MIN428 Pastoral Care (8)

This practical subject aims to prepare students for pastoral ministry in community and church contexts. A model of pastoral care intervention will underpin skills development, alongside an understanding of human development and interpersonal process. Communication and interpersonal skills will be applied within the context of specific pastoral situations involving such factors as crisis, fear, anxiety, suffering, grief and loss.

Availability

* Offering has a residential school. Please view following information for further details.

Session 2 (60)
On Campus
Canberra Campus
Online *
Canberra Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: MIN428. 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

Not available to students who have completed THL228.

Subject Relationships

THL228 Paired Subject

Incompatible Subjects

THL228

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to demonstrate an informed critical insight into the nature of pastoral care and its role in Christian ministry;
  • be able to demonstrate advanced communication skills of listening, attending, reflecting and use of questions, and also to utilise these in pastoral care settings;
  • be able to apply knowledge of appropriate assessment, intervention, and referral within pastoral care situations;
  • be able to demonstrate and communicate an understanding of specific pastoral situations;
  • be able to demonstrate understanding of practical, professional and ethical issues within pastoral work;
  • be able to demonstrate appropriate self-awareness and a capacity for self-reflection; and
  • be able to demonstrate self-guided learning, including advanced research, writing and communication skills.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • The nature and context of pastoral care and the person of the pastoral carer
  • Assessment in pastoral care and models of pastoral care
  • Skills for the pastoral carer: connecting with people, communicating understanding, drawing out the story, gathering the pieces
  • Common pastoral care situations and case studies
  • Practical ethics: Power and professional boundaries, referral, thinking theologically and reflectively
  • Practical issues

Indicative Assessment

The following table summarises the assessment tasks for the online offering of MIN428 in Session 2 2021. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated and can also differ to suit the mode of study (online or on campus).

Item Number
Title
Value %
1
Class participation
10
2
Pastoral care skills
40
3
Pastoral care practice
50

Residential School

This subject contains a 3 day Compulsory Residential School.

The purpose of this residential school is to provide an opportunity for students to practice communication skills, to develop their capacity for self-reflection and to participate in learning and discussion in a supportive environment.

Special Resources

Online students who enrol in this subject are required to travel to attend the compulsory residential school in Canberra and also to arrange their own accommodation and meals.

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: May 2022. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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