Masters Capstone Unit: Spirituality Today (XS9906C)

Postgraduate, 24.0 points

Content

This capstone learning experience requires students to undertake self-directed learning to address an issue(s) of spirituality relating to today’s context. Students are required to choose a theme(s) specifically related to contemporary spirituality in consultation with the lecturer and use the ‘hermeneutical approach’ from the study of Christian Spirituality for the investigation involving three phases: descriptive, interpretative and appropriative. The interpretative phase will involve engagement with methodologies and concepts from across different fields such as theology, biblical studies and also other non-theological fields where appropriate. The research will culminate with a presentation of key findings in a peer-engaged forum on how the issue(s) studied influences our understanding of Christian Spirituality today.

Unit code: XS9906C

Unit status: Approved (New unit)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Capstone

Unit discipline: Capstone Other S

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Catholic Theological College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Choose and use relevant and appropriate spiritual and historical sources, formulations and/or practices to engage creatively with issues of significance to Christian spirituality today.

2.

Apply advanced critical thinking and hermeneutical skills to texts and contexts, with particular reference to contemporary issues in spirituality.

3.

Critically analyse the relationship between issues of ‘spirituality’ in contemporary context and the fundamental dimensions of Christian Spirituality in particular.

4.

Construct a rigorous and integrated presentation of a capstone learning experience, using methodologies and scholarly style of the relevant disciplines.

Unit sequence

Unit may only be taken in the final two semesters of the Master of Spirituality course

Pedagogy

The capstone learning experience requires students to undertake self-directed, multi-discipline, integrative and contextually-attuned study with the support of a supervisor.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Brown, Scott G. A Guide to Writing Academic Essays in Religious Studies. London: Continuum, 2008.
  • Dreyer, Elizabeth and Mark S. Burrows. Minding the Spirit: The Study of Christian Spirituality. Baltimore, Md.: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2005.
  • Downey, Michael, (ed) New Dictionary of Catholic Spirituality. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1993.
  • Downey, Michael. Understanding Christian Spirituality. New York: Paulist Press, 1997.
  • Holder, Auther, (ed) The Blackwell Companion to Christian Spirituality. Oxford: Blackwell, 2013. https://divinity.on.worldcat.org/oclc/988176172
  • Johnston, William. Arise, My Love: Mystisism for a New Era. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 2000.
  • Perrin D.B., Studying Christian Spirituality NY: Routledge, 2007.
  • Sheldrake P.E. Explorations in Spirituality. NY: Paulist, 2010
  • Sheldrake P. Spirituality: A brief History. Oxford: Blackwell, 2013. https://divinity.on.worldcat.org/oclc/818727608
    • Woods. R. (ed) The Bloomsbury Guide to Christian Spirituality. London: Bloomsbury, 2012.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

Essay

 6000 80.0
Oral Presentation

20-minute presentation

 2000 20.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 27 Jul, 2019

Unit record last updated: 2020-07-22 13:45:57 +1000