Previous Years' Course Catalogues

Examination of the historical and ecumenical theological origins and contemporary expressions of Christian engagement with social justice. Topics addressed will include: the 18th -19th century economic, political, philosophical, and religious background in Europe and North America; the Social Gospel and Christian Socialism in Protestantism and papal social teachings in Roman Catholicism; black and feminist theologies and global liberation theologies; and justice-related issues such as wealth and poverty, war and peace, race, gender, sexual orientation, and ecology. Sources examined will include the work of theologians and reports by denominational and ecumenical bodies.

This course will engage the questions of interreligious dialogue and comparative theology on the theology on the theological issues of redemption and salvation by comparing the work of some key Christian thinkers with themes in Buddhism. We will also engage comparative questions such as desire, imitation, prayer, mediation and responses to suffering and violence.

This course will engage the questions of interreligious dialogue and comparative theology on the theology on the theological issues of redemption and salvation by comparing the work of some key Christian thinkers with themes in Buddhism. We will also engage comparative questions such as desire, imitation, prayer, mediation and responses to suffering and violence.

This course will engage the questions of interreligious dialogue and comparative theology on the theology on the theological issues of redemption and salvation by comparing the work of some key Christian thinkers with themes in Buddhism. We will also engage comparative questions such as desire, imitation, prayer, mediation and responses to suffering and violence.

This course will engage the questions of interreligious dialogue and comparative theology on the theology on the theological issues of redemption and salvation by comparing the work of some key Christian thinkers with themes in Buddhism. We will also engage comparative questions such as desire, imitation, prayer, mediation and responses to suffering and violence. BD Evaluation; papers, book review, presentation, final synthesis paper and participation. AD Evaluation: paper, presentations or research, participation, final research paper.

This course is an examination of the Gospels' passion narratives and as they have stirred theological imaginations through the centuries. The first part of the course will trace the passion narratives in the Gospels-their interrelationship, construction and theological-pastoral Investments-and our role in listening to their distinctive voices. In the second part of the course we will explore the ripples of Jesus's passion as the stories were taken up, transformed, amplified, or muted by the Imaginations of subsequent generations In both sacred and secular contemporary art, film, literature, and practices. As we examine various artistic and devotional efforts we will consider the capacity of "conversation" as a metaphor for engaging a wide range of interpretations.

This course is an examination of the Gospels' passion narratives and as they have stirred theological imaginations through the centuries. The first part of the course will trace the passion narratives in the Gospels-their interrelationship, construction and theological-pastoral Investments-and our role in listening to their distinctive voices. In the second part of the course we will explore the ripples of Jesus's passion as the stories were taken up, transformed, amplified, or muted by the Imaginations of subsequent generations In both sacred and secular contemporary art, film, literature, and practices. As we examine various artistic and devotional efforts we will consider the capacity of "conversation" as a metaphor for engaging a wide range of interpretations.

This course will develop knowledge and practice skills for intercultural life and leadership in heterogeneous publics. We will draw on interdisciplinary, intercultural materials, including: critical social and cultural theories, formation of complex identities at intersections of structures of social markers; scriptural, theological and ethical attention to difference and similarity; worship and educational resources; and the case of the United Church of Canada project "Becoming an Intercultural Church" as a vision and practice to live out its commitment to racial and social justice. (Qualifies as a designated elective in theology or ethics.) Seminar format with instructional input, small groups, modest cross-cultural immersion project. Evaluation: a book review (30%); a class presentation (30%), and a final integrative project (40%). Prerequisites: basic course in bible and theology.

This course will develop knowledge and practice skills for intercultural life and leadership in heterogeneous publics. We will draw on interdisciplinary, intercultural materials, including: critical social and cultural theories, formation of complex identities at intersections of structures of social markers; scriptural, theological and ethical attention to difference and similarity; worship and educational resources; and the case of the United Church of Canada project "Becoming an Intercultural Church" as a vision and practice to live out its commitment to racial and social justice. (Qualifies as a designated elective in theology or ethics.) Seminar format with instructional input, small groups, modest cross-cultural immersion project. Evaluation: a book review (30%); a class presentation (30%), and a final integrative project (40%). Prerequisites: basic course in bible and theology.

An introduction to comparative theology and comparative theologies, with special attention to their close interrelation and emergence with comparative religion and religious studies in the modern period. Our study will begin with a genealogical examination of the early modern discipline of "comparative theology", a liberal Christian project designed to overcome the prejudices and limitations of "dogmatic theology" through its engagement with the claims of other religious traditions. In a second major unit of the course, we will examine the mutual self-definition of neo-Orthodox theology and the field of comparative religious studies in the mid-twentieth centuries including the efforts to build bridges between these disciplines by prominent theologians in North America. Finally, we will turn our attention to contemporary critiques of comparative religion itself and the emergence of a "new" comparative theology in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

The course will review the international effort to resist violence against women; the norms of resistance and justification within Scriptures and traditions of Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and other spiritualties or religions; the role of culture in relationship to religious or spiritual traditions; the challenges of the discourses of social science and human rights; the efforts of organizations, including the United Nations and other non-governmental organizations to enact good and best practices. Students will research case studies about empowering women within specific populations experiencing violence.

The course will review the international effort to resist violence against women; the norms of resistance and justification within Scriptures and traditions of Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and other.spiritualities or religions; the role of culture in relationship to religious or spiritual traditions; the challenges of the discourses of social science and human rights; the efforts of organizations, including the United Nations and other non-governmental organizations to enact good and best practices. Students will research case studies about empowering women within specific populations experiencing violence.