Winter 2010/Pasadena
ST817/517
Augsburger

ST817/517: THEOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON HUMAN NATURE.
David Augsburger.


DESCRIPTION: A practical theology seminar exploring human nature and destiny correlating the assumptions of behavioral sciences, philosophical and sociological theories, and current theological issues. The course will include biblical doctrine, theoretical, behavioral, clinical, and practical issues in theology, therapy, and education. This seminar is designed for ThM and PhD students in pastoral theology. It is open to doctoral students in other specializations and to MA or MDiv students who have completed at least three courses in pastoral care or counseling.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: This course is central to correlative/integrative theological and psychological work in practical theology. Its focus will be on ministry in pastoral psychotherapy, counseling, and education.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon completion of this course, the participants will be aware of central issues in human existence that are of particular relevance in the pastoral counseling, human conflict, and transformative change projects of ministry; be able to construct theological, psychological, and sociological working models of human nature that correlate the thought of principal theologians and therapists; be articulate in dialogue between contrasting perspectives in response to clinical and pastoral cases.

COURSE FORMAT: The seminar will meet three hours each week for discussion, for presentations by all participants, for both exposition and experiencing of theory and praxis. The work of each student is designed to fit their particular dissertation goals or their research interests. The reading list that follows will be renegotiated to fit the goals of each student.

REQUIRED READING: (Suggested purchase: Corcoran, Green, Hefner, Niebuhr and Shults)

Corcoran, Kevin J, Rethinking Human Nature. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2006.

Cortez, Marc. Embodied Souls, Ensouled Bodies. London: T&T Clark, 2008

Green, Joel, ed. What about the Soul? Nashville: Abingdon, 2004

Hefner, Phillip. The Human Factor. Minneapolis: Augsburg/Fortress, 1993.

Moltmann, Jürgen. Man. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1974.

Murphy, Nancey. Bodies and Souls, or Spirited Bodies? Cambridge University Press, 2006.

Murphy, Nancey, et al. Whatever Happened to the Soul? Minneapolis: Fortress. 1998.

Niebuhr, Reinhold. The Nature and Destiny of Man. Vol. 1. New York: Scribners, 1964.

Shults, F. LeRon. Reforming Theological Anthropology. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003.

Zizioulas, John D. Communion and Otherness. London: T&T Clark. 2006.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: Rigorous participation in the seminar presentations, experiences, and discussions. Three position papers, "My View of Human Nature," (1) psychological perspective, (2) theological stance, and (3) integrative constructions (five pages each) are required of all students in addition to class presentations on their major areas of research which will be submitted as the final paper/project.

PREREQUISITES: This seminar is designed for ThM and PhD students in the areas of pastoral theology. It is open to doctoral students in other specializations and to MA or MDiv students who have completed at least three courses in pastoral care or counseling.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: This seminar is a basic unit in the practical theology PhD and is available as an elective to other students.

FINAL EXAMINATION: A mutual evaluation process will conclude the class.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (11/09)