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Details for THE320 Theology and Psychology

Who am I? What is the soul? How should Christian faith interact with the psychological sciences? This unit considers the theological concepts of grace, sin and freedom as found within traditional Christian theologies. It also seeks to interact with the discipline of psychology and provides valuable insights for those providing pastoral advice and counselling from a Christian perspective.

Quick Stats

  • Currently offered by Alphacrucis: Yes
  • Course code: THE320
  • Credit points: 10

Subject Coordinator

Grant Buchanan

Prerequisite

The following courses are prerequisites:

  • At least 80 credit points, including THE101—Christian Worldview

Unit Content

Outcomes

  1. Construct a theological anthropology in dialogue with the discipline of psychology, exploring concepts such as the imago dei, soul, spirit, consciousness, mind/brain, and the social formation of identity;
  2. Appraise and apply the basic concepts of the psychology of religion to the human quest for identity and meaning;
  3. Discuss and evaluate the theological concepts of grace, sin, conversion and freedom against the background of the discipline of psychology;
  4. Formulate strategies for spiritual transformation drawing on the resources of psychology and theology;
  5. Evaluate the insights of positive psychology and explain their implications for well-being.

Subject Content

  1. Introduction: the soul
  2. Consciousness, mind/brain and free choice
  3. Social formation of identity
  4. History of psychology
  5. Humanistic psychology
  6. Existentialism
  7. Positive psychology
  8. Forgiveness
  9. Grace and sin
  10. Freedom of choice and therapy

This course may be offered in the following formats

  • Face to Face (onsite)
  • Distance/E-learning (online)
  • Intensive (One week: 7 hours per day for 5 days = 35 class hours + approx 85 hours out of class time for research, writing, exam preparation and execution, ancillary activities associated with completion of assigned tasks)

Please consult your course prospectus or enquire about how and when this course will be offered next at Alphacrucis University College.

Assessment Methods

  • Critical Reflection (40%)
  • Case Studies (30%)
  • Applied Short Answers (30%)

Prescribed Text

  • Sandage, Steven J., and Jeannine K. Brown. Relational Integration of Psychology and Christian Theology: Theory, Research, and Practice. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis, 2018.

Please consult your instructor before purchasing any texts.