Fall 2008/Pasadena
CN557
Rickards
CN557: PASTORAL CARE AND ADDICTIONS. Shannae Rickards.
DESCRIPTION: This course explores all aspects of pastoral care for people
struggling with addictions. In addiction to providing theological and biblical
perspectives on the addictive process, this class will help participants
develop the understanding and skills needed by pastors and others who seek to
help families impacted by addiction.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who take this class will know the basic features
of the recovery process and be able to respond in helpful ways both to people
struggling with addictions and also to family members and others who care about
the addicted person. Students will be informed about available resources, be
able to do appropriate interventions and referrals for treatment, and be able
to support people at all stages of the recovery process.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The addictive process is an enormous and global
problem. Unfortunately, pastors, missionaries, and other religious
professionals are rarely trained to identify and respond appropriately to
people who are addicted.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet weekly for three-and-a-half-hour sessions.
Didactic lecture, case examples, guest speakers, class participation, and
individual field trips will be used to assist growth in understanding and
development of practical ministry skills.
REQUIRED READING:
- Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. 4th ed. New York: A.A.
World Service. (142 pages required)
- Cloud, H. Changes That Heal. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1992. (267
pages)
- Flores, P.J. Addiction as an Attachment Disorder. Lanham, MD:
Aronson, 2004. (200 pages required)
- Laaser, M. Healing the Wounds of Sexual Addiction. Grand Rapids:
Zondervan, 2004. (107 pp. required)
- Martin, P.R., B.A. Weinberg & B.K. Bealer. Healing Addiction.
Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2007. (145 pp. req.)
- Wegscheider-Cruse, S. Another Chance. Palo Alto, CA: Science and
Behavior Books, 1989. (105 pp. req.)
RECOMMENDED READING: A list of recommended readings will be available in the
course syllabus.
ASSIGNMENTS: (1) A minimum of 1200 pages of reading with a journal documenting
comments and reviews (10% of grade). (2) Class Attendance and Participation:
Students are expected to attend all classes on time and be prepared for
in-depth discussion. All reading assignments should be completed prior to class
so each student will be prepared to share his or her thoughts and opinions (10%
of grade). (3) Personal Process Paper: Students will be required to choose an
addiction to which they have had at least some minimal exposure. They will
attend at least one 12-Step meeting and a Celebrate Recovery meeting that is
designed for people struggling with this addiction. They will write a 4-5 page
paper describing and reflecting on their own personal experience of the
struggle to complete the first three steps of the twelve steps of Alcoholics
Anonymous (30% of grade). (4) Research Paper: Students will write an
in-depth review of the addiction they chose for the Personal Process Paper.
This should include information on the characteristics of the addiction,
treatment options and ways in which ministry in the local church might be
helpful to people struggling with this addiction. This paper should be at least
8-10 pages, typewritten, and double-spaced (30% of grade). (5) Final Exam:
Students will be given a comprehensive written final exam that will include
multiple choice, matching, short answer, and essay questions (20% of grade).
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective.
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes. December 11, 2008.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (8/08)