Previous Years' Course Catalogues

Intro to some main ideas that are theologically and ethically relevant in Kierkegaard's thought: person, indirect communication, irony, edification, confession, sermon, scripture. Christ as model and as redeemer. Attention to biblical figures shaping Kierkegaard's understanding of faith. Selected readings from Either/Or, Purity of Heart, Gospel of Suffering, Christian Discourses, and Works of Love.

For over thirty years, “Nothing about us without us” has been the cry of resistance from disability activists worldwide, yet disabled, neurodivergent and mentally ill people are rarely consulted or collaborated with regarding the policies, treatments and caregiving that will directly affect their bodyminds. This has led to ableist, neurotypical, and “sanist” theories and practices being normalized within the fields of medicine, psychiatry, theology, and psychotherapy. Whether or not a psychotherapist or faith leader is disabled, neurodivergent, or living with mental distress themselves, they are still often trained in models of psychotherapeutic and spiritual care that arise from and/or replicate ableist and neurotypical cultural norms to varying degrees of damage for disabled and neurodivergent individuals. This course engages with “mad” and “crip” frameworks to interrogate ableist, neurotypical, and sanist theories and practices, and to equip psychotherapists and spiritual care providers to provide treatment for disabled, neurodivergent, and mentally ill clients in more culturally appropriate ways. It also equips spiritual caregivers who may have internalized ableism and neurotypical normalizing tendencies to move deeper into their own self-understanding for this work. The course will invite those with lived experience of disability, neurodiversity and mental distress to apply their lived experience, learn to maintain appropriate boundaries and engage Safe and Effective Use of Self (SEUS).

For over thirty years, “Nothing about us without us” has been the cry of resistance from disability activists worldwide, yet disabled, neurodivergent and mentally ill people are rarely consulted or collaborated with regarding the policies, treatments and caregiving that will directly affect their bodyminds. This has led to ableist, neurotypical, and “sanist” theories and practices being normalized within the fields of medicine, psychiatry, theology, and psychotherapy. Whether or not a psychotherapist or faith leader is disabled, neurodivergent, or living with mental distress themselves, they are still often trained in models of psychotherapeutic and spiritual care that arise from and/or replicate ableist and neurotypical cultural norms to varying degrees of damage for disabled and neurodivergent individuals. This course engages with “mad” and “crip” frameworks to interrogate ableist, neurotypical, and sanist theories and practices, and to equip psychotherapists and spiritual care providers to provide treatment for disabled, neurodivergent, and mentally ill clients in more culturally appropriate ways. It also equips spiritual caregivers who may have internalized ableism and neurotypical normalizing tendencies to move deeper into their own self-understanding for this work. The course will invite those with lived experience of disability, neurodiversity and mental distress to apply their lived experience, learn to maintain appropriate boundaries and engage Safe and Effective Use of Self (SEUS).

For over thirty years, "Nothing about us without us" has been the cry of resistance from disability activists worldwide, yet disabled, neurodivergent and mentally ill people are rarely consulted or collaborated with regarding the policies, treatments and caregiving that will directly affect their bodyminds. This has led to ableist, neurotypical, and "sanist" theories and practices being normalized within the fields of medicine, psychiatry, theology, and psychotherapy. Whether or not a psychotherapist or faith leader is disabled, neurodivergent, or living with mental distress themselves, they are still often trained in models of psychotherapeutic and spiritual care that arise from and/or replicate ableist and neurotypical cultural norms to varying degrees of damage for disabled and neurodivergent individuals. This course engages with "mad" and "crip" frameworks to interrogate ableist, neurotypical, and sanist theories and practices, and to equip psychotherapists and spiritual care providers to provide treatment for disabled, neurodivergent, and mentally ill clients in more culturally appropriate ways. It also equips spiritual caregivers who may have internalized ableism and neurotypical normalizing tendencies to move deeper into their own self-understanding for this work. The course will invite those with lived experience of disability, neurodiversity and mental distress to apply their lived experience, learn to maintain appropriate boundaries and engage Safe and Effective Use of Self (SEUS).

Inspiring and profound are terms often attributed to the theology of von Balthasar. Benedict XVI said of his work, "His theological reflection maintains intact, to this day, a profound timeliness and leads many to penetrate ever more into the profundity of the mystery of faith". This course begins an exploration of his work. There is consideration of the Trilogy: Herrlichkeit, Theo-Drama and Theo-Logic; the influence of Ignatius Loyola and Adrienne von Speyr; and the place of Mary. Not a course for the faint-hearted, von Balthasar's work is at times dense and complex but the rewards are beyond price.

Inspiring and profound are terms often attributed to the theology of von Balthasar. Benedict XVI said of his work, "His theological reflection maintains intact, to this day, a profound timeliness and leads many to penetrate ever more into the profoundity of the mystery of faith". This course begins an exploration of his work. There is consideration of the Trilogy: Herrlichkeit, Theo-Drama and Theo-Logic; the influence of Ignatius Loyola and Adrienne von Speyr; and the place of Mary. Not a course for the faint-hearted, von Balthasar's work is at times dense and complex but the rewards are beyond price.

Inspiring and profound are terms often attributed to the theology of von Balthasar. Benedict XVI said of his work, "His theological reflection maintains intact, to this day, a profound timeliness and leads many to penetrate ever more into the profoundity of the mystery of faith". This course begins an exploration of his work. There is consideration of the Trilogy: Herrlichkeit, Theo-Drama and Theo-Logic; the influence of Ignatius Loyola and Adrienne von Speyr; and the place of Mary. Not a course for the faint-hearted, von Balthasar's work is at times dense and complex but the rewards are beyond price. Prerequisite: one year of theology, at least three theology courses. Lectures, seminar discussions, student presentations, one short paper and a research paper.

Inspiring and profound are terms often attributed to the theology of von Balthasar. Benedict XVI said of his work, "His theological reflection maintains intact, to this day, a profound timeliness and leads many to penetrate ever more into the profundity of the mystery of faith". This course begins an exploration of his work. There is consideration of the Trilogy: Herrlichkeit, Theo-Drama and Theo-Logic; the influence of Ignatius Loyola and Adrienne von Speyr; and the place of Mary. Not a course for the faint-hearted, von Balthasar's work is at times dense and complex but the rewards are beyond price.

Inspiring and profound are terms often attributed to the theology of von Balthasar. Benedict XVI said of his work, "His theological reflection maintains intact, to this day, a profound timeliness and leads many to penetrate ever more into the profoundity of the mystery of faith". This course begins an exploration of his work. There is consideration of the Trilogy: Herrlichkeit, Theo-Drama and Theo-Logic; the influence of Ignatius Loyola and Adrienne von Speyr; and the place of Mary. Not a course for the faint-hearted, von Balthasar's work is at times dense and complex but the rewards are beyond price.

Inspiring and profound are terms often attributed to the theology of von Balthasar. Benedict XVI said of his work, "His theological reflection maintains intact, to this day, a profound timeliness and leads many to penetrate ever more into the profundity of the mystery of faith". This course begins an exploration of his work. There is consideration of the Trilogy: Herrlichkeit, Theo-Drama and Theo-Logic; the influence of Ignatius Loyola and Adrienne von Speyr; and the place of Mary. Not a course for the faint-hearted, von Balthasar's work is at times dense and complex but the rewards are beyond price.

Inspiring and profound are terms often attributed to the theology of von Balthasar. Benedict XVI said of his work, "His theological reflection maintains intact, to this day, a profound timeliness and leads many to penetrate ever more into the profundity of the mystery of faith". This course begins an exploration of his work. There is consideration of the Trilogy: Herrlichkeit, Theo-Drama and Theo-Logic; the influence of Ignatius Loyola and Adrienne von Speyr; and the place of Mary. Not a course for the faint-hearted, von Balthasar's work is at times dense and complex but the rewards are beyond price.

Inspiring and profound are terms often attributed to the theology of von Balthasar. Benedict XVI said of his work, "His theological reflection maintains intact, to this day, a profound timeliness and leads many to penetrate ever more into the profundity of the mystery of faith". This course begins an exploration of his work. There is consideration of the Trilogy: Herrlichkeit, Theo-Drama and Theo-Logic; the influence of Ignatius Loyola and Adrienne von Speyr; and the place of Mary. Not a course for the faint-hearted, von Balthasar's work is at times dense and complex but the rewards are beyond price.