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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:

  1. Critically reflect on perspectives relating to theology and disability.
  2. Identify and describe issues relevant to effective pastoral care and ministry with people with disabilities.
  3. Articulate new learning which enhances the practice of pastoral care with people with disabilities.
  4. Facilitate dialogue and practical responses within faith settings and society.
  5. Develop a critical response to public policy on disability issues and integrate this with guidelines for pastoral practice (only level 3).

Postgraduate:

  1. Critically reflect on perspectives relating to theology and disability.
  2. Identify and describe issues relevant to effective pastoral care and ministry with people with disabilities.
  3. Articulate new learning which enhances the practice of pastoral care with people with disabilities.
  4. Facilitate dialogue and practical responses within faith settings and society.
  5. 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.