Previous Years' Course Catalogues

This course examines theologies of Holy Scripture, along with differing understandings of hermeneutics and biblical interpretation. Particular attention will be given to the connection between the Bible and ecclesiology, as well as to Neo-Orthodox, Postliberal, and Feminist-Liberationist understandings of Scripture. The biblical text?s relationship to both personal and communal identity will be one of the courses principal themes. Students will engage with different models for understanding Holy Scripture, and explore the practical implications of such models for the use of the Bible in pastoral ministry.

The NT offers a vision of a renewed and transformed humanity. We will explore the various models of the spiritual and ethical life implied in this vision that are found in the four gospels, the Pauline letters, and the Pastoral Epistles. Special attention will be given to the first-century social and political context, especially that of the Roman Empire and its ideology. Issues of personal transformation, apocalyptic spirituality, ecstatic experience, prayer, violence, sexuality, gender, and exclusivity will be explored. Requirements: Assigned readings, participation (depending on class size), one 10-page final paper. No exams. Three books will be assigned as basic texts. Additional readings will be on reserve in the library.

The NT offers a vision of a renewed and transformed humanity. We will explore the various models of the spiritual and ethical life implied in this vision that are found in the four gospels, the Pauline letters, and the Pastoral Epistles. Special attention will be given to the first-century social and political context, especially that of the Roman Empire and its ideology. Issues of personal transformation, apocalyptic spirituality, ecstatic experience, prayer, violence, sexuality, gender, and exclusivity will be explored. Requirements: Assigned readings, participation (depending on class size), one 10-page final paper. No exams. Three books will be assigned as basic texts. Additional readings will be on reserve in the library.

The NT offers a vision of a renewed and transformed humanity. We will explore the various models of the spiritual and ethical life implied in this vision that are found in the four gospels, the Pauline letters, and the Pastoral Epistles. Special attention will be given to the first-century social and political context, especially that of the Roman Empire and its ideology. Issues of personal transformation, apocalyptic spirituality, ecstatic experience, prayer, violence, sexuality, gender, and exclusivity will be explored. Requirements: Assigned readings, participation (depending on class size), one 10-page final paper. No exams. Three books will be assigned as basic texts. Additional readings will be on reserve in the library.

The Decalogue of Krzysztof Kieslowski, an anthology of ten short films released in 1988, mark a major milestone in the history of cinema. They are powerful films, all masterpieces, created in a radically innovative style. More importantly, they propose, discuss and search resolutions for moral issues in uniquely insightful ways. The films, though independent narratives, belong together bound by reappearing characters, variations on themes and recurring, virtuoso images. Against the background of the Mosaic Law and its reception over the centuries, the course contends that while maintaining some relationship with the verses of the Mosaic Law, the films use the commandments as a springboard into a wider field of moral issues. They weave a rich and complex tapestry that reveals the utter complexity of the moral life in our contemporary urban experience. Most often, the films break open more traditional interpretations of the Mosaic Decalogue, as they seek subtler, more nuanced responses to human experience today. The course also will consider how Kieslowski's tightly-crafted narratives, often surprising, always challenging, avoid rendering judgment on the characters and demonstrate respect, compassion and even affection for them as they struggle to deal with very difficult situations. Significant social, political, cultural and psychological dimensions of human experience are always at play. While the course is particularly valid and useful for the discussion of issues in fundamental and moral theology, it also holds much interest for pastoral and spiritual theology, as the Decalogue films have repeatedly demonstrated their value in teaching and parish practice and in spiritual retreat experiences.

While theology has always found a fruitful dialogue partner in the arts, the course will approach the world of contemporary music in genres as diverse as rock, bluegrass, hip hop, folk and alternative rock as theological resources in their own right. Attending to the interweaving of biblical iconography, symbols, narratives, motifs and themes in the lyrics of these artists, we will explore the prophetic, pastoral, liturgical and theological contribution that they make for Christian reflection and praxis in a late modern socio-historical context. There will also be focussed attention on the artistry of Canadian singer/songwriter Bruce Cockburn. Seminar. Evaluation: class participation 25%, reflection papers or one major essay 75%.

Modern biblical exegesis and analysis of patristic texts privilege almost exclusively the written word. There is a growing appreciation for another dinemsion to biblical exegesis - the vuisual. Early Christian iconography and visual presentations were more than art. They played a vital role in forming theology, group identity and the consciousness of the community. Using examples from early Christian frescoes, mosaics, and illuminations, the course will demonstrate the reciprocal relationship between text, community, worship and theology. There are zeveral analytical tools to aid in the study of early Christian visuals. Careful attention will be paid to the following: 1) The passages or allusions that are used, or equally important, neglected 2) Where the visual is found also plays a role in determining its role, i.e., whether it is funerary or liturgical 3) The characters or themes depicted in their spatial relationship to each other 4) The influence of Greco-Roman iconography and symbolism 5) The diversw ways in which divinity is depicted 6) The influence of apocryphal or heterodox Christian texts 7) Historical and ecclesiastical pressures confronting the community.

This course is a brief introduction to the foundations - and some of the riches - of spirituality in the Catholic Church. It examines the nature of virtue (acquired and infused) and the gifts and fruits of the Spirit. It also considers the distinguishing features of Catholic education (elementary and high school) in the contemporary cultural context. It then invites reflection on the spirituality and vocation of the Catholic educator in this era of a new evangelization.

This course is a brief introduction to the foundations - and some of the riches - of spirituality in the Catholic Church. It examines the nature of virtue (acquired and infused) and the gifts and fruits of the Spirit. It also considers the distinguishing features of Catholic education (elementary and high school) in the contemporary cultural context. It then invites reflection on the spirituality and vocation of the Catholic educator in this era of a new evangelization.

This course is a brief introduction to the foundations - and some of the riches - of spirituality in the Catholic Church. It examines the nature of virtue (acquired and infused) and the gifts and fruits of the Spirit. It also considers the distinguishing features of Catholic education (elementary and high school) in the contemporary cultural context. It then invites reflection on the spirituality and vocation of the Catholic educator in this era of a new evangelization.

Throughout the biblical story, land, economic justice, and food justice are intimately linked. These themes, in turn, are rooted in a vibrant relationship between creation and the Creator, not to mention creation and humanity. This course will explore such biblical themes in light of competing views of land, economics and justice both in biblical times and in our own context, locally and internationally. Interactions with indigenous views of land, land justice and food security for immigrants and the poor in our city, the transition movement, bioregionalism and watershed discipleship, will all contribute to a biblical vision for a sustainable creation locally and on a global level. This course will include two or three site visits within the city of Toronto (to a community garden, a food co-op and the Native Canadian Centre), as well as an optional site visit outside of the city.

The idea of this course is to see how the relationship of pre-modern spiritual writing and some more technical treatments of Christology was one of mutual influence. While Pelikan has tried to join these in his book, it might be better to be aware of the range of genres of spiritual works, including ones where Christ seems to be more 'implicit'. The thorny issue of whether Christology went astray after the High Middle Ages will be considered, as well as Jesus in the Reformation and Post-Reformation period (Catholic and Protestant).