Course Title: Introduction to Anglicanism

Instructor: The Right Rev’d Dr Donald Phillips

Time: Mondays, 6-8:45pm

Location: Hybrid, St John’s College and Online

Description: This course will provide the learner with a basic understanding of the development of what has become the churches of the Anglican Communion in the present day – beginning with its foundations in the ancient Church. The focus of this exploration is to help bring a deeper understanding and appreciation to one’s experience of contemporary Anglican churches – particularly in Canada – why we are who we are and how we got here. The course will provide a basic overview of Anglicanism using a small primary text, “Anglicanism: A Very Short Introduction” (Mark Chapman) – part of the “Very Short Introductions” published by Oxford University Press. This will be significantly augmented by exploring the key historical pieces that helped to shape the emerging structures, ecclesiology and worship of the Anglican Church through the centuries. This will involve learning about its context - from establishment in English monarchy and colonialism, through non-establishment in colonies and nation states, to present day modern and post-modern secularism. Alongside this trajectory (and its key historical figures) the church’s evolving ecclesiology will be explored – particularly the way in which that ecclesiology was shaped by the context. In addition, the Anglican church’s approach to worship will be investigated as the church’s dynamic response to its context and its theology and ecclesiology.