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MAFT 516 - Christian Perspectives in the Helping Professions

Teacher Dr. D. Quagliana
Semester Spring Duration 8 Weeks
Frequency Every three years
Credits 5 ECTS Workload 125-150 Hours
Module format Intensive
Applicability This Module alerts the students to specifically Christian approaches within the helping professions. In other modules, the elements of faith may be overlooked but this seeks to introduce another aspect.
Course structure See module and courses
Contact time 35-45 Hours Self-Study 105-125 Hours
Participation requirement See access to the program
Evaluation
Evaluation Hours Weight
Phase 1 50 20%
Reading & Reflection paper
 50 20%
Phase 2 60 40%
Participation & Daily Assignments
 40 20%
Presentation
 10 10%
Position Paper
 10 10%
Phase 3 40 40%
Research Paper
 40 440%
Total 150 100%
Content of the Module A survey of Christian approaches to counseling. Emphasis on the development of Christian approaches as they relate to theoretical and clinical advances in the field of counseling. Focus on the theological underpinnings of each approach.
This course prepares students to integrate faith issues into their work in the helping professions. This includes areas such as the personal faith development of the student, self-care of the service provider, ethics in the delivery of services, social justice in the provision of services to the underserved, working with people with diverse faith backgrounds, integrating care with faith communities, and faith/spiritual interventions in the context of services.
Learning Objectives

A. General Learning Objectives
This course seeks to cover:

  1. Ongoing personal faith development and faith struggles of the helper.
  2. Self-care of the helper.
  3. The interaction between faith and ethical issues in the delivery of services.
  4. Social justice in the provision of services to the underserved.
  5. Working with people with diverse faith backgrounds.
  6. Integrating care with faith communities.
  7. Faith/Spiritual interventions in the context of offered services.

B. Specific Behavioral Objectives
As a result of the activities and study in this course, the student will:

  1. Describe their own faith journey and possible interactions of this history and the way they help others.
  2. Articulate a plan of self-care incorporating their own faith practices.
  3. Navigate through ethical scenarios that describe conflicts between faith and professional ethical issues.
  4. Plan a sustainable approach to providing services to underserved populations motivated by their religious world view. 
  5. Plan active ways of ongoing education around the faith perspectives of populations that they serve.
  6. Give examples of ways they can use existing faith communities as part of the treatment planning for their clients.
  7. Create custom faith-based interventions for populations they choose to serve.
Outline A. Personal faith development of the student
B. Self-care of the service provider
C. Ethics in the delivery of services
D. Social justice in the provision of services to the underserved
E. Working with people with diverse faith backgrounds
F. Integrating care with faith communities
G. Faith/spiritual interventions
Examination See Evaluation
Core Literature

Textbooks:
Holeman, V. T. (2012). Theology for better counseling: Trinitarian reflections for healing and formation. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Academic.
Shults, F. L., & Sandage, S. J. (2006). Transforming Spirituality: Integrating theology and psychology. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.

Reading List:
Anderson, R. S. (1990). Christians who counsel: The vocation of wholistic therapy. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Buber, M. (1970). I and Thou. New York: Touchstone.
Dueck, A., & Lee C. (Eds.). (2005). Why psychology needs theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
McMinn, L. G. (2007). Growing strong daughters: Encouraging girls to become all they’re meant to be (revised edition). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.
McMinn, M. R., & Phillips, T. R. (Eds.). (2001). Care for the soul: Exploring the intersection of psychology and theology. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Press.
Miles, C. A. (2006). The redemption of love: Rescuing marriage and sexuality from the economics of a fallen world. Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press.
Mogel, W. (2001). The blessing of a skinned knee. New York: Penguin Compass,
Sanders, R. (Ed.). (2013). Christian counseling ethics: A handbook for psychologists, therapists and pastors (2nd ed.). Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic.
Walsh, F. (Ed.). (2009). Spiritual resources in family therapy (2nd ed.). NY: Guilford.
Other information


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