Previous Years' Course Catalogues

The 19th century was a time of great political and intellectual ferment. In particular, it was the century in which Europeans came to develop a keen sense of historical consciousness. Come find out how Hegel, Kierkegaard, Marx, Darwin, Nietzsche and Freud forever changed the way we look at the world. Themes to be considered include history, human nature, morality, religion and God. We will also focus on the problem of how the different academic disciplines are related to one another.
We will consider each thinker's ideas in their historical context and in light of their implications for contemporary culture and for our own thinking.

The 19th century was a time of great political and intellectual ferment. In particular, it was the century in which Europeans came to develop a keen sense of historical consciousness. Come find out how Hegel, Kierkegaard, Marx, Darwin, Nietzsche and Freud forever changed the way we look at the world. Themes to be considered include history, human nature, morality, religion and God. We will also focus on the problem of how the different academic disciplines are related to one another. We will consider each thinker's ideas in their historical context and in light of their implications for contemporary culture and for our own thinking.

In the 17th century, the thinkers of the Scientific Revolution were looking for explanations of the physical world that were valid everywhere and for all time. In the 18th century, Enlightenment thinkers were also looking for universally valid explanations but for human nature, morality and society. That all changed in the 19th century when thinkers realized that the contingency and mutability of existence make once-and-for-all answers impossible. Come find out how Hegel, Kierkegaard, Marx, Darwin, Nietzsche and Freud changed the way we look at the world forever. We will consider the thinkers ideas both in their historical context and in light of their implications for our own thinking about human nature, society, history, morality and God. Lectures, discussions, on-line questions. Two 6-8 page papers; class participation; on-line questions; final exam.

The responsibility of good administration and informed governance is a vital, if unsung, aspect of ministry in a conciliar system. This course will explore the mandates of collaborative congregational leadership, financial stewardship, effective communication and mission strategy in the context of current and emerging forms of United Church polity, and in view of the impact of changing demographics.

The responsibility of good administration and informed governance is a vital, if unsung, aspect of ministry in a conciliar system. This course will explore the mandates of collaborative congregational leadership, financial stewardship, effective communication and mission strategy in the context of current and emerging forms of United Church polity, and in view of the impact of changing demographics. Lectures and discussions. Evaluation by portfolio and take-home exam.

Along with other mainline denominations, the United Church is changing in some significant ways. And the way we organize ourselves at the national, regional, and congregational levels is also changing. This course will review the ecclesial structures that have long been in place; examine the evolving responsibilities of General Council, Regions, and congregations; and explore the impact of these changes on faith communities and ministry personnel. It will survey some of the new governance models that congregations and faith communities are adopting in response to the Church's demographic, cultural and financial realities, and examine some of the ways that new ministries are being organized. In addition, it will explore the United Church's relationship with other Christian bodies as well as with non-Christian religious organizations; and focus on issues such as accountability, collegiality, stewardship, and mission strategy.

The responsibility of good administration and informed governance is a vital, if unsung, aspect of ministry in a conciliar system. This course will explore the mandates of collaborative congregational leadership, financial stewardship, effective communication and mission strategy in the context of current and emerging forms of United Church polity, and in view of the impact of changing demographics. Lectures and discussions. Evaluation by portfolio and take-home exam.

The responsibility of good administration and informed governance is a vital, if unsung, aspect of ministry in a conciliar system. This course will explore the mandates of collaborative congregational leadership, financial stewardship, effective communication and mission strategy in the context of current and emerging forms of United Church polity, and in view of the impact of changing demographics.

The responsibility of good administration and informed governance is a vital, if unsung, aspect of ministry in a conciliar system. This course will explore the mandates of collaborative congregational leadership, financial stewardship, effective communication and mission strategy in the context of current and emerging forms of United Church polity, and in view of the impact of changing demographics.

The responsibility of good administration and informed governance is a vital, if unsung, aspect of ministry in a conciliar system. This course will explore the mandates of collaborative congregational leadership, financial stewardship, effective communication and mission strategy in the context of current and emerging forms of United Church polity, and in view of the impact of changing demographics.

The responsibility of good administration and informed governance is a vital, if unsung, aspect of ministry in a conciliar system. This course will explore the mandates of collaborative congregational leadership, financial stewardship, effective communication and mission strategyin the context of current and emerging forms of United Church polity, and in view of the impact of changing demographics.

The responsibility of good administration and informed governance is a vital, if unsung, aspect of ministry in a conciliar system. This course will explore the mandates of collaborative congregational leadership, financial stewardship, effective communication and mission strategyin the context of current and emerging forms of United Church polity, and in view of the impact of changing demographics.