STP 575 (Graduate) & MPS 275 (Undergraduate) Spiritual Direction Fall Semester 2017 Course Outline Class Start Date & End Date September 8, 2017 December 15, 2017 Class Meeting Time, Location, and Room Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. At Newman Theological College Marguerite Bourgeoys Room Instructors Name: (Rev. Fr.) Sylvain J.Y. Casavant, PSS Office: My office is found at St. Joseph Seminary. Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Telephone: 780-392-2445 Email: sylvain.casavant@stjoseph-seminary.com Skype: --- Course Description The course deals with the meaning, foundations and principles of spiritual direction in the Church s tradition. It examines the Biblical foundations and historical development of spiritual direction and its relation to a person s growth in faith, in prayer and in the Christian life. It will explore some practical aspects of the ministry of spiritual direction and look at the qualities required for those called to this ministry. Course Objectives a) To provide a basic knowledge of the theological foundations of the ministry of Spiritual Direction. b) To inform about and to practically introduce the processes and criteria for leading persons in prayer, discernment and decision-making. c) To illustrate the charism, qualities and skills of a spiritual director in the light of the Christian tradition and in the context of contemporary needs and resources. d) To develop some skills associated with spiritual direction (the discernment process) as well as exploring the dynamics involved. e) To show that the Christian journey is never an individual action but rather a communal event, an ecclesial event. Page 1 of 6
Course Assignments and Evaluation a) A class presentation This class presentation requires a 4-5 page summary of the assigned readings, a 15 to 25 minute PowerPoint presentation to the class and a 10 to 20 minute discussion. The presentation will be on one of the books and/or articles from a list of readings and books received in class. All students are asked to read the assigned readings in advance of the presentation. (25% - STP 575; 25% - MPS 275) b) Midterm Written Exam; October 27, 2017 (25% - STP 575; 25% - MPS 275) c) Review of the book: Weeds Among the Wheat by Thomas Green. (6-8 pages); Date due November 3, 2017. (25% - STP 575) ** NOTE: For the undergraduate students, the book review is to be 4-6 pages in length. (25% - MPS 275) d) Final Oral Exam; December 15, 2017 (25% - STP 575; 25% - MPS 275) Textbooks Burke, Daniel. Navigating the Interior Life: Spiritual Direction and the Journey to God. Steubenville: Emmaus Road Publishing, 2012. Gallagher, Timothy. A Handbook for Spiritual Directors. Chestnut Ridge: Crossroad Publishing Company, 2017. Green, Thomas H. Weeds Among the Wheat. Notre Dame: Ave Maria Press, 1984. Nemeck, Francis Kelly and Marie Theresa Coombs. The Way of Spiritual Direction. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1985. Recommended Reading Gallagher, Timothy. The Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide for Everyday Living. New York: Crossroad Publishing Company, 2005. Martin, Ralph. The fulfillment of All Desires: A Guidebook for the Journey to God Basked on the Wisdom of the Saints. Steubenville: Emmaus Road Publishing, 2006. Course Requirements The course will integrate lectures and seminar format meaning a portion of the class time will be lecture style and another class discussion. Impute of information will be given through the lectures and through assigned readings. It is expected that the readings assigned will be read so that discussion may take place. Readings will be assigned from the textbooks and may include other readings assigned by the instructor. Course Schedule September 8, 2017 September 15, 2017 September 22, 2017 September 29, 2017 October 6, 2017 October 13, 2017 October 20, 2017 October 27, 2017 Introduction: What is Spiritual Direction? Theology of Prayer & Theological Principles of Spiritual Direction History of Spiritual Direction Midterm Exam - Written Page 2 of 6
November 3, 2017 Difference between Spiritual Direction, Christian & Secular Counselling November 10, 2017 Director/Directee Relationship Fall Break (November 13-17, 2017) November 24, 2017 Practical Elements of Spiritual Direction December 1, 2016 The Three Ways of the Spiritual Life December 8, 2017 Discernment December 15, 2017 Final Exam - Oral ** Note: The outline of the course is tentative and may be embellished or headings moved around according to the flow of the material and the understanding of the students. ** General Academic Information Late Submission Policy. Late submissions are accepted for exceptional reasons only. You must contact the professor beforehand and make this request offering the reason for the request. If no request is made beforehand, the student has 4 days to hand in the work after the due date with 5% taken off per day. On the 5 th day, the work will no longer be accepted. Course Attendance No credit will be given for a course if the student has been absent, for any reason whatever, from onethird or more of the lectures and/or seminars scheduled for the term. Likewise, no credit will be given if term assignments or other assignments are or remain incomplete. Leave of Absence and Policy for Incompletes Extensions to an incomplete grade may be granted in extenuating circumstances, but may not exceed 16 weeks following the end of the course. Students who fail to complete course work by the agreed deadline will have a grade assigned which is based on work completed. Academic Integrity Acts of academic dishonesty (plagiarism, cheating, etc.) are subject to an appropriate penalty. The grade F may be assigned to a student guilty of such acts by the professor of the course in which the infraction occurred. A second offense against academic integrity renders the student liable to automatic dismissal from NTC. Further details are available in the Student Handbook in the Academic Misconduct Policy. Academic Grievances Students may appeal grades received; the procedure is outlined in the Student Handbook in the Appeal Policy. For other grievances, students will refer to the Student Grievances Policy also outlined in the Student Handbook. NOTE: The GPA is computed on the basis of cumulative grade point (letter) values, not percentage values. All courses are included in this calculation except those exceeding degree requirements and/or received as transfer credits from other recognized institutions. Page 3 of 6
Grading System Undergraduate Studies C.Th., Dip.Th., B.Th. Meaning Excellent A+ A A- Good B+ B B- Adequate C+ C C- Marginal D+ D Point 3.7 3.3 3.0 2.7 2.3 2.0 1.7 1.3 1.0 Graduate Studies M.T.S., M.Div., M.Th., G.C.C.S.A., M.R.E. Meaning Excellent A+ A A- Good B+ B B- Adequate C+ C C- Fail F 0.0 Fail D+ D F Point 3.7 3.3 3.0 2.7 2.3 2.0 1.7 1.3 1.0 0.0 Written Assignments - Style and Format Newman Theological College requires that all written work be submitted in acceptable academic format and style. Please note the following regulations: Regulations Research papers, book reports, article summaries, reflection papers, and essays should be doublespaced, printed on one side only, and submitted on white, 8.5 x 11 paper. A standard type style, such as Times New Roman, with a 12-point font size, must be used. The instructor will specify the most recent edition of the style manual to be used: Kate Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (Chicago: University of Chicago Press). Joseph Gibaldi & William Achters, eds., MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (New York: Modern Language Association of America). American Psychological Association Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (Washington: APA Publications). Copies of these standard references may be purchased in the NTC bookstore. Page 4 of 6
Ignorance of standard form is not considered an acceptable excuse for deviation from required standards of format and style. Academic Regulations The following Academic Regulations are located in the Academic Calendar for your reference: Changes in Registration: Add/Drop/Withdraw Notice Course Work Final Examination Schedule Incomplete Policy Inclusive Language Related Academic Matters The following Related Academic Matters are located in the Academic Calendar for your reference: Reports & Posting Glossary of Academic Terms Other Related Policies The following policies are located in the Student Handbook for your reference: Academic Misconduct Policy Appeal Policy Recording of Lectures Audio or video recording of lectures, seminars or any other teaching environment by students is allowed only with the prior consent of the instructor. Recorded material is to be used solely for personal study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose without prior written consent from the content author(s). Student Accessibility Services: If you have special needs that could affect your performance in this class, please let me know during the first week of the term so that appropriate arrangements can be made. If you are not already registered with Student Services, contact Doreen Bloos at 780-392-2450 ext. 2212; Email doreen.bloos@newman.edu. Bibliography Barry, William A. and Connolly, William J. The Practice of Spiritual Direction. New York: The Seabury Press, 1982. Bryant, Christopher. The Heart in Pilgrimage: Christian Guidelines for the Human Journey. New York: Seabury Press, 1980. Burke, Daniel. Navigating the Interior Life: Spiritual Direction and the Journey to God. Steubenville: Emmaus Road Publishing, 2012. Burrows, Ruth. Essence of Prayer. New Jersey: Hiddenspring, 2006. Clare, Sister. Journey Out of Chaos. Whitinsville, MA: Affirmation Books, 1981. Conn, Joan Wolski. Spirituality and Personal Maturity. New York: Paulist Press, 1989. Culligan, Kevin. Spiritual Direction; Contemporary Readings. New York: Living Flame Press, 1983. Dyckman, Katherine Marie and Carroll, Patrick. Inviting the Mystic Supporting the Prophet. New York: Paulist Press, 1981. Page 5 of 6
Dubay, Thomas. Seeking Spiritual Direction: How to Grow in the Divine Life Within. Ann Arbor: Servant Publications, 1993. Edwards, Tilden. Spiritual Friend. New York: Paulist Press, 1980. English, John. Spiritual Freedom. Guelph, Ontario: Loyola House, 1975. Fischer, Kathleen. Women at the Well. New York: Paulist Press, 1988. Fowler, James. Stages of Faith. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1981. Gallagher, Timothy. The Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide for Everyday Living. New York: Crossroad Publishing Company, 2005., A Handbook for Spiritual Directors. Chestnut Ridge: Crossroad Publishing Company, 2017., An Ignatian Introduction to Prayer: Spiritual Reflections According to the Spiritual Exercises. New York: Crossroad Publishing Company, 2007. Grattan, Carolyn. Guidelines for Spiritual Direction. Denville, New Jersey: Dimension Books, 1980. Green, Thomas. Weeds Among the Wheat. Notre Dame: Ave Maria Press, 1984. Hart, Thomas. The Art of Christian Listening. New York: Paulist Press, 1980. Hassel, David. Radical Prayer. New York: Paulist Press, 1983. Jones, Alan. Exploring Spiritual Direction: An Essay on Christian Friendship. New York: Seabury press, 1982. Larkin, Ernest. Silent Presence: Discernment as Process and Problem Denville, New Jersey: Dimension Books, 1981. LaPlace, Jean. Preparing for Spiritual Direction. Chicago: Franciscan Herald Press, 1975. Leech, Kenneth. Soul Friend: Spiritual Direction in the Modern World. London: Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd., 1994., Spirituality and Pastoral Care. London: Sheldon Press, 1986., True Prayer: An Introduction to Christian Spirituality. London: Sheldon Press, 1980. Martin, Ralph. The fulfillment of All Desires: A Guidebook for the Journey to God Basked on the Wisdom of the Saints. Steubenville: Emmaus Road Publishing, 2006. May, Gerald. Care of Mind, Care of Spirit: Psychiatric Dimensions of Spiritual Direction. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1982., Will and Spirit: A Contemplative Psychology. San Francisco, Harper & Row, 1982. Merton, Thomas. Spiritual Direction and Meditation. Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minnesota, 1960. Neufelder, Jerome M. and Coelho, Mary C. eds. Writings on Spiritual Direction by the Great Masters. New York: The Seabury Press, 1982. Nouwen, Henri. Spiritual Direction: Wisdom for the Long Walk of Faith. New York: Harper Collins, 2006., With Open Hands. Notre Dame: Ave Maria Press, 1972. Vanderwall, Francis. Spiritual Direction: Invitation to Abundant Life. New York: Paulist Press, 1981. von Balthasar, Hanse Urs. Prayer. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1986. Whitehead, Evelyn and James. Christian Life Patterns. Garden City, New York: Doubleday & Company Inc., 1979., Seasons of Strength: New Visions of Christian Maturity. New York: Doubleday and Co., Inc., 1984 Wilcox, Peter. John Henry Newman: Spiritual director 1845-1890. Eugene: Wipf and Stock, 2013. Page 6 of 6