Spiritual Pastoral Care for the Dying

Masters Degree in Pastoral Thanatology

PTH 680

Breyer State University

Instructor:

Juan Kenigstein, PhD.

SYLLABUS

COURSE OVERVIEW: Welcome to Spiritual Pastoral Care for the Dying, a Master Level course in the curriculum for the Degree, Master in Pastoral Thanatology. I'm pleased to offer you this course. This is an exciting course. This course identifies the spiritual and emotional needs of dying patients. It presents means for pastoral care, spiritual guidance and support to meet those needs. This is an exciting course. This course will provide practical, specific intervention strategies in grief, dying and death.

TIME FRAME: This is a ten-semester hour course. This course is allotted ten weeks of time. You must complete all of the requirements for the course successfully by the end of the ten-week period. The first day of week one will begin the day that you register for the course, or the day which you notify me that your text book(s) have arrived and you are ready to begin your studies. Please be cognizant of the time frame. It is rare that extensions of time are permitted, unless you have good justification. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be awarded ten semester hours of credit. You may accelerate, but may not complete this course in less than four weeks.

TEXTBOOK: There are two (2) required textbooks for this course.

Book 1: Spiritual Dimensions of Pastoral Care: Practical Theology in a Multidisciplinary Context. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Edited by David Willows and John Swinton. Foreword by Don Brwowning: 2000. ISBN # 1-85302-892-4.

Book 2: Grief, Dying and Death: Clinical Interventions for Caregivers. Therese A. Rando Research Press: 1984.ISBN # 0-87822-232-4.

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EXAMINATIONS: There are no examinations for this course; grades are based on completion of assignments and activities.

GRADING: The grading scale for this course is as follows:

90-100%    = A
80-89%      = B
70-79%      = C
Below 70% = Fail

GRADING COMPOSITION:

Ten (10) Exercises                     - 50%
Self evaluation                            - 5%
Assignment                               - 20%
Discovery & Intention Statement   - 5%
20 Case Studies                         - 20%
Research Report (optional)          - 20%

TOTAL 100%

GOALS: The aim of education about Spiritual Pastoral Care for the Dying is for the patient to find meaning and purpose in his or her situation and for the caregiver to find meaning in his or her profession. The aim of education about grief, dying and death is to assess each individual's unique situation within a psychological, sociological, physiological, and socioeconomic framework. Also to understand your personal and professional feelings, fears and expectations, those factors affect patient care.

COMMUNICATION: You are encouraged to communicate with me. I am available as a teacher, coach, and mentor to assist you in meeting your goals for this course. Primarily, communication is through email. However, I am also available for conversation by telephone if you would like. Our classroom for this course has a "chat" room. I am also very willing to meet with you one-on-one in the chat room at your request. From time to time, depending on how many students are enrolled in this course at a particular time, we will have some scheduled group chats. You will receive more detailed information at the time such chat sessions are scheduled. Please keep my email address handy so that you can contact me whenever necessary. Upon registration, you will receive my email address. If at any time during this course you change your email address, please be sure to notify me right away.

METHODS: Readings from textbook, professional books and journals Self-awareness/exploration activities

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course, you will be able to: 

1). Understand critical dialogue in practical theology.
2). Clarify theological understandings.
3). Understand spiritual dimensions of pastoral care.
4). Understand the art of theological reflection.
5). Understand practical wisdom in practical theology.
6). Understand social action in practical theology.
7). Understand story telling in practical theology.
8). Self-examine your own personal feelings about death.
9). Discuss the topic of death, thereby opening up previously avoided lines of communication with family and friends.
10). Have an understanding of the grief process.
11). Develop new skills to understand and communicate with terminally ill and bereaved individuals.
12). Consider the factors affecting individuals' grief reactions.
13). Have an understanding of the forms and causes of unresolved grief.
14). Understand the specific interventions for the bereaved.
15). Understand the benefits of funerals and how can they can be adapted to suit the needs mourners.
16). Understand the dying patient.
17). Understand the patient's experience of the living-dying interval.
18). Understand the dying patient's reactions to the approach of death.
19). Have an understanding of the coping mechanisms that can be used to handle this threat.
20). Understand the guidelines for working with dying patients.
21). Have an understanding of attitudes towards patients.
22). Communicate with patients.
23). Select proper interventions.
24). Understand the treatment of pain.
25). Understand the roles of clergy and ancillary personnel.
26). Understand the reactions and effects of terminal illness on the entire family system.
27). Understand the stresses created when the dying family member is a child.
28). Challenge systems that continue to make our society one, which is death denying.
29). Explain common reactions to loss and suggestions for coping with it.
30).  Know the factors that contribute to the intensity of grief reactions.
31). Know about ethical issues and decision-making.
32). Have an understanding of the caregiver's stress from working with the dying and bereaved.
33). Become more motivated to live now, take risks, and accomplish life's goals.

COURSE OUTLINE:

1). The Emergence of Practical Theology.
2). Practical Theology and the Art of Theological Reflection.
3). Practical Theology in Search of Practical wisdom.
4). Practical Theology in Critical Dialogue.
5). Practical Theology in Social Action.
6). Practical Theology as Story.
7). Our Attitudes Towards Death.
8). Grief: The Reaction to Loss.
9). Factors Influencing the Grief Reaction.
10). Unresolved Grief.
11). Therapeutic Interventions With Grievers.
12). Different Bereavement Situations.
13). Funerals and Funerary Rituals.
14). Death and the Dying Patient.
15). The Dying Patient's Reactions.
16). The Dying Patient's Coping Mechanisms.
17). Caring for the Dying Patient.
18). The Family of the Dying Patient.
19). The Dying Child.
20). The Caregiver's Personal Concerns.

INFORMATION: If you have any questions regarding this program, you may address them to adm@breyerstate.com. An administrative faculty member will respond to all questions.

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