DESCRIPTION: A seminar for the advanced student for examination of major
issues in cross-cultural pastoral counseling and psychotherapy. The interface
of psychological anthropology, pastoral care, and counseling and transcultural
theological reflection will be explored, and an appreciation of what is
universal, cultural, and individual will be achieved.
COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the completion of this course the
student will know at least two alternate cultural perspectives on the process
of human change and growth in counseling, be able to define and recognize
culturally capable approaches to persons in another culture, and will do
effective self critique of one's own attempts to cross-over in counseling
interactions with others.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The pastoral counselor and caregiver in the
twenty-first century serves in a multicultural world, wherever the parish,
community, or ministry may be. This course confronts the caregiver/counselor
with the tasks of moving from cultural encapsulation to living, working, and
commuting across cultural boundaries. The class will seek to establish a
community of learning from our cross-cultural, ethnic, sexual, religious
experiences.
COURSE FORMAT: Lecture, dialogue, experiential processes, growth exercises,
small group interaction will facilitate the review and integration of relevant
literature and research on the interface between pastoral counseling and the
neighboring disciplines of anthropology, missiology, economic development,
psychology, theology, and philosophy. The class will meet weekly for a
three-and-a-half-hour session.
REQUIRED READING: