This unit develops the skills to teach meditation and prayer in a variety of contexts. It will consider the spiritual life across the lifespan and meditation methods appropriate for various age groups including children, teenagers and adults in contemporary context. Students will explore various approaches including mantra, scripture, symbols, mandala, the place of the body and spiritual journaling, with an emphasis on Christian approaches. The focus will be on silent meditation and establishing places of silence in a contemporary context. Leadership qualities and ethical considerations required for teaching meditation to groups in a variety of settings will also be discussed. Students will engage in professional experience in teaching meditation and prayer at such locations as schools, hospitals, youth groups, parish groups, universities, aged-care facilities, retreat centres and homes. The framework and insights of the Enhancing Catholic Schools Identity project will be referred to in the teaching of this unit. (Cross-listed with DS9611C).
Unit code: DP9611C
Unit status: Approved (Major revision)
Points: 24.0
Unit level: Postgraduate Elective
Unit discipline: Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies
Proposing College: Catholic Theological College
Show when this unit is running| 1. | Critically analyze the biblical and theological background for meditation and prayer in the Christian tradition in a contemporary context. |
| 2. | Critically analyze spiritual growth at various stages of life development. |
| 3. | Assess and apply appropriate models of prayer and meditation in various pastoral contexts. |
| 4. | Demonstrate and assess the leadership and communication skills required in Christian meditation settings such as schools, parishes, hospitals, palliative care facilities . |
| 5. | Assess and articulate the fruits of meditation and prayer, and show how meditation is linked to action in these pastoral situations. |
| 6. | Demonstrate a capacity to research a specific topic in meditation in a critically rigorous, sustained and self-directed manner. |
DP8001C and DP8002C required as a Pastoral Studies unit
Learners will engage in intensive mode with lectures, workshops, facilitated peer discussion, electronic resources and professional experience.
| Type | Description | Word count | Weight (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 1000 | 10.0 | |
| Portfolio | Note: a component of the portfolio is engaging in professional practice to which a hurdle task is attached. Students must demonstrate the ability to successfully conduct a group through two supervised sessions of meditation. If they have not demonstrated this ability (as determined by the supervisor) they cannot pass the unit irrespective of the grading received in the assessment tasks overall. |
6000 | 90.0 |
Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Maggie Kappelhoff on 22 Jul, 2020
Unit record last updated: 2021-06-07 08:43:51 +1000