Frameworks for Critical Praxis in Professional Contexts (PPX101Z)

Postgraduate, 18.0 points

Content

This unit will build on candidates' understanding of the theory and practice of critical reflection and reflexive engagement to enable them, in their professional contexts, to: conduct critical enquiry into the ideas, belief systems, social and contextual influences that shape and impact us; apply skills, methods and strategies for spiritually- and/or theologically-informed critical praxis; engage in critical dialogue with peers to test the value of varying approaches to critical praxis for wholistic and collaborative application.

Unit code: PPX101Z

Unit status: Approved (Minor revision)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Doctoral

Unit discipline: Professional Practice

Proposing College: School of Graduate Research

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Learning outcomes

1.

Critically enquire into the ideas, belief systems, social and contextual influences shaping and impacting their professional context.
2.

Demonstrate substantial knowledge of the theory and practice of critical reflection and reflexive practice.
3.

Apply and evaluate skills, methods and/or strategies for spiritually and theologically informed critical praxis in their professional context.
4.

Engage in critical dialogue to test the application of varying approaches to critical praxis.

Unit sequence

Must be taken as the first unit of the Doctor of Professional Practice.

Pedagogy

By teaching through collegial collaboration and learning via critical reflection conducted independently and in community, the unit engages theory and practice to achieve learning outcomes.  

Indicative Bibliography

  • Béres Laura. Practising Spirituality: Reflections on Meaning-Making in Personal and Professional Contexts. Practice Theory in Context Series. London: Palgrave, 2017.
  • Bolton, Gillie, and Russell Delderfield. Reflective Practice: Writing and Professional Development. 5th ed. Los Angeles: SAGE, 2018.
  • Brookfield, Stephen. Becoming a Critically Reflective Teacher. 2nd ed. San Francisco: Joseey-Bass, 2017.
  • Clarke, John, Wendy Brown, Allen Cochrane, Davina Cooper, Larry Grossberg, Wendy Larner, Gail Lewis, et al. Critical Dialogues: Thinking Together in Turbulent Times. Bristol, UK: Policy Press, 2019.
  • Fook, Jan, and Fiona Gardner, eds. Critical Reflection in Context: Applications in Health and Social Care. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2013.
  • Gardner, Fiona. Being Critically Reflective: Engaging in Holistic Practice. Practice Theory in Context Series. London: Red Globe Press, 2014.
  • Graham, Elaine L., Heather Walton, Frances Ward and Katja Stuerzenhofecker. Theological Reflection: Methods. 2nd ed. London: SCM Press, 2019.
  • Hunt, Cheryl. Critical Reflection: Spirituality and Professional Practice. Gewerbestrasse, Switzerland: Palgrave MacMillan, 2021.
  • Long, Susan. ‘The transforming experience framework’ in S. Long (ed) Transforming Experience in Organisations. London: Karnac, 2016.
  • Spiller, Chellie and Rachel Wolfgramm, eds. Indigenous Spiritualities at Work: Transforming the Spirit of Enterprise. Texas A&M University, 2015.
  • Thompson, Sue and Neil Thompson. The Critically Reflective Practitioner. 2nd ed. London: Palgrave, 2018.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Annotated Bibliography - Annotated Bibliography

Using citation software (Zotero), candidates build and generate an annotated bibliography of six bibliographic entries (each with an annotation of 400-500 words) that, combined, form a collection of scholarly and other quality resources informing critical enquiry into the ideas, belief systems, social and contextual influences shaping and impacting them as professionals in their organisation, institution and/or community. An annotation for each resource is included to demonstrate candidates' understanding, application and evaluation of different approaches to spiritually- and/or theologically-informed critical reflection relevant to their professional practice context and research area.

3000 50.0
Essay - Critical reflection and reflexive engagement

With reference to their own field/s of professional practice, candidates write an essay critically discussing the theory and practice of critical reflection and reflexive engagement.

3000 50.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 16 Feb, 2026

Unit record last updated: 2026-02-16 09:09:46 +1100