Introduction to Pastoral Counseling – PACO 500

CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 09/05/2023

Course Description

This course introduces students to a solution-based model for short-term counseling that incorporates knowledge of and practice in facilitation skills, cognitive behavioral approaches, and biblical teaching.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

In today’s world, people in our churches and in society at large are hurting. As people go outside their own families for help, 40% of Americans turn to a local clergy person first. Therefore, leaders in ministry need to be thoroughly equipped for the work of the counseling ministry. Since counseling should not be the primary ministry of pastors, it is imperative that what they do in counseling is done with efficiency and effectiveness.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussion: Audio/Video Narrated Class Introduction

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to build a clear, informative, and appealing 2-minute video introduction in response to the prompts found in the Assignment Instructions. Additionally, the student is required to post at least one 50-word reply to another classmate's introduction video.

Discussions (5)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. They provide an opportunity to integrate insights and skills gleaned from the assigned readings, assessments, lectures, web resources, and the Scriptures as the student narrates movement of a predetermined care-seeker through a solution-based, short-term pastoral counseling scenario.

Due to the nature of these connected, collaborative, cumulative research-based discussions, the discussions will have a “paper or presentation-like feel” (i.e., more is expected than in a typical discussion). Required texts, assessments, and lectures-to-date are to be noticeably and consistently used to ground assertions. In this respect, the student must synthesize pertinent material and write a substantive research-based thread and reply in response to prompts in each discussion.

Pertinent insights from all readings-to-date should be synthesized weekly and moved forward into subsequent learning activities. Each thread must be at least 500 words and noticeably integrate at least 1 pertinent insight from each required resource/readings-to-date. In addition, the student will write 1 substantive research-based reply. Each reply must noticeably integrate at least 1 pertinent insight from course related knowledge and be at least 150 words.

The sixth and final Discussion (Discussion: So What?! and What's Next?!) requires a 400-word initial post and 150 words for the reply. 

All posts must be written with clarity and conciseness, without spelling, grammar, word choice errors, and adhere to meaning-making forum guidelines and rubric expectations. School of Behavioral Sciences students follow current APA standards and School of Divinity students – current Turabian Form. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E)

Subject Matter Conversation are meaningfully developed via scheduled Microsoft TEAMS meetings.  For example, as part of this course’s connected, collaborative, cumulative learning process, the Module 1 required Subject Matter Conversation will focus on getting acquainted and acclimated. Professors will notify the class of date and time at the start of the term.

In the event a Subject Matter Conversation is missed due to extenuating circumstances or technical issues, the Subject Matter Conversation will be assessed through a substantive response to a recorded Subject Matter Conversation through the assignment’s submission link. Ear buds and casual, modest dress should be worn during this virtual classroom meeting. (CLO: A)

Practical Book Review Assignment

The student will write 1 Practical Book Review on the Petersen text. This assignment creates awareness of language and interpersonal skills that foster efficiency and effectiveness in people-helping moments. The body of the paper must be typed, double-spaced, and at least 4 pages. The paper must be written with clarity and conciseness, without spelling, grammar, word choice errors, and adhere to assignment instructions and rubric expectations.  School of Behavioral Sciences students follow current APA standards and School of Divinity students – current Turabian Form. (CLO: C)

Solving My People Puzzle Assignment

The assignment strategically fosters description, development, and management of the student’s relational style as well as an overall understanding of style alignment. The body of the paper must be at least 5 pages and include at least 1 reference from each of this assignment’s required readings, assessments, and websites. The paper must be written with clarity and conciseness, without spelling, grammar, word choice errors, and adhere to assignment instructions and rubric expectations. School of Behavioral Sciences students follow current APA standards and School of Divinity students – current Turabian Form. (CLOs: A, B, C)

After subscribing to the Discussion: Question & Answer Center (QAC), the student will take a one-question quiz to confirm completion of this activity. (CLO: A)

The student will review the Read: A Case Study on Crossroads: A Story of Forgiveness under the Learn section and then will choose a care-seeker. The student will have an option to rent or purchase the movie for a nominal fee. After completing these tasks, the student will take a short quiz to confirm task completion. (CLO: E)