PT100 - Pastoral Theological Method
This introductory level course builds skills for pastoral care across the lifespan of individuals and families. It also presumes an interest in care for communities, culture and social institutions as the collective context within which identities develop and grow. Texts for the course focus on classic and contemporary models/paradigms for care and embedded theologies that inform the work of pastoral care.

Course Objectives
*Identify the paradigms for pastoral care that inform students’ pastoral identity and practice
*To develop baseline awareness of key pastoral care resources (genograms, spiritual assessment profiles, and classic/contemporary images of paradigms of care)
*To consider the impact of globally oppressive systems like patriarchy (sexism/male supremacy), racism (white supremacy), classism (economic oppression), and homophobia (heteronormativity) on identity and pastoral concerns
*To create a baseline of skills necessary for pastoral care (effective listening, assessment, referrals, self-awareness)

Course Activities
Over the term of the course students will reflect in group conversations and written form on selected readings, and class presentations.

Required Texts
Denominational Statement on Clergy Conduct and Ethics in Ministry
Carrie Doehring. The Practice of Pastoral Care – A Postmodern Approach.
Sheryl Kujawa Holbrook, ed. Injustice and the Care of Souls – Taking Oppression Seriously in Pastoral Care.
Craig Dykstra. Classic Images of Pastoral Care.
*Additional required readings for the course will be posted online for download as PDF files through Moodle