THL445 Foundations for Pastoral and Spiritual Care of Older People (8)

This subject provides a theoretical basis for pastoral and spiritual care of older people within a holistic framework. It introduces students to biblical-theological, spiritual, psychosocial and ethical perspectives on ageing. Taking into account pluralist socio-cultural and religious context(s) of contemporary Australia, it pays attention to: concepts of human being and personhood; understandings of body, mind and spirit; psychosocial and spiritual development in later life, including life review, narrative and spiritual reminiscence; the gifts and challenges of later life, including the search for wisdom and meaning, self-transcendence, role changes, isolation, suffering, illness and disability; and particular ethical issues associated with ageing.

Subject Outlines
Current CSU students can view Subject Outlines for recent sessions. Please note that Subject Outlines and assessment tasks are updated each session.

Availability

Session 1 (30)
Online
Canberra Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: THL445. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Theology

Enrolment Restrictions

Graduate Certificate in Ageing and Pastoral Studies
Graduate Diploma of Ageing and Pastoral Studies
Master of Ageing and Pastoral Studies

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to demonstrate the ability to reflect critically on the ageing process from several points of view: biblical-theological, spiritual, psychosocial and ethical
  • be able to demonstrate specialised knowledge of psychosocial and spiritual development in later life;
  • be able to evaluate critically various models of spiritual and faith development in later life;
  • be able to demonstrate an understanding of pertinent issues relating to theological anthropology, including personhood, embodiment, ageing and dying;
  • be able to articulate, both sympathetically and critically, approaches to ageing in Christian, other-faith, indigenous and humanistic traditions;
  • be able to outline and discuss critically processes of life review, narrative and spiritual reminiscence in relation to the search for meaning in later life;
  • be able to reflect critically on relevant literature and their own beliefs about the gifts and challenges associated with ageing;
  • be able to demonstrate an informed understanding of ethical aspects of ageing in contemporary society.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • Perspectives on ageing: biblical-theological, spiritual, psychosocial, ethical
  • Psychological and sociological theories and models of ageing
  • Spiritual and faith development in later life
  • Personhood, embodiment, ageing and dying in theological perspective
  • Embodiment: body, mind and spirit
  • Ageing and dying in religious, indigenous and humanistic traditions
  • Meaning in later life: life review, narrative and spiritual reminiscence
  • Gifts of ageing: wisdom, self-transcendence, role reappraisal
  • Challenges of ageing: isolation, suffering, illness, disability, etc.
  • Ethical aspects of ageing in contemporary Australian society

Contact

Current Students

For any enquiries about subject selection or course structure please contact Student Central or ask@csu.edu.au or phone on 1800 275 278.

Prospective Students

For further information about Charles Sturt University, or this course offering, please contact info.csu on 1800 275 278 (free call within Australia) or enquire online.

The information contained in the 2018 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: August 2018. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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