Course Catalogue 2026-2027

This course examines the presence of religious meaning in a secular world. In doing so, the course discusses the realities that threaten modern belief, such as secularism, plurality and human suffer- ing. In appraising these challenges to modern religious belief, this course makes available certain theological resources available to theology, such as prayer, so as to devise a theological response to religious meaning in a secular world. Johann Baptist Metz is a prominent interlocutor in this course, given his significant contribution in developing political theology that addresses questions of religious meaning in a secular world.

This course examines the presence of religious meaning in a secular world. In doing so, the course discusses the realities that threaten modern belief, such as secularism, plurality and human suffer- ing. In appraising these challenges to modern religious belief, this course makes available certain theological resources available to theology, such as prayer, so as to devise a theological response to religious meaning in a secular world. Johann Baptist Metz is a prominent interlocutor in this course, given his significant contribution in developing political theology that addresses questions of religious meaning in a secular world.

This course examines the presence of religious meaning in a secular world. In doing so, the course discusses the realities that threaten modern belief, such as secularism, plurality and human suffer- ing. In appraising these challenges to modern religious belief, this course makes available certain theological resources available to theology, such as prayer, so as to devise a theological response to religious meaning in a secular world. Johann Baptist Metz is a prominent interlocutor in this course, given his significant contribution in developing political theology that addresses questions of religious meaning in a secular world.

This seminar explores the claim of diverse Christian traditions in South Asia to be religious traditions of South Asia, with special attention to these traditions' indigenisation and social interactions with majority Hindu traditions. Our study will begin with an overview of the historical development of Christianity in India from the first century CE to the present. In a second unit, we move to close readings of major theological articulations for and against an indigenous South Asian Christianity. Finally, our attention will tum to the concept of "ritual dialogue" in Christian practice and the ethnographic study of Christian communities in India. Most of our attention will be focused on Christian traditions in South India, but students are encouraged to choose topics related to Christianity in other parts of India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and/or Bhutan for their research papers.

This seminar explores the claim of diverse Christian traditions in South Asia to be religious traditions of South Asia, with special attention to these traditions' indigenisation and social interactions with majority Hindu traditions. Our study will begin with an overview of the historical development of Christianity in India from the first century CE to the present. In a second unit, we move to close readings of major theological articulations for and against an indigenous South Asian Christianity. Finally, our attention will tum to the concept of "ritual dialogue" in Christian practice and the ethnographic study of Christian communities in India. Most of our attention will be focused on Christian traditions in South India, but students are encouraged to choose topics related to Christianity in other parts of India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and/or Bhutan for their research papers.

This seminar explores the claim of diverse Christian traditions in South Asia to be religious traditions of South Asia, with special attention to these traditions' indigenisation and social interactions with majority Hindu traditions. Our study will begin with an overview of the historical development of Christianity in India from the first century CE to the present. In a second unit, we move to close readings of major theological articulations for and against an indigenous South Asian Christianity. Finally, our attention will tum to the concept of "ritual dialogue" in Christian practice and the ethnographic study of Christian communities in India. Most of our attention will be focused on Christian traditions in South India, but students are encouraged to choose topics related to Christianity in other parts of India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and/or Bhutan for their research papers.

This seminar explores the claim of diverse Christian traditions in South Asia to be religious traditions of South Asia, with special attention to these traditions' indigenisation and social interactions with majority Hindu traditions. Our study will begin with an overview of the historical development of Christianity in India from the first century CE to the present. In a second unit, we move to close readings of major theological articulations for and against an indigenous South Asian Christianity. Finally, our attention will tum to the concept of "ritual dialogue" in Christian practice and the ethnographic study of Christian communities in India. Most of our attention will be focused on Christian traditions in South India, but students are encouraged to choose topics related to Christianity in other parts of India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and/or Bhutan for their research papers.

What can theology bring to a consideration of authority, mediation and asymmetrical relationships in the Church in the light of the abuse crisis? This is a question that runs throughout the course. In this area the focus has been on protocols and policies: legal, canonical, procedural, psychological, financial, sociological and cultural all factors that must be considered. The forgotten dimension, however, is the theology that informs our response as churches to this crisis. Within the Christian faith tradition there are theological resources that can be re-appropriated so as to bring life-giving insights. In order to access these, it is important that we acknowledge that abuse is not just wrong or sinful (of course it is) but that it profoundly wounds both those who are abused and the body of Christ. At its heart it is a profanation of the very person of Christ. It is Jesus himself who asserts this reality “whatever you do to the least … you do to me.” (Matt 25:40).

What can theology bring to a consideration of authority, mediation and asymmetrical relationships in the Church in the light of the abuse crisis? This is a question that runs throughout the course. In this area the focus has been on protocols and policies: legal, canonical, procedural, psychological, financial, sociological and cultural all factors that must be considered. The forgotten dimension, however, is the theology that informs our response as churches to this crisis. Within the Christian faith tradition there are theological resources that can be re-appropriated so as to bring life-giving insights. In order to access these, it is important that we acknowledge that abuse is not just wrong or sinful (of course it is) but that it profoundly wounds both those who are abused and the body of Christ. At its heart it is a profanation of the very person of Christ. It is Jesus himself who asserts this reality “whatever you do to the least … you do to me.” (Matt 25:40).

What can theology bring to a consideration of authority, mediation and asymmetrical relationships in the Church in the light of the abuse crisis? This is a question that runs throughout the course. In this area the focus has been on protocols and policies: legal, canonical, procedural, psychological, financial, sociological and cultural all factors that must be considered. The forgotten dimension, however, is the theology that informs our response as churches to this crisis. Within the Christian faith tradition there are theological resources that can be re-appropriated so as to bring life-giving insights. In order to access these, it is important that we acknowledge that abuse is not just wrong or sinful (of course it is) but that it profoundly wounds both those who are abused and the body of Christ. At its heart it is a profanation of the very person of Christ. It is Jesus himself who asserts this reality “whatever you do to the least … you do to me.” (Matt 25:40).

This course explores the fundamental theory, assumptions and practices of narrative therapy, a form of therapy developed in New Zealand and Australia in connection with indigenous people. Using a combination of free online material from the Dulwich Centre in Australia and class meetings during the regular semester, it explores the role of the therapist and the practice of therapy in utilizing narrative therapy techniques to address not only individual and family distress but also community and political structures of oppression. Narrative therapy explores with clients and communities how the structures of oppression can be used for healing, and works with communities to empower them in their own healing.

This course explores the fundamental theory, assumptions and practices of narrative therapy, a form of therapy developed in New Zealand and Australia in connection with indigenous people. Using a combination of free online material from the Dulwich Centre in Australia and class meetings during the regular semester, it explores the role of the therapist and the practice of therapy in utilizing narrative therapy techniques to address not only individual and family distress but also community and political structures of oppression. Narrative therapy explores with clients and communities how the structures of oppression can be used for healing, and works with communities to empower them in their own healing.