Previous Years' Course Catalogues

Examining a set of questions through an interdisciplinary theological lens, this course aims to explore how the present sexual abuse crisis informs (and proposes the need to reform) the understanding of Church as the Body of Christ

A close reading of the foundational texts of the following lgnatian religious communities: the Society of Jesus, the Sisters of Saint Joseph, the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Faithful Companions of Jesus, and the Xavieres Missionaries of Christ Jesus. Through a comparative study of constitutions, spiritual writings of the founders and their correspondece, we will bring to light key elements that characterize the ignatian theology of religious life: understanding of mission and ministry; purpose and structures of community living; theology of governance; theology of the vows; anthropology and soteriology; understanding of Christ and of God. Methodological questions of historical and cultural context, exegesis, and theological interpretation of spiritual and canonical texts will also be addressed.

A close reading of the foundational texts of the following lgnatian religious communities: the Society of Jesus, the Sisters of Saint Joseph, the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Faithful Companions of Jesus, and the Xavieres Missionaries of Christ Jesus. Through a comparative study of constitutions, spiritual writings of the founders and their correspondece, we will bring to light key elements that characterize the ignatian theology of religious life: understanding of mission and ministry; purpose and structures of community living; theology of governance; theology of the vows; anthropology and soteriology; understanding of Christ and of God. Methodological questions of historical and cultural context, exegesis, and theological interpretation of spiritual and canonical texts will also be addressed.

A close reading of the foundational texts of the following lgnatian religious communities: the Society of Jesus, the Sisters of Saint Joseph, the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Faithful Companions of Jesus, and the Xavieres Missionaries of Christ Jesus. Through a comparative study of constitutions, spiritual writings of the founders and their correspondece, we will bring to light key elements that characterize the ignatian theology of religious life: understanding of mission and ministry; purpose and structures of community living; theology of governance; theology of the vows; anthropology and soteriology; understanding of Christ and of God. Methodological questions of historical and cultural context, exegesis, and theological interpretation of spiritual and canonical texts will also be addressed.

The Doctrine of Sin has suffered several critiques in recent times, and yet we live in an era aware of structural injustices and horrendous evil. This course will consider the major approaches to the doctrine in the tradition, the insights available in art and literature, and what a reconstruction of the doctrine might look like. Relations to contemporary subjects like psychotherapy and brain science will also be considered.

The Doctrine of Sin has suffered several critiques in recent times, and yet we live in an era aware of structural injustices and horrendous evil. This course will consider the major approaches to the doctrine in the tradition, the insights available in art and literature, and what a reconstruction of the doctrine might look like. Relations to contemporary subjects like psychotherapy and brain science will also be considered.

The Doctrine of Sin has suffered several critiques in recent times, and yet we live in an era aware of structural injustices and horrendous evil. This course will consider the major approaches to the doctrine in the tradition, the insights available in art and literature, and what a reconstruction of the doctrine might look like. Relations to contemporary subjects like psychotherapy and brain science will also be considered.

The course will help students reflect deeply on pastoral practice through interdisciplinary engagement with emerging issues that challenge the practice of pastoral ministry in today’s world. Issues addressed would include the pervasive impact of climate change on physical and mental health, changing family structures, sexuality, and gender, economic privation, racism and other systemic injustices that undermine the sense of hope in a better future posing immense challenges for the effective practice of pastoral ministry.

This course will explore the Doctrine of Providence with readings across three genres: scriptural primary texts, commentaries on those from the tradition, treatises by ancient and modem authors. The goal is to arrive at an understanding of the explanatory power of Providence in terms of how it runs like an implicit element in and through the biblical canon, as well as the limits of its discourse. There will be eight 3-hour sessions: the scripture texts are those where the emphasis is as much on ' this life ' under God as it is on the glorious goal of the people of God: Genesis 37-50; Numbers 11-14; Job 38-42; Eccles 11-12; Ps 104; Wisdom 2-5; John 9; Acts 5:33-42; 17:16-32.

This course will explore the Doctrine of Providence with readings across three genres: scriptural primary texts, commentaries on those from the tradition, treatises by ancient and modem authors. The goal is to arrive at an understanding of the explanatory power of Providence in terms of how it runs like an implicit element in and through the biblical canon, as well as the limits of its discourse. There will be eight 3-hour sessions: the scripture texts are those where the emphasis is as much on ' this life ' under God as it is on the glorious goal of the people of God: Genesis 37-50; Numbers 11-14; Job 38-42; Eccles 11-12; Ps 104; Wisdom 2-5; John 9; Acts 5:33-42; 17:16-32.

In this seminar course students will read and discuss twenty lectures by Karl Barth which explore twenty loci. These lectures were given in 1938, about the mid-point in Barth's working years. The instructor will endeavor to indicate how Barth's presentation of these lectures often modify his (and others) earlier positions and how they were in turn modified by Barth in his later writings. The intention is to present a survey of Barth's particular emphases including a description of their development. Attention will also be given to how Barth challenges various historical and contemporary theologies.

In this seminar course students will read and discuss twenty lectures by Karl Barth which explore twenty loci. These lectures were given in 1938, about the mid-point in Barth's working years. The instructor will endeavor to indicate how Barth's presentation of these lectures often modify his (and others) earlier positions and how they were in turn modified by Barth in his later writings. The intention is to present a survey of Barth's particular emphases including a description of their development. Attention will also be given to how Barth challenges various historical and contemporary theologies.