One aspect of the unit examines spiritual development in the context of human development. Several “life stage” models of human development will be examined to elucidate the extensive changes that an individual’s spiritual growth encompasses over a lifetime. The following fundamental human experiences will be explored from the developmental perspective: painful emotions; grief and loss; gender identity and sexuality; love and friendship.
Another aspect of the unit highlights the Spiritual Director’s understanding of and response to directees with special needs. It addresses methods for recognising directees who may be undergoing more serious mental health problems, and how to refer them appropriately to professional mental health services. It also addresses cross-cultural factors in spiritual direction, ensuring the culturally and linguistically diverse directee’s cultural framework is respected and idioms of spiritual expression are understood and valued.
Unit code: DD8713Y
Unit status: Archived (New unit)
Points: 24.0
Unit level: Postgraduate Foundational
Unit discipline: Spiritual Direction
Delivery Mode: Face to Face
Proposing College: Yarra Theological Union
Show when this unit is running1. | Demonstrate an understanding of the sociological, psychological and pastoral underpinnings of the ministry of spiritual direction |
2. | Understand and explain representative “life stage” models of human development and their relevance to spiritual direction |
3. | Apply this knowledge and understanding to the practice of spiritual direction |
4. | Recognise when a person needs to be referred to a qualified professional in mental health services and to whom this referral can be made |
5. | Demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of a culturally and linguistically diverse clientele |
Lectures, tutorials
Type | Description | Word count | Weight (%) |
---|---|---|---|
Essay | 3000 word essay on ‘life stage’ models of human development and reflecting on one’s own life experience, how these stages inform the practice of spiritual direction. |
3000 | 50.0 |
Essay | 3000 word essay on the special needs aspects of spiritual direction, how and why knowledge of these aspects is important for contemporary spiritual direction and on how to direct to qualified professionals in the field (the student’s practical experience may be useful as a resource for this assignment). |
3000 | 50.0 |
Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 19 Oct, 2017
Unit record last updated: 2022-08-15 14:02:57 +1000