Winter 2010/Pasadena
ST817/517
Augsburger
ST817/517: THEOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON HUMAN NATURE.
David Augsburger.
DESCRIPTION: A practical theology seminar exploring human nature and destiny
correlating the assumptions of behavioral sciences, philosophical and
sociological theories, and current theological issues. The course will include
biblical doctrine, theoretical, behavioral, clinical, and practical issues in
theology, therapy, and education. This seminar is designed for ThM and PhD
students in pastoral theology. It is open to doctoral students in other
specializations and to MA or MDiv students who have completed at least three
courses in pastoral care or counseling.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: This course is central to
correlative/integrative theological and psychological work in practical
theology. Its focus will be on ministry in pastoral psychotherapy, counseling,
and education.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon completion of this course, the participants will be
aware of central issues in human existence that are of particular relevance in
the pastoral counseling, human conflict, and transformative change projects of
ministry; be able to construct theological, psychological, and sociological
working models of human nature that correlate the thought of principal
theologians and therapists; be articulate in dialogue between contrasting
perspectives in response to clinical and pastoral cases.
COURSE FORMAT: The seminar will meet three hours each week for discussion, for
presentations by all participants, for both exposition and experiencing of
theory and praxis. The work of each student is designed to fit their particular
dissertation goals or their research interests. The reading list that follows
will be renegotiated to fit the goals of each student.
REQUIRED READING: (Suggested purchase: Corcoran, Green, Hefner, Niebuhr
and Shults)
- Corcoran, Kevin J, Rethinking Human Nature. Grand Rapids:
Baker, 2006.
- Cortez, Marc. Embodied Souls, Ensouled Bodies. London: T&T
Clark, 2008
- Green, Joel, ed. What about the Soul? Nashville: Abingdon, 2004
- Hefner, Phillip. The Human Factor. Minneapolis: Augsburg/Fortress,
1993.
- Moltmann, Jürgen. Man. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1974.
- Murphy, Nancey. Bodies and Souls, or Spirited Bodies? Cambridge
University Press, 2006.
- Murphy, Nancey, et al. Whatever Happened to the Soul? Minneapolis:
Fortress. 1998.
- Niebuhr, Reinhold. The Nature and Destiny of Man. Vol. 1. New York:
Scribners, 1964.
- Shults, F. LeRon. Reforming Theological Anthropology. Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans, 2003.
- Zizioulas, John D. Communion and Otherness. London: T&T Clark.
2006.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: Rigorous participation in the seminar
presentations, experiences, and discussions. Three position papers, "My View of
Human Nature," (1) psychological perspective, (2) theological stance, and
(3) integrative constructions (five pages each) are required of all students in
addition to class presentations on their major areas of research which will be
submitted as the final paper/project.
PREREQUISITES: This seminar is designed for ThM and PhD students in the areas
of pastoral theology. It is open to doctoral students in other specializations
and to MA or MDiv students who have completed at least three courses in
pastoral care or counseling.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: This seminar is a basic unit in the practical
theology PhD and is available as an elective to other students.
FINAL EXAMINATION: A mutual evaluation process will conclude the class.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (11/09)