UAlberta Courses

St. Stephen's College offers a number of courses in Creative Arts Therapies (CATS) and Spirituality/Multi-faith Theologies (SPRIT). Offerings vary by year. To see what courses are currently scheduled, search the CATS and SPRIT course codes in Beartracks.

Creative Arts Therapies

CATS 321 - Art Therapy Fundamentals

Art therapy, a specialized field in counselling psychology, provides a natural vehicle for promoting integrative, holistic approach to psychological healing. Explores the theory and application of art therapy to spirituality and healing settings. This course will be experientially based, with a lecture and seminar portion.

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Summer
Mode: In Person
Instructors: Marie Muggeridge, Marie Butler, Susan Spyker

CATS 381 - Introduction to Music Therapy

Introduction to the discipline of music therapy: physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual applications of music.

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter
Mode:
In Person
Instructor:
Sheila Killoran

CATS 382 - Introduction to Drama Therapy

Explores the role of drama therapy in health and spirituality: masks, puppets, theater games, improvisation, role-play, playback theatre, and psychodrama in various therapeutic settings.

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter 
Mode: In Person
Instructor: Cayley McConaghy

CATS 383 - Psychotherapy and Spirituality: An Introduction

An introduction to the theory and practice of psychotherapy, with emphasis on spirituality as an essential component of therapeutic care. Students will examine their personal worldviews, explore their emerging caregiver identities, and engage with contemporary challenges of integrating psychotherapy and spirituality.

Typically Offered: Fall
Mode: In Person
Instructor: Roger Thiessen

CATS 384 - Intermodal Expressive Art Therapy

Spiritually-informed intermodal use of studio-based expressive therapy modalities including music, visual art, dance/movement, drama, written and spoken word, and play.

Typically Offered: Fall
Mode: In Person
Instructor: Susan Spyker

CATS 385 - Introduction to Dance Movement Therapy

An introduction to the history, approaches, and tools used in Dance Movement Therapy: topics to be covered include methods, populations, sociocultural domains, experiential engagement, body/mind connections, intersection with counselling, and human wellness.

Typically Offered: New Course, to be scheduled in 2025/2026
Mode: In Person
Instructor: Susan Spyker

CATS 400 - Special Topics

Discussion of topics relevant to spiritually-integrated psychotherapy, creative arts therapies, and/or spiritual care. May be repeated for credit when course content differs.

Typically Offered: New Course, to be scheduled in 2025/2026
Mode: Varies
Instructor: Varies

CATS 411 - Independent Study

Directed reading or research in a chosen area of spiritually-integrated psychotherapy, creative arts therapies, and/or spiritual care. May be repeated for credit when course content differs.

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring/Summer
Mode: Varies
Instructor: Varies

Note: Students are required to complete an Independent Study Proposal Form prior to registering.

CATS 480 - Psychedelics, Spirituality, and Mental Health

An interdisciplinary examination of the intersection of psychedelic susbstances, spirituality, and mental health, including: entheogens and religion, psychedelics and mysticism, awe and self-transcendence, psychedelics and psychological well-being, spirituality and mental health, neurotheology, and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.

Typically Offered: New Course, to be scheduled in 2025/2026
Mode: Varies
Instructor: Kevin St. Arnaud

CATS 500 - Special Topics

Discussion of topics relevant to spiritually-integrated psychotherapy, creative arts therapies, and/or spiritual care. May be repeated for credit when course content differs.

Typically Offered: New Course, to be scheduled in 2025/2026
Mode: Varies
Instructor: Varies

CATS 511 - Independent Study

Directed reading or research in a chosen area of spiritually-integrated psychotherapy, creative arts therapies, and/or spiritual care. May be repeated for credit when course content differs.

Typically Offered: New Course, to be scheduled in 2025/2026
Mode: Varies
Instructor: Varies

Note: Students are required to complete an Independent Study Proposal Form prior to registering.

CATS 521 - Introduction to Art Therapy

Introduction to the theory and practice of art therapy; work within a spiritually-informed approach is explored.

Typically Offered: Summer
Mode: In Person
Instructors: Marie Butler, Susan Spyker

CATS 580 - Psychedelics, Spirituality, and Mental Health

An interdisciplinary examination of the intersection of psychedelic substances, spirituality, and mental health, including: entheogens and religion, psychedelics and mysticism, awe and self-transcendence, psychedelics and psychological well-being, spirituality and mental health, neurotheology , and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.

Typically Offered: New Course, to be scheduled in 2025/2026
Mode: Varies
Instructor: Kevin St. Arnaud

CATS 581 - Introduction to Music Therapy

Introduction to the discipline of music therapy: physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual applications of music.

Typically Offered: New Course, to be scheduled in 2025/2026
Mode: In Person
Instructor: Sheila Killoran


Spirituality and Multi-faith Theologies

SPRIT 305 - Scripture as Story

Explores how the elements of story employed by the Gospel writers and editors shaped their understanding of the person of Jesus and his followers.

Typically Offered: Fall
Mode: In Person
Instructor: Geoff Wilfong-Pritchard

SPRIT 311 - Contemplation and the Arts

Explores how the Sacred is experienced and expressed through the visual arts, music and dance.

Typically Offered: Winter
Mode: In Person
Instructor: Norbert Krumins

SPRIT 312 - Questioning Faith: Theological Perspectives on Contemporary Issues

A public theology overview of contemporary issues in faith and society. This course underscores the relevance of faith and spirituality to the changing texture of society.

Typically Offered: Winter
Mode: In Person
Instructor: Kehinde Olabimtan

SPRIT 314 - Topics in Women and Religion

Women's relationship to and place in Christianity is explored. Women's attempts to critique and transform received tradition and/or to develop alternative forms of religious life are examined.

Typically Offered: Winter
Mode: In Person
Instructor: Sherri Guenther Trautwein

SPRIT 315 - Pop Culture and Theology

Considering theological themes in movies, poetry, fiction, and graphic novels that echo lived experiences.

Typically Offered: Winter
Mode: In Person
Instructor: Mark Chiang

SPRIT 316 - Sexual Ethics in a Multi-Faith Context

Deepen awareness of personal, social, cultural, and spiritual dimensions of sexuality. Explored in light of feminist, queer, traditional and contemporary theological thought.

Typically Offered: Fall
Mode: Online
Instructor: Kim Penner

SPRIT 330 - Mindfulness in Education and the Workplace

Explores contemplative/meditative practices that foster calm, concentration, and insight for teachers and other helping professionals.

Typically Offered: Fall
Mode: In Person
Instructor: Norbert Krumins

SPRIT 400 - Special Topics

Discussion of topics relevant to theology, spirituality, spiritual care, and/or ministry studies. May be repeated for credit when course content differs.

Typically Offered: Varies
Mode: Varies
Instructor: Varies

SPRIT 411 - Independent Study

Directed reading or research in a chosen area of theology, spirituality, spiritual care, and/or ministry studies. May be repeated for credit when course content differs.

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring/Summer
Mode: Varies
Instructor: Varies

Note: Students are required to complete an Independent Study Proposal Form prior to registering.

SPRIT 450 - Spirituality: From Contemplation to Action

Explores spirituality as a personal and social response to the human quest for integration and transcendence. Multi-faith and secular perspectives are examined.

Typically Offered: New Course, to be scheduled in 2025/2026 or 2026/2027
Mode: Varies
Instructor: Norbert Krumins

SPRIT 451 - Practising Peace

Explores ways to cultivate inner resources needed for the embodiment of non-violence. Considers peacemaking through the lenses of spirituality and ethical responsibility.

Typically Offered: Winter
Mode: In Person
Instructor: Norbert Krumins

SPRIT 500 - Special Topics

Discussion of topics relevant to theology, spirituality, spiritual care, and/or ministry studies. May be repeated for credit when course content differs.

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring/Summer
Mode: Varies
Instructor: Varies

SPRIT 511 - Independent Study

Directed reading or research in a chosen area of theology, spirituality, spiritual care, and/or ministry studies. May be repeated for credit when course content differs.

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring/Summer
Mode: Varies
Instructor: Varies

Note: Students are required to complete an Independent Study Proposal Form prior to registering.

SPRIT 550 - Spirituality: From Contemplation to Action

Explores spirituality as a personal and social response to the human quest for integration and transcendence. Multi-faith and secular perspectives are examined.

Typically Offered: New Course, to be scheduled in 2025/2026 or 2026/2027
Mode: Varies
Instructor: Norbert Krumins

SPRIT 551 - Practising Peace

Explores ways to cultivate inner resources needed for the embodiment of non-violence. Considers peacemaking through the lenses of spirituality and ethical responsibility.

Typically Offered: Winter
Mode: In Person
Instructor: Norbert Krumins

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