FALL TERM
Mondays, 20 September - 29 November 2010
(No class on Thanksgiving Monday, 11 October 2010)

FIRST HOUR COURSES
7:30 pm to 8:20 pm

A.  The God Question: Once Again
Dr. Antonio Gualtieri, Emeritus Professor of Religion, Carleton University
The debate about God's existence, recently reopened by the books of Dawkins, Hitchins, Hedges, Armstrong and Charles Taylor, plus the recent Darwin commemoration, is examined. The global emergence of American Pentecostalism, political fundamentalism and militant Islam have also forced the question upon us. How did we get to where we are?

B.  Christianity: The First Centuries
J. Kevin Coyle, DTh, Professor of Theology, St. Paul University
An overview of the social context of early Christianity is presented here. The focus is primarily the Roman Empire, the factors influencing the form that Christianity took, and the main points of its development to the end of the fourth century.

C.   The Body and Sexuality in Judaism, Christianity and Islam
Susan J. Landau-Chark, PhD, Adjunct Dean (Law & Social Justice), the Metivta of Ottawa,
This course explores the religious beliefs, laws and customs of the Abrahamic traditions, and the extent to which these define our physicality and sexuality. Interacting with the texts, we will note how these have contributed to the marginalization and/or oppression of certain groups based on gender and sexuality.

SECOND HOUR COURSES
8:40 pm to 9:30 pm

D.   Contemplative Spirituality and the Practice of Deep Listening
Jane Dawson, PhD, Adjunct Professor, St. Francis Xavier University, Nova Scotia,
The ancient roots of contemplative spirituality and the practice of holy listening - also called spiritual direction or accompaniment - are examined as a tool for helping people to deepen their awareness of the sacred within themselves and the world. A participatory combination of discussion and experiential learning is employed.

E.   Christian Philosophy: 19th and 20th Centuries
Louis Perron, PhD, Vice-Dean, Faculty of Philosophy, St. Paul University:,
The relationship between philosophy and Christianity will be examined from a contemporary perspective of some key philosophers and/or theologians. A choice will be made among authors such as Hegel, Blondel, Barth, Tillich, Rahner, von Balthasar, Ricouer and Marion.

F.  Law and Order: Where Your Church Meets Canadian Law
Blake Wright, MTh, M Div, LLB
All churches must deal with various aspects of the law and people are generally surprised by the extent that legal issues affect a church. This course helps identify legal issues, avoid pitfalls, and establish restorative processes where law and the local church intersect

WINTER TERM
Mondays, 10 January - 14 March 2011

FIRST HOUR COURSES
7:30 pm to 8:20 pm

G.  Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians
Rev. Canon Jim Beall, Anglican Priest
Paul's letter to the Christians in Corinth is a lively response to a series of questions/issues arising within the church. In addressing these practical problems of Church life, Paul provides his readers, and us, with profound and enduring insight into what it means to be a Christian, and a Christian community.

H.  Eastern Religions: Selected Sacred Texts of India and China
Noel Salmond, PhD, BFA, Professor of Humanities and Religion, Carleton University
The ancient lands of India and China today make up approximately a third of the world's population. It behooves us to know more about the religious roots of both cultures. An examination of foundational religious texts from the Hindu, Buddhist, Confucian and Daoist traditions will introduce key Asian religious ideas.

I.   Science Meets Religion
Jennifer Green, Religion Editor, Ottawa Citizen
What do religion and science have to say on matters such as cosmology, evolution, archeology and neurology? Is free will an illusion? Is our experience of God just biochemistry? What moral dilemmas will advances in molecular biology bring? Join us for a discussion of these and other issues.

SECOND HOUR COURSES
8:40 pm to 9:30 pm

J.   Prophet Sharing: An Overview of the Writings of the Prophets
Rev. Stanley J.T. Hanna, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Aylmer, PQ
Most of our Bibles have undergone "Prophetectomies". We avoid the prophets for many reasons. However, they were loyal servants of God and His messengers to the nation of Israel. They called people to radical obedience to God. Is their message relevant today? Let's find out.

K.  Ethnicity and Religion in Canada
Tony Lovink, PhD, Department of Religious Studies, University of Ottawa
This course provides an overview of the ethnic and cultural origins of Christian denominations, including influences from Europe and more recently from the Global South. Several classes will address an evolving multi-religious Canadian society and its implications for the Church. Participants will have an opportunity to suggest specific topics during the first class.

L.   Harry Potter and the Spiritual Dilemma
David Lee and Jill St. Germain (Honourary students, Hogwarts School, virtual campus)
J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter novels, read and re-read world-wide by children and adults, have been decried as portraying violence and evil, and praised as imaginative and insightful - even Christian-inspired. Explore with us these and other questions arising from the series, through the books, film, audio - and much discussion.

To register, click here

GENERAL INFORMATION

Structure: 10 weeks of classes per term; 50-minute class with a 20-minute coffee break
Location: All Saints' Anglican Church, 347 Richmond Road, west of Churchill Ave.
Transportation: OC Transpo bus routes #2 and #18
Facilities: Free parking on Madison behind church. Wheelchair accessible.
Information: Pat Trites (613-824-8780), Flora Crombie (613-834-0152).