Previous Years' Course Catalogues

This course will examine how the Bible has been read, interpreted, and proclaimed by women beginning with the period of the early church and including the writings of medieval visionaries, renaissance exegetes and continuing into the modern and post-modern periods. Women’s interpretations of the Bible will be examined with a view to recovering women’s readings and counter-readings of biblical texts and raising relevant methodological and hermeneutical questions for modern readers. We will particularly focus particularly on women’s interpretations of Genesis 1-3 and Pauline texts.

This course will examine how the Bible has been read, interpreted and proclaimed by women beginning with the period of the early church and including the writings of medieval visionaries, renaissance exegetes and continuing into the modern and post-modern periods. Women's interpretations of the Bible will be examined with a view to recovering women's readings and counter readings of biblical texts & raising relevant methodological and hermeneutical questions for modern readers. Lectures, student presentations, small group discussions. Evaluation: presentation and final paper.

This course will examine how the Bible has been read, interpreted, and proclaimed by women beginning with the period of the early church and including the writings of medieval visionaries, renaissance exegetes and continuing into the modern and post-modern periods. Women’s interpretations of the Bible will be examined with a view to recovering women’s readings and counter-readings of biblical texts and raising relevant methodological and hermeneutical questions for modern readers. We will particularly focus particularly on women’s interpretations of Genesis 1-3 and Pauline texts.

Ecological concerns have begun to permeate our collective consciousness. Rapid species extinction, poisoned air, forest clear-cutting, ozone depletion, global climate change, "climate justice" and the impact of climate "chaos" on vulnerable communities, all weigh heavily on our personal, intellectual, and spiritual lives.
Christian communities are increasingly realizing that their faith and outreach must somehow speak to our present ecological crisis if they are to remain vital, and if they are to remain responsible, faithful, and relevant amidst these profound threats to the flourishing of creation.
This course examines how religious and spiritual concerns interface with contemporary environmental issues. While introducing students to concerns and debates in environmental ethics and ecological theology, the course pays particular attention to the challenges posed within a Canadian post-industrial context such as Hamilton, Ontario. In recent years, a growing social and ecological awareness has been emerging in Hamilton, with A Rocha recently opening a ministry there, urban agriculture groups (e.g. Victory Gardens) sprouting up, and church involvement in the True City movement. This course proposes to interface with such groups, including guest presentations from these organizations as well as site visits.
Through such interaction, as well as readings, films, class discussions, and course assignments, a variety of Christian responses to our present ecological and social challenges will be probed, including biblical andtheological notions of stewardship and creation care. As well Christian approaches to environmental racism, urban and community supported agriculture, and the nexus between the option for the poor and the option for the earth will be addressed.

The United Church of Canada is known as a liberal denomination that merged Methodists, Congregationalists and Presbyterians, whose histories are based in Wesleyan and Calvinist thought and practice. The 18th century Methodist tradition from which it derived became a church in community, ministering through schools, hospitals, prisons, economic cooperatives, and other institutions that served disenfranchised people in 18th century England and Ireland. This course explores how Wesleyan thought might be retrieved as a foundation for the current "church and community" priorities of the United Church of Canada: 1) Healthy and Faithful Congregations; 2) Youth and Young Adult Ministries; 3) Right Relations with First Nations; and 4) Intercultural Congregations. Students from denominations other than the United Church may prepare their work in relation to their own church's emphases. Prerequisite: basic course in theology. Lectures, readings, class participation, discussions, student presentations and final project.

This course explores theological reflection in relation to violence and peace, particularly in Christian traditions. Theories of violence and non-violence as well as case studies from the past and present will provide the means to investigate the ways faith-based claims justify or promote enmity and hostility and/or hospitality and peacemaking in Christian practice. Attention may be given to violence/peace in connection with theologies of revelation and atonement; justice/love; gender, race, ethnicity, class, and disability; Empire and globalization processes; interfaith relations with Jewish, Muslim, and Canadian Aboriginal communities; and the possibility of forgiveness and reconciliation.

This course explores theological reflection in relation to violence and peace, particularly in Christian traditions. Theories of violence and non-violence as well as case studies from the past and present will provide the means to investigate the ways faith-based claims justify or promote enmity and hostility and/or hospitality and peacemaking in Christian practice. Attention may be given to violence/peace in connection with theologies of revelation and atonement; justice/love; gender, race, ethnicity, class, and disability; Empire and globalization processes; interfaith relations with Jewish, Muslim, and Canadian Aboriginal communities; and the possibility of forgiveness and reconciliation.

This course explores theological reflection in relation to violence and peace, particularly in Christian traditions. Theories of violence and non-violence as well as case studies from the past and present will provide the means to investigate the ways faith-based claims justify or promote enmity and hostility and/or hospitality and peacemaking in Christian practice. Attention may be given to violence/peace in connection with theologies of revelation and atonement; justice/love; gender, race, ethnicity, class, and disability; Empire and globalization processes; interfaith relations with Jewish, Muslim, and Canadian Aboriginal communities; and the possibility of forgiveness and reconciliation. Lectures, discussions, journal exercises, book review, presentation, and final research paper.

This course explores theological reflection in relation to violence and peace, particularly in Christian traditions. Theories of violence and non-violence as well as case studies from the past and present will provide the means to investigate the ways faith-based claims justify or promote enmity and hostility and/or hospitality and peacemaking in Christian practice. Attention may be given to violence/peace in connection with theologies of revelation and atonement; justice/love; gender, race, ethnicity, class, and disability; Empire and globalization processes; interfaith relations with Jewish, Muslim, and Canadian Aboriginal communities; and the possibility of forgiveness and reconciliation.

How do faith, justice, and the fate of the Earth come together in an urban context? This course explores this question while introducing students to concerns and debates in environmental ethics and ecological theology. Field trips, lectures, readings, guest speakers and class discussions will complement the readings. The course will include practical experience in local urban renewal initiatives, food community groups, and faith-based community stewardship programs, among others.

How do faith, justice, and the fate of the Earth come together in an urban context? This course explores this question while introducing students to concerns and debates in environmental ethics and ecological theology. Field trips, lectures, readings, guest speakers and class discussions will complement the readings. The course will include practical experience in local urban renewal initiatives, food community groups, and faith-based community stewardship programs, among others.

How do faith, justice, and the fate of the Earth come together in an urban context? This course explores this question while introducing students to concerns and debates in environmental ethics and ecological theology. Field trips, lectures, readings, guest speakers and class discussions will complement the readings. The course will include practical experience in local urban renewal initiatives, food community groups, and faith-based community stewardship programs, among others.