DESCRIPTION: This course (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 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 uploaded
on Moodle by the tenth week of the quarter by the student, along with the
supervising chaplain's evaluation. Meeting with Field Education Advisor during
Week Five for a progress report on the internship.
PREREGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS: Before the student may register for this
course, several steps must be completed, a process that may take up to two
months. 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 by email, 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
Advising Office 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.
These preliminary requirements may take a month to complete, and must be
completed before the student can begin the internship. Some or all of the costs
for these requirements may be passed along to the student from the hospital.
PREREQUISITES: Completion of 24 units before registering 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. (August 2011)