Foundations of Spiritual and Pastoral Care

Upon successful completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

Undergraduate

1. Identify and describe theological themes that inform a commitment to pastoral and spiritual care;
2. Investigate specific contemporary issues and challenges that impact upon expressions of person-centred care;
3. Outline a theology of care that considers various social contexts, personal experience and basic helping-skills as tools in the effective practice of pastoral and spiritual care;
4. Describe and demonstrate an understanding of the use of the emerging pastoral and spiritual care resources.

Postgraduate

1. Identify and describe theological themes that inform a commitment to pastoral and spiritual care;
2. Investigate specific contemporary issues and challenges that impact upon expressions of person-centred care;
3. Outline a theology of care that considers various social contexts, personal experience and basic helping-skills as tools in the effective practice of pastoral and spiritual care;
4. Articulate an understanding of the current pastoral and spiritual resources; and
5. Critically research a pastoral context in a rigorous, sustained and self-directed manner, including the theological and pastoral responses.

Undergraduate

• Case study (1,000 words) (25%)
• Portfolio (1,200 words) (25%)
• Essay (2,300 words) (50%)

Postgraduate

• Case study (1,500 words) (25%)
• Portfolio (2,500 words) (25%)
• Essay (3,000 words) (50%)

• Cobb, M, Puchalski, C, Rumbold, B. (eds). Oxford Textbook of Spirituality in Health Care. Oxford, New York: OUP, 2012
• Fitchett, G & Nolan, S. Spiritual Care in Practice. London: Jessica Kingsley, 2015
• Geldard, D & Geldard, K. Basic Personal Counselling. Frenchs Forrest: Prentice Hall, ed 4 or 5
• Lartey, E. Pastoral Theology in an intercultural World. Peterborough, Epworth, 2006
• Lebacqz, K & Driskill, J. Ethics and Spiritual Care: A guide for pastors, chaplains and spiritual directors. Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 2000.
• Louw, D. Ito, D.T., Elsdorfer, U. eds. Encounter in Pastoral Care and Spiritual Healing: Towards an integrative and intercultural approach. London: Lit; 2012
• Pattison, S. A critique of pastoral care. (3rd ed) London: SCM, 2000.
• Roberts, S.B. Professional Spiritual and Pastoral Care: A practical Clergy and Chaplains Handbook. Woodstock, Vermont: Skylight Paths, 2012
• Rose, J. Psychology for pastoral contexts. London: SCM, 2013
• Stephenson-Moessner, J. A primer in pastoral care. Minneapolois: Fortress, 2005
• Whipp, M. Pastoral Theology. London: SCM. 2013
• Whitehead, E. & Whitehead, J. Transforming our painful emotions: Spiritual resources in anger, shame grief, fear and loneliness. Maryknoll: Orbis, 2010

Set texts recommended for purchase: Nil