Course Catalogue 2026-2027

This course introduces not only the systematic but also the constructive and contextual character of Christian theology. Participants will (1) become further acquainted with the sources, methods, tasks, and traditions of Christian theology; (2) become familiar with important theological themes, especially as they respond to intellectual and social challenges presented by historical contexts; (3) be encouraged to do theology, thinking creatively about faith in a contemporary context. Basic Christian themes considered will include God and creation, evil and providence, the human condition, Jesus Christ and salvation, the Church, and eschatology. Theological perspectives addressed will include formative and alternative theological traditions.

This course surveys the diverse ideals, practices, and traditions of Buddhism in its formative period in India. By reading primary and secondary sources central to Buddhism, we will examine key concepts, doctrines, and practices in the Theravada, Mahayana, and Tantric traditions. Having acquired a solid understanding of the history and doctrine of Buddhism, students will learn to apply these understandings to critically analyze contemporary issues from a Buddhist perspective.

This course surveys the diverse ideals, practices, and traditions of Buddhism in its formative period in India. By reading primary and secondary sources central to Buddhism, we will examine key concepts, doctrines, and practices in the Theravada, Mahayana, and Tantric traditions. Having acquired a solid understanding of the history and doctrine of Buddhism, students will learn to apply these understandings to critically analyze contemporary issues from a Buddhist perspective.

This course will explore the establishment of Residential Schools in Canada and their impacts that shaped the current realities for many Indigenous communities and people (First Nations, Métis and Inuit); the role of Christian Churches in these schools; and the path(s) to relationship-building and "reconciliation", as offered in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action. The goals of the course include: (1) introducing the ideology in developing residential schools and their relationship with colonization; (2) introducing resources available that address the TRC; (3) reflecting on the challenges with the idea and implementation of activities that focus on reconciliation and strategies that build relationships with Indigenous communities. The course will examine the Calls to Action, with focus on CTA 59 and 60.

This course will introduce students to diverse worldviews relating to Indigenous spiritual beliefs and practices, specifically focusing on: pre-contact traditions; the introduction of Christianity and missionaries; the banning and resurgence of ceremonies; and the survival and evolution of these practices within a Christian context. Students will also explore specific historical members of Indigenous communities engaged in different Christian traditions.

This course is an introduction to Islamic spirituality with a focus on Sufism, often referred to as the "mystical" tradition of Islam. It offers a historical and topical survey of the tradition's foundational beliefs, practices, and diverse expressions. The course will examine the rise of Sufi orders, the experiential dimension of Sufism, "theosophical" Sufism, and, finally, the contribution of Sufism to the Islamic arts and literatures.

Classic Buddhist scriptures have been traditionally classified in three major Categories: Sotra texts that record the teachings of the historical Buddha, Vrnaya texts that narrate disciplinary rules for the Buddhist monastic community, and Sastra texts that function as commentarial treatises on the Buddha's teachings; This course introduces students to classic Buddhist texts in each of these three categories to lielp students become familiar with literary discourse on foundational Buddhist doctrines, ethics, and thought. In this class, students will learn the history of the formation and t!1e reception of a list of carefully selected canonical texts in each category, read English translations of the original text. When available, original editions of these texts in Sanskrit, Pali, Chinese, or Tibetan will also be provided for those who are interested in exploring further.

This orientation to several dimensions of Christian ethics - language, sources, norms, methods and concerns - aims to foster ethical awareness for dealing with moral challenges in personal, social, and church/religious life. To practice Canadian ethical reflection, these dimensions are introduced with reference to several concrete social issues and the public vocation of Christian ethics.

Through analysis of doctrinal statements of The United Church of Canada, their historical origins and contemporary theology, this course will enable students to become acquainted with United Church theology and the processes by which it has been developed, and to articulate their own faith in relation to their own experience, the faith of the church, and the practice of ministry in the context of challenges of today. Students will participate in the process by which "Christians of each new generation are called to state [the faith of the church] afresh in terms of the thought of their own age and with the emphasis their age needs" (Preamble, A Statement of Faith, 1940). Doctrinal statements on which the course will focus include the Doctrine section of the Basis of Union (1925), A Statement of Faith I1940), and A Song of Faith (2006); theological statements from other United Church documents will also be considered. Course methods include readings, discussions, and papers, and will incorporate students' reflections on their experience and integration of theory and practice into discussions and papers.

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.

This course explores creativity and its theological significance, drawing from interdisciplinary sources to consider the imagination, creative process and the arts in relation to the life of faith and spiritual practice. Even though creativity is often associated with intentional artistic endeavours, the capacity to imagine, improvise, innovate, and make/construct is intrinsic to human life e.g., in daily routines and relationships, rituals, stories, spiritual identity, personal resilience, empathy, community building, and peace and justice building. By paying attention to various dimensions of creativity, human and divine, the course investigates the making and perceiving of beauty in the world as an orientation toward value and personal and communal transformation. It thus seeks move beyond cognitive and entrepreneur models of creativity as well as dichotomies of action vs. reflection in theology. Particular consideration is given to visual arts and music.

This course is a seminary format historical retracing of the main figures, movements, and issues which have emerged overtime in the fields of Christian ethics. Starting with the early church through to contempOrary times, this course is an in-depth analysis of the development of Christian understanding of right and wrong, human morality, concerns for justice, peace, freedom, etc. Major emphasis is given to enhancing participants' skills in analyzing ethical arguments from different periods, from their own cultural and religious background and context.