Previous Years' Course Catalogues

This course explores the history and identity of what currently goes by many names-spiritual care, pastoral counseling, chaplaincy, congregational care. The first half of the course explores a series of "snapshots" of the historical foundations and classic texts from the Christian tradition, including Biblical warrants and early church practices, self-reflexivity, the rise of religious institutions of care, Roman Catholic sacramental vs Protestant life-support approaches, social gospel vs . clinical trajectories, clerical vs. lay participation, and correlation of mandates from faith traditions with those of human sciences. The second half of the course explores contemporary issues in the Canadian context, including challenges from postmodern, postcolonial, ecumenical, interfaith, and institutional perspectives. We will conclude with identity transformation issues as they currently inform debates surrounding the care of souls in hospitals, prisons, the military, nursing homes and congregations.

This course will examine the Catholic Church's understanding of culture and context as it applies to and in relation to a Christian understanding of leadership. The association between education, culture and its context, and leadership will also be explored. An understanding of how growth and conversion into responsible and authentic adulthood becomes the integral foundation that links cultural context and Catholic leadership.

This course will examine the Catholic Church's understanding of culture and context as it applies to and in relation to a Christian understanding of leadership. The association between education, culture and its context, and leadership will also be explored. An understanding of how growth and conversion into responsible and authentic adulthood becomes the integral foundation that links cultural context and Catholic leadership

This course will examine the Catholic Church's understanding of culture and context as it applies to and in relation to a Christian understanding of leadership.  The association between education, culture and its context, and leadership will also be explored.  An understanding of how growth and conversion into responsible and authentic adulthood becomes the integral foundation that links cultural context and Catholic leadership.  Lectures, seminar readings, discussion, class participation, one short and one long paper.  Basic Degree Students enrol in SMP3469H.

This course will examine the Catholic Church's understanding of culture and context as it applies to and in relation to a Christian understanding of leadership. The association between education, culture and its context, and leadership will also be explored. An understanding of how growth and conversion into responsible and authentic adulthood becomes the integral foundation that links cultural context and Catholic leadership. Lectures, seminar readings, discussion, class participation, one short and one long paper.

The Roman Catholic Church is in the midst of a Synodal process, one which Pope Francis has declared to be the ongoing manner of proceeding for the Church. "The Synod is not a parliament or an opinion poll; the Synod is an ecclesial event and its protagonist is the Holy Spirit." This course will trace the theological origins from Vatican II (Lumen Gentium and the particular focus on the People of God) and key characteristics of the process (listening, spiritual conversation, discernment, all of which have a significant theological foundation). The responses already received from the universal church will be considered including concern for: the ecumenical and inter-faith engagements that have occurred; the importance of co-responsibility; the participation of women and young people; and a universal concern for minority groups; the ongoing need for formation. The course will also consider the challenges that the process faces as it continues.

This course will use the Christian preaching in the first millennium as a laboratory to inform and develop the composition and delivery of contemporary homilies. We will discuss their methods of biblical exegesis, deployment of classical rhetoric, contributions to moral formation, and the development of Christian doctrine. Beyond exercises in composition and delivery of homilies, course also gives students an opportunity to refine peer review and self-assessment skills.

This course explores a biblical understanding of wisdom as an alternative to the theory into practice paradigm, which has dominated the way in which schooling is conducted at virtually all levels. According to the theory/practice story, schooling is the process by which theoretical insight and abstract academic understanding lay the foundations for an abundant life. The Christian gospel proclaims, however, that walking in the way of Jesus is truth and life. The challenge to the Christian school and the Christian teacher is how to be in the world of schooling while not being of it.

This course explores a biblical understanding of wisdom as an alternative to the theory into practice paradigm, which has dominated the way in which schooling is conducted at virtually all levels. According to the theory/practice story, schooling is the process by which theoretical insight and abstract academic understanding lay the foundations for an abundant life. The Christian gospel proclaims, however, that walking in the way of Jesus is truth and life. The challenge to the Christian school and the Christian teacher is how to be in the world of schooling while not being of it. This online course employs an extensive Study Guide, a book, book chapters and journal articles, with an online discussion forum and Skype/telephone conferencing. Participation in the forum and a professionally-oriented research paper will provide the basis for evaluation.

This course explores a biblical understanding of wisdom as an alternative to the theory into practice paradigm, which has dominated the way in which schooling is conducted at virtually all levels. According to the theory/practice story, schooling is the process by which theoretical insight and abstract academic understanding lay the foundations for an abundant life. The Christian gospel proclaims, however, that walking in the way of Jesus is truth and life. The challenge to the Christian school and the Christian teacher is how to be in the world of schooling while not being of it. This online course employs an extensive Study Guide, a book, book chapters and journal articles, with an online discussion forum and Skype/telephone conferencing. Participation in the forum and a professionally-oriented research paper will provide the basis for evaluation.

Participants in the course will investigate and evaluate significant perspectives on the learning process in order to understand the assumptions of various theories and to interpret these from a biblically- informed standpoint. They will review current research into child development and learning (e.g. brain research, cognitive processes, multiple intelligences, learning styles ) in seeking to develop a coherent understanding of the relationships between various learning theories, on the basis of a Christian view of the person and of the knowledge. An action research project will enable participants to test an approach to learning that is relevant to their educational responsibilities. The course employs and extensive Study Guide, three books plus book chapters and journal articles, with an online discussion forum and Skype/ telephone conferencing. Participation in the forum and a professionally-oriented research paper will provide the basis for evaluation. Study Guide to accompany texts and readings; online discussion forum; Skype/ telephone conferencing. Online forum participation (30%); Research paper (70%).

Participants in the course will investigate and evaluate significant perspectives on the learning process in order to understand the assumptions of various theories and to interpret these from a biblically- informed standpoint. They will review current research into child development and learning (e.g. brain research, cognitive processes, multiple intelligences, learning styles ) in seeking to develop a coherent understanding of the relationships between various learning theories, on the basis of a Christian view of the person and of the knowledge. An action research project will enable participants to test an approach to learning that is relevant to their educational responsibilities