We will use a practical theological approach to understanding traumatic narratives and how spiritual practices of compassion prepare us to listen. Readings from psychological of religion and intercultural spiritual care and our own spiritual practices will help us listen compassionately and become more theologically reflexive when we listen to trauma stories. We will use psychological perspectives to understand acute stress responses and post-traumatic stress (PTS), post-traumatic growth (PTG) and religious coping. We will use theological perspectives (theodicies) to compare traditional and contemporary ways of understanding traumatic suffering, and, in particular, the moral dilemmas generated by trauma and its aftermath.
We will use our own trauma narratives in order to integrate what we are learning in journal assignments. We will focus on what was over-whelming and what helped in terms of coping and meaning-making. Using peer learning and support, we will reflect upon our own experiences of trauma in order to become aware of the embedded religious and existential beliefs and values we use to make sense of and cope with overwhelming stressors. In sharing these reflections with each other, we will learn how to use a theologically-oriented transactional understanding of religious coping. The peer learning and support experienced during sharing our trauma narratives and reflections with each other will help us practice an intercultural approach to spiritual care that fully acknowledges the mystery and alterity of our religious worlds. By putting into practice an intercultural approach to spiritual care with each other, we will better understand how our trauma narratives can become resources or roadblocks when we care for others experiencing post-traumatic stress. This self and theologically reflexive learning will enhance our formation as pastoral and spiritual caregivers who deeply engage religious and cultural traditions within a spiritually, socially complex world.
All of the readings for this course will be posted; there are no course texts to buy.
Week 2
Drescher, K. D., & Foy, D. W. (2010). When horror and loss intersect: Traumatic experiences and traumatic bereavement. Pastoral Psychology, 59, 147-158. doi: 10.1007/s11089-009-0262-2
Drescher & Foy 2010 When horror and loss intersect traumatic and how clergy can help.pdf
Litz, B., Stein, N., Delaney, E., Lebowitz, L., Nash, W. P., Silva, C., & Maguen, S. (2009). Moral injury and moral repair in war veterans: A preliminary model and intervention strategy. Clinical Psychological Review, 29(8), 695-706. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2009.07.003
Litz et al Litz 2009 Moral injury and moral repair in war veterans.docx
Week 3
Doehring, C. (2015). Introduction, Chapters 1 - 3 In The practice of pastoral care: A postmodern approach (Revised and expanded ed.). Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox.
Practice of Pastoral Care Revised and Expanded 95,700 words 2-12-2014.docx
Week 4
Pargament, K. I., Desai, K. M., & McConnell, K. M. (2006). Spirituality: A pathway to posttraumatic growth or decline? In L. G. Calhoun & R. G. Tedeschi (Eds.), Handbook of posttraumatic growth: Research and practice (pp. 121-135). Mahwah, NJ Erlbaum.
Pargament, Desai, McConnell 2006 Spirituality A pathway to PTG.pdf
2.Calhoun, L. G., & Tedeschi, R. G. (2006). The foundation of posttraumatic growth: An expanded framework Handbook of posttraumatic growth: Research and practice (pp. 3-23). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
Calhoun & Tedeschi Foundations of PTG annotated.pdf
OR Walsh, F. (2007). Traumatic loss and major disasters: Strengthening family and community resilience. Family Process, 46(2), 207-227. doi: 10.1111/j.1545-5300.2007.00205.x
Walsh 2007 Traumatic Loss and Major Disasters Strengthening family and community resilience.pdf
Week 5
Doehring, C. (2015). Chapters 5, 6 In The practice of pastoral care: A postmodern approach (Revised and expanded ed.). Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox.(See Week 2 reading)
Nelson, S. (2003). Facing evil: Evil's many faces: Five Paradigms for understanding evil. Interpretation, 57(4), 399-413.
Week 9
Doehring, C. (2015). Introduction, Chapters 7 & 8 In The practice of pastoral care: A postmodern approach (Revised and expanded ed.). Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox. (See Week 2 reading)
See Taylor Library's list of online book sellers for purchasing options.
Course Objectives
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Course Objectives:
At the conclusion of the course, students will be able to: |
There are three types of assignments that will be used to assess the extent to which these objectives have been met |
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Use an intercultural paradigm of spiritual care of trauma survivors that -establishes a sense of trust -focuses on using religious and spiritual practices to establish a sense of safety -explores meaning-making |
1. Journal assignments 2. Learning partner responses to and conversations about journal assignments
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Use psychological theories and theologically-oriented approaches to religious coping in response to trauma. To help trauma survivors assess their coping skills and use effective spiritual and religious coping to establish a sense of safety |
3. Reading reflections 1. Journal assignments 2. Learning partner responses to and conversations about journal assignments |
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Use psychological theories and approaches to treatment of PTSD, especially cognitive behavioral treatment strategies |
3. Reading reflections 1. Journal assignments 2. Learning partner responses to and conversations about journal assignments |
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Identify traditional and contemporary forms of theodicy and be able to explain how each makes sense of tragedy using theological themes like sin, evil, power, love, and compassion. Explore with trauma survivors how they make sense of their suffering. |
3. Reading reflections 2. Journal assignments 1. Learning partner responses to and conversations about journal assignments |
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Practice self care so that students do not become overwhelmed by caring for trauma survivors |
Use a spiritual practice throughout the course that strengthens compassion. |
Requirements
Weekly reading responses to discussion forums as well as small group discussion forums, submitted by Monday, midnight and responded to by Thursday midnight (50%)
One journal assignment following the outline provided online. These students’ journal assignments will become the basis for spiritual care conversations with learning partners in weeks 6, 7, 8 35%)
Learning partner’s response to journal assignment submitted prior to spiritual care conversations; learning partner integration of learning in spiritual care conversations with their partners about their partner’s journal assignment (5% for each).
PhD additional requirements: Database literature search on Trauma and a topic related to research/teaching interests (students are encouraged to invest in Endnotes or a reference program). Due date negotiable.
DEADLINES FOR EACH WEEK
All students must agree to abide by professional confidentiality in all matters, which means that they will preserve anonymity by disguising the identity of cases when seeking consultation and case reporting. Student disclosures to one another and to the professor will remain confidential, unless the law requires otherwise. In all cases, students must be aware of the mandatory reporting laws of the state in which they provide professional caregiving. If they are designated spiritual caregivers within their religious tradition, they need to also be aware of what their religious organization requires. If students have reason to suspect or have first-hand knowledge of recent, current, or ongoing child abuse or neglect perpetrated on a child currently under the age of 18 years, elder abuse, sexual and domestic violence, or threats of homicide or suicide in any of the pastoral situations they use for fulfilling the requirements of this course they need to seek immediate consultation with supervisors, denominational leaders, and the professor of this course so that proper reporting procedures can be ascertained. We will work together to establish an appropriate pastoral relationship with all parties facing these crises.
State laws on mandatory reporting are available at State Laws on Mandatory Clergy Reporting Colorado mandatory reporting requirements may be found at Colorado Revised Statutes 19-3-304, 1a, 2(aa, II, III); 13-90-107c.
Students will understand and use an intercultural approach to spiritual care to respond to trauma narratives.
Students will identify and critically evaluate the ways in which their personal, religious, and cultural experience, along with their theology, moral orientation, and vocational formation shapes their response to overwhelming and traumatic events.
Students will draw upon psychological theories and research on post traumatic stress disorder and growth along with religious and spiritual coping and meaning making to understand and respond to trauma narratives.
Students will describe strategies for their continued spiritual development and self-care that helps them connect with a sense of the sacred in responding to overwhelming and traumatic events.
We are going to use this page to suggest spiritual practices that foster compassion, or to provide links to helpful resources for meditation practices in a variety of traditions and styles.
Calming Religious Music
Hymn to the Eternal Flame: This link has the music and words for one of my favorite pieces. If it appeals to you, you might try listening to it before your do course work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM4YcJyUc0E
The best performance I have heard is by Trinity College Choir, Cambridge, directed by Stephen Layton (their album Beyond All Mortal Dreams). You can listen to some of their work on this website:
http://www.trinitycollegechoir.com/
Carrie Doehring
Mindfulness Meditation Resources
www.mindfulness-solution
This website has some Buddhist meditation that you can use. Carrie Doehring
Soulful Living Website
http://soulfulliving.com/home.htm
This website carries many different resources for coping and mindfulness. There are articles written on a plethora of topics--just scroll down and look on the lower left hand side. Tiffany Andes
| Date | Day | Details | |
| Mar 25, 2014 | Tue | Week 1. Discussion Thread about self care practices that foster self compassion | due by 05:59AM |
| Mar 25, 2014 | Tue | Week 1. Introduction Discussion Thread | due by 05:59AM |
| Apr 01, 2014 | Tue | Week 2 Intercultural Spiritual Care | due by 05:59AM |
| Apr 01, 2014 | Tue | Week 2: Listen to this audio recording before doing this week's reading so you can use this self reflexive process. | due by 05:59AM |
| Apr 08, 2014 | Tue | Sign up for group | due by 05:59AM |
| Apr 08, 2014 | Tue | Week 3 Exploring Moral Injuries | due by 05:59AM |
| Apr 15, 2014 | Tue | Week 4 Spiritually-integrated trauma care | due by 05:59AM |
| Apr 22, 2014 | Tue | Week 5 Theologies of Suffering | due by 05:59AM |
| May 06, 2014 | Tue | Weeks 6 and 7: Timetable and resources | due by 05:59AM |
| May 20, 2014 | Tue | Final Forum: What was integrative about your Spiritual Care Conversations? | due by 05:59AM |