Previous Years' Course Catalogues

This course introduces students to practices of care with an emphasis on self awareness, assessment and interculturality in pastoral/spiritual care. The first part of the course will focus on systems theories. Students will explore their own families and cultures of origin and their social identities as a means to learn the related theories and to develop self awareness for pastoral/ spiritual care practice. The second part of the course will relate systems and intercultural approaches to theories of grief and loss, death and dying, aging and dementia while deepening students' understanding of the therapeutic relationship and assessment in spiritual/pastoral care. This course is suitable for students preparing for work in spiritual care and counselling and for students preparing for social and congregational ministry.

This course introduces students to practices of care with an emphasis on self awareness, assessment and interculturality in pastoral/splritual care. The first part of the course will focus on systems theories. Students will explore their own families and cultures of origin and their social identities as a means to learn the related theories and to develop self awareness for pastoral/ spiritual care practice. The second part of the course will relate systems and intercultural approaches to theories of grief and loss, death and dying, aging and dementia while deepening students' understanding of the therapeutic relationship and assessment in spiritual/pastoral care. This course is suitable for students preparing for work in spiritual care and counselling and for students preparing for social and congregational ministry.

This course will strive to equip students to understand adolescent issues at a deeper level and to respond in a way that truly promotes health and wholeness. Class time will be built around lectures supplemented by case study evaluations, group discussions and media critiques. Students will be evaluated on the basis of reading reports, a real-life adolescent profile and the development of a parent workshop as a final summary project. Issues such as eating disorders, substance abuse, depression, suicide and anxiety will be discussed. Youth workers, teachers, parents, pastors and counsellors will benefit from this practical class as it explores the importance of hope in caregiving relationships.

This course will strive to equip students to understand adolescent issues at a deeper level and to respond in a way that truly promotes health and wholeness. Class time will be built around lectures supplemented by case study evaluations, group discussions and media critiques. Students will be evaluated on the basis of reading reports, a real-life adolescent profile and the development of a parent workshop as a final summary project. Issues such as eating disorders, substance abuse, depression, suicide and anxiety will be discussed. Youth workers, teachers, parents, pastors and counsellors will benefit from this practical class as it explores the importance of hope in caregiving relationships.

This course will strive to equip students to understand adolescent issues at a deeper level and to respond in a way that truly promotes health and wholeness. Class time will be built around lectures supplemented by case study evaluations, group discussions and media critiques. Students will be evaluated on the basis of reading reports, a real-life adolescent profile and the development of a parent workshop as a final summary project. Issues such as eating disorders, substance abuse, depression, suicide and anxiety will be discussed. Youth workers, teachers, parents, pastors and counsellors will benefit from this practical class as it explores the importance of hope in caregiving relationships. NOTE: Pre-course assignment due on first day of class. See syllabus on Wycliffe website.

This course will strive to equip students to understand adolescent issues at a deeper level and to respond in a way that truly promotes health and wholeness. Class time will be built around lectures supplemented by case study evaluations, group discussions and media critiques. Students will be evaluated on the basis of reading reports, a real-life adolescent profile and the development of a parent workshop as a final summary project. Issues such as eating disorders, substance abuse, depression, suicide and anxiety will be discussed. Youth workers, teachers, parents, pastors and counsellors will benefit from this practical class as it explores the importance of hope in caregiving relationships.

This course is designed to give current and future faith leaders the base knowledge they need to understand what people are facing when they struggle with a mental illness or psychological disorder. It focuses on gaining a good grasp of the illnesses and disorders faith leaders are most likely to encounter in ministry life and addresses the recommended treatments for each of those disorders. Students will be introduced to the diagnostic categories of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) – currently in its 5th edition (DSM-5) – as well as the impact of these problems on functioning levels and relationships. Current methods of assessments and treatment strategies utilizing a bio-psycho-socio-culturo-spiritual framework will be discussed. This course is intended for those serving in ministry settings that bring them into frequent contact with those struggling with the impacts of mental illness. It is recommended for those who want to be part of a knowledgeable, collaborative, and supportive multi-disciplinary team addressing needs of individuals affected by mental illness and their families.

This course is designed to give current and future faith leaders the knowledge and skills they need to provide pastoral care to those struggling with the impacts of mental illness, and to begin to articulate a theology of mental health. It takes a lifespan approach to issues of mental health: common issues and challenges faced by individuals, couples, families and church communities are studied against the backdrop of healthy development across the lifecycle.

Building on the prerequisite course “Understanding Mental Health and Mental Illness as Faith Leaders”, this course is designed to give current and future faith leaders the knowledge and skills they need to provide pastoral care to those struggling with the impacts of mental illness, and to begin to articulate a theology of mental health. It takes a lifespan approach to issues of mental health: common issues and challenges faced by individuals, couples, families and church communities are studied against the backdrop of healthy development across the lifecycle. This course includes the necessity of a strong understanding of mental health versus mental illness, stigma and discrimination, and a theologically and scripturally sound understanding of psychological suffering. The limits of pastoral counselling, recognizing the threshold at which professional mental health (psychological or psychiatric) services become necessary, and when and how to make referrals and help people access these services are highlighted. Emphasis is placed on combining pastoral care and congregational ministry, in collaboration with mental health professionals to provide enhanced help and service to those impacted by mental illness, without confusing pastoral care with psychotherapy treatment.

Building on the prerequisite course “Understanding Mental Health and Mental Illness as Faith Leaders”, this course is designed to give current and future faith leaders the knowledge and skills they need to provide pastoral care to those struggling with the impacts of mental illness, and to begin to articulate a theology of mental health. It takes a lifespan approach to issues of mental health: common issues and challenges faced by individuals, couples, families and church communities are studied against the backdrop of healthy development across the lifecycle. This course includes the necessity of a strong understanding of mental health versus mental illness, stigma and discrimination, and a theologically and scripturally sound understanding of psychological suffering. The limits of pastoral counselling, recognizing the threshold at which professional mental health (psychological or psychiatric) services become necessary, and when and how to make referrals and help people access these services are highlighted. Emphasis is placed on combining pastoral care and congregational ministry, in collaboration with mental health professionals to provide enhanced help and service to those impacted by mental illness, without confusing pastoral care with psychotherapy treatment.

An exploration of the cultural and geographical environment of early Christianity, in order better to understand the Old and New Testaments in context. The central component of this course is a study tour of Israel: The Life and Land of Jesus.
Organized by Wycliffe College in conjunction with Emmaus Educational Services. In addition to the tour itself, students will write a short paper before the tour, an on tour journal, and final paper.

An exploration of the cultural and geographical environment of early Christianity, in order to better understand the New Testament in its context. The central component is a study tour of Israel: The Life and Land of Jesus, organised by the college in conjunction with Emmaus Educational Services.