Content

This unit provides students with the opportunity to consolidate and integrate the knowledge and skills developed throughout the program by engaging deeply with a topic of personal and professional interest within the framework of spiritual direction. Students will critically explore the theoretical foundations of their chosen topic, drawing on relevant literature and theological insights, while integrating their own experience of being directed and directing others. The unit supports the development of reflective practice, theological depth, and vocational clarity, fostering the capacity to articulate and embody a mature approach to spiritual direction.

Unit code: DD8440Z

Unit status: Approved (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Foundational

Unit discipline: Spiritual Direction

Proposing College: St Francis College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Integrate theoretical and experiential learning in an in-depth study of a specific context or aspect of spiritual direction.

2.

Apply a variety of spiritual direction approaches in contemplative listening within spiritual direction conversations.

3.

Practice spiritual direction in accordance with the Code of Conduct guidelines.

4.

Design a program based on the integrated study for use in a retreat or quiet day.

Pedagogy

Synchronous and asynchronous lectures and text-based tutorials

Indicative Bibliography

Peter Ball. Anglican spiritual direction. Morehouse, 2007

Penter Bentley and Ann Lock (eds). Companioning at the edges:  Exploring new dimensions of spiritual direction in Australia. 2021.

Charlie Cleverly. The cloud, the night, the fire and the song: with the mystics in the school of prayer.  Westminster John Knox Press, 2025.

Joanna Collicutt, So longeth my soul: a reader in Christian spirituality. SCM Press, 2024.

Kristen Hobby (ed). Spiritual direction in Australia: research and practice. SDI, 2022.

Philip Newell. The great search: turning to earth and soul in the quest for healing. Harper One, 2024.

Lucy Abbott Tucker. Spiritual Direction Supervision: Principles, practices and storytelling. SDI, 2020.

Nick Wagner (ed). Spiritual direction in context. Morehouse, 2006.

Roslyn G Weiner and Matt Whitney. Seeking in the Company of others: The Wisdom of Group Spiritual Direction. SDI, 2021.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Skeleton Argument

Integrated Essay Proposal

500 10.0
Oral Presentation 1000 20.0
Essay 5000 60.0
Skill Demonstration 0 10.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 27 Oct, 2025

Unit record last updated: 2025-10-27 10:04:21 +1100