PSY 410 Integration of Theology and Psychology

On-Campus Course Syllabus

PSY 410 Integration of Theology and Psychology

L00.A

Fall 2017

Class Information

Day and Time:Thursdays 1:30pm to 4:00pm
Room Number:E205

Contact Information

Instructor Name:Steve Hunter Ed.D., D.Min., LPC-S, NCC
Instructor Email:

Instructor Phone:214-232-3251

Instructor Office Hours:Tuesdays/Thursdays 12-4pm

Course Description and Prerequisites

A survey of the basic concepts and methods for integrating psychology with theology. It is highly recommended this course be taken after at least 9 hours of psychology and 6 hours of systematic theology. (Prerequisite may be taken concurrently: PSY 101).

Course Objectives

At the end of this course, the student will be able to:

• Articulate and defend the values of a Christian worldview.
• Distinguish, examine, and analyze the predominant theories of integration in Christian counseling.
• Critique each theory identifying the strengths and weaknesses.
• Create a personal theory of the integration of theology and psychology.
• Determine the practical application and value of psychology according to a biblical framework and Christian worldview in the context of a ministry setting.

Required Textbooks

Estep, J. R., and Kim, J. H. (2010). Christian formation: Integrating theology and human development. Nashville, TN: B&H Academic. ISBN: 9780805448382

Coe, J. H. and Hall, T. W. (2010). Psychology in the Spirit. Madison, WI: InterVarsity Press. ISBN: 9780830828135

Recommend Reading

Johnson, E., et al. (2010) Psychology & Christianity: Five views. Spectrum.

Course Requirements and Assignments

The grades for the course will be determined by the student’s performance in the following areas:

1. Thirty percent (30%) of the student’s semester grade will depend on the completion of a mid-term exam.
2. Thirty percent (30%) of the student’s semester grade will depend on the completion of a comprehensive final exam.
3. Thirty percent (30%) of the student’s semester grade will depend on the completion of an individual 10 to 12 page research paper, with at least 10 scholarly sources (such as academic journal articles) and a presentation at the end of the semester. The focusof the Research Paper and Presentation will be on the topic of Integrating Theology and Psychology. Section I of the paper will consist of a personal interview with a Christian Counselor, Christian Psychologist, or Christian Psychiatrist. The student will create questions for the interview, that might include questions like:

1) What got you into the mental health field;

2) What are the greatest rewards for your profession?;

3) What are the greatest challenges?;

4) How do you integrate your faith and the practice of counseling, psychology, or psychiatry?;

5) Is this theory/philosophy based in the literature or your own personal philosophy?;

6) Regarding the Integration of Theology and Psychology, what would you tell new counselors in training?

Section II of the research project will be a focus and a review of the literature. Based on the personal interview with a practicing Christian Counselor, Psychologist, or Psychiatrist, what theory of Integration would best fit with the interviewee’s personal theory or philosophy? Define and describe this theory in detail using a minimum of ten different sources (i.e. textbooks for the class, recent books and reputable journal articles addressing the topic of Integration of Theology and Psychology). Section III will consist of the students personal philosophy of the Integration of Theology and Psychology based upon the research and interview. The student is allowed to use “First Person” in this section. Section V will address the “So What?” question. As a result of the students development of a personal philosophy/theory of Integration what does this mean for the student in life and in practice regarding the present and future. Section VI will consist of a 30 minute presentation to the class regarding the most important findings and results of the project.

The research paper will be approximately ten to twelve pages long according to the APA Style Format. On the assigned date of the presentation, the student will provide a handout for each member of the class and submit an electronic version of the presentation to the professor before his or her presentation. When writing and organizing the paper, the student(s) will create and maintain a basic structure according to APA style. The following is a link to learn everything you need to know about APA style and format, and a sample paper:

In addition, the following are some questions to keep in mind while researching the assigned topic:

• Introduction: _____ (20 pts.) Does the paper have a clear introduction? For example, does the paper address current statistics, current events, and current research regarding the topic in order to appropriately introduce and grab the reader’s attention?
• Body of the Text: _____ (20 pts.) Does the paper address the most important dimensions and key concepts regarding the topic? Does the research related to these key dimensions and issues include a “good mix” of Christian and Secular resources—both recent books and reputable journal articles related to counseling, psychology, and abnormal psychology? What does the Bible say about this specific topic? Are these sources cited according to APA style throughout the body of the paper? Are the sources cited according to APA style in the Reference section of the paper? Are the writer’s thoughts clear and easy to follow throughout the body of the paper with clear transition sentences?
• Conclusion: _____ (20 pts) Does the conclusion summarize the key insights and principles? Does the paper have a conclusion that addresses the main implications and applications for mental health providers? What about the implications and applications in a church setting?
• Grammar and Style _____(20 pts.) Are the sentences complete as opposed to fragmented sentences? Are their few grammatical and spelling mistakes?Is there a title page, abstract, and reference page? Is the paper typed in Times New Roman, Size 12 font, with 1-inch margins on the sides and 1 inch margins on the top and bottom? Are the pages numbered? Is the paper according to APA style?
• Presentation: _____ (20 Pts.) Does the presentation cover the main points of the topic in an interesting and engaging way? Does the student use PowerPoint effectively to emphasize the main points? Did the student provide a handout to the professor and other students at the time of the presentation? Did the student begin and end the presentation in a timely fashion?

1. Ten percent (10%) of the student’s final grade will depend upon attendance and participation in class. The Professor for the course does reserve the right to have unannounced quizzes to ensure that students are keeping up with reading assignments. The overall grade for this requirement will be determined by the Professor of Record at the end of the semester.
2. It is important to note that for all assignments no late work (or partial completion of any assignment) will be accepted after the due date assigned.

Class Attendance

Students are responsible for enrolling in courses for which they anticipate being able to attend every class session on the day and time appearing on course schedules, and then making every effort to do so. When unavoidable situations result in absence or tardiness, students are responsible for acquiring any information missed. Professors are not obliged to allow students to make up missed work. Per their independent discretion, individual professors may determine how attendance affects students’ ability to meet course learning objectives and whether attendance affects course grades.

Grading Scale

Incomplete Grades

Students requesting a grade of Incomplete (I) must understand that incomplete grades may be given only upon approval of the faculty member involved. An “I” may be assigned only when a student is currently passing a course and in situations involving extended illness, serious injury, death in the family, or employment or government reassignment, not student neglect.

Students are responsible for contacting their professors prior to the end of the semester, plus filing the appropriate completed and approved academic request form with the Registrar’s Office. The “I” must be removed (by completing the remaining course requirements) no later than 60 calendar days after the grade was assigned, or the “I” will become an “F.”

Academic Honesty

Absolute truth is an essential belief and basis of behavior for those who believe in a God who cannot lie and forbids falsehood. Academic honesty is the application of the principle of truth in the classroom setting. Academic honesty includes the basic premise that all work submitted by students must be their own and any ideas derived or copied from elsewhere must be carefully documented.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:

• cheating of any kind,
• submitting, without proper approval, work originally prepared by the student for another course,
• plagiarism, which is the submitting of work prepared by someone else as if it were his own, and
• failing to credit sources properly in written work.

Institutional Email Policy

All official college email communications to students enrolled in this course will be sent exclusively to students’ institutional email accounts. Students are expected to check their student email accounts regularly and to respond in an appropriate and timely manner to all communications from faculty and administrative departments.

Students are permitted to setup automatic forwarding of emails from their student email accounts to one or more personal email accounts. The student is responsible to setup and maintain email forwarding without assistance from college staff. If a student chooses to use this forwarding option, he/she will continue to be responsible for responding appropriately to all communications from faculty and administrative departments of the college. Criswell College bears no responsibility for the use of emails that have been forwarded from student email accounts to other email accounts.

Disabilities

In order to ensure full class participation, any student with a disabling condition requiring special accommodations (e.g., tape recorders, special adaptive equipment, special note-taking or test-taking needs) is strongly encouraged to contact the instructor at the beginning of the course, or if a student has a learning disability, please inform the professor so assistance can be provided.

Intellectual Property Rights

Unless otherwise specifically instructed in writing by the professor, students must neither materially nor digitally reproduce materials from any course offered by Criswell College for or with the significant possibility of distribution.

Resources and Support

Canvas and CAMS: Criswell College uses Canvas as its web-based learning tool and CAMS for student data. Students needing assistance with Canvas should contact the Canvas Help Support line at (844) 358-6140. Tech support is available at this number twenty-four hours a day. Students needing help with CAMS should contact the Campus Software Manager at .

Student Services: The Student Services Office exists to foster and encourage success in all areas of life—physical, intellectual, spiritual, social, and emotional. Students are encouraged to reach out for assistance by contacting the office at 214.818.1332 or . Pastoral and certified counseling services are also available to Criswell students. Appointments are scheduled through the Dean of Students Jeff Campbell, at .

Wallace Library: Students can access academic resources and obtain research assistance by visiting the Wallace Library, which is located on campus. For more information, go to the library website, or email the Wallace Library at .

Writing Center: Students are encouraged to consult with writing tutors to improve and enhance their skills and confidence by practicing techniques of clear and effective writing. To consult with a tutor, students can visit the Writing Center located on the first floor near the Computer Lab, or they can schedule an appointment by emailing r calling 214.818.1373.

Course Outline/Calendar

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