Upper Midwest Course of Study

Course of Study 323 Spring 2016

Instructor: Dr. Mary L. Fraser, Ph.D. , Director Office of Pastoral Care and Counseling

Required Texts:

  • Clinebell, Howard and Bridget Clare McKeever. Basic Types of Pastoral Care and Counseling: Resources for the Ministry of Healing and Growth. 3rd Edition Nashville, Abingdon Press, 2011 (ISBN: 9780687663804)
  • Bass, Diane Butler. Grounded: Finding God in the World, A Spiritual Revolution. HarperOne, 2015 (ISBN: 0062328549)
  • Savage, John. Listening and Caring Skills: A Guide for Groups and Leaders. Nashville, Abingdon Press, 1996. (ISBN: 0-687-01716-5)
  • Spiritual Autobiography 2 pages
  • Identify and become familiar with at least 5 referral resources in your community – these could be counseling agencies, food banks, homeless shelters, legal aid, etc. Make a index of these referral agencies and include: contact person, range of services offered, referral requirements, fees.

Pre-course Assignments

Before the first gathering in March, please read the Clinebell and Savage texts and prepare a 4-6 page response to each. Your pre-course reflection should include 1) a brief summary of the text 2) Learning that you found useful andgrowthful 3) questions that you had regarding the material including anything you disagreed with if you did and 4) how this material could be helpful to you in your ministry. In addition, please write and submit a 2-3 page spiritual autobiography.

Before the April gathering, please read the Bass text and reflect in 4-6 pages 1) a brief summary of the text 2) what you found interesting, important or enlightening about the discussion 3) what this material might mean for you in your spiritual life and how this might impact your ministry. Also please send your referral resource sheets.

These papers should be double-spaced and emailed to me at They should arrive at least ten days before the beginning of each weekend. If there is some reason you cannot meet this deadline you must contact me and set up another time to turn in your materials.

Grading: Reading the material and written work: 50%. Class participation: 50% However, if you do not turn in your papers or do not attend the course, you will not receive credit. I will be grading on content not grammar but I hope you will do your best to present a well thought out and well written paper.