Course Catalogue 2026-2027

This course explores theological reflection in relation to violence and peace, particularly in Christian traditions. Theories of violence and non-violence as well as case studies from the past and present will provide the means to investigate the ways faith-based claims justify or promote enmity and hostility and/or hospitality and peacemaking in Christian practice. Attention may be given to violence/peace in connection with theologies of revelation and atonement; justice/love; gender, race, ethnicity, class, and disability; Empire and globalization processes; interfaith relations with Jewish, Muslim, and Canadian Aboriginal communities; and the possibility of forgiveness and reconciliation.

This course explores theological reflection in relation to violence and peace, particularly in Christian traditions. Theories of violence and non-violence as well as case studies from the past and present will provide the means to investigate the ways faith-based claims justify or promote enmity and hostility and/or hospitality and peacemaking in Christian practice. Attention may be given to violence/peace in connection with theologies of revelation and atonement; justice/love; gender, race, ethnicity, class, and disability; Empire and globalization processes; interfaith relations with Jewish, Muslim, and Canadian Aboriginal communities; and the possibility of forgiveness and reconciliation.

This course explores theological reflection in relation to violence and peace, particularly in Christian traditions. Theories of violence and non-violence as well as case studies from the past and present will provide the means to investigate the ways faith-based claims justify or promote enmity and hostility and/or hospitality and peacemaking in Christian practice. Attention may be given to violence/peace in connection with theologies of revelation and atonement; justice/love; gender, race, ethnicity, class, and disability; Empire and globalization processes; interfaith relations with Jewish, Muslim, and Canadian Aboriginal communities; and the possibility of forgiveness and reconciliation. Lectures, discussions, journal exercises, book review, presentation, and final research paper.

How do faith, justice, and the fate of the Earth come together in an urban context? This course explores this question while introducing students to concerns and debates in environmental ethics and ecological theology. Field trips, lectures, readings, guest speakers and class discussions will complement the readings. The course will include practical experience in local urban renewal initiatives, food community groups, and faith-based community stewardship programs, among others.

How do faith, justice, and the fate of the Earth come together in an urban context? This course explores this question while introducing students to concerns and debates in environmental ethics and ecological theology. Field trips, lectures, readings, guest speakers and class discussions will complement the readings. The course will include practical experience in local urban renewal initiatives, food community groups, and faith-based community stewardship programs, among others.

How do faith, justice, and the fate of the Earth come together in an urban context? This course explores this question while introducing students to concerns and debates in environmental ethics and ecological theology. Field trips, lectures, readings, guest speakers and class discussions will complement the readings. The course will include practical experience in local urban renewal initiatives, food community groups, and faith-based community stewardship programs, among others.

This advanced course explores the potential for civic/ecclesial partnership for social transformation in the city of Toronto. Students will serve for nine hours a week in a secular agency dedicated to social transformation, participating in a project within the agency on its own terms. In class students will explore issues related to partnership of ecclesial and civic organizations that pursue common goals with different motivations and ways in which social transformation can occur. Although the course will focus on social transformation in the city of Toronto, students are urged to develop analogies to the towns and villages they expect to serve after they have concluded their studies. Evaluation includes two written papers and a class presentation.

This advanced course explores the potential for civic/ecclesial partnership for social transformation in the city of Toronto. Students will serve for nine hours a week in a secular agency dedicated to social transformation, participating in a project within the agency on its own terms. In class students will explore issues related to partnership of ecclesial and civic organizations that pursue common goals with different motivations and ways in which social transformation can occur. Although the course will focus on social transformation in the city of Toronto, students are urged to develop analogies to the towns and villages they expect to serve after they have concluded their studies. Evaluation includes two written papers and a class presentation.

The seminar will undertake to study the comparative Sunni and Shi’ite theologies (‘ilm al-kalam) to underscore a historical development of Muslim creed in the context of social and political conditions. The course will concentrate on the development of Muslim Theology in general and the Sunni and Shi’ite creeds in particular. It will primarily be a comparative theological study, and secondarily Sunni-Shi’i doctrinal analysis. The major concern will be the development of creeds in Islam, the gradual process of formulating Principles of Religion (usul al-din), and their crystallization in the form of dogmas, with theological complexities. The essential difference between the Sunni and Shi’ite schools of thought begins in their emphasis on the fundamentality of leadership for the continuation of the prophetic mission. This difference also leads to their classification of the founding principles of Islam. While the Sunnites have insisted on a communal consensus regarding the centrality the community’s adherence to the Tradition for the continuation of the mission, the Shi’ites have regarded the ongoing need for authoritative guidance following the Prophethood, that is, the Imamate on rational-scriptural grounds.  The Sunnites have rejected the latter necessity on rational grounds. There is, however, agreement among all Muslims that three doctrines constitute the faith of Islam: Unity of God, Prophethood of Muhammad, and the Final Day of Judgment.  The Shi’ites add to these three two other doctrines: the Justice of God and the Imamate of the rightful successors of the Prophet. The Shi`a-Sunni differences have also impacted the development of juridical principles and ethical epistemologies based on the relationship between reason and revelation.

Eastern Christian thought has always been deeply concerned with ethical-social issues of the daily encounter with life and culture, but Christian Orthodoxy grounds solutions to these issues in tradition, not "progress". How should modern Orthodoxy respond to civil rights, war, sexuality, bioethics, multiculturalism, environmentalism, women's ministries, etc.?

Eastern Christian thought has always been deeply concerned with ethical-social issues of the daily encounter with life and culture, but Christian Orthodoxy grounds solutions to these issues in tradition, not "progress". How should modern Orthodoxy respond to civil rights, war, sexuality, bioethics, multiculturalism, environmentalism, women's ministries, etc.?

Eastern Christian thought has always been deeply concerned with ethical-social issues of the daily encounter with life and culture, but Christian Orthodoxy grounds solutions to these issues in tradition, not "progress". How should modern Orthodoxy respond to civil rights, war, sexuality, bioethics, multiculturalism, environmentalism, women's ministries, etc.?