Course Catalogue 2026-2027

Against the backdrop of revived enthusiasm for "Traditional Latin Liturgy

Against the backdrop of revived enthusiasm for "Traditional Latin Liturgy” in parts of the Catholic Church in recent years, this course will invite students to a deep engagement with the historical processes that transformed the loosely organized local liturgical traditions of early medieval Rome and Gaul into a sophisticated pan-European rite.  Close study of the various annual cycles of prayers, readings and chants of the Mass and Divine Office, along with the external religious and political pressures that shaped their development over time, will be combined with an investigation of how liturgists and ordinary worshippers of different periods during the Middle Ages interpreted their liturgies as a unified system that both expressed theological truth and was itself a fitting object of theological reflection.

Against the backdrop of revived enthusiasm for "Traditional Latin Liturgy” in parts of the Catholic Church in recent years, this course will invite students to a deep engagement with the historical processes that transformed the loosely organized local liturgical traditions of early medieval Rome and Gaul into a sophisticated pan-European rite.  Close study of the various annual cycles of prayers, readings and chants of the Mass and Divine Office, along with the external religious and political pressures that shaped their development over time, will be combined with an investigation of how liturgists and ordinary worshippers of different periods during the Middle Ages interpreted their liturgies as a unified system that both expressed theological truth and was itself a fitting object of theological reflection.
Prerequisites: an introductory course on medieval liturgy (e.g. TRH 3725HS or MST 3501F); basic knowledge of the Latin language (such as could be acquired by taking SAJ 1501HY or MST 1000Y); and the ability to make use of secondary literature in either French or German (for research towards the final course paper).

Against the backdrop of revived enthusiasm for "Traditional Latin Liturgy” in parts of the Catholic Church in recent years, this course will invite students to a deep engagement with the historical processes that transformed the loosely organized local liturgical traditions of early medieval Rome and Gaul into a sophisticated pan-European rite.  Close study of the various annual cycles of prayers, readings and chants of the Mass and Divine Office, along with the external religious and political pressures that shaped their development over time, will be combined with an investigation of how liturgists and ordinary worshippers of different periods during the Middle Ages interpreted their liturgies as a unified system that both expressed theological truth and was itself a fitting object of theological reflection.
Prerequisites: an introductory course on medieval liturgy (e.g. TRH 3725HS or MST 3501F); basic knowledge of the Latin language (such as could be acquired by taking SAJ 1501HY or MST 1000Y); and the ability to make use of secondary literature in either French or German (for research towards the final course paper).

Critical and exegetical study of Hebrew text of Genesis. In addition to historical-critical issues, attention will be paid to Ancient Near Eastern parallels as well as to the book's themes, structure and theological significance. Cross-listed to RLG3142H.

Critical and exegetical study of Hebrew text of Genesis. In addition to historical-critical issues, attention will be paid to Ancient Near Eastern parallels as well as to the book's themes, structure and theological significance.

Critical and exegetical study of Hebrew text of Genesis. In addition to historical-critical issues, attention will be paid to Ancient Near Eastern parallels as well as to the book's themes, structure and theological significance. Cross-listed to RLG3142H.

Critical and exegetical study of Hebrew text of Genesis. In addition to historical-critical issues, attention will be paid to Ancient Near Eastern parallels as well as to the book's themes, structure and theological significance.

Critical and exegetical study of Hebrew text of Genesis. In addition to historical-critical issues, attention will be paid to Ancient Near Eastern parallels as well as to the book's themes, structure and theological significance. Cross-listed to RLG3142H.

This course undertakes a study of modern critical problems of interpretation in the Book of Exodus. It focuses on establishing a translation, using text-critical apparatus. It examines the rise of source and form criticism as these have been used in the exegesis of Exodus. It analyses the way in which it has been proposed to combine these methods, and the problems inherent in that. It looks at some of the newer efforts to give priority to the deuteronomistic over the priestly hand in the final formation of the book. Canonical interpretation, as seen through a critical engagement with historical methods, will be reviewed (in the Old Testament Library commentary of BS Childs). This will also provide an occasion to examine the benefits/drawbacks of consulting the earlier history of interpretation. 

The study of liturgy as a praxis-based source of theology through a survey of seminal thinkers in classical and contemporary liturgical studies. A consideration of liturgical methodology and hermeneutics, the relationship between liturgy and theology, liturgy and culture, worship and ethics, as well as the impact of the ecumenical liturgical movement, feminist theology and emerging postcolonial perspectives.

This course approaches the study of liturgy as a praxis-based source of theology, rooted in the classic notion, lex orandi, lex credendi. It will consist of a survey of seminal thinkers in classical and contemporary liturgical studies, including consideration of liturgical methodology and hermeneutics, the relationship between liturgy and theology, liturgy and culture, worship and ethics, symbol and sacrament, ritual and anthropology. Weekly 2-hour doctoral seminar, presentations, book review, major paper. Evaluation: participation and seminar facilitation: 10%; book reflection, 25%; major paper, 65%.