Course Catalogue 2025-2026

In this course, students will explore the historical debates and the doctrinal formulations of the seven ecumenical councils (325-787 AD). This course will address the development of fundamental themes in trinity, Christology, ecclesiology, sacramental theology, and the theology of iconography. Students will be introduced to the historical context of these debates and attend to the relationship between the early church and its relationship to secular authority. The course will further examine the theological method of early and late antique Christian thinkers that gave rise to these doctrines as well explore the enduring contribution of these conciliar debates for ecumenical dialogue and contemporary theology.

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.

Within the Old Testament the depiction of, and context of trauma is frequent and present in different genres across the whole corpus. Traumas include those arising from warfare and/or forced migration/exile, family conflict, abuse of power, sexual violation, and adverse psychological, social and economic realities. Such depictions may be explicitly negatively evaluated, but even so raise complicated questions for those who hold these texts as Christian scripture and/or theologically, ethically, and pastorally formative. The nature of justice, the character and work of God, and the pastoral use of texts of trauma name some of these questions, particularly when these texts of trauma are read within a Christian context.

Within the Old Testament the depiction of, and context of trauma is frequent and present in different genres across the whole corpus. Traumas include those arising from warfare and/or forced migration/exile, family conflict, abuse of power, sexual violation, and adverse psychological, social and economic realities. Such depictions may be explicitly negatively evaluated, but even so raise complicated questions for those who hold these texts as Christian scripture and/or theologically, ethically, and pastorally formative. The nature of justice, the character and work of God, and the pastoral use of texts of trauma name some of these questions, particularly when these texts of trauma are read within a Christian context.

This course will offer a foundational introduction to the realities of ecumenism and interreligious dialogue within the Catholic Church. The theology and principles of interreligious dialogue will be considered in relation to Biblical, Patristic, and modern sources. Attention will be given to the foundations and history of Catholic ecumenical engagement, the nature and work of dialogue, models and levels of ecumenical work. Both historical and contemporary dimensions will be considered, and special focus will be given to the Catholic Church’s magisterial documents in these areas.

This course explores the intersection of race and theology in contemporary society, focusing on the Canadian context in particular, but will reference to other global contexts as comparative cases. Attention will be given to analyses which suggest that Christian theology and colonialism are deeply implicated in the invention of the concept of race, as well as critiques of ways in which theology has served to discourage genuine communion between peoples of difference. Although race and ethnicity, including indigenous identities, will be the focus of the course, broader attention to issues of diversity and particularity will also be explored, including ways in which people with disabilities are marginalized by churches and society. The potential for theology and churches to support anti-racism and the embrace of diversity will be explored, as well as major obstacles to these achievements.

This course explores the intersection of race and theology in contemporary society, focusing on the Canadian context in particular, but will reference to other global contexts as comparative cases. Attention will be given to analyses which suggest that Christian theology and colonialism are deeply implicated in the invention of the concept of race, as well as critiques of ways in which theology has served to discourage genuine communion between peoples of difference. Although race and ethnicity, including indigenous identities, will be the focus of the course, broader attention to issues of diversity and particularity will also be explored, including ways in which people with disabilities are marginalized by churches and society. The potential for theology and churches to support anti-racism and the embrace of diversity will be explored, as well as major obstacles to these achievements.

This course explores the fundamental theory, assumptions and practices of narrative therapy, a form of therapy developed in New Zealand and Australia in connection with indigenous people. Using a combination of free online material from the Dulwich Centre in Australia and class meetings during the regular semester, it explores the role of the therapist and the practice of therapy in utilizing narrative therapy techniques to address not only individual and family distress but also community and political structures of oppression. Narrative therapy explores with clients and communities how the structures of oppression can be used for healing, and works with communities to empower them in their own healing.

This course explores the fundamental theory, assumptions and practices of narrative therapy, a form of therapy developed in New Zealand and Australia in connection with indigenous people. Using a combination of free online material from the Dulwich Centre in Australia and class meetings during the regular semester, it explores the role of the therapist and the practice of therapy in utilizing narrative therapy techniques to address not only individual and family distress but also community and political structures of oppression. Narrative therapy explores with clients and communities how the structures of oppression can be used for healing, and works with communities to empower them in their own healing.

This course offers the opportunity to read the entire Gospel of Mark communally. The class will provide space for historical, literary and theological questions.

In the last forty years ethical issues around the care and treatment of non-human animals has steadily grown as a concern in theology. While for much of this time it was considered at best a "marginal" issue, it is now one of the major concerns in environmental ethics. This course will examine the major figures in the development of "animal theology" in Protestant and Catholic theology. It will also look back to Christian Scripture and classical figures in the Christian tradition, and raise questions as to whether, and if so to what extent, the development of "animal theology" is either a departure from Christian tradition and/or a development within it. Issues in the course will include issues such as intensive agriculture (factory farming), the genetic modification of animals, zoos, pets, vegetarianism and veganism, and a variety of other issues that arise from human interaction with or concern for the well-being of non-human animals.

This course will introduce and practice general principles and dynamics of spiritual direction in the tgnatian Tradition. In service of the immediate preparation for the year-long practicum in spiritual direction under supervision, this course is designed to assist the student/director to discover, practice and develop attitudes and behaviors central to the practice of splrltual direction. Appropriation of course materials will be facilitated through lecture, in-class demonstration, practice, reflection on in-class observation and practice. The Practicum continues the on-going mutual discernment process between the student and faculty that spans the duration of the Diploma in Spiritual Direction.