Courses

The impact of prominent Inklings author C.S. Lewis continues to grow, garnering both applause and, in other quarters, heavy criticism. Lewis is lauded as an intellectual giant, a Christian apologist without equal, and a gifted myth-maker, but also identified as misogynistic, racist, sado-masochistic, and enjoying violence. This course focuses on the literary achievement of C.S. Lewis, analyzing representative texts of his literary criticism, poetry, essays, novels, fictional narratives, and devotional writing, in order to examine his mythopoeic vision and its contribution to Christianity and culture. Through close reading of the texts, and considering these in relation to various forms of theoretical inquiry - historical, sociological, psychological, gender discourse, ecological, ethical and spiritual or theological - students will engage in the critical task of assessing the ongoing impact of the writings of C.S. Lewis.

Examines major historical developments in Christianity from the apostolic era up to the sixteenth-century Reformation. Emphasizes the theological, institutional, cultural, and spiritual formation of the Christian tradition, including the patristic period, ecumenical councils, the emergence of papal government, medieval Christianity, Eastern Christianity, monasticism, and scholasticism. Students engage primary and secondary sources to understand continuity and diversity within Christian belief and practice across historical contexts.

Examines the development of Christianity from the Reformation era to the present through engagement with primary and secondary historical sources. Analyzes movements traditionally associated with Europe and North America alongside the emergence of diverse Christian expressions shaped by cultural, social, and political contexts worldwide. Explores theological developments, missionary encounters, indigenous Christian movements, Pentecostal and charismatic traditions, and contemporary global trends. Emphasizes the interconnected nature of Christian history and attends to the varied ways Christian faith has been articulated, practiced, and transformed across cultures.

This course conducts an historical exploration of the origin and development of the sixteenth-century Anabaptist movement, its subsequent development within the wider context of Protestantism in Europe, with special attention given to the emergence and growth of the Mennonite Brethren within the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition in Russia, and the Mennonite Brethren experience in North America. An historical survey of the Anabaptist-Mennonite Brethren experience will be integrated with discussions concerning contemporary issues of historiography, theology, ecclesiology and world mission within the Mennonite Brethren Church.

Examines topics in the history of Christianity as a global phenomenon, emphasizing its development across diverse cultural, geographic, and historical contexts. Content may include major movements, regional developments, and representative figures shaping the Church’s global presence. The course is designed to support focused study on selected periods, regions, or themes within global church history. Repeatable for credit with different focus.

Designed to explore history as a discipline and a form of knowledge. It examines the process and the structure of how human societies have interpreted, ordered and used historical inquiry. Major theoretical/philosophical traditions and their historians are analyzed. Special attention is paid to modern rational history with its focus on the notion of progress and the challenges brought about by the claims of postmodern interpretation-based history with its emphasis on language, race, ethnicity, gender, and environment. Furthermore, it explores history's impact on other disciplines including philosophy, literary criticism, biology, physics, and religious studies. Combines weekly readings with selected guest lectures that explore the ways in which history is understood in History and in other disciplines.