Course Catalogue 2026-2027

The cross-disciplinary migration of ethnography - or, more broadly, qualitative methods (QR) - has called not just for its application to, or even, integration with the various academic fields in which it lands. Rather, each discipline needs to reinvent and reimagine qualitative approaches in light of the nature, goals and norma of their own scholarly communities. Theology - where ethnographic approaches are increasingly being used - is not exempt from this need. While the sub-fields of Practical Theology and Ethics are best known for their use of ethnographic approaches to the theological disciplines, other sub-fields (e.g., Constructive/Systematics, Biblical studies, Digital Studies and more) have recently followed suit. Tobust conversations at these inter-disciplinary intersections are developing complex ways for arranging myriad vectors of knowledge production that contribute to a theological project. This course is designed for AD theology students (all research areas) intending to use ethnography or QR in their thesis projects. While exploring some of the QR methods most used by theologians, its man purpose is to engage with the core theological questions associated with the use of QR for theological purposes, including, but not limited to: reflexivity, normativity and representation. Ths course will be offered in a primarily asynchronous mode, with 4 synchronous meetings acheduled over the course of the semester.

This seminar offers an advanced introduction to comparative theological method. The course examines the processes by which theologians study theologies across religious boundaries and bring this learning into dialogue with home traditions through careful comparison, dialogical reflection, and nuanced theological understandings of religious belonging. Students will consider critiques and refinements of the practice of comparison, survey current methods of theological comparison, and frame a comparative research project according to their own theological interests. Because the class wrl! analyze examples from a variety of religious traditions, prior knowledge of multiple traditions is desirable but not required.

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.

This course is rooted in an ever-deepening awareness that all Christians are, by virtue of their baptism, incorporated into the People of God, and all of them “in their own way share the priestly, prophetic, and kingly office of Christ,” as they carry out their mission in the Church (Lumen Gentium #31). This course seeks to equip students with virtuous leadership skills and an understanding of lay ministry as they discern their place in the servant Church of Christ.

This course explores the development of monasticism in the first millennium of Christianity that continues to inform Christian life today. Attention will be paid to the biblical background and social-cultural context that led to its growth, as well as its relationship to the development of Christian institutions across the diverse cultural realities of the Christian East. The course also studies role monasticism played in the articulation of the liturgical, spiritual and doctrinal tradition.

This course explores the development of monasticism in the first millennium of Christianity that continues to inform Christian life today. Attention will be paid to the biblical background and social-cultural context that led to its growth, as well as its relationship to the development of Christian institutions across the diverse cultural realities of the Christian East. The course also studies role monasticism played in the articulation of the liturgical, spiritual and doctrinal tradition.

Catholic education, catechesis, and schooling are rooted in a centuries-long tradition of educating in faith as articulated in a variety of schools of spirituality. These schools of spirituality influence not only what is taught, but the educational approaches and practices that are used. This course will explore the foundational texts from major schools of spirituality and explore the ways that these have led to a variety of pedagogical practices in the formation of faith. Particular attention will be given to how these spiritual traditions inform the life of Catholic schools and universities, but application to other congregational and other ministerial contexts will also be explored.

Catholic education, catechesis, and schooling are rooted in a centuries-long tradition of educating in faith as articulated in a variety of schools of spirituality. These schools of spirituality influence not only what is taught, but the educational approaches and practices that are used. This course will explore the foundational texts from major schools of spirituality and explore the ways that these have led to a variety of pedagogical practices in the formation of faith. Particular attention will be given to how these spiritual traditions inform the life of Catholic schools and universities, but application to other congregational and other ministerial contexts will also be explored.

This course - Food/Justice, Farming, and Eco-Theology in the City - engages with these theological and ethical perspectives in the context of the Greater Toronto Area. Where does food in the city come from, how does it shape our communities and sense of belonging? Who gets to eat nutritious foods and who goes hungry? How are churches advocating for food justice? How may we decolonize our food systems in an urban environment? The course will focus in on these and other questions in conversation with and informed by (Christian) eco-theology, Ignatian (eco)-spirituality, and Indigenous teachings.

This course studies the contemporary ecumenical and interreligious movements from a Roman Catholic perspective. It offers an historical and theological overview of the issues that divide Christians as well as the bonds that unite them. It also explores relations with other religious traditions. The course is in English and held in Rome at the " Centro Pro Unione". Students will travel to Rome, participate fully in the lectures, seminars, workshops and excursions organized by the Centro's faculty.