Spring 2008/Pasadena
CN560
Augsburger

CN560: PASTORAL COUNSELING ACROSS CULTURES. David Augsburger.


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.

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 twice weekly for two-hour sessions.

REQUIRED READING:

Augsburger, D. Pastoral Counseling Across Cultures. Westminster, 1986.

_________. Conflict Mediation Across Cultures. Westminster John Knox, 1992.

Lartey, E. In Living Color An Intercultural Approach. Cassell 1997.

Lederach, John Paul. Preparing for Peace. Syracuse University Press, 1995.

Van Beek, Aart M. Cross Cultural Counseling. Fortress, 1996.

RECOMMENDED READING: An appropriate bibliography on anthropology, theology, gender, conflict theory, psychology, ethics, family theory, values, and pastoral psychotherapy across cultures will appear in the syllabus.

ASSIGNMENTS: The course grade is dependent on (1) a major paper on an issue or case in intercultural counseling, (2) Preparation of assigned materials for class participation in structured experiences, processes, or simulations of counseling situations that "cross over and return."

PREREQUISITES: This is an advanced course in pastoral counseling. The student should have completed a prior course in basic counseling, personality, conflict, or have significant cross-cultural or ministry experience. The course is preferably for second- or third-year students or those with ministry experience.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Pastoral Counseling (MIN5) and requirements in Family Pastoral Care and Counseling and in Marriage and Family Ministries; also meets the MACL in Integrative Studies requirement for an interdisciplinary course (IDPL).

FINAL EXAMINATION: Examination by group process reflection, integration, and discernment.


This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (1/08)