An historical and contemporary survey of fundamental rights and freedoms intrinsic to a free society, covering practical cases in the legal history of Canada and comparative cases in the contemporary North Atlantic, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and Chinese worlds. In particular, students will be challenged to consider criticisms of religious freedom, and how to meaningfully balance these in the pursuit of justice.

An historical and contemporary survey of fundamental rights and freedoms intrinsic to a free society, covering practical cases in the legal history of Canada and comparative cases in the contemporary North Atlantic, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and Chinese worlds. In particular, students will be challenged to consider criticisms of religious freedom, and how to meaningfully balance these in the pursuit of justice.

This course provides students with a nuanced understanding of how film and television articulate meanings. Grounded in the historical eras and practices that range from the silent to the digital era, students will learn formal analyses and close readings of cinematic and televisual texts with special attention to narrative constructions, lighting, production design, acting styles, editing, genre, sound, music, and point of view. The course will also emphasize how such analyses should consider various contexts.

This course, the opening to the M.Ed. program, will begin by exploring different perspectives concerning the nature and purpose of education, including a direct focus on Christian educational philosophies. This course will also explore the relationship between an individual’s foundational belief system and their beliefs about teaching and learning, examining identified views of learning and philosophies of education. Participants will have the opportunity to identify their own foundational belief system and to articulate their own Christian educational philosophy. Then the focus of the course will shift to exploring the relationship between a Christian educational philosophy and a variety of central elements of education (e.g. curriculum, instruction, assessment and evaluation, teacher-student relationships, classroom management, etc.), identifying possible implications and applications.

An examination of the psychological aspects of health and illness. This course examines psychosocial, behavioural and biomedical processes in the prevention of illness and the promotion of health and well-being (physical, psychological and spiritual). The emphasis will be on theory-based psychological research and on the practice of health psychology. Selected topics to be explored include: the psychophysiological disorders, attitudes and behaviours which promote good health, the relationship between stress and disease, coping with stress, understanding and coping with pain and illness, lifestyle and risk factors in various medical disorders.

An examination of the psychological aspects of health and illness. This course examines psychosocial, behavioural and biomedical processes in the prevention of illness and the promotion of health and well-being (physical, psychological and spiritual). The emphasis will be on theory-based psychological research and on the practice of health psychology. Selected topics to be explored include: the psychophysiological disorders, attitudes and behaviors which promote good health, the relationship between stress and disease, coping with stress, understanding and coping with pain and illness, lifestyle and risk factors in various medical disorders.

An examination of the psychological aspects of health and illness. This course examines psychosocial, behavioural and biomedical processes in the prevention of illness and the promotion of health and well-being (physical, psychological, and spiritual). The emphasis will be on theory-based psychological research and on the practice of health psychology. Selected topics to be explored include: the psychophysiological disorders, attitudes and behaviours which promote good health, the relationship between stress and disease, coping with stress, understanding and coping with pain and illness, lifestyle and risk factors in various medical disorders.

An overview of the interface between the topics of psychology and spirituality viewpoints. The importance of these views for human development and the therapeutic process is examined. Topics include psychological perspectives on suffering, evil, forgiveness, prayer, spiritual assessment, and the psychological effects of spiritual practices.

The Enlightenment or ‘Age of Reason’ witnessed the rebirth of a radical new form of skepticism that started with Descartes. In this course, the ramifications of this skepticism are traced through the early atheism of Rousseau and agnosticism of Hume up to the crucial faith-reason divide of Kant. The subsequent post-Kantian explosion of atheism in both continental philosophy (Nietzsche, Heidegger, Foucault, Derrida) and analytical philosophy (Russell, Flew, Dennett) will be explored, concluding with some responses by contemporary Christian philosophers.

The Enlightenment or ‘Age of Reason’ witnessed the rebirth of a radical new form of skepticism that started with Descartes. In this course, the ramifications of this skepticism are traced through the early atheism of Rousseau and agnosticism of Hume up to the crucial faith-reason divide of Kant. The subsequent post-Kantian explosion of atheism in both continental philosophy (Nietzsche, Heidegger, Foucault, Derrida) and analytical philosophy (Russell, Flew, Dennett) will be explored, concluding with some responses by contemporary Christian philosophers.

“Philosophy,” according to Socrates, “begins with wonder.” In this course, we will survey fundamental metaphysical, epistemological, and ethical issues raised by this “story that began with wonder,” starting with the quest of the ancient Egyptians, Indians, and Chinese and then moving on to the ‘Big Questions’ asked by the ancient Greeks, medieval Christians, and other modern and contemporary Western thinkers.

This course analyzes the history of American foreign relations from the Spanish-American War (1898) through the twenty-first century. Discussion centres on religion, militarism, economic interests, national security and corporate globalization as they shape the U.S. approach to the world, and the U.S. experience with the world. Students will also be challenged to think about and discuss the role of Christianity and Christians in foreign policy construction and decision-making.

An introduction to the theological reading and interpretative practices of reading Scripture. This course involves a survey of biblical interpretation and the variety of methodologies that have been used to study Scripture.

This course establishes the basic framework of core knowledge concerning the nature of human interaction. It will survey theories and research in communication as it is applied to various social, political, and cultural contexts. Students will develop a broad Christian framework for understanding, critiquing, and utilizing these theories.

This course offers exposure to theories and methods of therapeutic counselling. Basic training in therapeutic communication and counselling techniques are also included.

This course delves into the concept of self-knowledge, framed by Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 13: “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known,” and by the mantra penned by Parker J. Palmer (1998): “We teach who we are”. By exploring various methods and modes of inquiry used to understand the self, while drawing from psychology, literature and contemplative practices (i.e. prayer, etc.), students will examine the nature and significance of their own personal preferences in a complex, rapidly-changing classroom. The course investigates foundational questions such as "what does it mean to know oneself?" and "how does self-understanding impact our choices, relationships and sense of purpose?"  Palmer, P.J. (1998). The courage to teach: Exploring the inner landscape of a teacher’s life. Jossey-Bass.

This seminar provides an in-depth examination of topics in experimental psychology with an advanced research component. Students will learn about, and evaluate, theoretical approaches used to direct research in the topic area and will need to critically examine recent empirical articles in the topic area.

This seminar examines select issues in depth psychology, particularly classical drive theory (as developed by Sigmund Freud) and analytical psychology (as developed by Carl Jung). Based on student interest, developments in other psychoanalytic traditions, such as ego and self psychology, and object relations theory may receive some attention

A thematic and comparative course examining the history of the totalitarian political movements of the 20th century and their worldwide impact. The course focuses on four main areas: international fascism and Nazism; communism, both Western and non-Western; totalitarianism’s effects on the non-totalitarian world; and resistance to totalitarianism. Throughout the course, attention will be given to the religious nature of totalitarian systems and their historical conflict with other religious commitments, especially those of Christianity.

A thematic and comparative course examining the history of the totalitarian political movements of the 20th century and their worldwide impact. The course focuses on four main areas: international fascism and Nazism; communism, both Western and non-Western; totalitarianism’s effects on the non-totalitarian world; and resistance to totalitarianism. Throughout the course, attention will be given to the religious nature of totalitarian systems and their historical conflict with other religious commitments, especially those of Christianity.

Toxicology is the field of study which seeks to understand the adverse effects of toxic substances (chemical, physical, and/or biological) to living organisms. Fundamental concepts will be addressed such as dose-response relationships, mechanism of uptake, transport, distribution and storage of xenobiotics, detoxification and depuration, target organ toxicity and physiological consequences (e.g. teratogenesis, mutagenesis, carcinogenesis), and risk assessment techniques. Includes a weekly three-hour lab. Materials fee applies.

Toxicology is the field of study which seeks to understand the adverse effects of toxic substances (chemical, physical, and/or biological) to living organisms. Fundamental concepts will be addressed such as dose-response relationships, mechanism of uptake, transport, distribution and storage of xenobiotics, detoxification and depuration, target organ toxicity and physiological consequences (e.g. teratogenesis, mutagenesis, carcinogenesis), and risk assessment techniques. Includes a weekly three-hour lab. Materials fee applies.

This course traces the rise of England from the periphery of power in Europe at the outset of the sixteenth century during the reign of the first Tudor monarch, Henry VII, to a position of increasing might and opulence after the Glorious Revolution of 1688–89 and the death of the final Stuart monarch, Queen Anne in 1714. Students will spend time considering the political, social, cultural, and religious transformations of England during this period, and seek to understand when, how, and why England became a modern nation-state.

This course introduces students in the sciences and social sciences to the modes of inquiry in the arts and humanities through an exploration of aesthetic and reflective aspects of being human.

This course explores how the human activity of science and mathematics is an important and powerful way of knowing by which we gain understanding of the natural world that God has created. The nature of scientific knowledge, its importance and impact on society, as well as its limitations and relationship to other ways of knowing and Christian faith will be examined. The course will explore scientific aspects of contemporary issues such as human health, agriculture, climate change, genetic cloning, and ecosystem degradation.