Previous Years' Course Catalogues

It is often said that what is learned in seminary bible classes rarely reaches the pews; when difficult topics arise- e.g., what basis does the Christmas or Easter story have in history? - ministers often deflect the questions or appeal to a vague notion of mystery. This course aims to prepare ministers to have these difficult conversations through recent scholarship on the empty tomb. In the past several centuries, traditional Christian claims about the bodily resurrection of Jesus have been subject to great scrutiny. This has led to a number of competing proposals: the resurrection was "spiritual" and not corporeal, that the body of Jesus was stolen, that traditional claims are still viable, among many others. Likewise, how does one consider the virgin birth or narratives where Jesus disrupts the laws of nature? How might one navigate these claims for one's own theological position or articulate these complex - but crucial - issues to one's congregation? This class will not promote any particular explanation of the empty tomb, but will provide students with the tools to articulate their own understanding of what happened at the empty tomb and argue concisely why they believe that to be the case. It will also prepare them to discuss difficult issues about historicity with their congregation or other laity. Consequently, during course discussions we will extend our analyses to similarly difficult texts (e.g., virgin birth, miracles).

This introduction to the intersection of communication rights and religion offers an intensive cross-cultural learning environment, brining together students and scholars from the Global South and North. It articulates communications rights issues through the lens of contextual, practical theology. Issues explored against global contextual backgrounds include: inter-religious dialogue and peace building, gender and media, Indigenous rights, citizen journalism and digital frontiers, disability and accessibility rights. Students will engage these issues through interdisciplinary lectures, group work, plenary discussion, and written work. Class time will attend to both methodological issues and contextual case studies. This course is designed to provide students with an opportunity for cross-cultural and ecumenical learning, exposure to emerging social justice issues, and skills to attend to communication rights issues in their own ministerial contexts.
This course will serve as a designated elective in Church and Community under the MDiv degree program.

This course studies icons in the Eastern Christian tradition from the perspectives of history, theology, liturgy and spirituality. The course focuses notably the origins of Christian art, the development of features particular to icons, the iconoclastic controversy of the 7th-8th centuries, and the major schools and styles of icons in the Orthodox world, especially the Byzantine-Greek and Russian styles. The theology of the icon will be studied primarily through the iconoclastic conflict and modern theology of icons, with emphasis on primary texts from the iconoclasts and the Orthodox position, especially St. Theodore Studite, St. John of Damascus, and the pronouncements of the Seventh Ecumenical Council (Nicea, 787) and the Triumph of Orthodoxy (843). The course analyses the spirituality and interpretation of iconographic symbolism, with a focus on the main types of icons of Christ, the Mother of God, Holy Week, the twelve major liturgical feasts, and important saints. Primary sources include Biblical, patristic, liturgical, and hagiographic material.

This course studies icons in the Eastern Christian tradition from the perspectives of history, theology, liturgy and spirituality. The course focuses notably the origins of Christian art, the development of features particular to icons, the iconoclastic controversy of the 7th-8th centuries, and the major schools and styles of icons in the Orthodox world, especially the Byzantine-Greek and Russian styles. The theology of the icon will be studied primarily through the iconoclastic conflict and modern theology of icons, with emphasis on primary texts from the iconoclasts and the Orthodox position, especially St. Theodore Studite, St. John of Damascus, and the pronouncements of the Seventh Ecumenical Council (Nicea, 787) and the Triumph of Orthodoxy (843). The course analyses the spirituality and interpretation of iconographic symbolism, with a focus on the main types of icons of Christ, the Mother of God, Holy Week, the twelve major liturgical feasts, and important saints. Primary sources include Biblical, patristic, liturgical, and hagiographic material.

This course will explore the thought and career of Fyodor Dostoevsky. Often discussed for his contributions to 20th Century existentialist philosophy (of which he was a pioneer), Dostoevsky also remains one of the most influential voices in Orthodox Christian theology to the present day, presenting a unique approach to the religious questions at the centre of his work. Here, we will explore Dostoevsky especially as a theologian and religious thinker by examining his context in 19th Century thought, exploring some of his early fiction and non-fiction, and especially by careful reading of Dostoevsky's most important novels.

This course will explore the thought and career of Fyodor Dostoevsky. Often discussed for his contributions to 20th Century existentialist philosophy (of which he was a pioneer), Dostoevsky also remains one of the most influential voices in Orthodox Christian theology to the present day, presenting a unique approach to the religious questions at the centre of his work. Here, we will explore Dostoevsky especially as a theologian and religious thinker by examining his context in 19th Century thought, exploring some of his early fiction and non-fiction, and especially by careful reading of Dostoevsky's most important novels.

This course, which does not require any previous knowledge of music theory, will examine the history and development of liturgical music in the Orthodox Church. It will examine the relationship and differences between Byzantine chant (and other related ancient chant systems) and polyphonic church music, including in musical scales, notation systems, composition and the relationship of music to the text of liturgy. The contemporary application of Byzantine chant will be explored, including composing
music in ancient chant tradition for English liturgical translations and representing chants on a five-line staff. The course will also consider the liturgical purpose and performance of Orthodox Church music and its impact on celebrants and worshippers.

This course, which does not require any previous knowledge of music theory, will examine the history and development of liturgical music in the Orthodox Church. It will examine the relationship and differences between Byzantine chant (and other related ancient chant systems) and polyphonic church music, including in musical scales, notation systems, composition and the relationship of music to the text of liturgy. The contemporary application of Byzantine chant will be explored, including composing
music in ancient chant tradition for English liturgical translations and representing chants on a five-line staff. The course will also consider the liturgical purpose and performance of Orthodox Church music and its impact on celebrants and worshippers.

The course on congregational song has no prerequisites related to musical ability, keyboard skills, or to hymnic background. Attendance at lectures for the exploration of current song resources (Voices United, More Voices, and a hymn book of the student's choice) forms part of the evaluation process. In addition, weekly assignments such as book reviews or song leading, class participation, and presentation of a final integrative project will be graded. Familiarity with journals and literature in the field will be required. Some research and reports on research will be required. Demonstrated familiarity with the resources of a newly developed concordance for Voices United will be an integral component for evaluation.

The course on congregational song has no prerequisites related to musical ability, keyboard skills, or to hymnic background. Attendance at lectures for the exploration of current song resources (Voices United, More Voices, and a hymn book of the student's choice) forms part of the evaluation process.

The course on congregational song has no prerequisites related to musical ability, keyboard skills, or to hymnic background. Attendance at lectures for the exploration of current song resources (Voices United, More Voices, and a hymn book of the student's choice) forms part of the evaluation process.

The course on congregational song has no prerequisites related to musical ability, keyboard skills, or to hymnic background. Attendance at lectures for the exploration of current song resources (Voices United, More Voices, and a hymn book of the student's choice) forms part of the evaluation process. In addition, weekly assignments such as book reviews or song leading, class participation, and presentation of a final integrative project will be graded. Familiarity with journals and literature in the field will be required. Some research and reports on research will be required. Demonstrated familiarity with the resources of a newly developed concordance for Voices United will be an integral component for evaluation.