Course Syllabus
ReadingsInstructors: Carrie Doehring, PhD & Ken Pargament, PhD
E-mail: cdoehring@iliff.edu
Office Hours: by appointment Pargament, PhD
Course Synopsis
Spiritual struggles arise from conflicts (1) within oneself, particularly one’s values, (2) between oneself and God for those in theocentric religious traditions, and (3) between oneself and one’s significant religious and spiritual communities. Spiritual struggles “are defined as religious/spiritual expressions that reflect a religious/spiritual system in tension and turmoil” (Ano & Pargament, 2012, p. 419). Spiritual struggles “embody fundamental questions about the ultimate benevolence, fairness, and meaningfulness of the world…” (Pargament, Murray-Swank, Magyar, & Ano, 2005, p. 254). When spiritual struggles become chronic they decrease spiritual, physical, and relational well -being. This praxis will explore spiritual struggles both in caregivers and care seekers from theological, psychological, and cultural perspectives. The goal of such exploration is liberative spiritual integration of spiritual struggles. This praxis is designed for pastoral and spiritual caregivers and for those interested in spiritually-orienting counseling.
Readings for the Course
The following chapters and articles
Exline Pargament et al. 2014 Religious and Spiritual Struggles Scale PRS 2014.pdf
Pargament, Desai, McConnell 2006 Spirituality A pathway to PTG.pdf
Doehring Resilience as the ability to spiritually integrate moral stress 8-27-2014.pdf
The following additonal readings will be helpful for students who haven't done pastoral care courses at Iliff that have used these readings
Doehring Chapter 5 The Practice of Pastoral Care Rev. & expanded.docx
Ramsay 2013 Intersectionality (with page #).pdf
Resources on spiritual practices and compassion
http://www.fastcoexist.com/3037045/want-to-train-your-brain-to-feel-more-compassion-heres-how
Here is a link to some suggestions for spiritual practices you might use in this course to enhance the habits you are working on
http://spirituallife.iliff.edu (Links to an external site.)
Class Schedule for On-site Class
Friday, October 17, 2014 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Addressing Spiritual Struggles in Counseling:
Conceptualization, Assessment & Intervention
9.00 a.m. Opening with a centering practice
9.05 a.m. Introductions
9.25 a.m. Our learning covenant (posted on Canvas)
9.30 a.m. The nature and roots of spiritual struggles (Dr. Pargament)
Spiritual orienting systems, moral stress, and spiritual struggles (Dr. Doehring)
10.30 a.m. Break
10.45 a.m. Small group discussions about journal assignments:
- Exploring the nature and roots of our spiritual struggles and/or moral stress
- How does your process of spiritual integration help you in responding to others experiencing spiritual struggles or moral stress?
11.45 a.m.Plenary sharing
12.15 p.m. Lunch on your own
1.15 p.m. Trajectory of spiritual struggles: Growth or decline?
2.45 p.m. Break
3.00 p.m. Small group discussions about journal assignments:
How have your experiences of struggle or stress evolved and what’s been helpful?
How might you use what you are learning to assess whether those experiencing spiritual struggles or moral stress are able to integrate these experiences in helpful ways?
3.45 p.m. Plenary sharing
Saturday, October 18, 2014 9 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
9.00 a.m. Opening with a centering practice
9.05 a.m. How do we help people experiencing spiritual struggles:
A student has volunteered for brief spiritual care conversation with both Dr. Pargament and Dr. Doehring about the spiritual struggle or moral stress he wrote about in his journal assignment.
9.45 a.m. Group reflections on how to help those experience spiritual struggles and moral stress.
10.30 a.m. Break
10.45 a.m. Plenary time to reflect together on what we learned about spiritual integration and care
for those experiencing spiritual struggles or moral stress
11.45 p.m. Closing with a centering practice
Noon: Ending
More Course Details
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Course Summary:
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