Content

This unit will build upon the theories and principles of structure, development and system that affect diverse forms of family. The emphasis will be on spiritual care through the events and cycles that contribute to and influence multiple forms of family. The issues, questions and challenges that arise for families in their pursuit of meaning, well-being, identity and health will be examined through multi-cultural and multi-faith lenses. In addition to exploring the nature and meaning of family itself, the unit also addresses specific theological questions relating to the human person, sexual identity, gender identity and fluidity, power and justice, conflict, abuse, marriage and divorce. Opportunities are provided for group and individual reflection on issues arising in the spiritual care context. A case study approach invites the student to engage in the process of reflective practice.

Unit code: DP3009S

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 3

Unit discipline: Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Stirling College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Describe and illustrate how approaches to spiritual care can equip diverse forms of families to discover their own unique identity and spiritual resources for flourishing.

2.

Reflect, with critical awareness, on their own experiences of family and demonstrate critical insight into the spiritual resources that are manifest in those experiences.

3.

Describe and develop approaches to spiritual care for those who experience traumatic events change or transition within family structures and relationships.

4.

Identify and develop resources for spiritual care in situations of violence and abuse, including spiritual abuse, within families and their communities and become familiar with the spiritual and theological themes of the use and abuse of power.

5.

Integrate life-cycle and developmental theory with spiritual care of families.

Unit sequence

Three foundational units

Pedagogy

Weekly lectures by Chris Turner and a selection of multi-disciplinary clinicians and practitioners. Weekly peer supervision/reflection sessions for reflection on personal experience and practice.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Balswick, J.O, Balswick J.K Family: A Christian Perspective on the Contemporary Home. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2007.
  • Radford-Reuther R. Christianity and the making of the modern family, Boston, MA: Beacon Press, 2000
  • Howe, B. Weighing up Australian values: Balancing transitions and risks to working families in modern Australia, Sydney, University of NSW, 2007.
  • Susan Golombok, Modern Families: Parents and Children in New Family Forms, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2015
  • Virginia Burrus and Catherine Keller, Toward a theology of Eros. New York: Fordham University Press, 2006.
  • Adrian Thatcher, Theology and Families. Melbourne: Blackwell Publishing, 2007.
  • Barton, S.C. (ed.) The Family in Theological Perspective. Edinburgh: T and T Clark, 1996.
  • Birkett, K. The Essence of Family. Sydney: Matthias, 2004.
  • Pamela Lightsey, Our Lives Matter: A Womanist Queer Theology. Eugene: Oregon, 2015.
  • Kerig, P. Adolescence and Beyond: Family Processes and Development. Oxford: OUP, 2011.
  • McGoldrick, M. (ed.) Ethnicity and Family Therapy. New York: Guildford, 2005.
  • McKnight, J. The Abundant Community: Awakening the Power of Families and Neighbourhoods. San Francisco: BK Publishers, 2012.
  • Parke, S. Forsaking the Family: Jesus, Childhood, and the Search for Freedom. London: SPCK, 2005.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Journal

Reflective Reading Journal (1500 words)

1500 25.0
Case Study

Case Study (1000 words)

1000 25.0
Essay

Essay (2500 words)

2500 50.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 31 Dec, 2017

Unit record last updated: 2022-10-31 18:02:20 +1100