Course Timetable for Tuesday: Fall of 2012

A careful study of a book of the Summa contra Gentiles, where Aquinas explores Christian doctrines as an exercise in personally appropriating divine wisdom. The course teaches a method of close textual reading, and will interest students seeking an accessible introduction to Aquinas, those seeking an overall view of his methodology, and those preparing comprehensive exams in theology. Lectures and seminars. Assignments for 3551: 2 short papers, 2 learning reports, final take home exam. Assignments for 6551: 2 short papers, preparing and giving a 1 hour lecture, final exegetical essay.

The course probes Luther's understanding of major Christian doctrines. Theological ferment in the Sixteenth Century will be examined in every class, including Luther's (theological) relationship to other Magisterial Reformers, Radical Reformers, and Roman-Catholic/ Counter-Reformation Reformers. Attention will also be paid to such matters as the extent to which the Magisterial Reformation was an aspect of Renaissance Humanism or a departure from it, and the (putative) anti-Semitism of Luther and its relation to more recent manifestations of anti- Semitism. Weekly readings, lectures, and classroom discussions. Essay (50%) and final examination (50%).

A careful study of a book of the Summa contra Gentiles, where Aquinas explores Christian doctrines as an exercise in personally appropriating divine wisdom. The course teaches a method of close textual reading, and will interest students seeking an accessible introduction to Aquinas, those seeking an overall view of his methodology, and those preparing comprehensive exams in theology. Lectures and seminars. Assignments for 3551: 2 short papers, 2 learning reports, final take home exam. Assignments for 6551: 2 short papers, preparing and giving a 1 hour lecture, final exegetical essay.

A philosophical examination of some fundamental topics in Christian metaphysics: creation, causality, the problem of evil, and freedom of the will. Readings taken from "classical" Christian theologians such as Augustine, Aquinas and Luther and also from contemporary sources. Lectures, discussions, short papers and final exam.

The student will develop a theological framework regarding the character and place of preaching in the life of a local Church. This includes the place of the Church within the mission of God, the importance of analyzing and engaging with the way culture shapes the local community, and the understanding of what it means to be faithful to God in the way we handle the biblical text. The student will also learn to identify and implement the basic skills that are foundational to preaching. Weekly reading, listening to sermons by a variety of preachers, class participation, preparation, delivery and critique of sermons. Tutorial 11-12.

This course introduces the student to the fundamentals of preaching. The student will learn to read a text closely, exegete a passage, and develop dynamic oral communication skills. Attention will be paid to the postmodern context, contemporary homiletical theory, and different sermonic forms. The student will be encouraged to be creative and find his/her own voice in a supportive environment. Expectations: written assignments, class exercises, one full length sermon, and one short homily.

Exploration of various theories of human development, stages of human growth, lifespan spiritual journey in correlation to human growth, implications for Christian ministry, and reflections of one's own lifespan on theories of human growth and spiritual journey. Basic course for education and ministry. Lectures. Group presentation, discussion, class participation, critical reflection paper, mid and final exams.

This seminar examines that philosophical approach to the history of philosophy that travels under the name of genealogy. It does so in terms of close readings of selected texts of the tradition's two major figures: Friederich Nietzsche and Michel Foucault against the backdrop of a number of ancient and medieval examples of protreptic rhetoric. It thereby attests the thesis that contemporary genealogy is the latest manifestation of the protreptic tradition in the history of philosophy, i.e., a deliberative rhetoric designed to exhort recipients to turn ( convertere )from harm to health, from falsehood to truth, from the base to the noble. The course will run as a seminar in which students will be asked to produce weekly papers of 400 to 600 words on the weekly readings to prime class room discussion. In addition, each student will be required to prepare a seminar on one required text which involves written material of between 1200 and 1800 words. Finally, each student will be required to submit a course paper on a topic mutually agreed upon with the class instructor. The course paper should be 4500 to 7500 words in the case of a Master's level student and 6000 to 9000 words in the case of a ThD/ PhD level student. The grade will be the result of weekly papers (25%), seminar presentation (15%) and course paper (60%). 

This course will explore the foundations of ministry in the New Testament, the manifold expressions of ministry in the history of the Church, and a variety of contemporary issues related to the theology and practice of ministry from a Roman Catholic perspective. Also important will be the relationship of ministry to other aspects of theology, such as Christology, pneumatology, grace, mission, ecclesiology, and sacraments.

Paul’s Letter to the Romans is one of the most important and influential writings in the New Testament. This course is an exegetical study of Romans. Consideration will be given to Paul’s idea of salvation history, natural knowledge of God, justification by faith, Christian freedom and the problem of Israel. Greek is not a prerequisite for the course.

The course will tell the various aspects of the creation of the Crusader phenomenon. The Conquest of the country and the conflicts with the neighbouring countries. Who were the people who lived beyond the borders of the kingdom. Did they accept at least for a while the Christian presence in the Middle East, the organization of the Kingdom, the wars the Crusaders had to conduct, the legal system of the Kingdom, and many other aspects of the phenomenon. Teaching Method: Lectures & Reading. Means of Evaluation: One Essay 80%/Participation 20% Class Attendance.

A survey of the history of Christianity and an introduction to the study of Christian history. Lecture. Book review, seminar participation, mid-term exam, final exam. Mandatory seminar.

This course introduces the prophets of Israel from their historical contexts, explores developments, genres and theological themes. Attention will be paid to the role of Israelite prophets in the larger ancient Near East context and prophetic contributions to Israelite expressions of God. Basic methods of exegesis will be reinforced as well as attention to a Catholic framework for interpretation. Lectures, quizzes, exams and a final paper.

The aim of this course is to provide an outline of the history and current scholarship of English church music. Topics covered will include the impact of the English Reformation on liturgical music; the intersection between sacred and secular; the word-tone relationship in English plainchant and hymnody; music in Methodism; and choral-service revival in the Anglican Church. The course will explore a wide range of English church music including anthems, hymns, liturgical chants, oratorios and metrical psalms, along with a selected reading of relevant primary and secondary sources. Methodology: lectures, discussions, music listening, and readings. Evaluation: class participation (20%); one major essay (40%); and final exam (40%).

The course will tell the various aspects of the creation of the Crusader phenomenon. The Conquest of the country and the conflicts with the neighbouring countries. Who were the people who lived beyond the borders of the kingdom. Did they accept at least for a while the Christian presence in the Middle East, the organization of the Kingdom, the wars the Crusaders had to conduct, the legal system of the Kingdom, and many other aspects of the phenomenon. Teaching Method: Lectures & Reading. Means of Evaluation: One Essay 80%/Participation 20% Class Attendance.

This course introduces the major religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam in detail and also others in brief) of the world -- their historical setting, basic principles, significant features, Holy Scriptures, theology, etc -- and a Christian perspective on them with an urgency to enter into interfaith dialogue and peaceful coexistence.

In the past fifty years significant developments have taken place within biblical studies. A renewed focus on method and the task of interpretation has implications for the preacher in her/his weekly task of expounding the scriptures. This course will examine these more recent methods, inlcuding post holocaust, feminist, social science, postcolonial and empire studies and discuss their implications for preaching the biblical text. The course will focus on the intersection of these newer methods and the parallel developments within the "New Homiletic" since the 1960's.

Focusing on recent interpretations of the moral theology of St. Thomas, the course will examine competing understandings of Aquinas' ethics, both for understanding Aquinas' account of morality in its historical context, and for drawing resources in order to address key issues in contemporary moral theology. Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.

This course will investigate spirituality and health in light of a wholistic view of human flourishing tha includes physical, emotional, spiritual and psycho-social aspects. Emphatic spiritual care requires the ability to put oneself in the shoes of another. The role of illness narratives and active listening will be examined. Aspects of inter-cultural spiritual care will be named and practiced. The course will consist of lectures, small groups, individual presentations and a final paper. Evaluation: participation, 10%; integration paper, 20%; topic proposal, 10%; literature review, 20%; and fnal research paper, 40%. Prerequisite: one course in worship or theology or permission of the instructor.

An introduction to the content, methods, and practices of Christian ethics through select key voices, past and present, in Christian ethics and using tools for moral reflection/action. Focus on moral issues, for example, poverty and ecological destruction. Students will be encouraged to refine the ethical awareness they bring to a variety of moral challenges within their lives, the churches, society and wider world. Lectures, small group discussions; analysis of a moral argument (30%); paper on a theological ethicist (figure) (30%); final integrative project on wealth and poverty (40%). Prerequisites: basic Bible, Theology.

What are unique, creative, effective and meaningful ways of teaching Bible in the church today? This course will explore and experience various approaches of teaching Bible in the church, assessing appropriateness to the church, to the world we live in, a variety of social and cultural dynamics, and various age levels. Also, the students will be expected to apply Biblical interpretation skills to actual teaching. Lectures, teaching practice as a group, group discussion.

Systematic and pastoral approach to christology and soteriology. Emphasis on New Testament christologies, later developments, contemporary interpretations. Study of the impact on christology of such issues as the continuing quest for the historical Jesus, dialogue with other religions, and in particular with Judaism, the challenge of liberation and feminist theologies, and the new cosmology. Seminar participation, short paper, take-home exam.

Basic principles of Christian ethics, with special attention to the pastoral application of moral theology. Case-study method used. Designed for Regis IFM students. Readings, lectures, seminar work, 3 short essays, final exam. Seminar work requires an additional one-hour commitment per week.

Residents of urban at-risk communities often have ministry done to them by well-meaning people. Organizations (non-proftis, churches, government, etc.) swoop in with money, people and resources and tell the community what they need. Playgrounds are erected overnight, murals painted over, or gardens appear without anyone asking the people who live there what they want. The message that no one listens is reinforced in their minds. God's concept of "shaolm" is not one of doing to people but one of inviting people to participate in their own community development. Students in this course will develop the skills necessary to engage a local community. This approach is guided through the development tools of community assessment (listening to the community) and project design, monitoring and evaluation (responding with the coomunity to a limitation). At the end of this course students will have the skills necessary to involve the community in its own restoration.

An introduction to the history, theology and practice of Christian public worship, with particular reference to the foundational practices of Eucharist and Christian initiation in the Reformed and Methodist liturgical traditions, set in the context of ecumenical developments and influences. Biblical, historical, theological and pastoral dimensions will be explored through presentations, readings, assignments, discussion, and practica/tutorials. Compulsory practicum/tutorial included in the third hour of 3-hour course. Evaluation: Participation, 10%; Praxis Assignments 30%; Vocabulary Test, 20%; Book Relflections, 40%. (Fulfills testamur requirement for United Church of Canada candidates for ordered ministry.)

The goal of Biblical Hebrew I and its adjoining course Biblical Hebrew II is to provide both students training for designated ministry and those students who wish to continue in advanced degree studies with a working knowledge of biblical Hebrew.  The acquired skills may be used for the purposes of homiletical exegesis, scholarship pursuit, and the general pleasure of textual theological interpretations.  Classes are twice weekly, and consist of lecture, homework tutorial, quizzes and quiz review, translation work, and theological reflections posted on Twitter.  Evaluation: weekly quizzes; midterm exam; attendance and participation; final exam.

Through the development of the skill of theological reflection, the participants learn to reflect on their personal and ministerial or work experiences to discern the call of transformation and integration in the midst of the Christian tradition and world realities. This group process takes place in a peer faith setting. Regular attendance required. An overnight retreat is scheduled at the end of the course. Two short integration papers. Pass/Fail course for BD students. Graded course for AD students.

After completion of Supervised Field Placement, students meet as peers to learn and practice a method of theological reflection on their pastoral practice. Focused on theological, cultural, and personal dimensions of students' ministry practice and their developing pastoral identity. Reading, pastoral situation analysis presentation, short weekly papers, synthesis essay and interview.

Urban development of Jerusalem from the beginning of the Hasmonean period (100 BCE) and its expansion and enhancement under Herod the Great. How much of this Jerusalem did Jesus see and know? Historical and Archeological data amplifies the Biblical text. We will also consider the problems of the Temple Mount: definition and location of sanctity, water installations, entertainment structures as well as defining and elucidating the location of Jesus' trial before Pontius Pilate. Informed attendance and participation in class discussion. Final paper.

This course will explore the foundations of ministry in the New Testament, the manifold expressions of ministry in the history of the Church, and a variety of contemporary issues related to the theology and practice of ministry from a Roman Catholic perspective. Also important will be the relationship of ministry to other aspects of theology, such as Christology, pneumatology, grace, mission, ecclesiology, and sacraments.

This course on the Old Testament presents an overview of the Hebrew canon and explores the content, theological themes, and canonical shaping of selected books. Students will be introduced to the history and geography ancient Israel. Additional emphasis will be on interpreting this material as Scripture of the Church. Readings and audio lectures. Weekly assignments, online discussion, final paper.

This course will consider definitions of Gospel, church and culture, and some of the different ways Christians have historically understood the relationship between the three. We will consider worldviews as a tool for understanding cultures, and look specifically at what the shift from modernity to postmodernity means for the church and its mission. The course will include Biblical material, reference to the experience of overseas missionaries, and expressions of contemporary culture such as movies. These will form the backdrop for discussion about what it means to be a missional church in contemporary North America.Lectures, guest speakers, class discussion. Evalutions: book reports, journal, movie report, paper.

The course introduces beginning students to the New Testament together with critical tools and methodological ideas which make an Orthodox exegesis possible. The course will encounter modern "historico-critical" methodologies for New Testament study which have become dominant in Western theological studies, and which have raised many issues of meaning which faithful Orthodox often find puzzling; we must ask both what Orthodox faith ought to learn from modern exegesis and also what critique or correction an Orthodox critical exegesis of the New Testament might offer in response to recent Western critical interpretation.

An exploration of central issues in philosophy, as addressed by Herman Dooyeweerd, Dirk Vollenhoven, and the “Amsterdam School” of neoCalvinian thought. The course tests the relevance of this tradition for recent developments in Western philosophy. Special attention is given to critiques of foundationalism, metaphysics, and modernity within reformational philosophy and in other schools of thought.