Content

This unit examines prayer and spirituality in the Christian tradition. The unit will explore the theory and practice of prayer in various stages of the Christian tradition including the Bible, Monasticism and the Monastics, the Middle English mystics, liturgy and Reformation spirituality. The unit will investigate both the corporate and personal elements of prayer and spirituality and will provide students with a number of tools to lead communities in prayer and spirituality. Finally, the unit will explore different aspects of spirituality, including: the spiritual landscape of Australia; pastoral spirituality; and the place of silence and meditation.

Unit code: DS3100T

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 3

Unit discipline: Spirituality

Proposing College: Trinity College Theological School

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Learning outcomes

1.

Outline various understandings of prayer in Christian tradition, in particular: the Bible, the monastics, the mystics and the liturgy

2.

Articulate an understanding of personal, corporate, and contemplative spirituality, including their relationship to pastoral care and mission

3.

Evaluate the aspects of leadership required in the practice of prayer, worship and spirituality

4.

Analyse what is meant by ‘the Australian spiritual landscape’ and discuss its implications for ministry practice

5.

Synthesise the relationship between prayer and spirituality, and ministry practice

Unit sequence

18 points at foundational level in Field D

Pedagogy

Team teaching; lectures; workshops; reflective praxis;

Indicative Bibliography

  • Jones, C., G. Wainwright, E. Yarnold, eds. The Study of Spirituality. New York: Oxford University Press, 1986.
  • Dreher, R., The Benedict Option: A Strategy for Christians in a Post-Christian Nation New York: Penguin Random House, 2017.
  • Foster, R.J. Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth. New York: HarperSanFrancisco, 1998.
  • Green, T.H., Opening to God: A Guide to Prayer. Notre Dame: Ave Maria, 2006 (rev'd).
  • Hughes, G.W., God of Surprises. London: DLT, 1991.
  • Nouwen, H.J.M. The Genesee Diary: Report from a Trappist Monastery. New York: Image: 1981
  • Rohr, R. The Naked Now: Learning to See as the Mystics See. New York: Crossroad, 2009.
  • Rupp, J. Prayer. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 2008.
  • Tacey, D. The Spirituality Revolution: The Emergence of Contemporary Spirituality. Pymble, NSW: HarperCollins, 2003.
  • Varden, E., The Shattering of Loneliness, London: Bloomsbury, 2018.
  • Williams, R. Silence and Honey Cakes. Oxford: Lion Hudson, 2003.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Journal

Weekly journal/blog post (equivalent of 1,000 words)

1000 20.0
Essay 3000 60.0
Book Review 1000 20.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 27 Sep, 2022

Unit record last updated: 2022-09-27 15:46:01 +1000