SP501
Patterson
SP501: THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. Elizabeth Patterson.
DESCRIPTION:
- An introduction to the concepts and contents which underlie a
mature spiritual life. The course will (a) focus on developing a conceptual
foundation for understanding and approaching the spiritual life; (b) identify
and develop some of the major topics of the spiritual life, and ask students to
apply those topics to their own lives; and (c) deal with the implications of
these understandings for spiritual directors and for spiritual
friendship.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- A mature spiritual life is foundational to the life of ministry.
This course will emphasize this as a foundational concept for all ministry, and
specifically as an introduction to spiritual direction as one of the possible
roles in ministry.
COURSE FORMAT:
- The course will combine lecture, discussion, student work, and
experiential application.
REQUIRED READING:
- Maas, Robin and Gabriel O'Donnell. Spiritual Traditions for the
Contemporary Church. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1990.
- Bondi, Roberta. To Love As God Loves. Fortress Press, 1987.
- Foster, Richard. Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home. Harper,
1992.
- A spiritual biography or autobiography (from approved list).
- Collected Readings (Syllabus).
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Students should expect brief weekly assignments: short papers,
brief research projects, and practical application exercises. These will
contribute to the final project, which will be a 15-page integrative paper
dealing with their understanding of the issues and topics of the spiritual
life. In addition, students will write a 10-15 page research paper which
studies a foundational issue in the spiritual life. A 24-hour retreat will also
be required.
PREREQUISITES:
- Students must be accepted into the Spirituality/Spiritual Direction
concentration.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
- Meets concentration requirement for Spirituality/Spiritual
Direction concentration of M.A. and M.Div.
FINAL EXAMINATION:
- None.