SP501
Patterson

SP501: THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. Elizabeth Patterson.


DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to the concepts and contents which underlie a mature spiritual life. The course will (a) focus on developing a conceptual foundation for understanding and approaching the spiritual life; (b) identify and develop some of the major topics of the spiritual life, and ask students to apply those topics to their own lives; and (c) deal with the implications of these understandings for spiritual directors and for spiritual friendship.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
A mature spiritual life is foundational to the life of ministry. This course will emphasize this as a foundational concept for all ministry, and specifically as an introduction to spiritual direction as one of the possible roles in ministry.

COURSE FORMAT:
The course will combine lecture, discussion, student work, and experiential application.

REQUIRED READING:
Maas, Robin and Gabriel O'Donnell. Spiritual Traditions for the Contemporary Church. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1990.

Bondi, Roberta. To Love As God Loves. Fortress Press, 1987.

Foster, Richard. Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home. Harper, 1992.

A spiritual biography or autobiography (from approved list).

Collected Readings (Syllabus).

ASSIGNMENTS:
Students should expect brief weekly assignments: short papers, brief research projects, and practical application exercises. These will contribute to the final project, which will be a 15-page integrative paper dealing with their understanding of the issues and topics of the spiritual life. In addition, students will write a 10-15 page research paper which studies a foundational issue in the spiritual life. A 24-hour retreat will also be required.

PREREQUISITES:
Students must be accepted into the Spirituality/Spiritual Direction concentration.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
Meets concentration requirement for Spirituality/Spiritual Direction concentration of M.A. and M.Div.

FINAL EXAMINATION:
None.