Introduction to Pastoral and Spiritual Care (DP1001S)

This unit gives an overview of the discipline of pastoral theology as it informs the practice of spiritual care in a variety of settings. Teaching is conducted through lectures, discussion in small informal groups, and participation in a supervised reflection group. Theological aspects of care are presented and personal and spiritual formation sessions focus on the student's spiritual care identity. Counselling Skills sessions provide an introduction to basic counselling skills in the context of spiritual care in a variety of settings and offer opportunities to practice and obtain feedback on those skills.

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate 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. Outline and critically engage current spiritual care themes in a variety of settings.
3. Identify and describe biblical and theological themes and motifs which inform and complement their spiritual/pastoral identity and practice.
4. Identify and critically reflect on historical and textual examples of the practice of spiritual care from a variety of spiritual and religious traditions.