Course List

This course is an introduction to philosophy based on a reading of representative texts from the philosophical tradition. The issues connecting the texts to be read center on the nature of human being and experience.

This course introduces students to the principles of formal logic, especially insofar as they inform the fruitful analysis, translation and derivation of complex arguments. Besides the cultivation of these skills, students will encounter properly philosophical questions about the nature of thought, language and reality occasioned by their study of different logical systems.

This course introduces students to fundamental philosophical problems concerning the nature and properties of "mind," historical and contemporary. Specifically, it treats questions pertaining to the distinctive properties of human consciousness, intentionality, and rationality, and considers some important theoretical, practical, and spiritual implications that follow upon influential rival positions on these matters. Finally, the course deals with technological and ethical problems arising from the development of various contemporary artificial intelligence projects.

Examines major developments in the history of Western political thought from the ancient Greeks and Romans through the Christian period up to the Renaissance, with particular attention given to key writings by Plato, Aristotle, Augustine and Aquinas. Examines themes such as the justice, the state, politics, plurality, constitutionalism, power, war and the individual.

Examines the major social and political ideas developed in the modern era, focusing on select writings of major political philosophers such as Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Marx and Nietzsche.

A historical and systematic study of the structure and normed character of the various relationships between human beings and their environment. The ethical, aesthetic, or metaphysical ramifications of certain major environmental problems such as pollution, overpopulation, or resource exhaustion will be considered.

A study of some central themes and problems in metaphysics which arise out of contemporary work in these areas. The course attempts to show the relevance of these issues to other areas of life and study. Often opinions and attitudes are shaped by unspoken metaphysical prejudices. The course takes a critical look at such presuppositions.

This course is an introduction to the theory of knowledge. Detailed examination is made of the concepts of justification, truth and belief. Particular attention is paid to the significance of philosophical skepticism for epistemology. Issues concerning the relativity and objectivity of knowledge, as well as debates about realism and anti-realism are also examined. Emphasis is placed on recent philosophical reflection on these issues, but students are also introduced to classical positions.

A study of the major figures and philosophies in Pre-Socratic and classical Hellenic thought.

An examination of some recent figures and movements in continental philosophy. Attention is given to philosophers such as Husserl, Heidegger, Sartre, Merleau-Ponty, Gadamer, Ricouer, Adorno, Habermas, Foucault and Derrida as well as to movements such as phenomenology, existentialism, philosophical hermeneutics, neo-Marxism, structuralism and post-structuralism. Attempts are made to discover historical connections not only among various philosophies but also between those philosophies and selected developments in the arts, the sciences and European society.

The meaning and nature of science will be examined by means of a multidisciplinary dialogue. Students will be invited to understand the sciences in relation to each other, to the world, and to their faith commitments.

A critical examination of the nature of morality by means of an analysis of classical and contemporary texts. Questions examined include: What is the nature of moral judgment? How are moral decisions justified? What is the relationship between virtue and moral behavior? What is the relationship between happiness and moral duty? Why be moral at all?

The course introduces the student to the main figures and ideas in the history of philosophy from 350 A.D. to 1350 A.D. Beginning with Augustine and the Church Fathers, the course covers the development of philosophy in Western Europe through Aquinas and his immediate successors. Special attention is paid to such issues as the relation of faith and reason, the idea of Christian philosophy, and the concepts of divinity, creation, human freedom and sin.

This course is a survey of the origins and development of philosophy from Descartes to Kant. Special attention is paid to the relationship between epistemological ideas and political, ethical and religious thought.

This course is an attempt to lead students into an understanding and critical engagement of the central 19th Century debate among European philosophers between the idealists (represented most importantly by G.W.F. Hegel) who advocated an understanding of the world as a rational system, and their critics (of whom S. Kierkegaard is the most vivid example) who, in the name of an otherwise lost individuality, advocated an "irrational," personal basis for understanding and life. This course will engage this philosophical issue and period with an eye toward the ongoing implications of the debate for philosophy, but also for theology, and for the human sciences.

An inquiry into selected philosophical issues concerning religion such as the presuppositions underlying various accounts of the origin of religion, the relationships among faith, reason and revelation, the possibility of giving a rational defense of religious belief, and such topics as the problem of evil, immortality and the supernatural.

The course teaches students how to create innovative research that contributes to ongoing conversations in the discipline of philosophy.

A course on a topic or figure of special interest to a member of the philosophy faculty and offered on a non-recurring basis.

This course will look at the philosophical foundations of, and contemporary issues in, phenomenology. We will explore key features of the phenomenological method-including the reduction, the bracketing of the `natural attitude,' the first-person methodology, intentionality, and givenness. We will also look at how the current conversations on these questions have implications for fields as diverse as psychology, religious studies, sociology, music, and more.

An in-depth examination and discussion of a specific topic in philosophy.

All students with philosophy as a first subject of concentration in the B.A. program are required to take this course. Students develop skills in philosophical scholarship by preparing and presenting a written project involving interdisciplinary research on an appropriate topic.

The course requires students to complete a major research thesis in philosophy, on a topic of their choosing, in conjunction with a supervising professor.

An opportunity to do intensive study on a special topic or figure of particular interest to the student. Students work closely with a member of the philosophy faculty in tutorial meetings. Students must apply in advance to a member of the philosophy faculty.

An exploration of the genres, storylines, themes and theological patterns within the Bible. We shall engage the biblical text both as ancient literature and as Christian scripture which reveals the truth of God, the world and humanity.

If all theology is "faith seeking understanding," this course presents that understanding in an orderly and coherent way. systematic theology uses God's self- revelation in scripture as the starting point to makes sense of the origin, existence, and destiny of all things in relation to Jesus Christ. Elaborating the doctrines of trinity and incarnation, creation and providence, sin and redemption, Israel and the church, and destiny and hope, and connecting Christian practices of prayer and scripture, sacraments and discipleship, struggle and witness.

This course is a close study of selected biblical theological themes and their social-ethical implications for contemporary society. Themes investigated may include Christian political responsibility, war and peace, gender and sexuality, environmental stewardship, etc.

Monstrous creatures, zombies and aliens, global catastrophes and a doomed earth...the language of apocalyptic is everywhere: in movies and TV shows, video games, and popular literature. Some of this language draws on scripture, imagining a violent end to a sinful and rebellious creation. But is this all there is to apocalyptic - which has also been called "the mother of theology"? What is the "end" that apocalyptic speaks of? Can it be used constructively to speak hopefully about a creation in bondage but under promise? This course will examine the origins of biblical apocalyptic, its social and historical contexts, and its way of viewing the world. Specific study will be made of the books of Daniel and Revelation, with an eye to recovering apocalyptic for protest against injustice, for cultural engagement and for creational transformation.

This course will address the experience of evil in our world by examining the biblical literature about evil and its relation to the central biblical confession of a good creation. How did biblical authors respond to the experience of evil in their day? How did their responses relate to the cultural climate of their times? The course will then survey prominent theological and philosophical options for thinking about evil today. Finally it will struggle to articulate a faithfully Christian response to the reality of evil in our time.

This course examines: Jesus' life, teachings and ministry in the religious, social, cultural and political context of first century Palestine; the nature and purposes of the New Testament Gospels as historical and theological documents and the relationship of history and theology; core issues in the development of Christology from the New Testament to the early creeds and christological definitions.

A detailed study of the life, letters and theology of the apostle Paul in the context of his time and mission. Special attention will be paid to past and present paradigms for understanding Paul, as well as to his contribution to a variety of current issues in theology, ethics, church life and Christian mission.

This course will explore the history of World Christianity since 1500, focussing on Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Among other subjects, we will analyze missionary movements and cross-cultural encounters in the Global South and the growth of charismatic and Pentecostal Christianities.

Just as within contemporary philosophy there is a new interest in the meaning of theology for political life, so within contemporary theology there is a new engagement of the political as mapped within the discourse and practices of the historic church. This course will explore this engagement, examining the retrieval of classical and medieval sources into a post-modern context, African and Latin American liberation theologies, and European and American political theologies.

A study of important stages in the development of Christian doctrine and some of the major figures in the history of Christian theology. We will examine the influence of social, political and cultural contexts on doctrine and theology, and ask the question whether and how a study of the Christian past might give shape to the church, theology and Christian faithfulness in the present and future.

This course will present historical background to and engagement with selected themes and theologians of importance in contemporary Christian discussion, with special emphasis on North American theology. Topics may include feminist theology; evangelicalism, post-liberalism, and post-modernism; and current trinitarian theology, represented by contemporary theologians.

A study of the Christian theology of creation which addresses the issues of: the integrity of the universe as God's creation; humankind's place and task in creation; the honouring and care of creation as intrinsic to knowledge of God as Creator and the world as God's creation. Special attention will be paid to how the central Christian doctrines of the Trinity, Christology, the imago dei and the eucharist shape the theology of creation, and to how such a theology influences and is influenced by the aims and practices of environmental stewardship.

A close examination of some central issues in Christian mission. Students will study key Biblical passages that inform the nature and scope of mission, explore contemporary images of mission, consider the nature of mission in the contemporary world, and examine topics such as the role of the church in urban renewal, the biblical nature of evangelism, the relationship of theology and development, liberation theology, inter-religious dialogue and others.

What about "other religions"? This course engages issues that are raised by the encounter of the Christian faith with other religions. We explore biblical and theological perspectives on the reality of multiple religions, addressing such questions as revelation, truth, pluralism, salvation, mission, tolerance and politics.

The Hebrew prophet Micah summarized the calling of God's people in the simple yet powerful verse: "What does the Lord require of you? To do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God." This ancient but succinct statement is a powerful summons for the people of God to be engaged in the quest for justice today. In this course students will examine the biblical and theological principles guiding the church's understanding of Justice and its missional responsibilities to pursue justice in the context of economic inequality, violence, poverty and hunger, HIV/AIDS, war and famine.

This course is intended for students in their senior year of study and will focus on the dialogue between scientific and other ways of knowing. Topics will be drawn from Physics, Theology and Sociology that will illuminate such motivating questions as 1) How can Science and Theology engage in a conversation of mutual understanding and transformation? 2) How, or in what ways, has science changed our ideas about what it means to be human? and 3) Given these changes, how then ought we to live our lives?

A study of Christian worship which includes biblical principles for worship, the historical development of liturgy, cultural dynamics in contemporary worship, and explores the rich and varied resources with the ecumenical Christian community. Themes to be studied include praise and lament, confession and proclamation, use of the lectionary, sacraments, liturgical dance, the use of art in worship, the relationship of worship and justice, and more. There will be a strong emphasis on the music of worship. Students will have an opportunity to attend various worship services as well plan, lead, and participate in worship.

Using case studies taken from film, television, music, and other media, this course will examine the presentation of religion and religious topics in popular culture as well as how popular cultural texts and practices have influenced the beliefs, structures, and practices of religious groups. In addition, the economics and ethics of popular culture will receive some attention.

An examination of the nature of ethics, the relationship between the Bible and Christian ethics, several biblical concepts determinative for Christian ethics and ethical issues in areas such as politics, business, law, medicine and personal decision-making.

An inquiry into selected philosophical issues concerning religion such as the presuppositions underlying various accounts of the origin of religion, the relationships among faith, reason and revelation, the possibility of giving a rational defense of religious belief, and such topics as the problem of evil, immortality and the supernatural.

Through studies of the histories, sacred texts and practices of Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, native Canadian and tribal religions, students will gain some understanding of the variety and complexity of living religious traditions in the modern world. Attention will be paid to the current debate on religious pluralism and Christian claims about the person and work of Jesus Christ in this context.

A course on a topic or figure of special interest to a member of the theology faculty and offered on a non-recurring basis.

All students with theology as a first subject of concentration in the B.A. program are required to take this course. Students further develop skills in biblical, theological and interdisciplinary scholarship through the preparation of a senior research paper and seminar presentations and discussions.

An opportunity to do intensive study of a special topic or theologian of particular interest to the student. Students work closely with a theology faculty member in tutorial meetings. For directed studies in theology, students must apply in advance to a theology faculty member.