[lead]Oblate School of Theology’s Master of Arts in Spirituality is offering a summer course on the integration of psychology and spirituality. This course is available for credit, audit, or enrichment and face-to-face or synchronous online.[/lead]
Integration of Psychology and Spirituality will examine historical notions of self, psyche and soul and relate them to the investigations of theologians and psychologists in contemporary setting. As well as giving a historical framework to terms such as ‘soul’, ‘psyche’ and ‘spirit’ it will present students with the key schools of thought that have shaped contemporary applications of the terms. The course will also investigate these terms in pastoral setting and relate the theoretical to practical application of insights.
Material covered will include: Origins of the terms ‘soul’, ‘psyche’ and ‘spirit’ in classical and early Christian usage; the Desert tradition; medieval understandings of the self especially in the mystical writings of Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross; Freud, Jung and the 20th Century psychoanalytic schools; contemporary psychological understandings; spiritual direction and its relationship to psychoanalysis and counselling; the discernment of spirits; the re-emergence of ‘soul-language’ in contemporary psychology.
Upon completion of the module the student will be able to:
- Undertake a critical analysis of forms and models of Christian spiritual direction relating it to models of psychotherapy and counselling having acquired the cognitive skills to reflect upon and discuss complex material and issues in a rational and controlled way.
- Employ theological, psychological and historical-critical methodologies in evaluating forms and models of Christian spiritual direction.
- Apply differing models of spiritual transformation/development from Christian and Christian-influenced sources to their interpretation of different approaches to Christian spiritual direction.
- Situate the work of classical Christian writers within a contemporary psychological framework.
- Work with conflicting models of ‘spirit’ and ‘psyche’ in a mature and integrating fashion.
- Integrate varying psychological and spiritual approaches to concrete pastoral situations.
- Work independently on theoretical issues arising from the study of Christian spiritual direction and be able to communicate results with peers through seminar presentation and essay writing.
This course is offered through the Institute for the Study of Contemporary Spirituality, the only concentrated, integrative program of its kind in the United States offering ATS-accredited PhD, DMin, and MA degrees in Contemporary Spirituality.
Professor
Peter Tyler is Professor of Pastoral Theology and Spirituality at St Mary’s University, Twickenham, London and a registered psychotherapist. He has written and edited over a dozen books exploring the relationship between psychology, Christian mysticism and Eastern thought of which the most recent is ‘Christian Mindfulness: Theology and Practice’ (Canterbury-SCM, 2018). He is a longstanding friend of the Oblate School of Theology.
Information
Click sections below to expand.
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- Course: Integration of Psychology and Spirituality ( TS 7283-34)
- Dates: June 5-14, 2019 (June 5th to 7th from 6:30pm-9:30pm, June 8th from 9:00am-5pm, and June 10th to 14th from 6:30pm-9:30pm)
- Onsite Location: Whitley Theological Center – Room 108
- Format: Available on campus at Oblate School of Theology or online (synchronous)
- Credit: Available for 2 Credit Hours, Audit or Enrichment
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Master’s level – $640 per credit hour
Audit (online) – $320 per credit hour
Enrichment (flat fee) – $570 (online) – per course
Enrichment (flat fee) – $365 (face-to-face) – per course
Application fee – $70 (one-time)
Registration fee – $55 (per semester)
Comprehensive fee – $235 ( 1-5 credit hrs) $355 (5 or more credit hrs)
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Credit
- Submit a graduate level application
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended.
Audit
- Submit a graduate level application
- Official Transcript from degree-granting institution
Enrichment
Download form, fill out and return to Registrar’s office. Payment in full is required at time of registration.
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Registrar
For admissions and tuition information regarding any program, please contact the Registrar.
(210) 341-1366 EXT 226 or registrar@ost.edu