THL565 Dying, Death and Pastoral Care in Ageing (8)
CSU Discipline Area: Theology (THEOL)
Duration: One session
Abstract:
This subject presents a holistic approach to death and dying in the later part of the lifespan. The focus of the subject is on developing a high level of knowledge and understanding of pastoral and theological considerations for professional and vocational practice. It examines religious, spiritual, and secular perspectives on death and dying. Ethical aspects and rituals surrounding death and dying are considered from a variety of cultures and religious traditions.
+ Subject Availability Modes and Locations
| Session 2 | |
|---|---|
| Distance * | Canberra |
*This subject offering contains a residential school. Please view following information for further details.
Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: THL565
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.
Enrolment restrictions:
Master of Arts (Ageing and Pastoral Studies)
Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
- be able to demonstrate high level understanding of religious, spiritual and secular perspectives on death and dying;
- be able to demonstrate high level ability to identify pastoral needs of older people who are dying;
- be able to identify and justify sensitive and appropriate advanced level spiritual and pastoral care measures for people who are dying and their families;
- be able to articulate a well developed account of the Christian theological interpretations of death;
- be able to creatively design appropriate liturgies and rituals facilitating mourning;
- be able to provide evidence of high level ability to recognise and respect the variety of faith perspectives on dying and death;
- be able to provide evidence of a high level of understanding of ethical issues of dying and death; and
- be able to reflect critically on professional and vocational practice, including self-care.
Syllabus:
The subject will cover the following topics:
- Death and dying in later life: a. Religious, b. Spiritual, and c. Secular perspectives - Christian theological perspectives on dying and death - Spiritual and pastoral approaches to dying and death - Experiences and portrayals of death and dying in a multicultural society - Multi-faith perspectives on dying and death, including rituals - Ethical issues in dying and death in later life - Reflective practice and self-care of the pastoral carer related to working with older people who are dying
Residential School
This subject contains a compulsory 2 day residential school.
The purpose of the residential school is to assist students to develop understanding of religious, spiritual and secular perspectives on death and dying. Content will focus on developing skills to identify spiritual and pastoral needs and ways of providing sensitive and appropriate advanced care for older people who are dying. The residential school will also provide a setting for students to critically reflect on their own attitudes to death and dying and self-care in the context of being pastoral care providers, while working through ethical issues associated with dying.
The information contained in the 2013 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 24 April 2013. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.