Course subject: Theological Studies (TS)

This course is intended for students whose major area of research will be Hebrew Scripture and who have at least two terms of Hebrew studies.

A study of the literary genres, history of composition, and canonization of the Old Testament documents. The course will examine various methodological approaches to the Old Testament, including their implications for Christian theological interpretation.

This course will explore the role and function of teaching the Bible in a variety of ministry settings, seeking to effectively link biblical scholarship with communal practice and reflection. It will draw on selected biblical genres, themes, and passages. Topics may include gaining expertise with the use of tools to engage original biblical languages, experience with various approaches to hermeneutics, as well as practice with diverse pedagogical and facilitation methods.

An examination of diverse biblical views of peace and violence with attention to the use of the Bible within both historical and contemporary conflict situations. Topics may include physical violence, economic violence, gender issues, residential schools, ethnic conflict, racism.

A study of the foundations, history, and practice of peacemaking within the Christian tradition, including an exploration of the roots of present practice and the ecumenical and practical diversity of contemporary peacemaking.

This is an examination of the historical emergence and development of the Mennonite tradition within the larger context of the Church.

A study of Anabaptism and its place in the history of the Christian Church and of the Reformation period.

This course centres on developments in the Christian tradition from roughly the second to the fifth century. In particular, it examines the diversity of ways of being "Christian" during this period with attention to topics such as ritual, canon, ecclesiology, soteriology, gender, and ethics. Primary texts are at the forefront of the course.

The nature of worship and the role of music within worship in historical, theological, and cultural perspective. Field trips to services of various traditions.

This course examines the development and meaning of the "missional church" paradigm as a way of articulating the relationship between communities of faith and theircultural settings, in both contemporary and historical contexts.

This course explores ministry in a practical setting. A ten hour per week placement will be chosen by the student with the approval of the Applied Studies Coordinator. With the guidance of a local supervisor, the student will set learning goals, develop a reading list, and write a summative paper that will be shared with other students taking this course.

This course cultivates practical theological reflection on everyday life. It will explore the theological significance of aspects of human culture such as homemaking, possessions, friendship, animals, food, nature, sports, music, technology, art, and architecture.

This course examines biblical and historical perspectives on pastoral care as a basis for articulating a theology of pastoral care and pastoral care skills, and for developing a model of pastoral care for congregations or fatih communities.

Through experiential, reflective and theorectial learning, this course will explore spirituality as a central aspect of growth and development in later life. The perspectives of various faith and humanistic traditions will be included. Topics will include: religious beliefs and spiritual concerns later in life; a theology of aging; ministry to persons in later life; spirituality and dementia; death and dying.

The scope, focus and requirements of a reading course are determined by the professor in consultation with the student. Permission for a reading course must be obtained at the time of registration, prior to the term in which the course will be conducted.

These courses are based on experiential learning focused on a specific historical-cultural setting. Students will complete readings prior to the tour, prepare a reflective journal during the tour, and write an analytical paper following the tour.

This course uses a variety of methods of analysis and interpretation of biblical texts to conduct a close reading of a New Testament book. Students may be given permission to take the course repeatedly, given that focus and content changes each time offered.

This course explores the richly diverse theologies emerging in the global South (Asia, Latin America, and Africa) and from among marginalized communities in the global north. Special attention is given to central historical events, key figures, and important themes.

In a world that is racked with violence -- from catastrophic natural disasters to horrendous acts of terror and much more besides -- this course will confront one of the most perplexing questions that continues to haunt the human experience: how can belief in a loving and omnipotent God be reconciled with the existence of evil and suffering in the world?

A study of major work in theology by a single author, or works by several authors around a common theme.

This course introduces major issues in homiletics such as biblical interpretation for preaching, delivery/embodiment of the sermon, the contextual nature of preaching, and sermon form. Matters such as the place of preaching in worship, the image/role of the preacher, as well as purposes and theologies of preaching with be addressed throughout the class. Students will preach in class and analyze the sermons of other students.

Students are enrolled in thesis research and writing. Students continue to enroll in this course during thesis preparation until completion of their thesis.