Meaning Making - Thinking Theologically about Ministry Experience

HDS 2933A Subject & Catalog Number

Description

This course is designed for students in their first field education placement concurrent with the academic year. It focuses on exploring the wisdom of their religious, spiritual, or secular traditions in relation to dimensions of students' field education experience. Meaning Making explores the various ways that members of religious, spiritual, philosophical, and wisdom traditions place inherited resources (e.g. scriptures, commentaries, stories, songs, practices, etc.) in dynamic conversation with lived experiences to generate new insights, practices, and ways of being. The course uses the case study method as a starting place for reflection; explores the student’s inherited reflection methods and methodologies; and guides students in the process of composing their own reflections in relation to the lived experiences. It helps students integrate academic study, personal devotion or practices, and professional functioning by moving towards insight through experiences during field education. Attendance at the introductory sessions is required of all course participants. At the introductory session, students will sign up for a class meeting time for the remainder of the year. Students will be assigned to one instructor and will meet with the same group at the same day and time for the whole year. This is an indivisible year-long course. Students must complete both terms of this course (parts A and B) within the same academic year in order to receive credit. Strict attendance policies apply.