OLSWA is a unique approach to the study of the liberal arts at the post-secondary level. In support of the Church's renewal in education we form young minds and hearts to play a role in the revitalization of authentic culture.
Jonathan Koechl Three-Year Program Graduate Belwood, Ontario
"The Academy has provided me with an inestimable education, giving me the intellectual tools needed to both find and live out the truth."
The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as a combination of sacred music and words, it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy. --Second Vatican Council
LAS 090: Chorus. “To sing well is to pray twice,” St. Augustine observed. The desire to worship and praise God fittingly has inspired some of the most beautiful music in history, including the sublime psalmody and hymnody of Gregorian chant. This course introduces students to chant notation and simple pieces of music drawn from the riches of the Church’s musical tradition. This course may be taken pass/fail to satisfy the Academy's music requirement, or in conjunction with Liturgy for the Laity for academic credit. (1 Credit, Pre-requisite: none.)
LAS 190: Voice I. Twenty-five minutes of private voice lessons a week for 28 weeks. Sufficiently experienced students may be placed in a higher level course. (1.5 Credits, Full-Year.)
LAS 191: Instrument I. Twenty-five minutes of private piano or organ lessons a week for 28 weeks. Students already possessing a grade 8 competence in Piano or an equivalent competence on the organ may be placed in a higher level course. (1.5 Credits, Full-year.)
LAS 194: Ecclesiastical Schola. One hour of practice of vocal music a week, and some singing at Academy functions. (1 Credit, Full-Year. Pre-requisite: LAS 090.)
LAS 293: Introduction to Ecclesiastical Music. The course will give an overview of general principles and history of church music. Its main goal is to give rudimentary tools to function within a traditional church music programme at any local church. The main focus of those tools will center on: Note reading (Gregorian chant and modern notation), Polyphony (harmony, counterpoint), and special focus on Renaissance period (composers and performance). The confusion surrounding the Vatican II documents pertaining to music in the Catholic Church will be examined and evaluated, including an examination of the role of Gregorian Chant in the Mass and the picture of liturgical music Pope Benedict XVI painted for church musicians. The course will include some participation in the choir at the Monday evening Academy Mass. (3 Credits, Co-requisite: LAS 090.)
LAS 295: Music Theory.
LAS 296: Conducting. Known as the paradox of the "silent musical performer," the conductor has the challenge of learning to play the most complex of instruments: the choir and orchestra. Solid 'stick' technique, time patterns, choir psychology, score study, and practical experience of the craft at Mass will be taught. "Qui cantat bene, bis orat," said St. Augustine. The student will discover that this quote does not fully apply to conductors. Since they are responsible for every aspect of the performance, the prayer does not double, but grows exponentially. All lessons are geared strictly to the musical needs of the Catholic Mass. (3 Credits, Co-requisite: LAS 293.)
LAS 395: Musical History.
LAS 396: Musical Pedagogy. LAS 396: Musical Pedagogy. This course will examine orchestral conducting and hymn selection as appropriate at the parochial level, as well as methods of effective communication with all involved in liturgical prayer and planning. This course will have two components: a weekly involvement with the SPARROWS children’s choir, followed by a short seminar/debriefing (approx 20 minutes); and a general lecture component averaging 40 minutes/week, though some may go as long as one hour and others will be shorter. (Counts as 3 credits worth of teaching load and student load.) If the student sign-up is such that this course ends up being offered as a tutorial, then the balance of the teaching load will be made up through additional offerings of Voice and/or Instrumental sessions. (3 Credits, Co-requisite: LAS 296: Conducting.)
Philosophy at OLSWA
The Church considers philosophy an indispensable help for a deeper understanding of faith --Pope John Paul II
Philosophy is not the concern of those who pass through Divinity and Greats, but of those who pass through birth and death. Nearly all the more awful and abtruse statements can be put in words of one syllable, from 'a child is born' to 'A soul is damned.' If the ordinary man may not discuss existence, why should he be asked to conduct it? --G.K. Chesterton
PHI 100: Fundamentals of Philosophy. An introduction to Philosophy with an emphasis on the philosophy of nature and man. Topics will include: the meaning and nature of Philosophy, change and the four causes, the nature and powers of the soul, the immortality of the human soul, and philosophical knowledge of God. Readings will primarily be from the works of Plato, Aristotle, and St. Thomas Aquinas. Representative modern positions will also be examined. (3 credits, Fall. Pre-requisite: none.)
PHI 101: Introduction to Philosophy. (6 Credits. This course has been replaced in the core by PHI 100 and PHI 200)
PHI 141 Logic: The human mind must be trained to reason properly, and this art of defining and reasoning is called logic. Since the Catholic Faith is rational, its explanation and defence require that every educated Catholic be grounded in the principles of right reasoning. This course follows the pedagogical method of John Oesterle, who summarizes Aristotle's works on logic in the light of the medieval masters. We begin with the components of the first act of the human intellect, simple apprehension including categorization, opposition, division, and definition before moving on to the second and third acts of the intellect, namely propositions, judgements of truth and falsity, and, finally, syllogistic reasoning. The exercises and examples emphasize the use and abuse of logic in everyday speech and actions. (3 credits, Fall. Pre-requisite: none.)
PHI 200: Ethics. An introduction to the foundation and method of Ethics. Topics will include: how Ethics is possible, happiness, virtue, the morality of human acts, and the purpose of society. Readings will be from Plato, Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, The Summa Theologica of St. Thomas Aquinas, and select ancient and modern authors. (3 credits, Spring. Pre-requisite: PHI 100.)
PHI 241: Formal Logic: An examination of the principles and methods of Formal Logic through an analysis of the foundational texts of Aristotle. Attention will also be given to later historical developments by Greek, Roman, and Medieval Logicians. (3 Credits. Pre-requisite: PHI 141: Logic.)
PHI 242: Material Logic: This course will examine how the principles of Logic are used to acquire knowledge. The methods and degrees of certitude possible to different types of arguments (Demonstrative, Dialectical, and Rhetorical) will be analyzed. (3 Credits. Pre-requisite: PHI 141: Logic.)
PHI 243: Symbolic Logic: An introduction to the methods and applications of modern Symbolic Logic. Attention will also be given to the theoretical foundations of Symbolic Logic and its relationship to Aristotelian Logic. (3 Credits. Pre-requisite: PHI 141: Logic.)
PHI/THE 268: Apologetics. This course is designed to foster the basic principles of apologetic discourse, as well as the fundamental skills of public speaking. Rather than focus on all the elements of Catholic theology (covered in other courses), this course teaches students how to argue well for the faith, using reason and revelation. Students will give a series of weekly talks on various subjects pertaining to apologetics, including the beliefs of our separated brethren, as well as clearing up certain misconceptions about our own faith. Clarity of thought, rational discourse, as well as basic rhetorical skills will all be emphasized. (3 Credits, Spring. Co-requisites: PHI/THE 271, THE/HIS 310.)
PHI/THE 270: Augustinian Thought. John Paul II urged the spiritual sons of St. Augustine “to keep the fascination of St. Augustine alive and attractive even in modern society.” Few today venture outside of The Confessions to encounter this great Doctor of the Church, and so remain unaware of the fact that St. Augustine’s contribution to Catholic theology, and indeed, to Christian theology as a whole, is exceeded only by the Bible itself. Controversies that have sprung from his thought have occupied a great part of the life of the mind since his death in 430, and remain major events in the Church even today. It is impossible to imagine theology apart from his contributions to Trinitarian theology, sacramental theology, theology of grace, mysticism, and the philosophy of personhood. All Latin theologians since his time have considered themselves his disciples, including St. Thomas Aquinas, which makes this course a perfect complement for Thomistic Thought. This class shall plot out the course by which a middle-class African teacher of rhetoric changed the face of the thought of humanity, with special attention to his encounter with the Manichaeans, the Donatists, and the Pelagians. (3 Credits, Co-requisite: THE/PHI 271: Thomistic Thought.)
PHI/THE 271: Thomistic Thought. "All Catholics who give themselves to higher studies should be disciples of St. Thomas" (Pius XI). This course offers students the opportunity to fulfill this counsel, providing them with the principles, experience and knowledge necessary to understand the thought of St. Thomas in his own words. Using the Summa Theologica of St. Thomas Aquinas, student will read through the Prima Pars and the Prima Secundae, covering the sections on passions, habits, sin, law, and grace, before turning to an examination of Thomas' teaching on God, His providence and creation. This will both deepen the knowledge of these subjects and expose the student to the extremely methodical nature of St. Thomas' thought, which is not apparent when one reads only excerpts that are fitted to another instructor's syllabus. By examining the questions and articles in a systematic fasion, students should be able to synthesize and apply the thought of this great Doctor both to perennial questions, as well as those quesitons pertinent to the modern age. (6 Credits, Full Year. Pre-requisites: THE 200 and PHI 200.)
PHI 290: Introduction to Political Philosophy: "There is no better way to renew a genuinely human political life than to encourage an inner sense of justice . . . and to strengthen basic convictions on the true nature of the political community as well as the purpose, the right use and the limitations of public authority" (Second Vatican Council). This course presents an overview of the development of political philosophy, in the context of the perennial philosophy, from its beginning to our times, familiarizing students with the principles that emerge along the way. While surveying a variety of great philosophers, including Plato, Aristotle, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Maritain, the principles that are constant in the development of political thought will be examined, and their applicability to our modern society in view of the common good will be discussed. (3 Credits, Spring. Pre-requisite: PHI 200.)
PHI 291: Political Philosophy I: This course presents an overview of the development of political philosophy from ancient Greece to the Middle Ages. While surveying a variety of great philosophers, the principles that are constant in the development of political thought will be examined, and their applicability to our modern society in view of the common good will be discussed. Pre-requisite: (3 Credits. Pre-requisite: PHI 220.)
PHI 292: Political Philosophy II: This course presents an overview of the development of political philosophy from the Renaissance to our times. While surveying a variety of great philosophers, the principles that are constant in the development of political thought will be examined, and their applicability to our modern society in view of the common good will be discussed. (3 Credits. Pre-requisite: PHI 100.)
PHI 301: Ancient Philosophy: This course surveys development of Philosophy in Classical Greece and the Roman Empire. Readings will be from the pre-Socratics, Plato, Aristotle, the Hellenistic and Roman Philosophers, and will conclude with an examination of Neoplatonism. Attention will also be given to the perennial value of Ancient Philosophy. (3 Credits, Spring. Pre-requisite: PHI 200.)
PHI 302: Medieval Philosophy: This course surveys Philosophers and the development of Philosophy from the period of the late Roman Empire to the Renaissance. Emphasis will be given to the continuity of Medieval Philosophy with Ancient Philosophy (especially Plato and Aristotle), but also to its originality in reconciling Faith and Reason. Attention will also be given to the perennial value of Medieval Philosophy. (3 Credits, Fall. Co-requisite: PHI/THE 271.)
PHI 303: Modern Philosophy: This course surveys Philosophers and the development of Philosophy since the Renaissance, with an emphasis on the ‘classical’ period of Modern Philosophy from Descartes to Kant. Important later figures such as Hegel, Nietzsche, and Husserl will also be examined. (3 Credits, Spring. Co-requisite: PHI/THE 271.)
PHI 323: Epistemology. Epistemology is the study of knowledge, what it consists in and how it is acquired. This course will examine the foundations and types of knowledge. Special attention will be given to the place of sensation and demonstration in acquiring knowledge. (3 Credits. Co-requisite: PHI/THE 271.)
PHI 325 Metaphysics: Metaphysics is the study of the common principles of all beings--both material and immaterial. This course will examine how Metaphysics is possible and how Metaphysical knowledge can be obtained. Topics will include: being and beings, substance, essence and existence, potency and act, and the transcendentals. (3 Credits. Fall. Co-requisite: PHI/THE 271.)
PHI 351: Natural Theology. This course will examine what may be known about God and creation’s relation to God through the analysis of the natural world. Also explored will be the compatibility of revelation with natural human knowledge. (3 Credits. Co-requisite: PHI/THE 271.)
PHI 404: Contemporary Philosophy. This course will survey the devlopment of philosophy in the 20th century with emphasis upon those lines of thought that are being developed in the 21st century. Special attention will be given to currents of thought prominent in Catholic philosophical circles, such as Personalism, the Thomistic Revival, and Phenomenology. (3 Credits. Pre-requisite: PHI 303 or PHI 325: Metaphysics.)
Literature at OLSWA
Literature and the arts... aim to penetrate our true nature, our problems, and our experience as we strive to come to know and to develop ourselves and the world; they endeavour to discuss our situation in history and in the world, to throw light on our distresses and joys, needs and strengths, and to point to a better destiny for mankind. In this way they are capable of enhancing human life as it assumes many forms in time and place. --Second Vatican Council
LAS/LIT 095: Drama Practicum. This course requires extensive hands-on work on a major theatrical production. Students must complete at least 45 hours of work on such aspects of the production as stage management, costume direction, and acting. Competence in the selected area must be demonstrated. (1 Credit. Full Year. Pre-requisite: none.)
LIT 100: Freshman Writing. This course teaches students to write clear and effective summaries, argumentative essays, and research papers. Course components will include: summarizing; brainstorming and mind-mapping; planning and organizing; writing introductions and conclusions; drafting; revising; writing research papers; and citing sources. (3 credits, Full Year. Pre-requisite: none.)
LAS/LIT 106: Introduction to Drama. This course involves extensive hands-on work on a major theatrical production, as per LAS/LIT 095, as well as readings, discussions and applications of theoretical approaches to drama, and workshops on dramatic technique. (2 Credits [includes LAS/LIT 095: Drama Practicum], Pre-requisite or Co-requisite: LAS/LIT 095: Drama Practicum.)
LIT 125: Creative Writing. “None can sense more deeply than you artists, ingenious creators of beauty that you are, something of the pathos with which God, at the dawn of creation, looked upon the work of divine hands.” So begins Pope John Paul II’s illuminating Letter to Artists. In this influential pastoral letter, the Holy Father reminds us of the awesome responsibility Catholic artists—including Catholic authors—have for bringing the Gospel to humanity. He also stresses the vocational aspect of art. This course will be particularly interesting to those students who feel a call to express themselves through the art of creative writing. Classes will be conducted as workshops in which students will examine such topics as genres, style, setting, character development, and the unique responsibility inherent in being a Catholic author. They will hone their skills by analyzing samples of great works of literature. These will be used as models and springboards for their own creative works. Students will be expected to produce a personal portfolio of writings representing their efforts at tackling various literary genres. (3 Credits. Pre-requisite: none.)
LIT 141: Introduction to Classical Literature. This course will introduce students to the foundational epics of the west, Homer's Illiad and Odyssey, and Virgil's Aeneid, as well as a selection of other works by Greek and Roman authors. Through delving into the thought and outlook put forth in these works, the students will gain insight into the cultural soil, which, when sown with the seeds of Christianity, gave rise to Western Christian civilization. They will enrich their ability to understand and engage with the great canon of Western Literature by studying some of the earliest and most influential contributions to it. Further, they will increase their understanding of the human condition by examining some of the most dramatic and profound presentations of human experience available in the Western tradition. (3 Credits, Full Year. Pre-requisite: none.)
LIT 201: Survey of Literature. In the first year, students acquire a basic knowledge of "our true nature, our problems, and our experience" from PHI 101: Introduction to Philosophy, which explores these subjects as naturally knowable, and from the Christian Doctrine sequence, which explores these subjects in the light of revelation. The History sequence gives a familiarity with "our situation in history." Thus, having been suitably equipped through the first year of course work, second year students begin penetrating these issues more deeply through the great works of literature. The Survey of Literature will introduce the students to the basic principles of the art of assessing literature while covering authors from St Augustine to Flannery O'Connor, including Dante, Shakespeare, and Defoe. (6 Credits, Full Year. Pre-requisite: second-year standing or permission of the instructor.)
LIT 251: Catholic Literature. What is "Catholic Literature"? Is it literature written by Catholics? Or literature that supports a Catholic world-view, whether written by Catholics or by non-Catholics? (The latter criterion would disqualify some literature written by Catholics!) This course addresses these questions and others while analyzing the works of some major Catholic writers (e.g., Chesterton, Waugh, Tolkien, O'Brien) and a few non-Catholic writers (e.g., Robert Bolt, Willa Cather). The aim of the course is to equip students with the critical skills with which to read and appreciate literature from the standpoint of faith. (3 Credits, Full Year. Pre-requisite or Co-requisite: Lit 201: Survey or Literature.)
LIT 255: Chesterton. This course will explore a representative selection of G.K. Chesterton's poetry and prose (both fiction and non-fiction). Students will have an opportunity to experience the great wit and wisdom of one of Christendom's most prolific writers and master of the paradox. (3 Credits, Pre-requisite or Co-requisite: LIT 201: Survey of Literature.)
LIT 301: Canadian Literature. This course looks at some of the seminal literary texts that have shaped Canadian identity, from the early colonial experience (Susanna Moodie) to the 20th century (Archibald Lampman, Stephen Leacock, W.O. Mitchell, Gabrielle Roy). Special attention will be given to Catholic writers in Canada (Morley Callaghan, Michael O'Brien). French texts will be taught in translation. (3 Credits, Pre-requisite or Co-requisite: LIT 201: Survey of Literature.)
LIT 310: American Literature from the Pilgrims to 1900. Attempts by settlers in America to establish a sense of self both individually and as a society constitute the founding impulse of American literature. By looking at these early texts, and by following subsequent developments as pilgrims increasingly forged an identity separate from that of the mother country, students will gain an understanding of how America was shaped in those early years. Connections will be made to literary trends in Britain, but distinct modifications and departures of American writers will also be appreciated. Authors will include Edwards, Bradstreet, Franklin, Poe, Dickinson, Twain, and Whitman. (3 Credits. Pre-requisite or Co-requisite: LIT 201: Survery of Literature.)
LIT 311: 20th Century American Literature. American responses to modernity and post-modernity have been multi-faceted and inventive. They have frequently involved the development of literary movements, often divided along geographical or ethnic lines, reflecting the cultural diversity of 20th-century America. Students will gain familiarity with these movements and their characteristic features, as well as with the work of individual writers, and special attention will be paid to Catholic authors. Texts will include works by Faulkner, Steinbeck, Hemingway, Parker, Hughes, Ginsberg, and O'Connor. (3 Credits, Pre-requisite or Co-requisite: LIT 201: Survey of Literature.)
LIT 318: Anglo-Saxon Literature. Anglo-Saxon is the earliest form of our modern English language and for that reason is often referred to as Old English. Its literature deals with timeless themes such as the meaning of life; dealing with grief and loneliness; and the existence of God. Those who have chosen to revisit Old English have found it extremely influential. The poet, Gerard Manley Hopkins, once wrote: “I am learning Anglo-Saxon and it is a vastly superior thing to what we have now.” Similarly, W.H. Auden declared that Anglo-Saxon left him “spellbound.” And J.R.R. Tolkien has dubbed it “a noble idiom.” In the spirit of these great writers and scholars, this course will examine some of the most captivating Anglo-Saxon offerings including Deor, The Dream of the Rood, and Beowulf, among others. Although the course will periodically refer to modern English translations of these works, the aim will be to acquire a sufficient grounding in Old English vocabulary, grammar, and history to read and understand these texts in their original language. (3 Credits, Pre-requisite or Co-requisite: LIT 201: Survey of Literature.)
LIT 320: Medieval Literature. This course will explore some key English medieval texts – including Middle English lyrics, Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, Langland’s Piers Plowman, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Everyman, and The Chester Play of Noah. Discussion of these texts will focus on questions of literary merit, style, and genre, but also on the insights they give us into aspects of medieval culture and society. (3 Credits, Pre-requisite or Co-requisite: LIT 201: Survey of Literature.)
LIT 322: Shakespeare. This course is an in-depth study of six of Shakespeare’s plays. The focus in 2007-2008 is Shakespeare’s histories (I Henry IV, Henry V, and Richard III) and comedies (The Taming of the Shrew, As You Like It, and The Merry Wives of Windsor). Various critical methods are brought to bear on these texts so that a range of interpretations may be explored and tested. (3 Credits, Fall. Pre-requisite or Co-requisite: LIT 201: Survey of Literature.)
LIT 323: Elizabethan Literature.The literature of the Elizabethan period forms the foundation and inspiration of much of what is to be admired in English literature in general. The supple beauty of the English language in this era gives life to some of England's finest poetry (albeit sometimes florid and archaic); the English Sonnet flourishes; and the prose sparkles with variety and originality. Though many of the writers of the period identify themselves as anti-Catholic, their writing is nevertheless steeped in a pervasive Catholic ethos, the nature of which shall be explored through selected works. (3 Credits. Pre-requisite or Co-requisite: LIT 201: Survey of Literature.)
LIT 324: 17th Century Literature. Jacobean drama, Metaphysical poetry, and Milton's writings share a tendency to present situations of profound religious and moral import with great emotional force. The memorable imagery as well as dramatic potency of these works will be studied with a view to understanding their religious significance as well as to appreciating their literary style. Political and social developments will also be brought to bear on the texts, which will include writings by Jonson, Marlowe, Donne, Herbert, Marvell, and Milton. (3 Credits. Pre-requisite or Co-requisite: LIT 201: Survey of Literature.)
LIT 325: Restoration and 18th Century Literature. Significant developments in the practice of writing literature during this period will be studied, including the restoration of English drama (and the new directions the playwrights took); the birth of the English novel; the importance of satire; and the rise of literary journalism. Authors will include Goldsmith, Defoe, Dryden, Johnson, Pope, Richardson, and Swift. (3 Credits. Pre-requisite or Co-requisite: LIT 201: Survey of Literature.)
LIT 326: Romanticism. Sweeping changes to European society as a result of the French Revolution were accompanied by radical transformations in literature, in Britain no less than in France. In poetry, the works of Blake, Coleridge and Wordsworth, followed by the second generation of Romantic poets, represented a significant departure from their Enlightenment predecessors, as did the Gothic novel. The nature of these changes will be examined, and an attempt will be made to understand their implications from the point of view of philosophy and religion. (3 Credits. Pre-requisite or Co-requisite: LIT 201: Survey of Literature.)
LIT 327: Victorian Literature. This course focuses on the literature of the Victorian period, which sets the foundation for modern literature in English through seminal developments in the novel (Dickens, George Eliot), and innovation and achievement in poetry (Tennyson, Browning). An abiding concern of the course will be the decay of religion in England during this period and the genius of the Catholic response to it in literature, as exemplified by Newman and Hopkins. (3 Credits. Pre-requisite or Co-requisite: LIT 201: Survey of Literature.)
LIT 329: Modern British Literature. This course will concentrate on the literature produced in Britain during the first half of the 20th Century, paying special attention to Symbolism and Imagism in poetry, and Modernism in the novel. Connections will necessarily be made to the two world wars, noting the rise of pessimism and nihilism in writings of the period. Equally, however, the importance of religion and in particular of renewed orthodoxy as a corrective to the general trend will be examined through literary expressions of faith. (3 Credits. Pre-requisite or Co-requisite: LIT 201: Survey of Literature.)
LIT 340: Dostoevsky. This course will seek to appreciate what it is that makes Dostoevsky's great oeuvre inexorably Christian, through an exploration of some crucial themes in his works, such as human sinfulness; repentance and forgiveness; divine mercy; suffering; and social justice vs. injustice. Texts to be studied include the major works (The Brothers Karamazov, Crime and Punishment, The Idiot) but also minor works (Notes from the House of the Dead, short stories). (3 Credits. Pre-requisite or Co-requisite: LIT 102: Survey of Literature.)
LIT 351: Dante. "Among the many celebrated geniuses of whom the Catholic faith can boast who have left undying fruits in literature and art especially, besides other fields of learning, and to whom civilization and religion are ever in debt, highest stands the name of Dante Alighieri . . . "(Benedict XV). The Divine Comedy stands as perhaps the greatest Catholic literary work ever produced. Richly imaginative, stylistically masterful, and religiously profound, it offers inexhaustible material for study. This course will focus on the work's poetic imagery, its structure, and its relation to its historical context. (3 Credits, Spring. Pre-requisite or Co-requisite: LIT 201: Survey of Literature.)
LIT 371: Literary Theory to 1900. This course focuses on seminal texts in traditional literary criticism from Plato and Aristotle through Johnson and Dryden to Coleridge and Matthew Arnold, to name a few. Attempts will be made to understand the philosophical views that shape these literary theories on the one hand, as well as how the theories can be applied practically on the other. The theories will also be placed in their historical and literary-historical context. Pre-requisite: LIT 201. Co-requisite: One other 300 level LIT course. (3 Credits, Pre-requisite or Co-requisite: LIT 201: Survey of Literature.)
LIT 471: Contemporary Literary Theory. Building on the knowledge students have gained in LIT 371: Literary Theory to 1900, this course will introduce students to more recent challenges to traditional theory and practice. Schools of criticism such as New Criticism, Structuralism, Post-structuralism, psychoanalysis, feminism, deconstruction, Marxism, and post-colonialism will be studied, both in terms of their ideological underpinnings and in terms of their practical applications. Attention will be paid to the ways in which these theories may in certain cases complement a Christian perspective and/or how they are inimical to it. In addition, the work of theorists who seek to reinject religious and metaphysical premises into literary theory will be evaluated. Pre-requisite: LIT 371, one other 300 level LIT course and PHI 303; Co-requisite: an additional 300 level LIT course. (3 Credits. Pre-requisite: LIT 371: Literary Theory to 1900, one other 300-level LIT course and PHI 303: Modern Philosophy. Co-requisite: an additional 300-level LIT course.)
History at OLSWA
HIS 101: History of Western Civilization. "All things, all history converges in Christ.... Jesus Christ is the beginning and the end, the alpha and the omega, Lord of the new universe, the great hidden key to human history and the part we play in it” (Paul VI). Human history is a crucial subject for Christians, for we believe in a God who entered into history and thereby sanctified the historical process by his presence. Christ is at the heart of history, giving meaning and purpose to the story of mankind. Therefore, our study of history helps us understand God and his plan for us. But history also gives us a deeper understanding of ourselves and our society, because our faith and liturgy, culture, literature, philosophy, and political systems have all been shaped by the ideas and decisions of our forebears. This year-long course traces Western history from the rise of civilization in Mesopotamia and Egypt to the present day. Students will be introduced to key people, events, and themes as they read a variety of primary texts from the ancient world, classical Greece and Rome, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the Modern Age. (6 Credits, Pre-requisite: none.)
HIS 131/THE 131: Church History. (6 Credits. This course has been replaced in the core by HIS 101)
HIS 132: Classical History. This course will introduce students to the history of Greece and Rome through a study of important primary and secondary sources. Knowledge of classical history is crucial for understanding the history of the West, for along with Christianity and the native traditions of the European peoples, Greece and Rome are the foundations of our civilization. (3 Credits, Pre-requisite: none.)
HIS 230: Renaissance and Reformation. As tensions within Western culture mounted, religious division exploded across Europe. Nevertheless, new challenges to the Church encouraged the growth of new forms of religious expression that begin to purify medieval Catholicism of some of its weaknesses. This course covers the rise of humanism, the breakdown of medieval unity, the age of exploration and missionary activity, Luther, Calvin, Henry VIII, and the Catholic Counter-Reformation. (3 Credits, Pre-requisite: HIS 101 or HIS 131.)
HIS 240: Introduction to North American Civilization. “Reflect on America as a single entity, by reason of all that is common to the peoples of the continent, including their shared Christian identity and their genuine attempt to strengthen the bonds of solidarity and communion between the different forms of the continent’s rich cultural heritage” (John Paul II, Ecclesia in America). There has been much interaction between the U.S. and Canada over the world’s longest undefended border. To understand the development of one either country, one should study the other. Likewise, the U.S. and Mexico share much history in common. This course will trace the colonial and national histories of all three nations, and so provide a background for understanding a future in which the people of these three nations seem likely to be drawn ever more closely together. Emphasis will be placed upon events in history that are shared and political developments that are distinct among these countries, allowing students to appreciate what is common and what is unique. (3 Credits, Pre-requisite: HIS 101 or HIS 131.)
HIS/THE 310: Biblical History. This course builds upon the methods and knowledge acquired in Scriptural Literature. The books of Romans, Isaiah, Luke, and Acts are examined continuously and with a certain development, following the method advised by Pope Leo XIII. To provide the historical background necessary to begin to understand these books, the historical books of the Old Testament are also examined, but with less development. (3 Credits, Pre-requisite: THE 210.)
HIS 320 Introduction to the Medieval World. This course is an introduction to the history of Medieval Europe from the latter days of the Western Roman Empire to the Hundred Years’ War. The Middle Ages were crucial for the development of the Church as we know it, profoundly affecting her organization, her liturgy, the religious life, the office of the papacy, and many other aspects that we hold dear. But this period was also responsible for many political, legal, and social institutions which endure to this day. This is also a colourful and exciting period of history, replete with miracle-working saints and valiant kings. Because of all these factors, this is a time worthy to be studied in greater depth. The class will consider the nature of medieval society and the medieval worldview through a variety of primary and secondary sources, with a particular focus on developments within the Church. Several primary sources that illustrate vividly the rich world of the Middle Ages will be read in their entirety, to help students further understand the medieval mentalities and hone their critical and analytical skills. The rise of the Germanic kingdoms, the foundations of monarchy, the development of the papacy, the Holy Roman Empire, societal ties, chivalry, crusading, monasticism, heresy, Gothic and Romanesque architecture, and the Black Death are among the many topics which will be covered. (3 Credits, Pre-requisite: HIS 101 or HIS 131.)
HIS 336: French Revolution and Nineteenth-Century Europe. This course is a study of one of the most important political and social events in modern history. Covering the leading ideas of eighteenth-century enlightenment culture will lay the foundation for a detailed discussion of the Revolution and the subsequent rise of Napoleon. A special emphasis is given to the impact of these events on Christianity, as well as to various critiques of the Revolution. (3 Credits, Pre-requisite: HIS 101 or HIS 131.)
HIS 350: Byzantine History. This course will introduce students to the history of the Byzantine Empire, from the conversion of Constantine to the fall of Constantinople. The political, religious, and intellectual history of Byzantium will be examined, with a particular focus on the nature of Eastern Christianity. Topics covered will include the Late Roman Empire, the early Church councils, the Age of Justinian, Iconoclasm, the rise of Islam, the Crusades, and the decline and fall of the Byzantine Empire. (3 Credits, Pre-requisite: HIS 101 or HIS 131.)
HIS 360: History of the Middle East. The history of the Middle East is one that should be more widely known, especially given the current volatile situation in this region of the world and the threat of Islamic terrorism. So too, from a Catholic perspective, we should be concerned about understanding the history of this heartland of the Islamic religion, because Islam is a rival monotheistic religion with roots in Judaism, and because the number of Muslims in the world has now surpassed the number of Catholics. This course will attempt to give a balanced perspective on the religion, history, culture, and politics of the Middle East, covering its history from Muhammad to the modern world. We will begin by looking at the origins of Islam, with a special concern for the influences upon it from Christianity, Judaism, and pre-Islamic societies. We will then look at the spread of Islam, the Abbasids, and the effect of the Crusades upon Middle East. We will go on to examine in depth the history of the Ottoman Empire, followed by European colonialism and the response of Middle Easterners to this movement. Finally, the course will consider the twentieth century, the rise of nationalism, the influence of socialism and capitalism, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Islamic Revolution in Iran, the Gulf War, and the Iraq War. Throughout the course, there will be an ongoing attempt to understand the roots of the current resurgence of Islam in the Middle East. (3 Credits, Pre-requisite: HIS 101 or HIS 131.)
Languages, Arts, and Social Sciences
Aided by the specific contributions of philosophy and theology, [...] scholars will be engaged in a constant effort to determine the relative place and meaning of each of the various disciplines within the context of a vision of the human person and the world that is enlightened by the Gospel, and therefore by a faith in Christ, the Logos, as the center of creation and of human history. --John Paul II
Languages
LAS 121: Latin I. Students are introduced to the basic grammatical principles of Latin and acquire a basic vocabulary. The fruits of one’s labours are quickly seen as students begin to translate passages from the New Testament. (4 Credits, Pre-requisite: none.)
LAS 123: French I. The course assumes no previous knowledge of French. Basic grammatical structures are taught, and reinforced through listening, speaking, reading and writing. The basic text is Bragger’s and Rice’s Allons-y: Le Français par étapes, supplemented with repetitive oral exercises, real conversations, songs, proverbs, maxims, riddles, etc. The course includes a strong cultural component. (4 Credits, Pre-requisite: none.)
LAS 221: Latin II. Students rapidly review the grammatical principles taught in Latin I, and then go on to complete the grammatical study of Latin. More emphasis is placed on reading, which focuses upon the New Testament, but includes selections from a variety of other sources. Intensive study will be made of the final sixteen chapters of John F. Collins’ A Primer of Ecclesiastical Latin. (4 Credits, Pre-requisite: LAS 121: Latin I or permission of the instructor.)
LAS 223: French II. Building on the knowledge of French gained in LAS 123: French I, this course will work to increase the student’s vocabulary, knowledge of and facility with grammar, and written and oral competence in French to an intermediate level. (4 Credits, Pre-requisite: LAS 123: French I or permission of the instructor.)
LAS/THE 224: Introduction to New Testament Greek. “Latin-speaking men, whom we have here undertaken to instruct, need two other languages for a knowledge of the Divine Scriptures, Hebrew and Greek, so that they may turn back to earlier exemplars if the infinite variety of Latin translations gives rise to any doubts,” says St. Augustine. By drawing upon the grammatical knowledge already acquired in the Academy’s Latin courses and concentrating upon the vocabulary that is most frequent in the New Testament, students will, after a brief introduction to Koine Greek grammar, begin reading the New Testament with the help of lexical aids. With practice, the students will begin to appreciate the nuances present in the original text of the New Testament that are not always evident in translation. This course will enable students to read through the New Testament in the original language while consulting Kubo’s A Reader’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. The Gospel of Mark will be read in this course. (3 Credits, Pre-requisite: LAS 221 or permission of the instructor.)
LAS 321: Latin III. The purpose of this advanced-level course is to impart fluent reading proficiency in a wide variety of Latin writings, including selections from St. Thomas Aquinas, the Fathers of the Church, Medieval Poetry, Hymns, the Old Testament of the Vulgate, some Classical works, and modern Church documents. The course will include a review of Units 29-35 of Collins’ Ecclesiastical Latin with extensive exercises supplemented by F. L. Moreland and R. M. Fleischer’s Latin: An Intensive Course. (4 Credits, Pre-requisite: LAS 221: Latin II, or permission of the instructor.)
LAS/THE 324: Intermediate New Testament Greek. “The original [Scriptural] text, having been written by the inspired author himself, has more authority and greater weight than even the very best translation, whether ancient or modern.” (Pius XII). Building upon the vocabulary and skills learned in LAS/THE 224: Introduction to New Testament Greek, students will read the Gospels of John and Matthew. The vocabulary of the Gospels will be emphasized, so that by the end of the course students will be able to read through the four Gospels in Greek without needing to consult a lexicon. This in turn will allow them to keep in practice in Greek while reading and meditating upon the scriptures in the original language. As students through practice become more proficient in Greek, they will more deeply appreciate the richness of the original texts. (3 Credits, Pre-requisite: LAS/THE 224 or permission of the instructor.)
LAS/THE 326: Introduction to Biblical Hebrew. “Latin-speaking men, whom we have here undertaken to instruct, need two other languages for a knowledge of the Divine Scriptures, Hebrew and Greek, so that they may turn back to earlier exemplars if the infinite variety of Latin translations gives rise to any doubts,” says St. Augustine. This course teaches Hebrew Grammar, and those Hebrew words occurring 50 or more times in the Old Testament. Students are thus both able to analyze particular texts in the original language as well as read through text with the aid of Armstrong, Busby, and Carr’s A Reader’s Hebrew-English Lexicon of the Old Testament. (4 Credits, Pre-requisite: permission of the instructor.)
LAS 421: Selected Latin Readings. A reading course, which examines the Latin form of select theological texts. Included will be selections from St. Augustine, other Fathers of the Church, Medieval Poetry, and a variety of other sources, including the liturgy. Emphasis will be placed on building vocabulary, recognition of special sentence forms, and the appreciation of verbal aesthetics. The problematic of eloquence in Christian discourse will be considered throughout this course. (4 Credits, Pre-requisite: LAS 321: Latin III or approval of instructor.)
Fine Arts
"None can sense more deeply than you artists, ingenious creators of beauty that you are, something of the pathos with which God at the dawn of creation looked upon the work of his hands. A glimmer of that feeling has shone so often in your eyes when—like the artists of every age—captivated by the hidden power of sounds and words, colours and shapes, you have admired the work of your inspiration, sensing in it some echo of the mystery of creation with which God, the sole creator of all things, has wished in some way to associate you." --John Paul II, Letter to Artists, 1999
LAS 091: Introduction to Fine Arts. This course presents students with an overview of the development of the Fine Arts in Western Culture, starting with primitive art, and moving through Greco-Roman Art, Medieval Art, the Renaissance and Baroque, and the Modern period. Students will deepen their appreciation for the Fine Arts by copying some of the great masterpieces in drawing format, with guidance from the instructor. Two tours of art collections will also be part of the program. (1 Credit, Pre-requisite: none.)
LAS/LIT 095: Drama Practicum. This course requires extensive hands-on work on a major theatrical production. Students must complete at least 45 hours of work on such aspects of the production as stage management, costume direction, and acting. Competence in the selected area must be demonstrated. (1 Credit. Pre-requisite: none.)
LAS/LIT 106: Introduction to Drama. This course involves extensive hands-on work on a major theatrical production, as per LAS/LIT 095, as well as readings, discussions and applications of theoretical approaches to drama, and workshops on dramatic technique. (2 Credits [includes content of LAS/LIT 095: Drama Practicum], Pre-requisite or Co-requisite: LAS/LIT 095: Drama Practicum.)
LAS/THE 107: Liturgy for the Laity. While still a Cardinal, the present Pope observed both that “Liturgical education today, of both priests and laity, is deficient to a deplorable extent” and that the area of liturgy is “one of the clearest examples of the contrast between what the authentic text of Vatican II says and the way in which it has been understood and applied.” These deficiencies should be addressed, as “The liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; it is also the font from which all her power flows” (Second Vatican Council). This course will examine how this truth applies to the laity, including how and why the laity should direct all their activity toward the liturgy as the “summit” of their lives, and how and why the liturgy may give power to all the ordinary activities of daily life. (3 credits [includes the credit for LAS 095], Co-requisite or Pre-requisite: LAS 095.)
LAS 111: Catholicism and the Arts. “The fine arts are rightly classed among the noblest activities of man’s genius... holy Mother Church has always been the patron of the fine arts and has ever sought their noble ministry...The Church has, with good reason, always claimed the right to pass judgment on the arts, deciding which of the works are in accordance with its traditions of faith, holiness, and law.” (Second Vatican Council). This course provides a historical survey of the fine arts, with the intent of familiarizing students with the Church’s standards of art, especially as manifest in the finest historical art work. Thus, students will be able to rightly appreciate and judge the merits of the fruits of some of “the noblest activities of man’s genius.” (2 Credits, Pre-requisite: none.)
Social Sciences
LAS 150: Psychology. This course will introduce to the student the major subfields of psychology including Biopsychology, Cognitive psychology, Social psychology, Clinical psychology, Developmental psychology and Health psychology. The study of these fields of inquiry will cover a review of the role of research and the areas of learning, memory, sensation, motivation, emotion and related topics of personality, psychological disorders and their treatment. (3 Credits, Pre-requisite: none.)
LAS/THE 163: Economics and the Social Teaching of the Church. The production and consumption of material goods are the identifying characteristics of a society that defines itself as “industrial.” While such production and consumption should not be the sole activities of man, they are an important component of his activity, and one worthy of special consideration while dwelling in an “industrial society.” The Church provides guidance for man in this area through her social teaching, but to intelligently apply this teaching to oneself, one must also understand the economic principles that guide society. This course will provide an introduction to the basic concepts of economics and a brief history of economics so that the students may intelligently read the Church’s social documents. After surveying the social documents, historical attempts of Catholics to apply the Church’s social teaching to economic life will be examined. (3 Credits, Pre-requisite: none.)
Mathematics and Natural Science at OLSWA
By the very nature of creation, material being is endowed with its own stability, truth and excellence, its own order and laws. These man must respect as he recognizes the methods proper to every science and technique. --Second Vatican Council
MNS 122: Introduction to Biology. This course is an introduction to the science of biology. Topics covered will include: the structure of experiments, both field and lab, hypothesis testing, basic statistics, DNA and Mendelian genetics. Special emphasis will be placed on hypothesis testing, and the role of adaptation in understanding biological systems. (3 Credits, Pre-requisite: none.)
MNS 123: Introduction to Field Biology. This course will introduce students to the methods of biological inquiry in field biology/ecology, with a focus on experimental design. The topics covered include: the scientific method, experimental treatments and controls, data collection, assessment, and writing a research paper. In the first part of the course, students will take part in ongoing research projects, as well as begin an insect collection and herbarium study of local wildflowers. During the second part of this course, students will be expected to design and undertake their own research project, present their results to the class, and prepare a report following research journal format (i.e., Canadian Entomologist or similar journal). (3 Credits, Pre-requisite: none.)
MNS 125: Principles of Natural Science. The nature of scientific knowledge, knowledge gained through reason and verified by experimentation and experience, is the subject of this course. Drawing upon the sciences of astronomy, biology, and physics for example, fundamental scientific principles, concepts, theories and hypotheses put forward by various thinkers to describe the natural world will be examined. The course will include an examination of the implications of these principles with regards to the harmony that should exist between science and revelation, and between faith and reason. (3 Credits, Pre-requisite: none.)
MNS 130: Introduction to Environmental Science. This is an environmental science course based on historical and philosophical considerations, and relevant scientific theory. The modern world has brought with it the threat of environmental disaster in many forms: invasive species, chemical pollution, extinctions, genetically modified food, climate change, air and water contamination, and the threat of overpopulation. The complexity of these issues often produces an information overload that can induce us to seek for simplistic solutions. Yet it is this complexity that demands from us clear reasoning. An important part of this process is to understand the scientific evidence surrounding these issues. In addition, we have the benefit of the rich history and experience of Christianity. Indeed, the Christian underpinnings of the environmentalist movement in the modern world are not always understood. In this course we will examine the Christian origins of modern environmentalism and use a scientific metric to assess the validity of the ideas under study. The course is lecture and seminar based, with a workshop. (3 Cedits, Co-requisite: either MNS 122 or MNS 125.)
MNS 140: Fundamentals of Mathematics. Designed for students who need to fulfill the core requirement in mathematics, the course focuses on quantitative reasoning, mathematical literacy, and the role of mathematics in the Western intellectual tradition and in today’s society. (Not open to students with Grade 12 U- or M-level mathematics or equivalent with a minimum grade of 60%, part-time students, first-year students, students taking another mathematics course at OLSWA, or students who have taken an OLSWA mathematics course with a passing grade.) Students who have passed this course are not permitted to take another OLSWA mathematics course. (3 Credits, Pre-requisite: none.)
MNS 145: Euclidean Geometry. This course studies selected books from Euclid’s Elements. Topics covered include plane geometry, the theory of proportions and classical arithmetic. Students will also examine how mathematics is related to philosophical issues. (3 Credits, Pre-requisite: none.)
MNS 146: Statistics. An introduction to descriptive statistics and the logic of statistical inference. Basic statistical techniques common to the behavioural sciences are covered. (3 credits, Pre-requisite: none.)
MNS 148: Calculus: A Liberal Art. An introduction to the basic concepts and methods of calculus for students in a Liberal Arts Program at the University level. The intended student will have had no previous experience or training in calculus. Topics include: functions, limits, continuity, inequalities, graphs, optimization, derivatives, instantaneous change, differentiation rules, antiderivatives, integrals, integration methods, and the nature of mathematical thought and discovery. (3 Credits, Pre-requisite: none.)
MNS 221: Population Biology. This is an experimental course in population biology. Students will design and conduct two experiments which explore two distinct aspects of population biology, and write two review papers on two distinct current topics in population biology. (3 Credits, Pre-requisites: any two of the following: MNS 122: Introduction to Biology, MNS 123: Introduction to Field Biology, MNS 222: Behaviour and Distribution.)
MNS 222: Behaviour and Distribution. This course builds on topics covered in either the summer field course or fall introductory course. Topics covered will include systematics, competition and facilitation, individuals and populations, spatial distributions, and biology of invasive species. (3 Credits, Pre-requisite: MNS 122: Introduction to Biology, or MNS 123: Introduction to Field Biology, or permission of the instructor.)
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