Previous Years' Course Catalogues

Postmodernity as a cultural phenomenon, implications in various areas of cultural endeavour (including politics, philosophy, psychology, theology, the arts, and science), and work toward an integral Christian worldview that gives guidance in a post-modern world. A particular concern will be to plumb the resources of Scripture for such a cultural context. Teaching method: seminars, lectures, multimedia. Evaluation is based upon essays (one 5-7 page essay, one 15-20 page essay)and participation.

The course will look at the Reformed and Methodist traditions associated with the theologies of John Calvin and John Wesley, their roots, development, and intersection, particularly in Canada. Themes such as mission, evangelism, engagement with society, theological convergences and controversies will be explored, with specific reference to The Presbyterian Church in Canada, The United Church of Canada, and their antecedent denominations. Lectures and discussion. Evaluation: Informed participation in group discussions; mid-term writing assignment; final project. This course will be held at Knox College

The course will look at the Reformed and Methodist traditions associated with the theologies of John Calvin and John Wesley, their roots, development, and intersection, particularly in Canada. Themes such as mission, evangelism, engagement with society, theological convergences and controversies will be explored, with specific reference to The Presbyterian Church in Canada, The United Church of Canada, and their antecedent denominations.

A seminar format historical retracing and ethical consideration of various truth and reconciliation commissions (TRCs) or Justice, Truth, and Reconciliation Commissions (JTRC) in different countries across the world. A survey exploration of the social, political, economic, and religious context specific factors which gave birth to adopting TRCs or JTRCs in different countries, and the larger societal ethical implications they bring to notions of truth-telling, restorative and redistributive justice, social equity, and reconciliation. Emphasis on key themes, historical events, and actors. This course responds in part to Canada's TRC's calls to action # 49 & 60.

Building upon what is broadly understood as liberation discourses and theologies, this course explores the salientmethodological featuresand topicsof emerging decolonial thinking and discourses. We will study the various theoreticalshifts as articulated by decolonial thinkers and examine how these complex theoretical currents signal a reconfiguration of inherited forms of knowledge, understanding of the world, ethical perspectives, constructions of morality, and the theological task. The focus of this course is to gain insight intothe main ideas, specific methodologies, and key authors involved in the development and proliferation of these diverse theoretical currents, and their relevance for the task of theology and ministry. The course will include lectures, seminars, and readings, and will be evaluated by way of class participation and class presentations, book reviews and final essay.

Building upon what is broadly understood as liberation discourses and theologies, this course explores the salient methodological features and topics of emerging decolonial thinking and discourses. We will study the various theoretical shifts as articulated by decolonial thinkers and examine how these complex theoretical currents signal a reconfiguration of inherited forms of knowledge, understanding of the world, ethical perspectives, constructions of morality, and the theological task. The focus of this course is to gain insight into the main ideas, specific methodologies, and key authors involved in the development and proliferation of these diverse theoretical currents, and their relevance for the task of theology and ministry.

Building upon what is broadly understood as liberation discourses and theologies, this course explores the salient methodological features and topics of emerging decolonial thinking and discourses. We will study the various theoretical shifts as articulated by decolonial thinkers and examine how these complex theoretical currents signal a reconfiguration of inherited forms of knowledge, understanding of the world, ethical perspectives, constructions of morality, and the theological task. The focus of this course is to gain insight into the main ideas, specific methodologies, and key authors involved in the development and proliferation of these diverse theoretical currents, and their relevance for the task of theology and ministry.

A seminar format historical retracing and ethical consideration of various truth and reconciliation commissions (TRCs) or Justice, Truth, and Reconciliation Commissions (JTRC) in different countries across the world. A survey exploration of the social, political, economic, and religious context specific factors which gave birth to adopting TRCs or JTRCs in different countries, and the larger societal ethical implications they bring to notions of truth-telling, restorative and redistributive justice, social equity, and reconciliation. Emphasis on key themes, historical events, and actors. This course responds in part to Canada's TRC's calls to action # 49 & 60.

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." "Beauty is only skin deep." For many, beauty is a 'superficial' concept whlch seems out of place in Christian theology. However, Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar wrote that the person who forgets or sneers at beauty "can no longer pray and soon will be unable to love." Is beauty of vital importance to our understanding of God? The history of Christian thought is full of discussions of the beauty of God and creation, from Augustine's beauty "ever ancient, ever new" to theologians as diverse as Jonathan Edwards and David Bentley Hart. Moreover, the past century has seen the rise of "theological aesthetics," a renewed attempt to recover an approach to both knowing God through beauty and investigating earthly beauty in light of divine glory. This course will examine topics such as the beauty of the Triune God, the beauty of the cross, and the beauty of humanity in the image of God by surveying the work of major theologians from across the broad spectrum of the Christian tradition. We will then attempt to bring a "theology of beauty" into conversation with contemporary cultural discussions of beauty and meaning, including issues surrounding art, justice and the human person.

Queer Theory challenges feminist theory's and gay and lesbian studies' focus on tolerance and inclusion with radical deconstructive critiques of the institutions and practices that produce gender and sexuality norms to begin with. Theologies in dialogue with queer theory thus presuppose the full inclusion of LGTBQ people in the life and leadership of churches - rather than argue for it- to articulate constructive theological projects out of queer practices. In this course, students engage foundational texts in queer/genderqueer Theologies to begin constructing their own theological positions in a context that disrupts binary understandings of gender and heteronormative views of sexuality. Doctrines of God, Christology and soteriology will be addressed, as will theological interpretations of marriage, family and kinship networks.

Queer Theory challenges feminist theory's and gay and lesbian studies' focus on tolerance and inclusion with radical deconstructive critiques of the institutions and practices that produce gender and sexuality norms to begin with. Theologies in dialogue with queer theory thus presuppose the full inclusion of LGTBQ people in the life and leadership of churches- rather than argue for it- to articulate constructive theological projects out of queer practices. In this course, students engage foundational texts in queer/genderqueer Theologies to begin constructing their own theological positions in a context that disrupts binary understandings of gender and heteronormative views of sexuality. Doctrines of God, Christology and soteriology will be addressed, as will theological interpretations of marriage, family and kinship networks.

Queer Theory challenges feminist theory's and gay and lesbian studies' focus on tolerance and inclusion with radical deconstructive critiques of the institutions and practices that produce gender and sexuality norms to begin with. Theologies in dialogue with queer theory thus presuppose the full inclusion of LGTBQ people in the life and leadership of churches- rather than argue for it- to articulate constructive theological projects out of queer practices. In this course, students engage foundational texts in queer/genderqueer Theologies to begin constructing their own theological positions in a context that disrupts binary understandings of gender and heteronormative views of sexuality. Doctrines of God, Christology and soteriology will be addressed, as will theological interpretations of marriage, family and kinship networks. Foundational courses in theology required as pre-requisites. This course fulfills the Emmanuel College designated elective in Theology.