Donatists and Pelagians.

This course introduces Augustine of Hippo (A.D. 354- 430) as an influential philosopher and theologian as well as a North African pastor in the Roman Empire. We will trace Augustine's life from birth to youth, then from his education, 'conversion' to ordination as bishop, then his later days till death, with the relevant historical and social contexts introduced along the way. In addition, this course will cover the basics of his philosophy/theology on freedom and grace, salvation and predestination, ecclesiology and liturgy, and, perhaps the most important of all, trinity, and how Augustine develops his theology in polemic responses to the Manicheans, Donatists and Pelagians.

Through primary and secondary source readings, lectures, discussions and presentations based on individual research, students will be introduced to the post-Biblical literature of the early Church (sub-apostolic period to mid-eighth century), both East and West. The broad goals of the course include the following:
? Developing an appreciation for the historical and cultural circumstances in which Christian thought originally developed
? Coming to understand the essential form and content of the Christian faith as it obtained in its formative centuries
? Learning how to compare and contrast various examples and exemplars of "Tradition," evaluating in turn the (dis)continuity between past and present in the life of the Church
? Considering how academic theology may be incorporated into pastoral care.

This course will explore key themes in recent discussions about the relationship between theology and the arts. Though some historical perspective on the place of the arts in the Christian church will be noted, the focus of our attention will be on the wide range of current conversations on arts and theology. Themes such as spirituality and art, liturgy and art, God and beauty, the place of imagination, and art as a resource for engaging issues of justice will be among the topics we consider.

This course will explore key themes in recent discussions about the relationship between theology and the arts. Though some historical perspective on the place of the arts in the Christian church will be noted, the focus of our attention will be on the wide range of current conversations on arts and theology. Themes such as spirituality and art, liturgy and art, God and beauty, the place of imagination, and art as a resource for engaging issues of justice will be among the topics we consider.

In a time of enormous upheaval, what challenges and opportunities are posed for the Christian mission? Two missiologists will tackle this question, one a theologian and the other an historian, with the help of guest scholars from Asia and Latin America, as they look at the contemporary scene continent by continent.

A survey of the mission situations, social, political, historical, theological, on each continent today. In a time of enormous upheaval, what challenges and opportunities are posed for the Christian mission? Two missiologists will tackle this question, one a theologian and the other an historian, with the help of guest scholars from Asia and Latin America, as they look at the contemporary scene continent by continent.

This course will explore major approaches to the relationship between the Christian faith and other religions in the context of the plurality and diversity of the contemporary world.