Loss, Grief and Bereavement Issues in Pastoral Ministry Contexts (DP9004Y)

Postgraduate, 24.0 points

Content

This unit examines the more common loss-related events and some key theoretical approaches with regard to loss, grief and bereavement. Loss and grief contexts considered here include: family related loss, assault and domestic violence; abuse; discrimination; complicated grief; loss in educational contexts; unemployment and financial loss; natural, and human disasters; asylum-seeking, and refugees. It includes pastoral, spiritual, and theological considerations in addressing loss, grief and transition experience, and examines ethical and boundary issues in pastoral contexts. It also considers collaborative, resilience-based approaches in the context of providing holistic care for those impacted by loss, grief and bereavement experiences.

Unit code: DP9004Y

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies

Delivery Mode: Blended

Proposing College: Yarra Theological Union

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Learning outcomes

1.

Show an effective understanding of some major theories exploring loss, grief and bereave-ment experience through a critical reading of current literature.

2.

Critically assess a range of loss and grief experiences in a variety of life situations.
3.

Evaluate a range of theoretical and pastoral approaches to loss and grief in their application to ministry practice.

4.

Appraise the ethical and role boundaries routinely occurring in a therapeutic relationship.

5.

Critically review and validate a range of pastoral, theological and spiritual contributions within a loss-related therapeutic context.

6.

Determine the value of loss-related pastoral collaborations with specialist professional services, including in a multi-disciplinary setting.
7.

Critically assess the value of particular pastoral intervention strategies in their applications to complex loss and grief situations.

Unit sequence

Elective unit in the YTU schedule.
Prerequisites: DP8001Y Foundations for Pastoral Practice, or an equivalent.

Pedagogy

Face to Face or online: lecture, group work.

Indicative Bibliography

set texts recommended for purchase = *

  • Attig, Thomas. How we grieve. Relearning the World. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011.
  • Brownell, Philip. Spiritual Competency in Psychotherapy. New York: Springer Publishing Company, 2014.
  • Earle, Sarah, Komaromy, Carol and Bartholomew, Caroline (Eds.). Death and Dying: A Reader/Making Sense of Death, Dying and Bereavement: An Anthology. London: Sage Publications, 2009.
  • Giddings, Philip, Down, Martin, Sugden, Elaine, and Tuckwell, Gareth. Talking about dying. Help in facing death and dying. London: Wilberforce Publications, 2017. *
  • Kelley, Melissa M. Grief: Contemporary Theory and the Practice of Ministry. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2010.
  • Machin, Linda. Working with Loss and Grief: A Theoretical and Practical Approach. 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2013. *
  • Mallon, Brenda. Dying, Death and Grief: Working with Adult Bereavement. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2008.
  • Musgrave, Beverley A., and McGettigan, Neil (Eds.) Spiritual and psychological aspects of illness: Dealing with sickness, loss, dying and death. New York, Mahwah: Paulist Press, 2010.
  • Nolan, Steve. Spiritual care at the end of life: The Chaplain as ‘hopeful presence’. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2012.*
  • Read, Sue. Supporting People with Intellectual Disabilities Experiencing Loss and Bereavement: Theory and Compassionate Practice. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2014.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Case Study 2000 20.0
Critical Review

A critical review of assigned reading - 250 words per week over ten weeks.

 2500 30.0
Essay 3000 50.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Maggie Kappelhoff on 23 Sep, 2020

Unit record last updated: 2021-06-07 08:43:48 +1000