NB: STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE TO OBTAIN THEIR OWN TEXTBOOKS USING WHATEVER SOURCE

Transcription

1 1 NB: STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE TO OBTAIN THEIR OWN TEXTBOOKS USING WHATEVER SOURCE THEY CHOOSE. THE PROVIDENCE BOOKSTORE IS NO LONGER IN OPERATION. ORDER EARLY TO ENSURE BOOKS ARRIVE IN TIME TO DO YOUR PRECOURSE READING Also, if you register for this course, please me that is the easiest way for me to obtain your address so I can send you relevant information before or during the module. Providence Theological Seminary Syllabus for CP 5105 Integration of Theology and Psychology Calgary Module January 5 9, 2015 Sieg Hiebert Ph.D., C.Psych., Adjunct Prof. COURSE DESCRIPTION As described in the academic catalogue: This course explores and critically examines various theories of integration of psychology and theology on three levels of discourse - namely, conceptually, clinically, and personally. Issues such as sin and psychopathology, the human concept of God, religious experience and faith development, the nature of self, psychotherapy and spiritual direction, etc. will be considered from both perspectives along with the psychology and spiritual issues counsellors bring to the healing process. Prerequisite: Theological Foundations 1 or permission from the professor. (3 credits) To the course description as given in the academic catalogue, I would like to add this in relation to this January 2015 module: - Regarding the prerequisite: Previous completion of courses in theology, psychology and/or counselling would be helpful but not required. - This module will provide an opportunity to read about and learn from some recent outstanding examples of integration in the area of counselling by evangelical authors. COURSE OBJECTIVES Note: I have extensively revised and improved the format, content, and presentation style of this course since I taught it last January. Objectives include the following: - To think about people, problems, and counselling from a perspective that includes relevant information from both theology and psychology. - To examine and learn from a few recent outstanding examples of integration in the area of counselling by evangelical authors. - For students to critically examine various models of integration and then articulate their own philosophy of integration including their views regarding epistemology, metaphysics, philosophical anthropology and the process of integration. - For students to understand the basic nature and limitations of both scientific psychology and Christian theology. - For students to consider how to deal with conflicting conclusions in a way that maintains the integrity of both theology and psychology.

2 2 - For students to have the experience of applying integrated approaches to facilitating change over a span of 3 months. - To foster an atmosphere in which students will have opportunity and encouragement to grow not only in knowledge but also relationally and spiritually. Course Outcomes: At the conclusion of this course the student: Will understand and have practiced how to research topics related to counselling by searching for relevant information from both theology and psychology and combining the information in a way that represents real integration and yet maintains the integrity of both disciplines. Will have demonstrated an understanding of current models and examples of integration of theology and psychology in the area of counselling. Will have understood various approaches to facilitating change that have resulted from the recent work of integration done by other scholars and will have tried out the use of some of these approaches. REQUIRED TEXTS: Entwistle, David N. (2010). Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity: An Introduction to Worldview Issues, Philosophical Foundations, and Models of Integration. (Second edition). Wipf & Stock: Oregon. Greggo, Stephen P. And Sisemore, Timothy A. (Editors) (2012), Counseling and Christianity: Five Approaches. Downers Grove, Illinois: Intervarsity Press. McMinn, Mark R. and Campbell, Clark D. (2007). Integrative Psychotherapy: Toward a Comprehensive Christian Approach. Downers Grove, Illinois: Inter-Varsity Press. McMinn, Mark R. (2008). Sin and Grace in Christian Counseling (In Integrative Paradigm). Downers Grove, Illinois: Inter-Varsity Press. Nolasco, Rolf (2011). The Contemplative Counselor: A Way of Being. Fortress: MN (Yes 5 texts are required but the combined cost of all of them is relatively low.) COURSE REQUIREMENTS: The course requirements are designed to help students achieve the course objectives through assignments that are clear, reasonable and practical.

3 3 What is required BEFORE the week of classes: 1. Read the Foreword and Chapters 1 and 2 of the book edited by Greggo and Sisemore (2012). As you read about Jake and his problems in those chapters, notice and make notes for yourself regarding: o First, what he believes (a) about himself, (b) about God, and (c) about how life works; o Second, what strategies he uses to try to get what he wants; o And third, how he copes with unpleasant emotions. 2. Read the Introduction and Chapters 1 3 of Entwistle (2010). As you read the historical information in these chapters, as well as on pages in the book by Greggo and Sisemore (2012), write down two or more lessons you can learn from that history. The notes you write for #1 and #2 above will help you contribute to the class discussions that relate to those questions. These notes are for your own use and should be done in a form that is readable and useful to you. Having these notes done prior to the first class is important and is a prerequisite for you being able to receive full marks for class participation. 3. Read chapter 4 of Entwistle (2010) (about Assumptions and Worldviews) 4. Read the Introduction and Chapters 1 and 2 of the text by Mark McMinn, and Clark Campbell (2007). Your understanding of the chapters assigned in #3 and #4 above will provide a helpful basis for further learning during the week of classes. Of course if, in addition to the above, you wish to overview, skim or read any or all of the texts before the week of classes that too would be helpful although I am not expecting that. I plan to present an overview of the relevant materials in the texts during the week of classes. During The Week of Classes - Please read this part carefully as well so you know what to expect and what to bring. It is important that you bring all the texts along to class so we can look at some sections and diagrams and charts together. I expect that you will be reading some sections of the texts more carefully than others as you complete the various written assignments during and after the week of classes. You need to attend all classes and participate in class discussions. Since this is a whole semester of classes packed into one week, it is important that students arrange to be present for the full 5 days from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. (I hope you will get adequate sleep and that you will be alert and attentive and able to participate in class! ) Total marks available for attendance and participation in all classes equals 10%.

4 4 It is also important that you have about 2 hours each evening (Monday to Thursday) to review the lecture material from that day and do written assignments. This is explained below. Even though we have only 5 days of classes, I expect to discuss all the relevant topics during these 5 days. Many topics (issues and questions) will be covered during the week including the following: - Lessons from history - Epistemology - How can we know anything? What epistemic methods do you accept? - Metaphysics/cosmology - The basic nature of reality and what it includes. - What does the Bible/theology offer in regard to transformation/healing? - Some key internal/personal factors that can contribute to nonphysical problems. - What are the basic requirements of good/real theoretical integration of scientific psychology and Christian theology? - Philosophical anthropology - What is the essential nature of people? Drawing on information both from theology and psychology, we will discuss some of the basic human characteristics and capacities that counsellors need to take into consideration. - 5 current models or approaches for the integration of theology and psychology in counselling. - Common patterns of integration and some helpful larger frameworks that can be used. - We will discuss a number of examples of integrative counselling approaches developed by other Christians and as we do, you will have the opportunity to consider which approaches or methods you would like to add to your own approach to counselling. To help you to learn and personalize the material from each topic, there will be a written assignment related to each of the main topics. If you have a computer available during the evenings of the week of classes, I am hoping that each evening (while the information and your thoughts from the day are still fresh in your mind) you will be able to write your draft notes for the specific assignments (that you will be given) related to the topics we discussed that day. This is why it is important that you have about 2 hours available each evening. Material you need for writing these assignments will be present in the lecture materials and the course texts. Some lecture notes will be sent to you by after the material is discussed in class. It would therefore be very helpful if you have access during the week of classes because that will make these resources available to you as you do your evening assignments. After the week of classes, you can combine your individual written drafts related to the various topics, edit them, and submit it as one larger paper constituting your views of integration as well as your thoughts regarding which approaches or methods used by others you would like to add to your own counselling approach. This larger written paper, which we will call your Amalgamated Integration Course Paper, will be worth 45% and is due Saturday January 31.

5 5 Other Assignments to Be Done after the Week of Classes: 1. Write a report giving your response to the book Sin and Grace in Christian Counseling by Mark McMinn. This report should use the following format: a. Introductory details about the book: title, author, date and publisher. b. The main message of this book. c. What you liked and/or found helpful about this book. d. Any weaknesses that you saw in this book. e. Your recommendation as to who else would benefit from reading this book and why. f. This assignment is worth 4% and is due Saturday February 28. The recommended length is 2 to 3 pages. 2. An Integrative Topical Research Assignment: a. This assignment is an opportunity for you to research one or 2 issues or questions that are of interest to you. b. As you do this assignment, keep in mind the Basic Requirements of Good/Real Theoretical Integration of Scientific Psychology and Christian Theology which will be presented during the week of classes. c. Select a topic or question of interest to you that in some way relates to the content of this course. d. Search for relevant information from both theology and psychology related to the issue or question you have chosen. e. Integrate the relevant information in a way that meets all the basic requirements of good/real integration of scientific psychology and Christian theology. f. Having an integrative conclusion does not necessarily mean you have the final answer to your question. Your conclusion could include further questions that could be explored in the future. g. Present your findings in written form. h. If your paper is less than 8 pages of quality content, you can research a 2 nd topic using the above guidelines and then have a total of at least 8 pages of quality content for the 2 topics combined. i. This assignment is worth 16% and is due Saturday, March Integrative Application Project (IAP) This is a practical assignment that gives you a chance to practice applying an integrative approach to life and change. The assignment involves using concepts discussed in class and/or described in the course texts and applying them to yourself for about 3 months. (If for some reason, you want to have a person other than yourself to be the subject of this project, discuss this with the instructor during the week.) We will discuss this assignment further during the week of classes and I will provide a further written explanation showing how concepts we discuss in class can be directly applied in this project. I will also give examples to show how it can be done in a practical and useful way. If some of you happen to have some ideas prior to the week of classes regarding an

6 6 area you might want to work on, that is fine, but I would encourage you not to make any firm decisions about this in advance. It will be up to you to decide what you want to work on and what you want to report as you do this project. This project is not about reporting information you do not want to report it is about applying, experimenting with, experiencing and reflecting on an integrated process of change. This will be a three-month project and will probably require weekly and possibly some daily attention. It is to be completed in 3 parts. A report of each part should be sent as an attachment to the instructor by the dates specified below. Part 1 10% Use concepts discussed in class (and in the further written explanation I will provide) as you start a time of prayerful self-reflection, experimentation and planning in regard to desired inward and outward change. In addition to the concepts discussed in class, you can, if you want to, incorporate any other relevant concepts from the Bible/theology and psychology as you do this project. I recommend the following steps for Part One: - Specify the desired result you would like to move toward and how that result fits with your understanding of the ideal toward which people should strive. - Start implementing and experimenting with methods/strategies that you think will help you move toward your desired result. - Develop an easy and realistic way to monitor what you are doing and what the results are. - As needed, change and improve the methods/strategies to help you move toward the results that you have specified. - A written report (perhaps 5 pages) of Part 1 is due on Saturday, February 7. - I will do my best to send you some feedback the following week. Part 2 5% - Continue to implement the plan (methods/strategies) developed in Part 1. - Take into consideration any feedback I sent you. - Monitor the results of your methods/strategies and change/fine-tune them as needed. - A written report (perhaps 2-3 pages) on your progress during this Part is due Saturday March 14 o Part 3 10% - Continue to implement methods/strategies that you think will be helpful to achieve the desired ends. - Continue to monitor the results. - Write up a summary and your conclusions about this project (perhaps 5 pages) including but not necessarily limited to the following: 1. What was accomplished? 2. What did you learn? 3. Was it helpful that this project involved information from both the Bible/theology and psychology? If so how?

7 7 4. What suggestions do you have regarding future application projects for yourself or others? 5. The completed summary and conclusions are due Saturday April 11, 2015 Technical matters and other relevant information: Students who miss two or more half days of classes will risk failing the course. All counselling students should use the APA format for citing resources. The following may be helpful: However, clarity, the use of headings, and consistency are more important to me than technical accuracy. If you have questions about this, please ask me in class. For assignments, number of required pages is based on double spacing, regular margins, and # 12 font. Times New Roman is also preferred for easy reading. Also, in counting number of required pages, do not include title page, abstract (if you include one), or you reference page(s). Papers are due on (or before) the DATE they are DUE. Expect that any paper submitted after the due date will incur a 1% deduction for every single day it is turned in late. Each assignment is to be send as an attachment that can be opened in Microsoft Word. Send them to me at [email protected] An example of a title page is attached. PLAGIARISM STATEMENT: The seminary operates on an honor system. The faculty assumes that all coursework, both oral and written, is the product of the students own work. Cheating and plagiarism in any form are prohibited. Students must not use other people s ideas or words without acknowledgment, copy other people s work as their own, or falsify the results of study. Academic dishonesty and plagiarism are viewed as grave offenses. They may result in the student failing the course, and can be grounds for dismissal from the seminary at the sole discretion of the seminary. Dishonest use of ideas or sources is an ethical issue that reflects on readiness for ministry. Work submitted to one class should not be used in a 2 nd class without consultation with the faculty. For a fuller discussion, see Academic Dishonesty in the student handbook. (From The Academic Catalogue )

8 8 You can use footnotes, references, or simply mention in the text of your paper when the ideas and information you are presenting come from some book or source other than yourself. GRADING As mentioned in the Academic Catalogue, PTS uses a letter grading system that provides passing grade options all the way from D- to A+. The Catalogue also states that a B- is given 2.7 grade points and that an AGPA of 2.50 is required for graduation except where noted under specific degree requirements. Although, as instructor, I maintain responsibility for assigning marks, I will invite your input on what grade you think your assignments are worth. Final grades for this course will be given in terms of letter grades with B indicating satisfactory completion of all requirements and higher marks being given for excellence. Summary of Due Dates and Marks Before January 6, 2014: Pre-reading to prepare for the week of Classes (Required to get full credit for class participation) January 6 10 Class participation during the week of classes: 10 % Saturday, January 31 Your Amalgamated Integration Course Paper (your larger paper which includes all the lecture related assignments). 45% Saturday February 7 Integrative Application Project (IAP), Part 1 10% Saturday February 28, Report regarding Sin and Grace in Christian Counseling 4% Saturday, March 14 Integrative Application Project, Part 2 5% Saturday, March 28 Integrative Topical Research Paper 16% Saturday April 11 Integrative Application Project, Part 3 10% Total 100%

9 9 This is an example of a title page. Running head: ALL CAPS SHORT TITLE 50 CHARACTERS OR LESS (in the header) Title of Paper Goes Here By Your Name Here For Sieg Hiebert Ph.D., C.Psych. Providence Theological Seminary In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Course CP 5105 Integration of Theology and Psychology Calgary Module January 5 9, 2015 Date submitted