DESCRIPTION:

The psychological interpretation of human development in our culture; the needs and varieties of experience in the child, youth, and adult, with an emphasis upon moral and religious development through the life span; implications of this study for the minister or Christian educator in understanding the persons with whom he or she works.

The relevance of this course for ministry is threefold: to relate central matters of theology to the patterns and levels of human development in order to provide a foundation for the functions of ministry; to sensitize the student to aspects of his/her own development in order to deepen ministry at the point of personal self-understanding; to enable the student to recognize and interpret relationships between the dynamics of development and wider-than-personal contexts (e.g. sociocultural, historical, and ethical).

Methods of instruction will include lecture, discussion, and student presentations. The course will meet daily for three-hour sessions.

Erikson, E. Childhood and Society. W. W. Norton, 1964.

________. Young Man Luther. W. W. Norton, 1962.

Either

Piaget, J. Psychology of the Child. Basic Books, 1972. OR

________. Six Psychological Studies. Random House, 1968.

Fowler, J. Stages of Faith. Harper Collins, 1981.

Loder, J. The Transforming Moment. Helmers and Howard, 1989.

Niebuhr, R. Christ and Culture.

A final research paper, due Friday, August 22nd, in which the student demonstrates:

1. an understanding of human development and research, and

2. its implications for theology and

3. for the practice of ministry.

Emphasis on the aspects will vary as indicated by the topic.

None.

Meets M. Div. core requirement in Pastoral Counseling (MIN5).

None.