Previous Years' Course Catalogues

This course examines theologies of Holy Scripture, along with differing understandings of hermeneutics and biblical interpretation. Particular attention will be given to the connection between the Bible and ecclesiology, as well as to Neo-Orthodox, Postliberal, and Feminist-Liberationist understandings of Scripture. The biblical text?s relationship to both personal and communal identity will be one of the courses principal themes. Students will engage with different models for understanding Holy Scripture, and explore the practical implications of such models for the use of the Bible in pastoral ministry.

Modern biblical exegesis and analysis of patristic texts privilege almost exclusively the written word. There is a growing appreciation for another dinemsion to biblical exegesis - the vuisual. Early Christian iconography and visual presentations were more than art. They played a vital role in forming theology, group identity and the consciousness of the community. Using examples from early Christian frescoes, mosaics, and illuminations, the course will demonstrate the reciprocal relationship between text, community, worship and theology. There are zeveral analytical tools to aid in the study of early Christian visuals. Careful attention will be paid to the following: 1) The passages or allusions that are used, or equally important, neglected 2) Where the visual is found also plays a role in determining its role, i.e., whether it is funerary or liturgical 3) The characters or themes depicted in their spatial relationship to each other 4) The influence of Greco-Roman iconography and symbolism 5) The diversw ways in which divinity is depicted 6) The influence of apocryphal or heterodox Christian texts 7) Historical and ecclesiastical pressures confronting the community.

This course is a brief introduction to the foundations - and some of the riches - of spirituality in the Catholic Church. It examines the nature of virtue (acquired and infused) and the gifts and fruits of the Spirit. It also considers the distinguishing features of Catholic education (elementary and high school) in the contemporary cultural context. It then invites reflection on the spirituality and vocation of the Catholic educator in this era of a new evangelization.

This course is a brief introduction to the foundations - and some of the riches - of spirituality in the Catholic Church. It examines the nature of virtue (acquired and infused) and the gifts and fruits of the Spirit. It also considers the distinguishing features of Catholic education (elementary and high school) in the contemporary cultural context. It then invites reflection on the spirituality and vocation of the Catholic educator in this era of a new evangelization.

This course is a brief introduction to the foundations - and some of the riches - of spirituality in the Catholic Church. It examines the nature of virtue (acquired and infused) and the gifts and fruits of the Spirit. It also considers the distinguishing features of Catholic education (elementary and high school) in the contemporary cultural context. It then invites reflection on the spirituality and vocation of the Catholic educator in this era of a new evangelization.

Throughout the biblical story, land, economic justice, and food justice are intimately linked. These themes, in turn, are rooted in a vibrant relationship between creation and the Creator, not to mention creation and humanity. This course will explore such biblical themes in light of competing views of land, economics and justice both in biblical times and in our own context, locally and internationally. Interactions with indigenous views of land, land justice and food security for immigrants and the poor in our city, the transition movement, bioregionalism and watershed discipleship, will all contribute to a biblical vision for a sustainable creation locally and on a global level. This course will include two or three site visits within the city of Toronto (to a community garden, a food co-op and the Native Canadian Centre), as well as an optional site visit outside of the city.

The idea of this course is to see how the relationship of pre-modern spiritual writing and some more technical treatments of Christology was one of mutual influence. While Pelikan has tried to join these in his book, it might be better to be aware of the range of genres of spiritual works, including ones where Christ seems to be more 'implicit'. The thorny issue of whether Christology went astray after the High Middle Ages will be considered, as well as Jesus in the Reformation and Post-Reformation period (Catholic and Protestant).

The idea of this course is to see how the relationship of pre-modern spiritual writing and some more technical treatments of Christology was one of mutual influence. While Pelikan has tried to join these in his book, it might be better to be aware of the range of genres of spiritual works, including ones where Christ seems to be more 'implicit'. The thorny issue of whether Christology went astray after the High Middle Ages will be considered, as well as Jesus in the Reformation and Post-Reformation period (Catholic and Protestant).

The idea of this course is to see how the relationship of pre-modern spiritual writing and some more technical treatments of Christology was one of mutual influence. While Pelikan has tried to join these in his book, it might be better to be aware of the range of genres of spiritual works, including ones where Christ seems to be more 'implicit'. The thorny issue of whether Christology went astray after the High Middle Ages will be considered, as well as Jesus in the Reformation and Post-Reformation period (Catholic and Protestant).

This course is geared to enrolment in the Artists' Workshop of the Institute for Christian Studies' ART in Orvieto offerings in Orvieto, Italy. It aims to integrate, through the writing of a major paper, the practical experience gained in these arts workshops with the more theoretical knowledge obtained through academic courses in the area of art, religion and theology. Building upon the activities undertaken in the workshop (discussion, visual journals, presentation of work and feedback) as well as the arts project accomplished, the paper will serve as a summative statement of what the student learned. It should demonstrate the student's analytical and interpretive skills as it seeks to find the points of intersection between artistic practice and the life of faith.

This course is geared to enrolment in the Artists' Workshop of the Institute for Christian Studies' ART in Orvieto offerings in Orvieto, Italy. It aims to integrate, through the writing of a major paper, the practical experience gained in these arts workshops with the more theoretical knowledge obtained through academic courses in the area of art, religion and theology. Building upon the activities undertaken in the workshop (discussion, visual journals, presentation of work and feedback) as well as the arts project accomplished, the paper will serve as a summative statement of what the student learned. It should demonstrate the student's analytical and interpretive skills as it seeks to find the points of intersection between artistic practice and the life of faith.

This course is geared to enrolment in the Artists' Workshop of the Institute for Christian Studies' ART in Orvieto offerings in Orvieto, Italy. It aims to integrate, through the writing of a major paper, the practical experience gained in these arts workshops with the more theoretical knowledge obtained through academic courses in the area of art, religion and theology. Building upon the activities undertaken in the workshop (discussion, visual journals, presentation of work and feedback) as well as the arts project accomplished, the paper will serve as a summative statement of what the student learned. It should demonstrate the student's analytical and interpretive skills as it seeks to find the points of intersection between artistic practice and the life of faith.