This course offers introduction to Christian spirituality from three perspectives: Contextual: Encountering spirituality as a phenomenon in contemporary culture. Historical: Encountering writings from and about important spiritual traditions. Personal: Encounter spiritual formation as a means of personal formation. Semester of Education: Spring.

The Term Paper is assessed according to the ECTS grading scale, A-F.

English. Alternatively, one of the Scandinavian languages. Other languages could be accepted by application.

Students will be encouraged to evaluate the course module online upon completion. Lecturers will evaluate the course module through mutual conversation, and based on student evaluations.

Required prerequisite knowledge

Recommended prerequisite knowledge

Relevance within study programme

Introduction

Learning outcomes descriptors

Knowledge

The candidate:

has fundamental knowledge about the academic field of spirituality
has fundamental knowledge about spirituality as a phenomenon in contemporary society
has specialized knowledge about various traditions of Christian spirituality
has thorough knowledge about effects of experiences and context in early childhood for spiritual life.
has insights into spirituality as a phenomenon in late modern society
can analyze the role of spirituality on the basis of the Church's history, traditions, distinctive character and place in society

Skills

The candidate:

can analyze the relationships between biographical narratives, faith, self, and theology
can discern and reflect upon central methods and phenomena in spiritual formation
can reflect critically and constructively from a theological viewpoint on matters of spirituality for personal, professional, and scholarly development
is sufficiently equipped with theory and methodology from the forefront of research on spirituality in order to design a limited research project of his/her own

General competence

The candidate:

can relate to professional ethical problems relevant for spiritual formation in a reflexive manner
can use knowledge and skills about spiritual formation for personal growth in limited assignments
is a capable conversation partner in ministry
can communicate independent work and masters language and terminology of the area of spirituality
can participate in scholarly discourses about spirituality and spiritual formation in academia, the church, and in wider society
can contribute to a renewed reflection on the role of spirituality in society and ministry

Content

TAM303 focuses in on how spiritual formation is framed an understood in church history and how certain Christian traditions of spiritual direction is recontextualized and brought to life in contemporary spirituality. The course also provides perspectives on how personal formation could be understood as a process of psychology, personal narratives, modern society and theology. A third area of attention is on spirituality as phenomenon in contemporary society and its relation to organized religion.

Teaching and learning methods

Two weeklong learning sessions on campus comprised of lectures, group-seminars, and case-based classes.

Participation in an online learning-program stretching over eight weeks before and between the learning sessions. Each week is comprised of at least one video-lecture, self study of syllabus related to the week's topic, online office hour (a live-chat with a lecturer), and a small assignment (coursework requirement).

Scope

Coursework requirements

Grading, coursework requirements

Final assessment

Final assessment in TAM303 is the subject of one Term Paper. This is a written essay comprised of 5000 words (+/- 20%) on a pre-assigned topic. The assignment is distributed at the beginning of the term, and is to be delivered for feedback prior to the second learning session. After revision, final submission of the Term Paper is on a given deadline after the second learning session. The Term Paper is an individual piece of work and is assessed according to the ECTS grading scale.

Grading, examination

Permitted aids under examination

Assessment language

Practice

Course evaluation

Spirituality and Spiritual formation