Previous Years' Course Catalogues

The course will explore significant ways that Christians have theologized the arts, artistry and art culture in Eastern and Western Christendom. The course will compare the varieties of theologies that have emerged from within the Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox traditions. The study will involve looking at paintings, icons, altarpieces, and socially and culturally engaged works of art as well as pertinent theological writings. Students will be evaluated on class participation, seminar presentations, and a research paper on an approved topic.

The course will explore significant ways that Christians have theologized the arts, artistry and art culture in Eastern and Western Christendom. The course will compare the varieties of theologies that have emerged from within the Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox traditions. The study will involve looking at paintings, icons, altarpieces, and socially and culturally engaged works of art as well as pertinent theological writings. Students will be evaluated on class participation, seminar presentations, and a research paper on an approved topic.

The course will explore significant ways that Christians have theologized the arts, artistry and art culture in Eastern and Western Christendom. The course will compare the varieties of theologies that have emerged from within the Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox traditions. The study will involve looking at paintings, icons, altarpieces, and socially and culturally engaged works of art as well as pertinent theological writings. Students will be evaluated on class participation, seminar presentations, and a research paper on an approved topic.

In this interdisciplinary theology seminar, we shall probe the origin and nature of evil by engaging key biblical, philosophical, psychological, and anthropological resources. Central to our discussions will be a sapiential (wisdom-oriented) re-reading of the Fall narrative of Genesis 3–4, set against the backdrop of the good, yet largely wild, creation of Genesis 1–2. In addition to surveying a variety of contemporary theodicies read up against the challenge offered by both “protest atheism” and the biblical lament literature (especially the book of Job), we shall also pay special attention to the correlation between victim and agent in the ongoing dynamics to “original sin” and to the concomitant role of fear in the construction of culture. In attending to evil’s (arguably) anthropocentric origin as a key to its present nature—which will prompt us to revisit our understanding of the primordial conditions of possibility along with the largely overlooked biblical connections between the Satan and the absolutization (and denaturing) of Justice—we shall also look ahead, via pondering the relationship between law and grace, to the promise of a (divine and human) judgment unto salvation.

We shall discuss the origin and nature of evil by engaging various biblical, theological, and anthropological resources. Topics will include lament literature (e.g. Job), natural evil, idolatry and the demonic, original sin and the correlation between victim and agent, and the relationship between justice and mercy. The course will consist of seminars in which participants will engage key readings relevant to the practice of interdisciplinary theology.

The presence of trauma in the world and in the sanctuary demands a response. Preachers are invited to become more trauma-sensitive and trauma-informed. This course will address themes of trauma at the intersection of homiletic theory, theological studies and trauma theory. Participants will explore the meaning of trauma, the various ways it impacts congregational life, and the manner in which preachers can respond effectively and pastorally to situations where trauma shapes the experience of listeners. Looking to scripture for guidance this course will navigate themes such as intergenerational trauma, memory, imagination, and hope. Participants will come away with a deeper understanding of the impact of trauma on pastoral ministry, strategies for preaching, and new vocabularies for naming God's presence and action in the world.

The presence of trauma in the world and in the sanctuary demands a response. Preachers are invited to become more trauma-sensitive and trauma-informed. This course will address themes of trauma at the intersection of homiletic theory, theological studies and trauma theory. Participants will explore the meaning of trauma, the various ways it impacts congregational life, and the manner in which preachers can respond effectively and pastorally to situations where trauma shapes the experience of listeners. Looking to scripture for guidance this course will navigate themes such as intergenerational trauma, memory, imagination, and hope. Participants will come away with a deeper understanding of the impact of trauma on pastoral ministry, strategies for preaching, and new vocabularies for naming God’s presence and action in the world

This course will engage students in preaching in relation to race and racism. Perspectives from critical race and postcolonial theories will be studied. Students will develop strategies for anti-racist preaching in relation to scriptural interpretation, contextual analysis and community engagement.

This course will engage students in preaching in relation to race and racism. Perspectives from critical race and postcolonial theories will be studied. Students will develop strategies for anti-racist preaching in relation to scriptural interpretation, contextual analysis and community engagement.

This course will engage students in preaching in relation to race and racism. Perspectives from critical race and postcolonial theories will be studied. Students will develop strategies for anti-racist preaching in relation to scriptural interpretation, contextual analysis and community engagement.

This course is designed to help students understand the "backstory" to the Bible - the history, geography, culture and practices that made up the normal everyday world of the ancient Israelites and their neighbours, but which are utterly foreign to us. Through this course, students will develop a better understanding of the physical and conceptual context of the Old and New Testaments that will help offer a foundation for understanding and interpreting the Bible.

This course is designed to help students understand the "backstory" to the Bible - the history, geography, culture and practices that made up the normal everyday world of the ancient Israelites and their neighbours, but which are utterly foreign to us. Through this course, students will develop a better understanding of the physical and conceptual context of the Old and New Testaments that will help offer a foundation for understanding and interpreting the Bible.