Integration of Psychology and Theology – PACO 506
CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 02/01/2024
Course Description
This course introduces students to the process of pastoral counseling with a variety of religious clients, particularly religious clients who would define themselves as evangelical Christians. The course provides a systematic overview of Christian doctrines, a discussion of various theological viewpoints regarding those doctrines, and an examination of how psychological and theological concepts relate to each other.
For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.
Rationale
In order to practice Christian counseling, professional counselors must be able to articulate a Christian worldview and understand the way in which their worldview informs counseling theory and practice. Integration of Psychology and Theology provides the student with an overview of integration models as a theoretical and practical foundation for faith-based counseling.
Course Assignment
Textbook readings and lecture presentations
Course Requirements Checklist
After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.
Writing Style Guidelines
Students in the School of Divinity (SoD) will use Turabian Form in all PACO prefix courses, and students in the School of Behavioral Sciences (SoBS) will use APA in all PACO prefix courses.
Discussions (4)
Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will create a thread in response to the provided prompt. Each thread must be at least 300 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge (with at least two references). In addition to the thread, the student will reply to 2 classmates’ threads. The replies must be at least 200 words (with at least one reference). Citations must be written in correct writing style format.
4-MAT Book Reviews (2)
The student will write a 4-MAT Book Review for 2 of the required textbooks for this course. The first 4-MAT Book Review will cover the Nichols textbook, and the second 4-MAT Book Review will cover the Ortberg textbook. Each Review must be no more than 5 pages. Use correct writing style format, correct grammar, and correct spelling are required. Each Review will be submitted utilizing the Turnitin plagiarism tool.
Movie Reviews (2)
For each Movie Review, the student will select a movie from a pre-approved list, watch the movie, and write a 3-page review from the perspective of a pastoral counselor who identifies an issue or conflict that a character in the movie is facing. The student must discuss how he/she would address the chosen issue or conflict in a pastoral counseling setting. Other sources may be included, but are not required. All sources used must be cited in the correct writing style format. Each Review will submitted utilizing the Turnitin plagiarism tool.
Essay
The student will write a 900–1,200-word essay incorporating concepts he/she has learned throughout the course, specifically about the integration of psychology and theology in the pastoral counseling setting. The student must include at least 3 sources (books, online articles, etc.) in addition to at least 2 biblical references. Use of correct writing style format, correct grammar, and correct spelling are required. The essay will be submitted utilizing the Turnitin plagiarism tool.
