Premarital & Marital Issues in Pastoral Counseling – PACO 835

Course Description

This course provides an in-depth study of premarital counseling as well as marital distress and dissolution, marriage theory, intervention strategies, and factors central to marital renewal, stability, growth, and health.

Rationale

As a basis for their work, pastors and counselors should have a thorough understanding of premarital and marital counseling theories and their relevance for guiding the therapeutic process. In addition to understanding core theoretical principles, pastors and counselors need to appreciate contributions from various theoretical approaches to the actual practice of counseling. This understanding serves to heighten counselor effectiveness in formulating effective treatment strategies and in aiding in the delivery of powerful interventions in an efficient and timely manner.

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 Scenario Assignments

Discussion scenarios are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will complete 2 discussion scenario assignments related to topics referenced in the texts providing opportunities for exploration, evaluation, and further development of key concepts related to the course material. Each discussion thread must be at least 400 words and each reply must be at least 150 words. (CLOs: A, B, C, D, E, F)

Reading Reflection Discussions

The Reading Reflection Discussions assist students in identifying significant thematic elements from the reading, and help to formulate a response to the reading with understanding and/or questions. The collected material from all discussion posts will enhance the understanding and application of information/knowledge for the entire class. (CLOs: A, B, C, E, F)

Initial Understanding of Pre-Marital and Marital Counseling Assignment

The Initial Understanding of Pre-Marital and Marital Counseling assignment will assist the student to conceptualize and identify elements of an understanding of Pre-Marital and Marital Counseling within a pastoral environment at the beginning of the course. This assignment is used as a comparison for the Informed Understanding of Pre-Marital and Marital Counseling assignment. The assignment must be at least 5 pages and follow current Turabian format. (CLOs: A, C, E, F)

Informed Understanding of Pre-Marital and Marital Counseling Assignment

The Informed Understanding of Pre-Marital and Marital Counseling assignment will assist students to conceptualize, compose, and express an understanding of Pre-Marital and Marital Counseling within a pastoral ministry environment at the conclusion of the course informed by the materials and assignments of the course content. This assignment is used as a comparison to the Initial Understanding of Pre-Marital and Marital Counseling assignment. The paper must be at least 10 pages, follow current Turabian format, and reference the course texts, course material, and at least 5 other supporting sources. (CLOs: A, B, C, D, E, F)