Previous Years' Course Catalogues

If philosophy may be seen as "the love of wisdom," how might this (western) wisdom be related to the wisdom literature of the Hebrew Bible (or Old Testament), and to the wider sapiential characteristics and concerns of the biblical canon? Is the focus on (creation) order that many OT/HB scholars find in the wisdom literature indicative of a kind of philosophical awareness? Or is it an imposition of a later western "wisdom" onto the biblical writings? Does biblical wisdom thinking naturally lead to the development of a Christian appreciation for, and development of, philosophy? Or does a potential clash between rival (biblical and western) wisdom traditions suggest that the notion of "Christian philosophy" is oxymoronic? In conversation with the writings of Gerhard von Rad, Roland Murphy, Pierre Hadot, and others, this course will explore how wisdom thinking, as disclosed in Scripture, provokes a re-examination of the roots of western philosophy and the scholarly implications of biblical revelation.

This course explores the role of religion in times of social crisis and unrest, with an emphasis on the role of Christian leaders in recognizing and confronting the social issues of their time. Using the study of secularism and modernity to frame our conversations, class sessions will explore how Christian movements have responded to political and social crisis such as: residential schools and TRC, women’s leadership, pacifism and just war, and sexuality. Special emphasis will be given throughout to the role of liberal Protestantism and to examining the choices that liberal churches and organizations faced at critical points. Additional outcomes are provided for students in the UCC Candidacy process.

This course should be of interest to specialists in Bible and in Theology. It explores the related themes of time, participation in Christ and 'theosis' in Paul. The standard understandings of Paul's view of time are either that he thought in terms of salvation history- time as progressive and directed by God towards a goal; or that the apostle thought apocalyptically - time has been interrupted by God's work in Christ. The course will study and discuss important works advocating these influential views. Opinions on Paul's conception of time are fundamental for interpretation of his central concepts, including the related themes of participation in Christ and theosis. The course will consider significant works on these themes and it offers opportunity to engage with some pivotal Pauline scholarship.

A seminar format historical retracing and ethical consideration of various truth and reconciliation commissions (TRCs) or Justice, Truth, and Reconciliation Commissions (JTRC) in different countries across the world. A survey exploration of the social, political, economic, and religious context specific factors which gave birth to adopting TRCs or JTRCs in different countries, and the larger societal ethical implications they bring to notions of truth-telling, restorative and redistributive justice, social equity, and reconciliation. Emphasis on key themes, historical events, and actors. This course responds in part to Canada's TRC's calls to action # 49 & 60.

Building upon what is broadly understood as liberation discourses and theologies, this course explores the salientmethodological featuresand topicsof emerging decolonial thinking and discourses. We will study the various theoreticalshifts as articulated by decolonial thinkers and examine how these complex theoretical currents signal a reconfiguration of inherited forms of knowledge, understanding of the world, ethical perspectives, constructions of morality, and the theological task. The focus of this course is to gain insight intothe main ideas, specific methodologies, and key authors involved in the development and proliferation of these diverse theoretical currents, and their relevance for the task of theology and ministry. The course will include lectures, seminars, and readings, and will be evaluated by way of class participation and class presentations, book reviews and final essay.

Building upon what is broadly understood as liberation discourses and theologies, this course explores the salient methodological features and topics of emerging decolonial thinking and discourses. We will study the various theoretical shifts as articulated by decolonial thinkers and examine how these complex theoretical currents signal a reconfiguration of inherited forms of knowledge, understanding of the world, ethical perspectives, constructions of morality, and the theological task. The focus of this course is to gain insight into the main ideas, specific methodologies, and key authors involved in the development and proliferation of these diverse theoretical currents, and their relevance for the task of theology and ministry.

Building upon what is broadly understood as liberation discourses and theologies, this course explores the salient methodological features and topics of emerging decolonial thinking and discourses. We will study the various theoretical shifts as articulated by decolonial thinkers and examine how these complex theoretical currents signal a reconfiguration of inherited forms of knowledge, understanding of the world, ethical perspectives, constructions of morality, and the theological task. The focus of this course is to gain insight into the main ideas, specific methodologies, and key authors involved in the development and proliferation of these diverse theoretical currents, and their relevance for the task of theology and ministry.

A seminar format historical retracing and ethical consideration of various truth and reconciliation commissions (TRCs) or Justice, Truth, and Reconciliation Commissions (JTRC) in different countries across the world. A survey exploration of the social, political, economic, and religious context specific factors which gave birth to adopting TRCs or JTRCs in different countries, and the larger societal ethical implications they bring to notions of truth-telling, restorative and redistributive justice, social equity, and reconciliation. Emphasis on key themes, historical events, and actors. This course responds in part to Canada's TRC's calls to action # 49 & 60.

Queer Theory challenges feminist theory's and gay and lesbian studies' focus on tolerance and inclusion with radical deconstructive critiques of the institutions and practices that produce gender and sexuality norms to begin with. Theologies in dialogue with queer theory thus presuppose the full inclusion of LGTBQ people in the life and leadership of churches - rather than argue for it- to articulate constructive theological projects out of queer practices. In this course, students engage foundational texts in queer/genderqueer Theologies to begin constructing their own theological positions in a context that disrupts binary understandings of gender and heteronormative views of sexuality. Doctrines of God, Christology and soteriology will be addressed, as will theological interpretations of marriage, family and kinship networks.

An exploration of doing theology in the Canadian Context. Using a multidisciplinary approach (literary, social, political and economic) the course will examine how this particular context affects how we think, pray and act as Christians.

Although art historians have spilled much ink on Rembrandt and van Gogh, the question "How does their art reveal their spirituality?" is seldom asked. Answering that question will be the focus of this course. Henri Nouwen's most popular book, The Return of the Prodigal Son is a reflection on Rembrandt's painting; and Nouwen gave a course at Yale three times in the 1970s on the art and ministry of Vincent van Gogh. We will use Nouwen's reflections as a jumping off point for our own as we consider how Rembrandt's and van Gogh's spirituality is expressed by their art and what that might mean for us today.

This course will trace the multi-faceted theme of justice as it unfolds throughout the biblical story. Beginning with an exploration of the impact our own place and assumpions have on our reading, we will then probe the complicated ways in which idolatry, economic justice, racial justice, justice for the land, food justice, justice for the stranger and the migrant, gender justice, colonization and Indigenous justice, and peace and violence permeate the story. This will provide a biblical basis for reflecting on the complexity and challenge of enacting justice and reconciliation in our world today.