Units timetabled for 2013 and 2014 are provisional only, and details of semester and time will change. The official timetable for each year is released on 1 September of the prior year.

Archived unit descriptions for 2011 are available here.

Foundations of Pastoral Care

Unit Code: 
ODP308
RTI: 
United Faculty of Theology
Unit Value: 
15 points

This unit will study the foundations of pastoral care, exploring biblical and historical perspectives, with a view to assisting students to develop their own theology of care and to understand the distinctive nature of ‘pastoral’ care from a Christian perspective. Attention will be given to both Old Testament and New Testament insights with particular focus on the witness of the gospels. In addition, students will survey the historical development of pastoral care over the centuries and examine recent trends and practices.

Learning Outcomes: 

Upon successful completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

  1. Identify biblical and theological foundations and frameworks which inform the meaning and practice of pastoral care
  2. Articulate a Christian theology of care for contemporary contexts
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of the distinctive nature of ‘pastoral’ care.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of the historical development of pastoral care
  5. Identify key aspects of pastoral care in historical contexts
Lecturer/s: 
Ruwan Palapathwala
Timetabling
Semester: 
Semester 1
Unit Frequency: 
Biennial
Years Offered: 
2009
Years Offered: 
2011
Years Offered: 
2013
Unit Fields
Courses: 
Graduate Certificate in Theology
Courses: 
Graduate Diploma in Theology
Courses: 
Master of Divinity
Field: 
Field D Theology: Mission and Ministry
Disciplines: 
Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies
MDiv Field: 
Groundwork for Christian Ministry
Department Name: 
Department of Moral and Practical Theology
Unit Level
GradDip Field: 
Foundational
MDiv Type of Study: 
Foundational
Prerequisites: 

nil

Prohibited Combinations: 

DP300 Caring and Teaching in Church and Community

Mode of Teaching: 
Online
Teaching Methods: 

There are six fortnightly sessions covering the foundations of pastoral care. Each session consists of guided reading from the set texts, additional reading resources and some notes, together with an online tutorial.

Workload
Total workload hours per week: 
0
Assessment
Assessment TypeWeightingLearning Outcomes Assessed
Assessment Type: 

Participation in each of the six online tutorials, comprising intentional, reflective and critical interaction with lecturer and peers to the equivalent of 1500 words

Weighting: 
25%
Learning Outcomes Assessed: 
1, 2, 3
Assessment Type: 

2 x 1000 word essays, based upon a passage of Scripture, to demonstrate particular insights into the meaning and practice of pastoral care

Weighting: 
25%
Learning Outcomes Assessed: 
1, 2
Assessment Type: 

1 x 2500 word essay on one of the historical eras in the evolution of pastoral care, offering both a description and a critique.

Weighting: 
50%
Learning Outcomes Assessed: 
3, 4, 5
Recommended reading: 

* = set texts recommended for purchase

Clebsch, W. A. and C. R. Jaekle. Pastoral Care in Historical Perspective. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1964.

Gerkin, C. An Introduction to Pastoral Care. Nashville: Abingdon, 1997.

Woodward and Pattison (eds). The Blackwell Reader in Pastoral and Practical Theology. Oxford: Blackwells, 2000.

© United Faculty of Theology, 2008-2012.