Course Catalogue 2026-2027

Introduction to the gospel and letters of John concerning authorship, unity, historicity and the situation of the Johannine church. Exploration of basic themes in this tradition and what they reveal about the life of Jesus and believing in him. Exegesis of selected passages from the Gospel and 1 John.

Chan, popularly known as "Zen" in Japanese, is a major Chinese school of Mahayana Buddhism whose influence extends well beyond religious traditions into philosophy, culture, and aesthetics. This introductory course provides students with a solid foundation in Chan Buddhism, its historical development, and its central philosophical concerns. Designed primarily for students in theology, philosophy, and religious studies, the course is also open to students from other disciplines interested in Buddhist thought in its Chinese context. A central focus is the Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch, one of the most important Chan texts. Through lectures, readings, and discussion, students will examine key issues in Chan studies, including textual history, interpretation, and philosophical significance. No prior background in Buddhism or Classical Chinese is required, though engagement with selected original Chinese passages is encouraged.

A survey of the Pauline literature from the Thessalonian correspondence to the Pastoral Letters. A critical study of primary and secondary sources for understanding Paul's life and ministry, followed by a detailed exegesis of selected texts. Key concepts in 'Pauline theology'.

This course offers an introduction to anthropology as a philosophical discipline. We will look at its fundamental questions, the principal steps of its historical development, and its major proponents, including Philosophische Anthropologie as it emerged in 20thcentury Germany. We will examine the current relevance of anthropology within philosophy and for wider public debates, including those on current ecological, technological, theological, and other ethical issues.

This course offers an introduction to anthropology as a philosophical discipline. We will look at its fundamental questions, the principal steps of its historical development, and its major proponents, including Philosophische Anthropologie as it emerged in 20thcentury Germany. We will examine the current relevance of anthropology within philosophy and for wider public debates, including those on current ecological, technological, theological, and other ethical issues.

This course is a philosophical examination of some fundamental questions in Christian metaphysics: How do we make sense of reality? Can we prove that God exists? How are God and the world related? More specifically, if God created the world, how do the Big Bang and evolution fit into the picture?

This course is a philosophical examination of some fundamental questions in Christian metaphysics: How do we make sense of reality? Can we prove that God exists? How are God and the world related? More specifically, if God created the world, how do the Big Bang and evolution fit into the picture?

A theological-canonical reflection on selected canons in Book IV of the 1983 Code of Canon Law, excluding the canons on the Sacrament of Matrimony. Particular emphasis will be placed on issues concerning parish ministry. Canons will be reviewed in light of the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, postconciliar legislation, and the process of revising the Code of Canon Law.

Roman Catholic Church legislation on institution of marriage with special attention to the teaching of Vatican Council II.

In this course, we will look at some of the central problems of epistemology: What is knowledge? How do we get it? Exactly what do we know, anyway? How does knowledge differ from belief? And how do we respond to the challenges of scepticism and post-modernism? After starting with a historical survey of the answers to these questions, we will examine the answers proposed by the Jesuit theologian Bernard Lonergan.

The responsibility of good administration and informed governance is a vital, if unsung, aspect of ministry in a conciliar system. This course will explore the mandates of collaborative congregational leadership, financial stewardship, effective communication and mission strategy in the context of current and emerging forms of United Church polity, and in view of the impact of changing demographics.

Moral and political philosophy differ from other branches of philosophy because they practical—which is to say, they tell us not just how we should think but also how we should live. This course is a historical examination of different approaches to living our lives both as individuals (= moral philosophy) and as communities (= political philosophy). First, we will look at the foundations of Western moral and political thought in Plato and Thomas Aquinas; next at the Enlightenment approaches of Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill; and then at Friedrich Nietzsche's attack on all of Western philosophy. Finally, we will consider the ideas of Emmanuel Levinas and of two contemporary Indigenous thinkers to see whether their approaches can survive Nietzsche's scathing critique.

Students will be constantly encouraged to apply different philosophical theories to their personal experience to evaluate both the strengths and weaknesses of the theories and of their own moral behaviour.