CE | Poetry, Prayer and the Political Moment

  • Overview:

    This series will be faciliated by Mary Jo Leddy, author, academic, activist, and by Susie Whelehan, poet, facilitator and artist.

    The political realities of our time summon us to poetry and prayer. These, in turn, summon us to more. Poetry can awaken us to beauty and suffering, hope and action. Over the course of four weeks we will let poems do what they do best: awaken us to what is and become aware of our place in it, be it our neighbourhood, city, country or planet.

    Using the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, we shall devote time to poems by Margaret Atwood, Wendell Berry, Julia Esquival and others who have engaged with their own time, in their own place, and see where they take us.

    This course is invitational. Participants will have opportunities for oral and written responses to the poems. You do not need to be a poet or writer to participate in the series. You need only to have a pen, a notebook and a willingness to risk being touched by both poetry and prayer.

    The themes of the series will reflect the signs of the times:

    • War and Peace (2 sessions)
    • The Climate Crisis
    • Who Is My Neighbour?

    Format

    This series is comprised of weekly 2 hour sessions over 4 weeks. We will read and contemplate poems chosen in light of a particular contempoary issue. There will then be time for written reflection on / responses to the poems at this moment in history and in our own lives.

    Scheduling

    The series is scheduled for early fall on Thursday evenings from 4-6pm. The course will begin on Thursday September 12, and will conclude on Thursday October 3. The location will be the Mary Ward Centre, located inside Loretto College Residence, 70 St. Mary St.

    Cost

    The cost for the full 10 hour series is $226 and will include coffee and refreshments.

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Alice in the new Wonderland: Contemporary Issues through the lens of children’s literature

  • Date: Wednesday, September 18 to Wednesday October 23

    Time: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

    Cost: $282.50 (includes the cost of materials, HST, and light refreshments.)

    Overview:

    This multi-session course explores contemporary societal issues and provides a forum for learning about the issue and facilitated discussion. A children’s non-fiction or fiction book is used as a tool to present and explore the issue. Part of the session will focus on how participants can use the children’s book to explore the issue with young people in their lives.

    Format:

    This 6-week series is comprised of 2-hour weekly sessions. The 2 hour weekly sessions begin with a 45-60 minute talk led by the guest speaker providing an introduction to the session, the contemporary issue, and an illumination of it through a children’s fiction or non-fiction book. Following the presentation, the speaker will facilitate a discussion among participants about the issue. Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase the authors’ books on the U of T Bookstore website and in-store prior to the start of the course. Each of the weekly sessions will focus on a prominent contemporary issue. Below is the author schedule:

  • Instructors:

    The series will be hosted by the Continuing Education Division with a member of the staff serving as the host for the series. Each week will feature a guest speaker who is the author of a children’s book which will be used as a springboard and tool to explore the issue. Read more about our instructors and their weekly sessions below:

    Week 1 – Joyce Grant

    Critical thinking (about what you see and read online) and Media Literacy In this session, author Joyce Grant will discuss her book “Can You Believe It? How to Spot Fake News and Find the Facts”, illustrated by Kathleen Marcotte. Audience members will reflect and discuss the following:

    • What apps do the young people you care for use?
    • What are your concerns around their use of social media?
    • How equipped are they (and you) to spot misinformation?
    • What is something you’ve seen online recently that you’ve wondered about?
    • What do you want for your young person around social media safety?

    Week 2 – Naseem Hrab

    Helpers and Healers: Picture Books That Say the Things We Can’t Description: Whether it’s loss, divorce, abuse, or natural disasters, the world is a challenging place to navigate no matter your age. Join Governor General Award-winning author Naseem Hrab as she talks about her books Weekend Dad and The Sour Cherry Tree, and explores how reading and writing picture books can help us process emotions, promote healing, and say what seems difficult or even impossible.

    Week 4 – Rochelle Strauss

    Award-winning author Rochelle Strauss discusses children’s non-fiction books as powerful tools to build environmental literacy. Using her books as an example, she will showcase how non-fiction books can teach young and old alike about ocean and climate science, inspire and empower environmental action, provide reasons for hope and help combat eco-anxiety. Books included in this dialogue will be The Global Ocean and One Well: The Story of Water on Earth, as well as Rochelle’s upcoming book Well Aware. Sample questions might include: Have you ever had to navigate discussing environmental issues, or address eco-anxiety, with others in your life (young or old)? How did you approach those discussions and what tools did you find helpful? How do you navigate your own eco-anxiety? What other ways can you use books as stepping stones for exploring the environment and environmental issues? What role do you feel storytelling plays in fostering empathy? How else can we build empathy and a sense of connection to nature? What ideas do you have for integrating books into everyday activities, besides just as bedtime stories? How else can we facilitate further discussions about the issues presented?

    Week 5 – Ella Russell

    Author and editor Ella Russell will discuss the ways children’s literature is tackling topics of self expression, degendering activities and material items, and building confidence in personal preferences while encouraging kids to respect and celebrate others’ preferences. She will use her picture book, Pink Is for Everybody, to examine how books can deconstruct gender essentialism by removing gender from conversations about how we express ourselves through clothing and colour and celebrating personal preferences.
    Audience members will have an opportunity to reflect and discuss the following:

    • How are colours used in gendering material items, marketing, and media aimed at kids? What is the impact of using colour in this way?
    • How do kids determine how to express themselves? How do internal reflection and external ideals factor in?
    • What common trends have you seen in children’s literature about self expression and/or gender expression? (In your childhood and now!)
    • How might you approach important lessons in stories so that kids don’t feel like they’re being lectured? (Relatable characters? Emphasis on the positive? No finger wagging?)
    • How would you approach the inclusion of “heavy” topics in kids’ books? Do the topics of gender identity and gender divides necessitate “heaviness”? What are the potential benefits and/or consequences of removing “negative” aspects or context from the conversation?

    Week 6 – Inna Figotina and Rabia Khokhar


    In this combined session, two books will be used as guides to present and facilitate discussion.

    Rabia’s presentation will start with a focus on the power of children’s literature and its role in acting as a springboard for contemporary topics. She will use the picture book Abuleita and Me written by Leonarda Carranza and illustrated by Rafael Mayani to guide the group around a discussion on anti-racism. The book does a great job of showing the importance of small and big actions we can all take to fight against racism. As well, it centers an integrational relationship which shows that there is a role and place for all within anti-racism work. Throughout the session, participants will be given opportunities to examine specific events carefully and critically in the story. They will hopefully leave the session with vocabulary, skills and passion to engage in anti-racism work in their own capacities.
    Audience members will have an opportunity to reflect and discuss the following:
    • Why is children’s literature powerful?
    • What is/was your favourite children’s book?
    • What is Anti-Racism? What does it look, sound, feel like?
    • How do Abuleita and her granddaughter need each other to fight racism?
    • How can you connect the events that happened in the story to ‘real’ life?
    • What 1-2 ways do you feel inspired to engage in your own anti-racism journey?

    Inna’s presentation will center around “Trilingual Me! Moi, trilingue!” which is an identity-affirming text that celebrates the immigrant experience and the second language acquisition journey. This bilingual children’s book highlights plurilingual identities and overcoming adversity. The book is written in both English and French and it rhymes in both languages. During the session, participants would be invited to engage in the session by reflecting on the languages they speak and reflect on their own language learning journey.

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  • Date: Tuesday September 10 to Tuesday October 1

    Time: 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm

    Location: Kelly Library Print Studio, Second Floor, John M. Kelly Library, 113 St. Joseph St, Toronto

    Cost: $226 (includes the cost of materials and HST)

    Course Description:

    In this workshop students will be introduced to the process of letterpress printing in the Kelley Library print workroom. We will print both type and imagery on the press, so students should bring a quote or phrase to set in type. Students will complete hand printed work that could be a postcard, bookmark, or other keepsake.

    Week 1: Letterpress printing – setting and printing text

    Week 2: Letterpress printing and Linoleum Cut Prints – Carving the block

    Week 3: Linoleum Cuts Prints – Printing the block

    Week 4: Printing practice – working on your own projects, combining the methods

    About the Instructor:

    Andrew Huot is a book artist and bookbinder in Toronto, ON, Canada, where he operates Big River Bindery. He taught bookbinding, conservation, and preservation at the School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois for 12 years. In addition to conservation and bookbinding, he teaches bookbinding and book arts in his Scarborough studio, for the Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild, and at arts centers around Toronto. He holds a Masters in Book Arts from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and his artists’ books use photographs, linoleum cuts, and text to share the humorous side of everyday life. His artists’ books are in collections including the Art Institute of Chicago, Yale University, Emory University, and Ontario College of Art & Design. See more of his work at bigriverbindery.com and andrewhuot.com

    …

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    Student withdrawal, course cancellation and transfer guidelines associated with all Continuing Education courses and programs can be found here.
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CE | Irish Studies Course

  • Continuing Education: Community Learning

    Irish Studies

    Overview:

    From Gaelic games to language, literature, and music, this comprehensive course offers a multifaceted exploration of Irish culture and heritage, inviting participants to deepen their understanding and appreciation of Ireland and Irish culture.

    Format:

    This 12-week course is comprised of 2-hour weekly in person sessions on Tuesdays in Fall 2024 – starting on Tuesday September 3, and running to Tuesday November 19. The series will also include opportunities to practice Gaelic football, hurling, and Irish Dancing outdoors on the St. Mike’s campus.

    • Week 1: The Gaelic Athletic Association
    • Week 2: Amateurism in the Gaelic Athletic Association (followed by an introduction to playing Gaelic football)
    • Week 3: Nationalism in the Gaelic Athletic Association (followed by an introduction to playing hurling)
    • Week 4: History of the Irish language + sociolinguistic behaviours in Ireland today
    • Week 5: Irish language for beginners
    • Week 6: Irish language for beginners
    • Week 7: Irish language for beginners
    • Week 8: Contemporary Irish language poetry
    • Week 9: Traditional Irish Music: Comhaltas and Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann
    • Week 10: Irish dancing (theory and practice)
    • Week 11: Contemporary Irish literature (focusing on Sally Rooney’s Normal People)
    • Week 12: Conclusion

    About the Instructor:

    The series will be led by Pa Sheehan. Pa is Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, in the Celtic Studies Program at the University of St. Michael’s College (USMC) in the University of Toronto. He has taught courses such as Introduction to the Irish Language, Intermediate Irish, Writing Ireland, Traditional Music in Ireland and Scotland, Blasket Island Writings, Sport in Ireland, Celtic Mythology, The Celtic Book and The Celts in the Modern World.

    Hailing from Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare, Ireland, Pa grew up with a passion for the Irish language and the sport of hurling, two passions he has brought with him to Toronto, both in his professional and personal life.

    Pa also hosts a podcast, ‘Irish in Toronto’.

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  • ***IMPORTANT NOTE*** When submitting your form please do not resubmit if you receive an error message. We will contact you if there is an issue with your submission. Thank you.

  • Cancellation and Withdrawal Policy Form

    Student withdrawal, course cancellation and transfer guidelines associated with all Continuing Education courses and programs can be found here.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  • Diploma Outcomes

    By the end of the program, students will be able to:

    1. Understand and recount the historical origins, central teachings, devotional practices, and social/political influences of at least four major religions (informational and confessional aspects)
    2. Identify the major texts of at least four religions and explain how those texts are used in each religious practice (informational and confessional aspects)
    3. Articulate how more than one religion engages in religious topics such as peace and justice, prayer and mystical experience, etc. (relational and practical issues)
    4. Demonstrate the relationship between religion and culture through the arts and education (relational and practical issues)
    5. Engage in meaningful dialogue with men and women of other religions at either a personal or institutional level. This does not mean that every student will be members of dialogue teams; rather, through experiential learning they will come to understand the nuances of interfaith dialogue that can occur at every level: personal, local groups, and the larger institutional (when available).
  • Admission Requirements
    • Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
    • Admission is open to people of all faith traditions. A prior degree is not required to apply.
    • Submit the application form with a $25 processing fee.
    • Please note that no candidate will be considered until all documentation has been received. Please send your completed application form with a non-refundable fee of $25.00 CAD payable to the University of St. Michael’s College to:

    Committee on Admissions and Academic Standing
    Faculty of Theology, University of St. Michael’s College
    81 St. Mary St.,
    Toronto, ON
    M5S 1J4

  • Fees

    In light of a generous donation from the Scarboro Foreign Missions, we are able to offer our diploma courses at a reduced rate. The current cost per course is $100. This rate may be subject to change. Please consult the Student Services Officer for more details.

  • Program Requirements

    The Diploma in Interfaith Dialogue is a 10-credit diploma program, requiring the students to take 8 courses, and one 2-credit capstone course. Generally, the courses run in the evenings or, if the instructor’s schedule permits, on Saturdays. Each course is made up of 12 hours of contact time.

    The program is structured as follows:

    • 2 introductory courses are required
      • A Catholic Approach to Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations
      • Theories and Practices of Dialogue
    • 2 courses from Category I (faith-based courses)
    • 2 courses from Category II (topics in interfaith encounter)
    • 2 additional courses from either categories
    • capstone course (project-based)

    Students can consult the Programs Coordinator for further details.

  • Summer 2021 Courses

    SMD 305
    Chaplaincy in the Multi-Faith and Interfaith Context

    Toronto is a city that embraces the other. Over half its residents were born elsewhere. They hail from nearly every country in the world and speak over 140 languages. Toronto is also home to Canada’s largest LGBTQ community (https://theculturetrip.com.). This multiculturalism that is characteristic of Toronto is also reflected in the religious and non-religious diversity. This diversity has provided health care workers with the opportunity to broaden their knowledge, awareness, and understanding in order to respond to the needs of patients and families. This is no less true for those who provide pastoral/spiritual care.

    This course will introduce the philosophy and theoretical foundations to providing spiritual care in a multifaith environment such as Toronto. Students will learn the distinction between religious care and spiritual care. They will also develop basic listening skills, including how to respond in such a way that it further elicits the patient’s/family’s illness narrative.

    This course will be interactive using different multi-media resources, as well as small group discussion. Students will be invited to get in touch with and explore their own worldview and social location and how these inform them.

    Dates: May 25, June 1, 8, 15 (Tuesday)
    Time: 18:00-21:00
    Instructor: Dr. Marc Doucet
    Location: Remote

    SMD 204
    Sikhism

    In this course students will explore an introduction to Sikhism.  We will look at the evolution of Sikhism through historical accounts of the 10 Gurus, evolution of scriptures contained in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Holy Book) and key faith traditions, practices and daily living.

    Dates: July 5, 12, 19, 26 (Mondays)
    Time: 18:00-21:00
    Instructor: TBA
    Location: Remote

  • Fall 2021 Courses

    SMD 401
    Mapping Religions (Capstone Course)

    Faith-based community organizations are often an integral yet overlooked player in the formation of civil societies. They contribute in meaningful ways to the artistic, social, cultural, environmental, political, and economic outcomes of the neighbourhoods where they are situated, but unless they bear conspicuous labels like church, gurdwara, mandir, mosque, synagogue, or temple, they are not always easily identifiable as religious or spiritual centres.  This capstone course will attempt to render those spaces, and the contributions of the people who inhabit them, visible.

    We will begin be exploring questions such as the following:

    • What constitutes a “religious” space?
    • How does the urban configuration of the diverse, multicultural city of Toronto, as a city of neighborhoods, dictate where religious spaces are situated?
    • What is the relationship between bricks and mortar religious spaces and digital, online communities of religious practitioners?
    • How do these inform one another and how do they redefine the concepts of “access” and of “congregation”? How has this been changed by the global pandemic?
    • What does it mean to “put something on the map”?
    • How does mapping the spaces that form the basis of Toronto’s spiritual and religious communities change the way we see the city and our role as educators within it?

    This course will use a combination of techniques, including map-making and ethnography, to make diverse religious spaces and living religious communities in Toronto come to life.

    Date: Thursday, September 2; Thursday, September 9; Tuesday, September 14; Thursday, September 23
    Time: 18:00-21:00
    Instructor: TBA
    Location: Remote

    SMD 101
    Catholic Perspectives on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations

    In this course, we will examine seminal documents and agencies from the Catholic tradition, with an emphasis on ecumenical and interreligious relations at the international, national, and local levels.

    Students will have an opportunity to develop a deep understanding of unity/commonality that can be applied to emerging ecumenical and interreligious contexts around the world.

    Date: October 5, 12, 19, 26 (Tuesday)
    Time: 18:00-21:00
    Instructor: TBA
    Location: Remote

    SMD 306
    Global Christianity & Inculturation

    Christianity can no longer be thought of as a “Western” religion. The global diffusion of Christian thought and practice has shifted its centre of gravity and given rise to a range of ‘local’ Christian expressions. These expressions challenge the “normative” status of Western Christianity and shed tremendous light on contemporary discussions about how to “inculturate” the faith today, which refers to process of adapting or accommodating Christianity in different cultural contexts. From small Chinese house churches, to massive Korean megachurches, perishes on Navajo reserves to Kenyan gospel halls, Christianity has now become a more diverse faith than ever before in history.

    This course will introduce Global Christianity by examining the rise of Christianity in various local and regional contexts around the world. Students will learn about the key events, backgrounds, and contexts that contributed to the “globalization” of the Christian religion and become familiar with Christianity as it is lived and practiced among people in the Majority World. They will also examine the ways the Gospel has become “inculturated” in both Western and non-Western culture.

    This course will make use of different multi-media resources and incorporate a variety of learning methods, such as student presentations and small group discussions.

    Date: November 8, 15, 22, 29 (Monday)
    Time: 18:00-21:00
    Instructor: TBA
    Location: Remote

  • Winter 2022 Courses

    SMD 102
    Dialogue Principles and Practices

    In this course, we will explore various contemporary approaches to interreligious dialogue and engagement, with a special emphasis on selected examples of such dialogue in Canada and the Greater Toronto Area.  Students will have an opportunity to reflect on the potential of interreligious dialogue to foster mutual respect, practices of humility and hospitality, and collaboration on social issues.

    Date: January 10, 17, 24, 31 (Monday)
    Time: 18:00-21:00
    Instructor: TBA

    SMD 307
    Interfaith in the Classroom

    In this course students will be able to acquire the basic skills to reflect and discuss the need for interfaith dialogue in public education within the context of a local classroom.  It will allow for the presentation and exchange of best practices in teaching interfaith education in the classroom, as well as, equip all students to implement and develop a practical context in which all participants may engage in meaningful interfaith dialogue and practice.  Finally, all students will be able to demonstrate interfaith leadership in collaborative community-based projects, in the assignment of culminating tasks and assignments, and finally, in the creation and development of Interfaith conferences and information sessions.  This course will provide a very practical approach and pedagogy to the understanding and practice of Interfaith Dialogue.

    Date: February 14, 21, 28, March 7 (Monday)
    Time: 18:00-21:00
    Instructor: TBA

    SMD 205
    Buddhism

    Date: March 21, 28, April 4, 11 (Monday)
    Time: 18:00-21:00
    Instructor: TBA

Questions? Please contact inquiry.usmctheology@utoronto.ca or call 416-926-7128.