Previous Years' Course Catalogues

In recent years a voluminous literature has appeared that has examined the numerous commonalities between western psychotherapy and counselling and Buddhism. This has been possible because Buddhism, in addition to its religious aspects, can also be described as a philosophy and psychology of transformation. The Buddhist teachings are replete with analyses of human behavior, emotion, cognition, interpersonal and psychological functioning that closely resemble the models of human behavior and mental illness that have emerged in western culture. In this comparative course the convergence between Buddhism and the major systems of psychotherapy will be surveyed.  Specifically, the key features of psychoanalytic, behavioral, cognitive, existential-humanistic, emotion-focused, mindfulness-based interventions, and the emerging field of positive psychology will each first be described. Convergences and divergences with the key elements of Buddhist psychology as described in the teachings on skillful living (i.e., the 8-fold path), harmful emotional states (i.e., the 5 nivaranas), the psychophysical nature of the self (i.e., the 5 skandhas), psychological causality (i.e., dependent origination), and the analysis of the human condition (i.e. the 4 Noble Truths) will be underscored.
Students will critically study the key representative texts for each form of psychotherapy and the major Buddhist sutras/teachings that elaborate the Buddha's psychology with the goal of evaluating how the study of Buddhist psychology may enhance our understanding of emotional suffering and its alleviation.

In recent years a voluminous literature has appeared that has examined the numerous commonalities between western psychotherapy and counselling and Buddhism. This has been possible because Buddhism, in addition to its religious aspects, can also be described as a philosophy and psychology of transformation. The Buddhist teachings are replete with analyses of human behavior, emotion, cognition, interpersonal and psychological functioning that closely resemble the models of human behavior and mental illness that have emerged in western culture. In this comparative course the convergence between Buddhism and the major systems of psychotherapy will be surveyed.  Specifically, the key features of psychoanalytic, behavioral, cognitive, existential-humanistic, emotion-focused, mindfulness-based interventions, and the emerging field of positive psychology will each first be described. Convergences and divergences with the key elements of Buddhist psychology as described in the teachings on skillful living (i.e., the 8-fold path), harmful emotional states (i.e., the 5 nivaranas), the psychophysical nature of the self (i.e., the 5 skandhas), psychological causality (i.e., dependent origination), and the analysis of the human condition (i.e. the 4 Noble Truths) will be underscored. Students will critically study the key representative texts for each form of psychotherapy and the major Buddhist sutras/teachings that elaborate the Buddha's psychology with the goal of evaluating how the study of Buddhist psychology may enhance our understanding of emotional suffering and its alleviation.

Mindfulness Meditation is a Buddhist practice that has in recent times expanded into the secular such as psychotherapy and counseling. This course will focus on the religious context and soteriological goals for which meditation is practiced within the Buddhist traditions. To this end, students will focus on the Theravada School and the Eight-Fold Path but will also look at the other Buddhist lineages that are centered on meditation, namely, Zen, Chan, and Son within the Mahayana School. This course will enable students in pastoral care, Buddhist or otherwise, to see the benefits of meditation in the two contexts of the sacred and the secular and thereby make appropriate application of mindfulness meditation within their own profession.

Mindfulness Meditation is a Buddhist practice that has in recent times expanded into the secular such as psychotherapy and counseling. This course will focus on the religious context and soteriological goals for which meditation is practiced within the Buddhist traditions. To this end, students will focus on the Theravada School and the Eight-Fold Path but will also look at the other Buddhist lineages that are centered on meditation, namely, Zen, Chan, and Son within the Mahayana School. This course will enable students in pastoral care, Buddhist or otherwise, to see the benefits of meditation in the two contexts of the sacred and the secular and thereby make appropriate application of mindfulness meditation within their own profession.

The numerous meditative practices described in the Buddha's teachings during the historical period (Pali canon) and in the subsequent Mahayana and Vajrayana schools are considered essential to the attainment of optimal mental health and well-being. All of these approaches to meditation invite the meditator to work with every aspect of their mind. In this course the major meditative practices will be interpreted within the context of current models of psychological transformation and transcendence. In addition, a theoretical understanding of the manner in which meditation produces its benefits within modern psychological theories will also be described emphasizing affinities with psychoanalysis, Jungian analytic psychology, cognitive science, cognitive-behavioral psychology and positive psychology.

This course will study the period from 843 to 1648, with a primary focus on developments in Western European Christianity. Specific topics will include monasticism, theological developments, growth of the papacy, attempts at reformation, crusades, divisions within the church, mission, and other topics which can be seen in the curriculum.

Ten selected readings of both Latin and Greek Church Fathers and Writers in English translation. The texts will represent a small variety of theological concerns of these Early Church Fathers and Writers, including soteriology, theological orthodoxy, spirituality, ecclesiology and hagiography.

Ten selected readings of both Latin and Greek Church Fathers and Writers in English translation. The texts will represent a small variety of theological concerns of these Early Church Fathers and Writers, including soteriology, theological orthodoxy, spirituality, ecclesiology and hagiography.

Ten selected readings of both Latin and Greek Church Fathers and Writers in English translation. The texts will represent a small variety of theological concerns of these Early Church Fathers and Writers, including soteriology, theological orthodoxy, spirituality, ecclesiology and hagiography.

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.

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.

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.