Spring 2003/Pasadena
CN535
Augsburger
CN535: GRIEF, LOSS, DEATH, AND DYING. David Augsburger.
DESCRIPTION:
- The nature of human suffering, the problem of theodicy, the meaning
of pain, the mystery of healing, and the discovery of hope will be theological
and experiential themes central to the course. Grief, pain, loss, separation,
death and dying--the major crises of life--will be explored experientially,
psychologically and culturally. The focus will be on personal growth as the
preparation for pastoral presence, care-giving and counseling.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- The major opportunities for pastoral care emerge from loss, pain,
grief, death, and the encounter with dying. Nothing is more relevant to
pastoral ministry than presence and support in crisis and loss. The theology of
suffering and the problem of theodicy are central issues in pastoral
theology.
COURSE FORMAT:
- The course is both content and process: understanding the nature of
loss experiences, of grieving, of encountering the reality of dying, of
ministry in each of these crises and owning, facing, exploring and
embracing our own losses. Lecture and experiential process will be parts of the
whole experience of correlating theology and therapy. The class will meet once
a week for a three-hour session.
REQUIRED READING (the first three for purchase):
- Albom, Mitch. Tuesdays with Morrie. New York: Doubleday,
1997.
- Anderson, Ray S. Theology of Death and Dying. New York: Basil,
Blackwell, and Sons, 1986.
- Cobb, John. Matters of Life and Death. Louisville: Westminster.
- Davidson, Glen. Understanding Mourning. Minneapolis: Augsburg,
1984.
- Lester, Andrew. Hope in Pastoral Care and Counseling. Louisville:
Westminster, 1995.
- Lewis, C. S. A Grief Observed. New York: Seabury Press, 1963.
- Sittser, Gerald. A Grace Disguised. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996.
- Soelle, Dorothy, Suffering. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1975.
- Viorst, Judith. Necessary Losses. New York: Fawcett, 1986.
- Wolterstoff, Nicholas. Lament for a Son. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans,
1987.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- A broad bibliography is in the syllabus.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- 1500 pages reading minimum;
- class participation in lectures and experiential processes;
- a personal self-expression in journaling, composition, poetry, art,
photography, sculpture;
- a written project of a chosen genre--a biblical, philosophical or
theological paper on a specific theme from this area of concentration.
PREREQUISITES:
- None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
- Meets the M.Div. core requirement in Pastoral Counseling (MIN 5).
FINAL EXAMINATION:
- Process Examination.