Previous Years' Course Catalogues

One of the most controversial issues in the Christian tradition has been its attitude to violence of all kinds. In particular, Christian attitudes to war and peace have been analyzed and debated by almost all major Christian theologians throughout history. This course will look at Christian attitudes to - and the theological and ethical bases for- war, peace, and revolution. The course will begin with Scripture, continue by examining the viewpoints of figures such as Augustine, Aquinas, Vitoria, Grotius, Calvin, Luther, among others, and also examine a variety of 20th and 21st century authors on the subject. Topics to be considered will include some of the following: just war, pacifism, realism, non-violence vs. non-resistance, revolution, civil war, peace-making, nuclear war, deterrence theories, total war doctrine, humanitarian intervention, and the responsibility to protect doctrine.

One of the most controversial issues in the Christian tradition has been its attitude to violence of all kinds. In particular, Christian attitudes to war and peace have been analyzed and debated by almost all major Christian theologians throughout history. This course will look at Christian attitudes to - and the theological and ethical bases for- war, peace, and revolution. The course will begin with Scripture, continue by examining the viewpoints of figures such as Augustine, Aquinas, Vitoria, Grotius, Calvin, Luther, among others, and also examine a variety of 20th and 21st century authors on the subject. Topics to be considered will include some of the following: just war, pacifism, realism, non-violence vs. non-resistance, revolution, civil war, peace-making, nuclear war, deterrence theories, total war doctrine, humanitarian intervention, and the responsibility to protect doctrine.

Understood broadly, Catholic social thought includes all the ideas and theories that the Catholic tradition has developed on matters of social life. More specifically, the notion of 'Catholic Social Teaching' refers to a 125 year tradition of ǧauthoritative Catholic teachings on a wide variety of social, political, economic, and ecological issues. In either sense, ,Catholic social thought is an essential part of Catholic faith and life. The central message of Catholic social thought is straightforward: a faith is only Catholic if it hears and heeds the call to serve those in need and to work for justice and peace. This course will introduce students to Catholic Social Teaching and to the wider tradition of Christian social thought out of which it comes. It will investigate how this tradition engages with a wide variety of social issues, and will put it in conversation with a variety of other approaches to social ethics and justice.

This foundational practicum is designed for persons desiring formation in pastoral presence and communication skills. Focus is placed on the development of a contemplative stance, compassionate listening and evocative presence for pastoral service in roles such as spiritual director, chaplain, parish minister, and for those in service within the context of everyday work life. This transformative process integrates topics of Ignatian discernment, prayer, spiritual growth, spirituality, justice, theological assumptions and images of God. This is a two-term, supervised, peer based practicum. Requirements and prerequisites: two year's previous experience receiving spiritual direction, permission of the instructor, regular attendance essential; 3 10 page integration papers, final grade. For students considering the 12 credit Diploma in Spiritual Direction, this course is the first of a four-phase Practicum, which facilitates ongoing discernment and formation for the ministry of spiritual direction.

This foundational practicum is designed for persons desiring formation in pastoral presence and communication skills. Focus is placed on the development of a contemplative stance, compassionate listening and evocative presence for pastoral service in roles such as spiritual director, chaplain, parish minister, and for those in service within the context of everyday work life. This transformative process integrates topics of Ignatian discernment, prayer, spiritual growth, spirituality, justice, theological assumptions and images of God. This is a two-term, supervised, peer based practicum. Requirements and prerequisites: two year's previous experience receiving spiritual direction, permission of the instructor, regular attendance essential; 3 integration papers; pass/fail. For students considering the 12 credit Diploma in Spiritual Direction, this course is the first of a four-phase Practicum, which facilitates ongoing discernment and formation for the ministry of spiritual direction.

This course will explore critically and creatively the influence of mysticism on symbolist landscape art in Europe and North America from the 1880s to the 1930s. Using written texts and visual images, it will analyze the ways in which major artists conveyed mystical experiences and ideals through iconography, style, colour, and facture, with special attention to the influence of Christian, Buddhist, Theosophical, and Primal traditions. These studies will include field trips to local galleries and introduction to the contemplative practices of Visio Divina and Mindfulness/Insight meditation.

This course will explore critically and creatively the influence of mysticism on symbolist landscape art in Europe and North America from the 1880s to the 1930s. Using written texts and visual images, it will analyze the ways in which major artists conveyed mystical experiences and ideals through iconography, style, colour, and facture, with special attention to the influence of Christian, Buddhist, Theosophical, and Primal traditions. These studies will include field trips to local galleries and introduction to the contemplative practices of Visio Divina and Mindfulness/Insight meditation.

This course will explore critically and creatively the influence of mysticism on symbolist landscape art in Europe and North America from the 1880s to the 1930s. Using written texts and visual images, it will analyze the ways in which major artists conveyed mystical experiences and ideals through iconography, style, colour, and facture, with special attention to the influence of Christian, Buddhist, Theosophical, and Primal traditions. These studies will include field trips to local galleries and introduction to the contemplative practices of Visio Divina and Mindfulness/Insight meditation.

This course explores the way theological ideas become operationalized in a social movement, using El Salvador as a case study. Students will visit El Salvador under the guidance of Chance alas, who operationalized the tenets of liberation theology to establish the first Christian base communities in El Salvador and continues to work on El Salvadoran religious peacebuilding. Subjects covered include the implication of theology in the colonization of Latin America, the emergence of liberation theology and Christian base communities , and current activities in peacebuilding involving theology, economics, ecology, and Mayan and settler spirituality. Students must attend a day of preparation, seven days of travel in El Salvador, and a day of post-travel debriefing.

This course examines Aboriginal understandings of the sacred in both Traditional and Christian contexts, including oral traditions, ceremonies, and spiritual practices. Attention is given to the diverse cultural heritages of Indigenous peoples in Canada, historical and contemporary aspects of Aboriginal/non-Aboriginal relations, and ongoing processes of reconciliation in both national and church contexts. Also considered are Christian theologies of intercultural and interfaith engagements, related to building relationships of solidarity and justice between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples in Canada. Some off-site fields trips are required.

This course will explore the nature of the small church and its place within the context of society, the ecclesiastical world, the local community and the lives of individuals. How we determine health in the small church will be considered. Participants will bring their experience and issues as a partial basis for examining the uniqueness of ministry in and through the small church. Consideration will be given to theological, sociological, psychological, cultural and demographic factors which affect the small church. Special emphasis will be placed on issues of leadership for renewal. Teaching will be through lectures, group seminars and student presentations. Evaluation will be through submissions of report, seminar presentation and a final research paper.

This course will explore the nature of the small church and its place within the context of society, the ecclesiastical world, the local community and the lives of individuals. How we determine health in the small church will be considered. Participants will bring their experience and issues as a partial basis for examining the uniqueness of ministry in and through the small church. Consideration will be given to theological, sociological, psychological, cultural and demographic factors which affect the small church. Special emphasis will be placed on issues of leadership for renewal.