In-Person if the course requires attendance at a specific location and time for some or all course activities. These courses will have section codes starting in 0 or 4.
Online – Asynchronous if the course has no requirement for attendance at a specific time or location for any activities or exams. These courses will have the section code starting with 61.
Online – Synchronous if online attendance is expected at a specific time for some or all course activities, and attendance at a specific location is not expected for any activities or exams. These courses will have the section code starting with 62.
Hybrid if the course requires attendance at a specific location and time, however 33-66% of the course is delivered online. If online attendance is expected at a specific time, it will be in place of the in person attendance. These courses will have the section code starting with 31.
Some courses may offer more than one delivery method please ensure that you have the correct section code when registering via ACORN. You will not be permitted to switch delivery method after the last date to add a course for the given semester.
In this course, we will examine some of the major texts and themes of the medieval theology of creation. This is a large subject and we will only be able to explore a limited portion. To gain an appreciation of the complexity, both in terms of content and methodology, we shall focus on five major medieval texts over twelve weeks, from Bede (672-735) to Robert Grosseteste (ca. 1170-1253). As we examine these texts, we shall be guided by three general questions: (1) How did classical and late antique (meta)physics shape the medieval account of creation? (2) What is the relationship between an account of creation and biblical hermeneutics? and, (3) What bearing did a theology of creation have on other major theological topics, such as soteriology and theological anthropology?
This course explores the themes of matter, body, and gender In selected works of Hildegard of Bingen, Bemardus Sylvestris, Alan of Litle and Thomas Aquinas. It explores the use of myth or religious story within the construction of theoretical understanding. It does so in terms of the "story of origin" as It comes to expression within the Latin Christian world of the twelfth century in schooled creation poems and in contrast to the thematization of creation in the contemporary monastic discourse of Hildegard of Bingen and the scholastic thematizations of the next century represented by Thomas Aquinas.
How does the biblical portrayal of Jesus relate to the narrative movement(s) of the Hebrew Bible? To what extent do the OT themes of exile and return, old age and new age, help deepen our understanding of the birth and crucifixion of the Messiah? If we worship Jesus, are we to worship his humanity as well as his divinity? Does Mary’s encounter with Gabriel, who is a named presence in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament only in the Book of Daniel, indicate that her conception of Jesus is to be read apocalyptically? Is it significant that Elizabeth initially greets Mary with words otherwise associated with Jael and Judith? These are some of the exegetical and theological questions we will consider in this engagement with issues at the edge, and at the heart, of contemporary Christology. Conversation partners will include: James Dunn (Did the First Christians Worship Jesus?), Jane Schaberg (The Illegitimacy of Jesus), and N.T. Wright (The Day the Revolution Began).
How does the biblical portrayal of Jesus relate to the narrative movement(s) of the Hebrew Bible? To what extent do the OT themes of exile and return, old age and new age, help deepen our understanding of the birth and crucifixion of the Messiah? If we worship Jesus, are we to worship his humanity as well as his divinity? Does Mary’s encounter with Gabriel, who is a named presence in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament only in the Book of Daniel, indicate that her conception of Jesus is to be read apocalyptically? Is it significant that Elizabeth initially greets Mary with words otherwise associated with Jael and Judith? These are some of the exegetical and theological questions we will consider in this engagement with issues at the edge, and at the heart, of contemporary Christology. Conversation partners will include: James Dunn (Did the First Christians Worship Jesus?), Jane Schaberg (The Illegitimacy of Jesus), and N.T. Wright (The Day the Revolution Began).
How does the biblical portrayal of Jesus relate to the narrative movement(s) of the Hebrew Bible? To what extent do the OT themes of exile and return, old age and new age, help deepen our understanding of the birth and crucifixion of the Messiah? If we worship Jesus, are we to worship his humanity as well as his divinity? Does Mary’s encounter with Gabriel, who is a named presence in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament only in the Book of Daniel, indicate that her conception of Jesus is to be read apocalyptically? Is it significant that Elizabeth initially greets Mary with words otherwise associated with Jael and Judith? These are some of the exegetical and theological questions we will consider in this engagement with issues at the edge, and at the heart, of contemporary Christology. Conversation partners will include: James Dunn (Did the First Christians Worship Jesus?), Jane Schaberg (The Illegitimacy of Jesus), and N.T. Wright (The Day the Revolution Began).
The course will look at developments in Scotland during the Reformation era. The failure of early attempts at reformation, both Lutheran and Catholic, will be discussed as will the eventual success of a model of reformation derived from Calvin's Geneva. The course will look at the evolution of this vision within Scotland and the nature of the reformed Church of Scotland. The course will continue up through the seventeenth century and will look at what scholars are beginning to see as a second reformation.
The course develops major themes in the history of Christian spirituality, through a close reading of selections by Plato, Origen, Pseudo-Dionysius, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, St. Bonaventure, St. Gregory of Palamas, Julian of Norwich, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Teresa of Avila, and Dorothy Day. Special attention will be given to ideas of "love".
The course develops major themes in the history of Christian spirituality, through a close reading of selections by Plato, Origen, Pseudo-Dionysius, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, St. Bonaventure, St. Gregory of Palamas, Julian of Norwich, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Teresa of Avila, and Dorothy Day. Special attention will be given to ideas of "love".
A critical exploration of religious responses to suffering. Focal issues will include the relation of love and spiritual transformation to suffering, the role of religious models or exemplars of suffering, and religious experience and the problems of theodicy. Readings will include works by Fyodor Dostoevsky, Dorothee Soelle and Simone Weil, as well as other selections drawn from the Christian, Buddhist, and Jewish traditions.
A critical exploration of religious responses to suffering. Focal issues will include the relation of love and spiritual transformation to suffering, the role of religious models or exemplars of suffering, and religious experience and the problems of theodicy. Readings will include works by Fyodor Dostoevsky, Dorothee Soelle and Simone Weil, as well as other selections drawn from the Christian, Buddhist, and Jewish traditions.
A comparative study of selected mystical traditions of the major world religions. Themes of analysis will include: the nature and forms of mystical experience; perspectives on ultimate Reality; the role of the spiritual teacher or master; spirituality and social action; disciplines, methods and ideals of spiritual salvation or liberation. Readings will be drawn both from mystic writers and comparative theorists.Â