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for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.
| Unit name |
Learning Journal (Trinity & Baptist College) |
| Unit code |
THRS11035 |
| Credit points |
10 |
| Level of study |
C/4
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
|
| Unit director |
Reverend. Bill MacDougall |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
Participation in denominationally approved ministerial formation and placement |
| School/department |
Department of Religion and Theology |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Arts |
Description including Unit Aims
The main purpose of this unit is to enable reflection by the student on their experience of academic theology, pastoral ministry and personal spiritual development. The integration of these three spheres of experience is crucial in the formation of ministers and the learning journal will provide a structured environment within which such integration may take place. The student will
be encouraged to understand a variety of models of theological reflection and of reflection on practice and to use these in the journal entries.
A placement and participation in leading worship will provide contexts for reflection, together with the academic modules undertaken and the student's own faith journey. The journal will require the student:
- to reflect on critical incidents in the course of community or pastoral placements
- to ask 'What have I learned in this unit which has challenged me' and 'What implications does this unit have for pastoral ministry?'
- to ask how have I changed in my understanding of who I am and what I believe God asks of me?
Intended Learning Outcomes
The unit aims to
- develop the skills and habits of a reflective practitioner, integrating the academic and experiential aspects of the course
- an intentional and focused approach to their own personal and professional development.
On completion of the unit students should have:
- have developed the habit of responding to new situations by a method of reflection which draws on the resources of academic theology and personal faith.
- be able to demonstrate their ability to use different models of theological reflection.
- be able to reflect on the experience of ministry in such a way as to identify possible avenues of improved practice for the future.
- be able to assess the challenges of theological learning for personal faith.
Teaching Information
Independent work by the student, supplemented and guided by seminars and tutorials
Assessment Information
Summative assessment will be through a journal totalling 4,000 - 5,000 words which will relate to the first academic year in which the student engages in ministerial formation and should contain specified reflections on a variety of activities undertaken by the student from a variety of perspectives. These will be detailed as part of the unit material.
Reading and References
- Ballard, Paul, & John Pritchard, Practical Theology in Action: Christian Thinking in the Service of Church and Society (London: SPCK, 1996).
- Graham, E., Walton, H., & Ward, F., Theological Reflection: Methods (London: SCM 2005).
- Green, L., Let’s Do Theology: A Pastoral Cycle Resource Book, (London: Mowbray/Cassell, 1990).
- Peterson, E., Working the Angles: The Shape of Pastoral Integrity, (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1987).
- Smith, J., & Graybeal, L., Spiritual Formation Workbook, (London: Fount 1991/1999)
- Woodward, J., & Pattison, S., The Blackwell Reader in Pastoral and Practical Theology (Oxford: Blackwell, 2000).
