Previous Years' Course Catalogues

The course will examine the portrait of Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels as it conveys three themes of justice: 1) the exercise of power, 2) economic issues, and 3) human worth. The course will place Jesus's actions and teachings in the social and political conditions of first century Galilee and Judea while also considering their relevance to contemporary events and circumstances. Special attention will be given to the parables, economic teachings, and the phenomena of healings and exorcisms as responses to the conditions of daily life and political rule in first century Palestine.

The course will examine the portrait of Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels as it conveys three themes of justice: 1) the exercise of power, 2) economic issues, and 3) human worth. The course will place Jesus's actions and teachings in the social and political conditions of first century Galilee and Judea while also considering their relevance to contemporary events and circumstances. Special attention will be given to the parables, economic teachings, and the phenomena of healings and exorcisms as responses to the conditions of daily life and political rule in first century Palestine.

With the continuous development of modern science, the study of Jesus' miracles has been subjected to critical discussions ranging from myth to eyewitness testimony. This course we will analyze the various forms of miracle stories in the gospels and study their literary development and theological content, as well as their meaning at different levels of early Christian tradition. Particular consideration will be given to their historical context and content. Theological and practical pastoral implications arising from this study will be discussed.

In this course we will analyze the various forms of miracle stories in the gospels and study their meaning at different levels of early Christian tradition. Theological and pastoral implications arising from criticism will be considered.

This course explores the theological, spiritual and pastoral dimensions of the historical encounter between Eastern Christianity and Islam. The focus is on Syriac and Arabic texts (in translation) composed by Christian and Muslim writers living in the region constituted by today's Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Palestine, Syria and Turkey, from the 7-17th centuries. Regarding the interaction of the two faiths and their respective adherents, the primary sources exhibit a range of attitudes and approaches, articulated across a variety of genres. We will seek not only to understand the import of our texts for their original authors and audiences, but also to derive insights for addressing the challenges of religious pluralism in our day.

This course will explore major approaches to the relationship between the Christian Faith and other religions in the context of the plurality and diversity of the contemporary world.

This course will explore major approaches to the relationship between the Christian Faith and other religions in the context of the plurality and diversity of the contemporary world.

This course will explore major approaches to the relationship between the Christian Faith and other religions in the context of the plurality and diversity of the contemporary world.

This course will explore major approaches to the relationship between the Christian Faith and other religions in the context of the plurality and diversity of the contemporary world.

This intensive course explores the understanding of New Evangelization within the Roman Catholic Church taking the October 2012 Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith as a starting point and tracing the historical context from Evangeli Nuntiandi (and referencing Vatican II documents Lumen Gentium and Ad Gentes), the substantive theological issues emerging through the pontificates of John Paul II and Benedict XVI and the future possibilities of the New Evangelization seen as a radical challenge to all members of the Church.

This course will trace the multi-faceted theme of justice as it unfolds throughout the biblical story. Beginning with an exploration of the impact our own place and assumptions have on our reading, we will then probe the complicated ways in which idolatry, economic justice, racial justice, justice for the land, food justice, justice for the stranger and the migrant, gender justice, colonization, and peace and violence permeate the story. This will provide a biblical basis for reflecting on justice and reconciliation in our world today.

Combining classroom time (Winter 2018), and a trip to Canada's North (July 2018), students will come to a deeper
understanding of the Church's theology and praxis regarding inculturation and spirituality within a First Nations context.
Consideration will be given to the legacy of colonization and movements fostering greater autonomy in the Canadian
aboriginal context. Fond du Lac, SK and Bhechoko, NT are the two primary sites for gatherings.
Students are expected to participate In all the preparatory gatherings prior to departure and to be actively engaged with
their peers and members of the community upon arrival at Fond-du-Lac and Pine Channel, Saskatchewan or another
approved location.
The preparatory gatherings will be an opportunity to welcome members of various First Nations in Southwestern Ontario
and to meet with non-indigenous men and women who have spent considerable time working with the Dene people.
On site, this participation will include sharing in religious ceremonies, common meals, "evening conversations,n and
contributing through your labours (cooking, dish washing, hauling of water) to the general well-being of the group.
Students will have the opportunity to meet formally and informally with various community leaders, elders, elected officials,
families, nurses, educators and the RCMP, so as to come to a deeper appreciation of the opportunities and challenges of
life in the Canadian north.
There are a number of organizations in the city and on campus that work with members from various indigenous
communities. Students are expected to become familiar with one group and to participate in their programming. A monthly
report will be required to update the instructor on the status of your involvement.