Course Catalogue 2024-2025

There are four categories for course delivery:

In-Person if the course requires attendance at a specific location and time for some or all course activities. These courses will have section codes starting in 0 or 4.

Online – Asynchronous if the course has no requirement for attendance at a specific time or location for any activities or exams. These courses will have the section code starting with 61.

Online – Synchronous if online attendance is expected at a specific time for some or all course activities, and attendance at a specific location is not expected for any activities or exams. These courses will have the section code starting with 62.

Hybrid if the course requires attendance at a specific location and time, however 33-66% of the course is delivered online. If online attendance is expected at a specific time, it will be in place of the in person attendance. These courses will have the section code starting with 31.

Some courses may offer more than one delivery method please ensure that you have the correct section code when registering via ACORN. You will not be permitted to switch delivery method after the last date to add a course for the given semester.

Please Note:
  • If you are unable to register, through ACORN, for a course listed on this site, please contact the registrar of the college who owns the course. This can be identified by the first two letters of the course code.
  • For Summer courses, unless otherwise stated in the ‘Enrolment Notes’ of the course listing, the last date to add a course, withdraw from a course (drop without academic penalty) and to obtain a 100% refund (minus the minimum charge) is one calendar day per week of the published meeting schedule (start and end date) of the course as follows: One-week Summer course – 1 calendar day from the first day of class for the course; Two-week Summer course – 2 calendar days from the first day of class for the course, etc. up to a maximum of 12 calendar days for a 12 week course. This is applicable to all delivery modalities.

 

  • Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion

    KNT6501HS

    • Instructor(s): Vissers, John
    • College: Knox College
    • Credits: One Credit
    • Session: Winter 2025 Schedule: Wed Time: 11:00
    • Section: 101

    This course is a close reading of the English text of Calvin's Institutio Christianae religionis of 1559. We begin by situating Calvin's theology in the historical and theological context of the 16th century Reformation before turning to a careful examination of the Institutes' major doctrinal themes and their significance both for Calvin's context and the subsequent history of Protestant theology.

    More Information
  • Religion, Gods and Society in the Augustan Age

    RGB6501HF

    The New Testament and early Christianity originated in an "interfaith" context, which entailed the worship of deities from across the broader Mediterranean and Near Eastern world. Whether it be Mithras from Persia or Isis from Egypt or deceased emperors of Rome or (yes) the God of Israel, veneration of these gods shaped not only religious life but society itself. In this course, students will gain a better understanding of these gods and their relationship to religious, social, economic, political, and gendered (among others) dimensions of shared human existence.

    More Information
  • Dying and Suffering Across Cultures

    KNP6502HS

    This course will provide an opportunity for students to discuss and reflect on the contemporary realities of medical practice which challenge some basic assumptions as to when death occurs and when is a person "dead". In addition, students will examine contemporary efforts to rediscover old wisdoms concerning care for dying patients and ways in which communities of faith might reclaim some of the ancient practices of ars moriendi, the "art of dying." Students examine the phenomena of chronic illness, suffering and dying from a variety of historical, biblical, theological, pastoral care, medical-physiological, psychosocial from a cross cultural perspective. Students also examine contemporary modalities of care for persons at the end of life, including tertiary palliative care, the hospice movement and ancillary "death with dignity" organizations. Course goals include developing the student's ability to care for persons with chronic and terminal illness in ways that are shaped by a variety of theological and religio-cultural understandings of suffering, dying and death. To do so with integrity, students will also explore dimensions of what constitutes health and wholeness, as well as grief and mourning and burial rituals from various religio-cultural perspectives.

    More Information
  • Atonement and Sacrifice - A Theological Inquiry

    WYT6502HF

    Is Chrisitianity a sacrifical religion? What does it mean to say "Christ died for our sins"? Do we offer Christ in the Eucharist? This course will explore the interrelated concepts of "atonement" and "sacrifice" as they are used in Christian theology, especially in the doctrine of the work of Christ, in ecclesiology, and in sacramentology. Readings will include both classic and modern authors, including Augustine, Anselm, Aquinas, Luther, M. Douglas, Milgrom, Girard, Mascall, Boersma, Hunsinger. Some attention will be paid to postmodern discussions concerning the logic of gift-giving and exchange (Maus, Derrida, Milbank, Cavanaugh).

    More Information
  • Emerging Issues in Contemporary Ministry

    TRJ6511HF

    The cross-disciplinary (pastoral and theological) 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.

    More Information
  • Psychotherapeutic Theories for Spiritual Care and Counselling

    KNP6521HS

    This course provides an overview of the essential models of psychotherapy in use today, including psychodynamic, existential, humanistic, cognitive-behavioral, family systems, postmodern, social constructivist, somatic, and creative arts therapies. Techniques and skills associated with each modality will be explored, with an emphasis on how to sensitively and responsibly integrate theory with the practice of spiritual care and psychospiritual therapy. The course provides students with a foundation for ongoing study of specific psychotherapeutic models, and for the ongoing integration of concepts into clinical practice within a supervised learning process. Knowledge of various modalities will also help students make appropriate referrals when a client’s needs lie outside their scope of practice. The course supports the competencies of the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC) and the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and will also benefit students of theology who wish to augment their spiritual care skills.

    More Information
  • Psychotherapeutic Theories for Spiritual Care and Counselling

    KNP6521HS

    This course provides an overview of the essential models of psychotherapy in use today, including psychodynamic, existential, humanistic, cognitive-behavioral, family systems, postmodern, social constructivist, somatic, and creative arts therapies. Techniques and skills associated with each modality will be explored, with an emphasis on how to sensitively and responsibly integrate theory with the practice of spiritual care and psychospiritual therapy. The course provides students with a foundation for ongoing study of specific psychotherapeutic models, and for the ongoing integration of concepts into clinical practice within a supervised learning process. Knowledge of various modalities will also help students make appropriate referrals when a client’s needs lie outside their scope of practice. The course supports the competencies of the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC) and the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and will also benefit students of theology who wish to augment their spiritual care skills.

    More Information
  • Trauma, Healing and Transformation Psychodynamic Theoretical and Clinical Perspectives

    TRP6523HF

    This course will introduce central theoretical concepts in psychoanalytic psychotherapy and their importance in effective clinical work. An underlying premise of the course is that therapeutic action occurs within the relationship between therapist and patient, two individuals who struggle together to reclaim and deepen their shared humanity. While theory is essential to the task of providing responsible clinical care, it is understood that it always follows deeply attentive, empathic observation, not only of the patient, but of the psychodynamic processes that occur between the therapist and patient. Theory helps to hold and contain the therapist as she enters the unique, often strange and at times disturbing inner world of the person who seeks her help. Theory must always be held lightly while it is actively operative in the mind of the therapist as he navigates his way through the world that emerges within the analytic setting. A solid grounding in psychodynamic theory helps the therapist maintain a calm receptivity to the patient in the midst of unknowing, which most often characterizes the immediacy of clinical work. It also helps the therapist cultivate and sustain a reflective use of herself that establishes a safe and supportive professional framework that holds and protects both parties in the clinical dyad.

    More Information
  • Postmodern-Constructivist Psychotherapies and Spiritual Care

    RGP6561HY

    Postmodern-Constructivism continues to exert a powerful beneficial effect in the world of psychotherapy assessment and treatment by challenging traditional, modernist models of care. This intensive survey course is inspired by postmodern philosophical perspectives (J. Derrida, M. Foucault), Personal Construct Psychology (G. Kelly), and Social Constructivism (K. Gergen). We will examine and compare the major postmodern perspectives from the standpoint of integrative psychological and spiritual care, with introductory exposure to Narrative Therapy (M. White, D. Epston); Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (S. de Shazer, I. Kim Berg); Collaborative Language Systems Therapy (H. Goolishian, H. Anderson); Meaning-Based Therapies (V. Frankl, T. Wong); Strengths-Based Therapies (M. Seligman, Y. J. Wong); Constructivist Ethics (J. Guterman, J. Raskin); and Integrative Models (B. Zinnbauer, K. Pargament).

    More Information
  • Integrative Approaches to Trauma in Psychotherapy and Spiritual Care

    RGP6535HF

    This entry-level-to-practice, interdisciplinary course will examine the phenomenology of trauma as it impinges on human beings (individuals, families, cultural groups) from a bio-psycho-social-spiritual model of care. Special consideration given to contemporary, evidence-based treatments from a range social science disciplines, as well a credible intervention practices from religious and spiritual traditions- such as mindfulness, hoping-building, meaning-making, and forgiveness protocols- and their potential roles in healing of both direct and vicarious forms of trauma. The following major areas will be explored: 1) Trauma in Childhood, Adolescence, and the Family; 2) Trauma and Disrupted Attachment Relationships; 3) Trauma as Health Crisis {Physical and Mental); 4} Trauma and Women; 5) Trauma as Socio-Historical Events, such as: a) Natural Disasters, b) Terrorism and War Conflicts; c) Cultural Genocide, Religious Persecution and Refugees, d) Cultural Oppression and Victimization of First Nations Peoples; 6) Trauma and Resiliency. Throughout the course will be the pervasive themes of the self-care of the clinician, and the fostering of client resource through spiritual, family and community resources, leading to healing and posttraumatic growth

    More Information
  • Cancelled on
    Mental Health and Religion - Well-being, Coping and Adjustment

    RGP6541HS

    This course is a study of the interaction of psychology and religion in mental health: well-being, disorder, and adjustment. It will discuss the psychoneurological, psychological, social and faith dynamics in the development and maintenance of well-being and of psychopathology. Its focus, therefore, will be psychology and religion's contribution and interaction in both disorder and health.

    More Information
  • Cancelled on
    Psychology & Religion

    RGP6550HF

    The course will begin with a discussion of the relationship between psychology and religion. It will then explore the relationship between religion and psychology -- history, methodology, research and application. It will review psychological theories and research on personality and their relationship to spirituality, religious behaviour, individual differences and abnormality, and review research on religious development. These findings will then be applied within the context of the social and organizational psychology of the church.

    More Information