BST 400 Introduction to Sacred Scriptures and their Interpretation

3 Credits
This course introduces students to the Sacred Scriptures of the Christian faith, their academic study and their interpretation. The various books of the Old and New Testaments of the Catholic Bible are introduced in relation to their historical, cultural, and religious backgrounds, with timely references to geographical and archaeological data. Concurrently, students are introduced to the concepts of biblical inspiration, biblical inerrancy, and the formation of the canon.

This course also includes a seminar that explores the question of the interpretation of Sacred Scriptures with the Mind of the Church, during which key Church documents will be analyzed while some major contributions from the world of academia to the field of biblical interpretation will be considered. The aim is to equip students with a range of exegetical tools and building blocks that will be necessary in subsequent scripture courses in their chosen program, and indeed in their various ministries as exegetes of Sacred Scriptures.

BST 420 The Old Testament

3 Credits
Formation and interpretation of the Old Testament: biblical inspiration, canonicity, textual criticism, hermeneutics, history, geography and archaeology. Understanding the Old Testament. Study of selected texts from the Pentateuch, Historical Books, Psalms, Wisdom, Prophets, and Deutero-Canonical books of the Old Testament focusing on salvation history and covenant theology.

Students in the M.R.E. program cannot receive credit for both BST 400 & BST 420. 

BST 421  Matthew and Mark

3 Credits
Methods of interpretation. The synoptic problem. Structures of the Gospels of Matthew and Mark. A comparative study of the message of the Gospels of Matthew and Mark emphasizing the tradition and redaction levels and introducing literary, structural and narrative approaches as well.

BST 422  Luke-Acts

3 Credits
A study of the text, biblical theology and introductory questions. Jesus the Saviour, the infancy narratives, parables and miracles, death and resurrection. The gift of the Spirit and the birth of the Church, mission and ministry, the role of women, the universality of salvation.

BST 425 The Synoptic Gospels

(Prerequisite: BST 400)

3 Credits
This course focuses on the Canonical Gospels of the Synoptic tradition. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are introduced, with particular attention given to their structure, their specific characteristics and historical circumstances, as well as their presentations of Jesus the Christ and their teachings on Christian discipleship. This course also includes a seminar, during which students will investigate, at a level pertinent to their program of study, questions arising from a consideration of the interrelationship between the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke.

BST 430 The New Testament

3 Credits
Formation and interpretation of the New Testament: biblical inspiration, canonicity, textual criticism, hermeneutics, history, geography and archaeology. Understanding the New Testament. Study of selected texts from the Gospels, Pauline Letters, Catholic Epistles and other NT writings (Acts of the Apostles, Hebrews, etc.).

Students in the M.R.E. program cannot receive credit for both BST 400 & BST 430.

CSA 571 Foundations of Catholic School Administration

3 Credits

An examination of Scripture and Tradition as they apply to Catholic school administration and educational leadership. The course will include the scriptural study of administration, the philosophy of Catholic education, Church documents that impact Catholic education, and the spiritual formation of the Catholic school administrator.

CSA 573 Theory and Praxis in Catholic School Administration

3 Credits
An exploration of current models of educational leadership and the practical implication for Catholic school administrators and leaders. The course will include the Catholic administrator as change agent, developing a Catholic school culture, and improving the Catholic identity of the school.

CSA 585 Special Topics in Catholic School Administration

3 Credits
A study of special topics in Catholic school administration, such as secularity, constitutionally protected Catholic education, the vocation of the teacher, threats to Catholic education, gender related issues, fundamentalism, media, and stewardship of creation.

CSA 587 Issues in Catholic School Administration

3 Credits
A study of issues in Catholic school administration, such as Catholic school identity, the family, evangelization, the impact of Papal leadership and current church teaching, our relations with Indigenous people, and trends in church engagement.

REL 400 A/B/C/D Supervised Field Experience

3 Credits per section
Supervised field placement is required for four semesters and students will receive 3 credits per semester for which adequate performance is achieved. Students may complete this through their professional work as teachers or an approved volunteer placement in an educational setting. To successfully complete the field placement students must:

• Provide a report from their supervisor in the educational setting in which they are working each semester;

• Provide copies of lesson plans relevant to their studies;

• Provide an overview of the curriculum that they offered that semester relevant to their studies.

REL 420 Old Testament in Religious Education

3 Credits
The Old Testament as a source for religious education. The formation and transmission of the Old Testament. A survey of the foundations and history of Israel’s faith, life and worship as witnessed to in the Pentateuch, Historical Prophetic, Sapiential and Apocalyptic Literature of the Hebrew Scriptures.

REL 422  New Testament in Religious Education

3 Credits The New Testament as a source for religious education. The formation and transmission of the New Testament. A study of the Christology and Christian discipleship of the Gospels and the Pauline Epistles.

REL 442 Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist

3 Credits The Sacraments of Initiation. Their biblical roots and their historical and theological development in the Christian Church. Contemporary revisions, pastoral applications and ecumenical consideration.

REL 445 Theology for Religious Educators

3 Credits
An introduction to Christian theological studies for religious educators. An exploration of the links between revelation and tradition, symbol and fact, faith and belief, dogma and catechesis. An initiation into the various theological tools and skills needed within the task of faith education.

REL 460 Moral Values in Religious Education

3 Credits
Faith and moral values. The distinctiveness of a Christian morality. Moral development: a critical appraisal of current theories from a Christian viewpoint. Special emphasis on conscience and decisions-making. An exploration of some areas of current Christian moral concern.

REL 465 Foundations of Religious Education

3 Credits
An examination of Scripture and Tradition as they apply to religious education. The course will include a scriptural study of Jesus as teacher, the philosophy of Catholic education, Church documents that impact religious education, and the spiritual formation of Catholic teachers.

REL 467  Contemporary Theory and Praxis in Religious Education

3 Credits
A study and critique of issues and trends in contemporary religious education, including theories, curricula, Church documents, and the General Directory for Catechesis. Teaching strategies and their approach to religious education are discussed and practiced.

REL 491  Faith Formation in Religious Education

3 Credits
An examination of God’s revelation and people’s response to faith; a study of the theories of faith formation in children and young people; and an exploration of how teachers and administrators can foster faith formation.

STD 440 Liturgical Theology

3 Credits
The biblical origins of the Christian Liturgy. The development of distinct rites in the Eastern and Western Church with a special attention to the ongoing development of the Roman Rite. The theology of Liturgy as a work of the Trinity, an Action of Christ, and the Church. The sanctification of the Year and the Day through the celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours. The liturgical movement prior to and following the Second Vatican Council. Cultural, pastoral, and ecumenical considerations.

STD 450 Christology

3 Credits
The contemporary problematic in Christology. The claims and challenges posed by Jesus in his preaching and life. His rejection, death, and resurrection. Jesus Christ as divine and human. Traditional and contemporary Christologies.

STD 451 Theology of God

3 Credits
Aspects of the problem of God in the modern era. Preparations for belief in the Trinity in the history of Israel. The Christ event and the Trinity. The Trinity and the early Church Councils. “Explanations” of the Trinity old and new. Special questions regarding the Trinity (the Trinity and the immutability of God, creation, modern science, evil, gender, Christian worship, and spirituality). Pneumatology.

STP 461 Introduction to Moral Theology

3 Credits
The basic elements of moral theology since Vatican II. Biblical and theological themes that define the person in Christ. The Christian meaning of sin, virtue, conscience, law, and moral discernment. The Christian experience of conversion and reconciliation in the way of discipleship.

STP 462 Introduction to Spiritual Theology

3 Credits
Definitions and understandings of spirituality. Examination of its biblical foundations. Development of spirituality as a discipline of theology. Theological and anthropological dimensions of Christian faith and spirituality. Introduction to the classical spiritual writers, schools of spirituality and contemporary forms of spirituality. The theology and practice of prayer, spiritual discernment, and asceticism.

STP 573 Christian Religious Education

3 Credits
In CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, participants explore the religious and faith development of children, youth and adults with attention to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the General Directory for Catechesis and current catechetical programs. An introduction to teaching skills with emphasis on sacramental preparation, youth ministry and adult religious learning is presented and discussed.

In SPICE, teachers examine their shared purpose in Catholic Education through readings, discussions and observations offered and facilitated by a Keynote Speaker. In addition to their active participation in the three day program, participants are required to read assigned readings and a text as well as to complete a pre-reflection paper and a final essay.

In BLUEPRINTS, a Keynote Speaker directs and facilitates an extensive three day retreat for Administrators and Catholic Educational Leaders. In addition to their active participation in the retreat, participants are required to read assigned readings and a text as well as to complete a pre-reflection paper and a final essay.

In DIRECTIONS IN ABORIGINAL MINISTRY, participants of the Aboriginal Conference are invited to develop a strong theology of interculturation of faith and to explore a variety of subjects that are directly related to ministry, spirituality, forgiveness, and reconciliation. The course includes presentations and discussions on aboriginal ministry,  spirituality and issues, successes, challenges and major issues facing the Aboriginal people of Canada today.