DESCRIPTION: This course (offered pass/fail for 2 units) is designed to provide an experience of pastoral care in a general hospital setting under the direct supervision of a certified Hospital Chaplain. Students will (1) explore attitudes about disease, pain, suffering, psychic dysfunction, separation from family, and death and dying; (2) develop skills in the visitation of patients and in relating to hospital staff; (3) sharpen abilities to reflect theologically in connection with personal encounters in the hospital setting; and (4) participate in leading of worship or devotional programs as scheduled.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: This course offers an introduction to the tasks and skills of ministry as a hospital chaplain in a general-medical institution.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will (1) grow in their ability to engage in theological reflection by having regular opportunities to think critically about ministry in light of the Christian tradition; (2) deepen their understanding of the cultural context of ministry by immersing themselves in a specific context and regularly reflecting with their supervisor on the connection between context and ministry; (3) develop toward becoming spiritually mature and accountable practitioners by reflecting with their peers in a theological reflection group and with their supervisor in their internship on the connection between their faith and their ministry; (4) become better Christian leaders by having many opportunities to practice the responsibilities of ministry throughout their internship.

COURSE FORMAT: The student will spend a minimum of 100 hours in the hospital setting in one 10-week period. During this time, the student will be given visitation assignments, meet regularly with the chaplain and other hospital staff for integrative and didactic sessions, and participate in worship or devotional services as assigned. The chaplain will provide training and lead discussions on topics relevant to hospital ministry. Students are required to attend all sessions.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: Regular and punctual attendance, completion of all visitation assignments, attendance at all scheduled seminars, participation in at least one chapel service, completion of at least four written (typed) verbatims, one book review, and one personal evaluation report to be submitted the tenth week of the quarter by the student to the Field Education and Ministry Formation Office, along with the supervising chaplain's evaluation. NOTE: Substitute assignments may be given by the chaplain, but equivalent material must be submitted.

PREREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS: Before the student may register for this course, several steps must be completed, a process that may take up to a month. The first step in the process is to read the preregistration materials available at http://www.fuller.edu/current-students/resources/field-ed/field-ed.aspx. Apply to a recognized hospital chaplaincy site. A list of recognized sites is available at http://www.fuller.edu/current-students/resources/field-ed/chaplaincies.aspx. After acceptance, submit an internship application, and schedule an enrollment interview with the Field Education and Ministry Formation Office. If the internship is approved, the student and his/her Academic Advisor will receive a Course Approval Notification. The student must then contact the Academic Advisor to receive a Course Reference Number (CRN) in order to register for FE546 online. The student must also complete an orientation at the hospital with the assigned chaplain at the beginning of the internship, as well as other preliminary requirements such as a drug screen, background check, and TB test. Some or all of the costs for these requirements may be passed along to the student from the hospital.

PREREQUISITES: You are required to complete 24 units before you can register for this course.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the FE2 Field Education requirement for the MDiv (MIN 7). It is an elective for the Masters in Theology (MAT). This internship is offered pass/fail for two units.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (Posted May 6, 2010)