Residential Schools

RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS are offered in Canberra for most subjects, in all courses, in both semesters. Residentials are not compulsory, unless otherwise indicated. It is strongly recommended that you attend residentials where possible. The major themes are explored as well as opportunities to discuss assignments and to build networks with other students.

The Graduate Certificate in Ageing & Pastoral Studies (OACJ) may be completed in one year of part-time study.  

The Graduate Diploma in Ageing & Pastoral Studies (OADJ) may be completed in one year of full-time study or the equivalent part-time.

The Master of Arts (Ageing and Pastoral Studies) (OANP)
Download application form from CSU (148Kb)

AIMS: Courses will prepare graduates from a variety of backgrounds in aged care, including health professionals, pastoral workers and clergy, to provide appropriate holistic care to older adults.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: Applicants should hold an Australian or recognised equivalent undergraduate degree. In recognition of prior learning, applicants without formal qualification who have eight or more years relevant work experience may be considered for entry into the Graduate Certificate.

ARTICULATION / CREDIT: The Graduate Certificate articulates with the Graduate Diploma and credit is awarded in the Graduate Diploma for all subjects completed in the Graduate Certificate. Upon completion of either course, credit of up to 32 points may be awarded towards the Master of Arts (Ageing and Pastoral Studies).

APPLICATION: Forms are available from CAPS website: www.centreforageing.org.au or CSU.

FEES: Information regarding fees can be found via the internet at http://www.csu.edu.au/courses/postgraduate/ageing_pastoral/course_struct.html or directly from http://www.csu.edu.au/division/finserv/students/fees.htm

FEE-HELP: FEE-HELP is the Government funded interest-free loans facility for fee paying postgraduate students undertaking non-research courses. For further information and eligibility call the inquiry line on 1800 020 108 or visit www.backingaustraliasfuture.gov.au/student_info.htm

Graduate Certificate in Ageing and Pastoral Studies - OACJ

The Graduate Certificate may be completed in one year of part-time study. It consists of four subjects, a total of 32 credit points:

THL445       Psychosocial and Spiritual Development in Older People (8)
Autumn Semester. Two day residential school: dates to be advised
This subject introduces students to the study of psychosocial and spiritual development in the later years of life.  Content includes theories of psychosocial and spiritual development and role changes, study of narrative, life review and meaning in later life.

THL446       Pastoral Care and Elderly People (8)

Autumn Semester. Two day residential school: dates to be advised

This subject examines strategies for quality of life for older people.  It considers how older people may find meaning in later life, explores the needs of older people for pastoral care, and ways of working with older people across the health-illness continuum.  The subject will include working with elderly people in a variety of settings, ranging from those living at home to those in aged care facilities. The multicultural picture of aged care will be considered.

THL451       Ethical and Theological Issues in Ageing (8)
This subject introduces students to a study of ethical and theological issues in ageing.  Ethical issues surrounding personhood in an ageing society will be explored.  This subject also explores a theology of ageing for a new century, and growing older in an ageing society.  Biblical and spiritual dimensions of ageing are examined as well as the role of the church in an ageing society.

THL459    The Ageing Person: Challenges for Body and Spirit
This subject will provide a holistic framework for the practice of pastoral care in later life by focusing on changes in the ageing body, experiences of ageing and common illnesses of ageing against a theological understanding of health and illness in later life.

Graduate Diploma of Ageing and Pastoral Studies - OADJ

The Graduate Diploma can be completed in one year full time or the equivalent part time. It consists of eight subjects (64 credit points) - the four core subjects listed for the Graduate Certificate, plus four elective subjects taken from the following list (to a total of 32 credit points):

WEL322    Loss and Grief in Gerontology (8)
Autumn Semester. No residential school.

This subject examines the many losses and associated grief that is a part of the ageing process.  Theories of grief will be examined in relation to older adults and the losses commonly encountered in ageing.  The common losses to be considered include loss of role (and retirement), loss of physical wellbeing, loss of income and home, loss of spouse and close friends through death or moving to new environments.

THL448       Independent Guided Study in Ageing and Pastoral Care (8)
Spring Semester.

An independent in-depth study on ageing and pastoral care. This project will give the student an opportunity to explore a topic of their own choice in gerontology.

THL447       Pastoral Care in Mental Health and Dementia (8)
This special area of ageing will be examined in detail during this subject.  The content focuses on new ways of providing pastoral care for people who have dementia, using latest research to develop strategies to maximise quality of life both for the person with dementia and for their families.

THL462       Theological Perspectives of Ageing (8)
Autumn Semester.  No residential school.

This subject examines the processes of ageing and dying from Christian theological perspectives.  It includes theological views of the human person; stages of spiritual maturity; illness, loss, suffering and death; Christian eschatology (hope, judgement, heaven and hell); and humour in old age.

THL444       Ministry with Older people in Residential Care
AutumnSemester.  Two day compulsory residential school: dates to be advised

This subject provides students with basic training in Aged Care Chaplaincy. It examines chaplaincy from historical and cultural perspectives as it has developed in Australia. It traces the development of models of chaplaincy, particularly in the aged care area, and seeks to examine specific issues facing those providing spiritual care in aged care facilities. These issues include: ethics, appropriate ritual and administration.

SWK504       Human Services Research Methods (8)

Spring semester. This subject, or another approved research methods subject, is a prerequisite for students wanting to do the Master of Arts (Ageing and Pastoral Studies) Stream B: Research

This subject will prepare students for post-graduate human services research by examining different epistemologies and methodologies and by focusing on research methods appropriate to human services situations. Topics will include needs analysis, program evaluation and action research as well as survey research design, sampling, methods of data collection, data analysis and presentation of research findings.

Master of Arts (Ageing and Pastoral Studies) - OANP

This course articulates with the existing Graduate Certificate in Ageing and Pastoral Studies and Graduate Diploma of Ageing and Pastoral Studies

Students must satisfactorily complete 96 points,
64 of which may be credited from the Graduate Diploma course. (each subject is worth 8 points unless stated otherwise)

64 points are to be taken from the following subjects:

THL445 Psychosocial and Spiritual Development in Older People

THL446 Pastoral Care and Elderly People

THL451 Ethical and Theological Issues in Ageing

THL459 The Ageing Person: Challenges for Body and Spirit

Plus restricted electives from:

THL447 Pastoral Care in Mental Health and Dementia

WEL322 Loss and Grief in Gerontology

THL448 Independent Guided Study in Ageing (not to be taken if proceeding to the Masters stream B: Research)

THL462 Theological perspectives on Ageing

SWK504 Human Services Research Methods (or another approved research methods subject for those taking the Masters stream B: Research)

Students choose to enrol in either the Course Work Masters- Stream A, or the Research Masters - Stream B.

MASTERS STREAM A: Course work

THL463 Pastoral Care in Ageing: Family and Social Contexts (Autumn 2008)

THL464 Dementia: Challenge for Pastoral Care (Autumn 2007)

THL465 Dying, Death and Pastoral Care in Ageing (Spring 2008)

THL466 Pastoral Practice in Ageing: Politics Policy Principles & Practice (Spring 2007)

MASTERS STREAM B: Research

THL467 Research Project in Ageing & Pastoral Studies (32 points both semesters)

MASTERS SUBJECT SUMMARIES:

THL463  Pastoral Care in Ageing: Family and Social Contexts

Autumn Semester. No residential school.

This subject studies the ageing person in the context of their family and social milieux. The significance of relationships for the well being of older people is examined, as are approaches to pastoral, ritual, ethical and spiritual dimensions of care. Selected contexts of ageing are explored, including migrants, singles, gays, and indigenous persons. Contexts of care studied include family and non-family carers and the opportunities and difficulties that may arise. Appropriate pastoral responses to stressful issues such as isolation, abuse, and homelessness are examined.

THL464       Dementia: Challenge for Pastoral Care

Prerequisite: THL447 Pastoral Care in Mental Health and Dementia.

Autumn Semester. No residential school. Next on offer in 2009.

This subject examines current understandings of dementia: biological, genetic, psychological, social and spiritual. It includes analyses of public policy, ethics and dementia and examines dementia. An important component of this subject is an examination of dementia as a theological challenge to the understanding of the human person.

THL465       Dying, Death and Pastoral Care in Ageing

Prerequisite: WEL322 Loss and Grief in Gerontology.

Spring Semester. No residential school.

This subject presents a wholistic approach to death and dying in the later part of life, with a focus on pastoral and theological considerations. It examines religious, spiritual, ane secular perspectives on death and dying. The subject also explores experiences and portrayals of dying and death in a multicultural society. Ethical aspects and rituals surrounding death and dying are considered from a variety of different religious traditions.

THL466       Pastoral Practice in Ageing: Politics, Policy, Principles and Practice

Spring Semester. No residential school. Next on offer in 2009.

This subject examines current practice of pastoral care in ageing, within a context of policy, politics, and principles of care as well as actual practice in a multifaith and multicultural society. Historical perspectives on community attitudes to the aged and their care are considered. The subject also considers political and policy directions in the care of ageing people, and the way these are influenced by the churches’ philosophy and pastoral practice in Australia. The anticipation of future needs in an ageing society and their implications for the role of pastoral care is analysed.

THL467       Research Project in Ageing and Pastoral Studies (32 points)

Prerequisite: SWK504 Human Services Research Methods or another approved research methods subject.

Full year, Autumn and Spring Semester.

The subject is required for the research stream (Stream B) for the Master of Arts (Ageing and Pastoral Studies)

Students work with a supervisor to design, develop and complete a project (15,000-20,000 words) in ageing and pastoral studies. The project includes a major review of relevant literature.

Correct at time of printing November 2007