DP2/3/9012S
Pastoral Care with People with Disabilities
Second or third level unit for undergraduates
Elective unit for postgraduates
Taught at at CTM (29 College Cres, Parkville)
Content: This unit will address theological, liturgical, ethical and pastoral care issues associated with ministry with people with disabilities. Issues of inclusion in faith communities and community-based settings will be explored. Participants will also examine access (attitudes, friendship, legislation, rights, communications and architecture), to gain deeper understanding of resistance to inclusion. Scripture will be examined as a means of reflection on contemporary theological-pastoral issues pertaining to disability. The relationship between faith and healing, from both a personal and social perspective, and emerging theologies about disability will be explored. A site visit will be part of the unit.
Learning outcomes: On successful completion of this unit it is expected that student will be able to:
Undergraduate:
- Critically reflect on perspectives relating to theology and disability.
- Identify and describe issues relevant to effective pastoral care and ministry with people with disabilities.
- Articulate new learning which enhances the practice of pastoral care with people with disabilities.
- Facilitate dialogue and practical responses within faith settings and society.
- Develop a critical response to public policy on disability issues and integrate this with guidelines for pastoral practice (only level 3).
Postgraduate:
- Critically reflect on perspectives relating to theology and disability.
- Identify and describe issues relevant to effective pastoral care and ministry with people with disabilities.
- Articulate new learning which enhances the practice of pastoral care with people with disabilities.
- Facilitate dialogue and practical responses within faith settings and society.
- Critically apply theological and pastoral reflections and contemporary research to articulate new understandings which integrate theory and practice.
Prerequisites:
Second level: 18 points in Field B, 18 points in Field C and 18 points in Field D.
Third level – 18 points in Field B, 18 points in Field C and 36 points in Field D.
Postgraduate: one foundational unit in Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies.
Faculty: Andy Calder.
Offered: in second semester 2019 at CTM (29 College Cres, Parkville)
Assessment:
Level 2
Book review – 1000 words 25%
Reflective Journal – 1000 words 25%
Research essay – 2000 words 50%
Level 3
Book review – 1000 words 25%
Reflective Journal – 1000 words 25%
Research essay – 2500 words 50%
Postgraduate
Book review – 1500 words 25%
Reflective Journal – 1500 words 25%
Research essay – 3000 words 50%
Select Bibliography:
Brock, B. & Swinton, J. (eds). Disability in the Christian Tradition: A Reader. Grand Rapids, Michigan, Eerdmans, 2012.
Calder, A, and Newell, C. (eds). Voices in Disability and Spirituality from the Land Down Under. New York: Haworth Press, 2004.
Carter, E. Including people with Disabilities in Communities of faith: A Guide for Service Providers, Families, and Congregations. Baltimore: Brookes Publishing, 2007.
Edmonds, M. A Theological Diagnosis: A new Direction on Genetic Therapy, Disability and the Ethics of Healing. London: Jessica Kingsley, 2011.
Eiesland, N. and Saliers, D. (eds). Human Disability and the Service of God. Nashville, Abingdon Press, 1998.
Gaventa, W. Disability and Spirituality: Recovering Wholeness. Waco, Texas, Baylor University Press, 2018.
Melcher, S.J. Parsons M.K. and Yong A. (eds). The Bible and Disability: A Commentary. Waco, Texas, Baylor University Press, 2017.
Newell, C. (ed). Exclusion and Embrace – conversations about Spirituality and Disability. UnitingCare Victoria, 2001.
Pinsky, M.I. Amazing Gifts: Stories of Faith, Disability and Inclusion. Vancouver: The Alban Institute, 2012.
Reinders, H. Receiving the gift of Friendship: Profound Disability, Theological Anthropology and Ethics. Grand Rapids, Eerdmans, 2008.
Reynolds, T. Vulnerable Communion: A Theology of Disability and Hospitality. Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2007.
Shurley, A.K. Pastoral Care and intellectual Disabilty: A Person-centred approach. Waco, Texas, Baylor University Press, 2017.
Yong, A. The Bible, Disability, and the Church. Grand Rapids, Michigan, Eerdmans, 2011.
Periodicals:
Perspectives on Disability. St Mark’s Review. No. 232 July 2015 (2). Journal of Disability and Religion, Taylor and Francis.