Content

This unit gives an overview of the disciplines of formation for the practice of pastoral and spiritual care. Theological and philosophical aspects of care are presented, and personal and spiritual formation sessions focus on the student’s spiritual care identity, skill development and reflective practice. Small group sessions and verbatim supervision provide an introduction to basic counselling skills in the context of the practice of spiritual care and offer opportunities to practice and obtain feedback on those skills.

Unit code: DP8001S

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Foundational

Unit discipline: Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies

Proposing College: Stirling College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Demonstrate at an advanced level, integration of experience, listening-skills development and theological reflection as the foundational elements of reflective practice that embodies safe, sustainable and professionally-responsive care.

2.

Describe theological themes and motifs which inform and complement their spiritual/pastoral identity and practice.

3.

Critically reflect on personal and textual examples of the practice of spiritual care.

4.

Discern and apply the skills of contemplation, mindfulness, meditation and prayer to the reflective practice of spiritual care.

5.

Critically engage current research and integrate this within theological reflection on spiritual/pastoral identity, ministry and the practice of spiritual care.

Pedagogy

Weekly pre-recorded lectures and readings online. Weekly synchronous tutorial sessions with opportunity for dialogue groups and discussion times. Participation in peer supervision group with a focus on a spiritual care encounter presented through a verbatim process. A series of practical workshops on listening skills.

Indicative Bibliography

Cooper-White, P. Shared wisdom: Use of the self in pastoral care and counselling. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2004.

Damasio, Antonio. Self Comes to Mind: Constructing the Conscious Brain. London: Vintage, 2012.

Doehring, Carrie. The practice of pastoral care: A postmodern approach (revised and expanded edition). Louisville, John Knox Press, 2015. (recommended for purchase)

Dykstra, Robert C. (ed) Images of pastoral care: Classic readings. St Louis, Chalis Press, 2005.

Graham, Larry Kent. Care of Persons, Care of Worlds: A Psychosystems Approach to Pastoral Care and Counseling. Nashville: Abingdon, 1992.

Harrison, Guy (ed). Psycho-spiritual Care in Health Care Practice. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2017. ISBN: 978-1-78592-039- 4

Lartey, E. Pastoral theology in an intercultural world. Peterborough: Epworth Press, 2006.

Pembroke, N. The art of listening: Dialogue, shame and pastoral care. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 2002. (recommended for purchase)

Puchalski, C. Making healthcare whole: Integrating spirituality into healthcare. W. Conschocken. PA: Templeton Press, 2010.

Weil, Simone. Waiting for God. New York: Harper Collins, 2009.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Report

Verbatim Report

2000 25.0
Report

Book Report

2000 25.0
Essay

Essay

3000 50.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 5 Sep, 2022

Unit record last updated: 2022-09-05 09:37:12 +1000