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| Unit name |
Issues in Moral and Pastoral Theology (Trinity and Baptist College) |
| Unit code |
THRSM0081 |
| Credit points |
20 |
| Level of study |
M/7
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
|
| Unit director |
Reverend Dr. Andrew Goddard |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department |
Department of Religion and Theology |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Arts |
Description including Unit Aims
This unit provides an introduction at Masters level to some of the key writers, methods and issues in both moral theology and pastoral theology. It explores issues of pastoral practice and ethics in contemporary Christian ministry and mission within a theological context. Students will be introduced to a range of different thinkers and traditions and enabled to evaluate these critically and draw on them in their own reflections and responses to specific areas of ministry.
Intended Learning Outcomes
The unit aims to
- Introduce students to key thinkers, traditions and methods within the academic disciplines of moral and pastoral theology
- Enable students to apply insights from different thinkers and traditions to specific issues within Christian ministry
- Encourage students to integrate pastoral and moral theory and practice
- Equip students to think and respond theologically to the pastoral and ethical challenges faced in contemporary Christian ministry and mission
On completion of the unit students should:
- have developed a critical understanding of a number of significant writers and schools of thought within both moral theology and pastoral theology;
- be able to relate their understanding of God and the Christian faith to practical issues in Christian ministry and reflect theologically upon Christian practice;
- understand and be able to apply a range of pastoral and moral methodologies and principles;
- have explored in depth, through case studies and other means, a number of specific pastoral and ethical issues;
- be able to think in an integrated way about Christian ministry - ethically about pastoral care and pastorally about moral issues.
Teaching Information
The unit will be taught through a mix of lectures and seminars. Reading of materials prior to the lecture/seminar is an essential part of the unit.
The unit will involve 20 contact hours, equating to 2 contact hours per week for 10 weeks
Assessment Information
Formative assessment will be through preparatory reading for lectures and seminars, participation in class discussions and seminars. Students may also be asked to present a brief paper for a class based on prior reading.
Summative assessment will be by means of an essay of 6,000 words.
Reading and References
- Brown, M,. Tensions in Christian Ethics: An Introduction (SPCK, 2010).
- Goodliff, P., Care in a Confused Climate: Pastoral Care and Postmodern Culture (Darton, Longman and Todd, 1998)
- Graham, E., Walton, H. and Ward, F., Theological reflections: Methods. (SCM, 2005)
- Meilaender, G and Werpehowski, W, The Oxford Handbook of Theological Ethics (OUP, 2007).
- Savage, S. and Boyd-Macmillan, E., The Human Face of the Church: A Social Psychology and Pastoral Theology Resource for Pioneer and Traditional Ministry (Canterbury Press, 2007)
- Wells, S. & Quash, B., Introducing Christian Ethics (Blackwell, 2010)
- Woodward, J. and Pattison, S., The Blackwell Reader in Pastoral and Practical Theology (Oxford: Blackwell, 2000)
