War: Moral & Pastoral Perspectives

Carrie Doehring is Professor of Pastoral Care at Iliff School of Theology, ordained in the PCUSA, a licensed psychology and a diplomat in AAPC. She is author of (2015) The Practice of Pastoral Care: A Postmodern Approach (Revised and Expanded) . She has published extensively on pastoral care, trauma, and moral stress.

Dallas Little is an active duty chaplain in the United States Air Force.  He is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and is board certified through the Association of Professional Chaplains.  He holds an MDiv from Emory University, an MAPSC from Iliff, and a D.Min. from Drew University.  He has published on PTSD, moral injury, and Postmodern Theology .

ALL CONTENT UPLOADED OR DISCUSSED BY DALLAS LITTLE REFLECTS HIS PERSPECTIVE ALONE AND IS IN NO WAY ENDORSED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, UNITED STATES AIR FORCE, OR AIR FORCE CHAPLAIN CORPS.

This course explores moral and pastoral perspectives on war and peace that are contextually relevant in encounters with persons and communities experiencing the impact of war and military service. We will begin with our own stories about the impact of war on our lives, in order to explore the embedded theologies/moral orienting systems (values, beliefs and behaviors) elicited by the case studies drawn from fiction, film, and writings about war and military service. We will use our discussion posts and responses to demonstrate capacities for intercultural spiritual care (Doehring, 2017), as we listen empathically across theological and moral differences about war.

Readings: Chapters and articles will be posted on Canvas

 Weekly Forum reflections and responses on readings and case studies: Week 1 (6 point), Weeks 2 - 9 (8 points) and week 10 (5 points) for 75% of grade

Final Assignment (5-7 pages single-spaced) (25%) due Friday June 2. The following choices of assignments are designed for you to go deeper into one of our weekly topics. Graduating students must have all their work turned in by 4:30 PM on Friday, May 25th. Students can choose to do one of the following (outlines for each of these options will be provided by mid-April):

1. A sermon (detailed exegesis notes and outline of sermon or full text) about war or military service (e.g. using a set of lectionary readings or an occasion like Remembrance Day)

2. Outline and teaching plan for an adult or youth educational event focusing on one of our weekly topics

3. A case study

4. A self-reflective journal assignment on the intercultural impact of war on your family

5. An in-depth book report (students need to get approval from Dr. Doehring for their book selection)

Learning Covenant.docx

Degree Learning Goals: Please take some time to look over the Professional Degree Learning Goals (MDiv, MASC, MAPSC) and the Academic Degree Learning Goals (MTS, MA).

Incompletes:  If incompletes are allowed in this course, see the Master's Student Handbook for Policies and Procedures.

Pass/Fail:  Masters students wishing to take the class pass/fail should discuss this with the instructor by the second class session.

Academic Integrity and Community Covenant:  All students are expected to abide by Iliff’s statement on Academic Integrity, as published in the Masters Student Handbook, or the Joint PhD Statement on Academic Honesty, as published in the Joint PhD Student Handbook, as appropriate.  All participants in this class are expected to be familiar with Iliff’s Community Covenant.

Accommodations:  Iliff engages in a collaborative effort with students with disabilities to reasonably accommodate student needs.   Students are encouraged to contact their assigned advisor to initiate the process of requesting accommodations.  The advising center can be contacted at advising@iliff.edu or by phone at 303-765-1146. 

Writing Lab:  Grammar and organization are important for all written assignments.  Additional help is available from the Iliff Writing Lab, which is available for students of any level who need help beginning an assignment, organizing thoughts, or reviewing a final draft. 

Inclusive Language:  It is expected that all course participants will use inclusive language in speaking and writing, and will use terms that do not create barriers to classroom community.