top of page

PRACTICAL & PASTORAL THEOLOGY

School

Boston College School of Theology & Ministry

TMPS7090

Ministry in a Diverse Church

BTI Category

Semester

Practical/Pastoral Theology

SP25

Catholicism in the United States is presently shaped by rich cultural traditions that demand creative approaches to ministry in the midst of diversity. Nearly 45% of all Catholics in the country are Hispanic, 40% Euro-American, 4% Asian-American, 3.7% African-American, among others. Students in this course explore key questions and discuss ministerial strategies that will help them develop cultural competencies for effective ministry today. The course builds on the U.S. Latino/a Catholic experience as a case study while addressing core issues in ministry that affect everyone in the Church. Ecumenical and international perspectives are welcomed into this conversation.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Hosffman Ospino

W

06:30PM-09:00PM

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Boston College School of Theology & Ministry

TMPS7078

Pastoral Care of the Family

BTI Category

Semester

Practical/Pastoral Theology

SP25

This course presents specific topics that are important for effective and compassionate pastoral care of families today. We will examine challenging realities that may shape and/or disturb families and lead members to seek pastoral care, such as domestic violence, substance abuse, imprisonment of a family member, grief and loss, and family caregiver stress. We will consider the specific needs of families affected by injustices and harsh difficulties such as poverty and immigrant/refugee status. We will consider the specific roles and strategies of the pastoral caregiver and the faith community in helping families to negotiate challenges and create stability and well-being.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Melissa Kelley

W

10:00AM-12:30PM

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Boston College School of Theology & Ministry

TMPS7313

Theology and Practice of Ignatian Spiritual Accompaniment

BTI Category

Semester

Practical/Pastoral Theology

SP25

The key question of this course is, how can we listen well to our brothers and sisters? While the skills we train in this course are particularly relevant for the context of spiritual care or spiritual accompaniment, they will also make us better listeners to our family, friends, colleagues, students generally. In the course we bothpractice actual listening, thus training a set of skills, andreflect theologically on our listening: what are the theological grounds for doing that? Ignatian spirituality will be a major source of inspiration for the course, with an openness to other voices also.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Jos Moons, SJ

F

01:00PM-04:00PM

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

Y

Notes

While the course is in a 4-hour block, each student will spend 2.5 hours in class each week.

School

Boston College School of Theology & Ministry

TMPS8151

Resisting Anti-Judaism: Practices for the Church

BTI Category

Semester

Practical/Pastoral Theology

SP25

The purpose of this class is to develop practices by which the anti-Judaism endemic to Christian traditions can be recognized, resisted, and replaced. As part of a commitment to anti-oppression work, this course will begin with an examination of the development and workings of Christian anti-Judaism with connections drawn to relationships between racism and antisemitism. Attention will then turn to how church teachings require examining preaching, worship, catechesis, and pastoral ministry for manifestations of anti-Judaism and antisemitism in North American and global contexts. The course will conclude with workshopping approaches to resisting anti-Judaism in Christian contexts and public spaces.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Daniel Joslyn-Siemiatkoski

T

03:30PM-06:20PM

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

Y

Notes

Fundamental Theology or Theological Foundations in Practical Perspective, or similar course.

School

Boston College School of Theology & Ministry

TMPT7315

Mitigating Trauma

BTI Category

Semester

Practical/Pastoral Theology

SP25

Traumatization occurs at the interrelated social, psychic, and physiological boundaries of life and death. This course offers an introduction to trauma healing and prevention for contexts of pastoral and spiritual care. It surveys approaches to trauma developed in peacebuilding, public health, and psychology, as well as the emerging subfield of trauma theology. Assignments include a book review, a presentation, and a research paper. This is a discussion-based (not lecture-based) class. Close reading is required.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Heather M. DuBois

R

03:30PM-05:30PM

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Boston University School of Theology

STHTY 860

Introduction to Chaplaincy

BTI Category

Semester

Practical/Pastoral Theology

SP25

Organized around three competencies (interpersonal, organizational, and meaning- making), this focuses on the unique dimensions of what it means to provide spiritual care in public settings. The course provides opportunities for students: 1) to identify strengths they bring to the work; 2) explore various sectors of chaplaincy; 3) interact with working chaplains; and 4) engage historical, contemporary, and future-forecasting research on spiritual care in North America. The course is highly recommended for students pursuing chaplaincy, those discerning vocation in this area, and working chaplains eager for further study. The course also welcomes those who are not pursuing chaplaincy as a vocation and interested in the practice of spiritual care in public spaces.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Rambo, Shelly

R

12:30PM - 3:15PM

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary-Hamilton

CH/SF591

Dynamics of Spiritual Life

BTI Category

Semester

Practical/Pastoral Theology

SP25

Drawing on the Creation Redemption narrative and the riches of�the history of Christian Spirituality, the course presents a comprehensive model of spirituality that can be�used in personal renewal, spiritual formation, direction, discipleship, and counseling. �Combining theory�and praxis, it explores key spiritual dynamics, equipping for ministry to those seeking a deeper life with�Christ. �

Professor

Class Day & Time

Adams, Gwenfair

T

1:30-4:30pm

Grading Option

Letter, P/F, Audit

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

Y - with live meeting time

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary-Hamilton

MC701

Pastoral Ministry

BTI Category

Semester

Practical/Pastoral Theology

SP25

Examines the roles and functions of pastoral work as designated in Scripture�and various traditions. Ministerial identity and foundational pastoral tasks are discussed. Emphasizes�practical aspects of pastoral ministry.�

Professor

Class Day & Time

Lin, Davi

T

9am-12pm

Grading Option

Letter, P/F, Audit

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Harvard Divinity School

HDS 2938

Womanist and Black Feminist Approaches to Spiritual Care

BTI Category

Semester

Practical/Pastoral Theology

SP25

This course offers a womanist and Black feminist framework for understanding and practicing spiritual care, centering the lived experiences and well-being of Black women. Rooted in the principles of intersectionality, social justice, and activism, the course explores how race, gender, class, and sexuality intersect to shape Black women's realities, illuminating the social conditions that harm the human spirit and cause suffering. Drawing on the historical foundation of Africana Women's Studies, this course emphasizes the need for holistic care of mind, body, and spirit within communal and relational contexts. Students will examine how spiritual care can function as a practice of resistance, healing, and empowerment, with particular attention to the impact of systemic oppression. Through interdisciplinary readings, students will engage critical lenses to explore how care practices must address the structural forces�such as racism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, etc.�that undermine spiritual flourishing. This course challenges students to develop care models that integrate activism and community care, fostering the capacity to respond to social injustices. By the end of the course, students will have resources to offer spiritual care that not only nurtures individuals but also advocates for the liberation and collective well-being of communities.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Stephanie Sears

T

3:00pm - 4:59pm

Grading Option

Letter, P/F

Credits

4

Professor Approval Req'd?

Y

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

This is a limited enrollment course and requires instructor permission. Prospective students may email the instructor prior to the first class meeting to indicate their interest and be placed on a preliminary class list. Please note, the instructor will not reply to requests for enrollment but will consider, degree program, year, and reason for taking the class. In the event that the course is overenrolled, prospective students will be asked to write a short paragraph during the first class meeting to indicate the above information. Selected students will then be invited to enroll in the course via email by the end of the first day.

School

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

PAST 5301

Religious Education

BTI Category

Semester

Practical/Pastoral Theology

SP25

This course will explore basic questions related to the ministry of education in the life of the Orthodox Christian parish in North America. We will use the following questions as the basic organizing principles: Why do we teach in the Church? What is the goal of education in the Church? Does the Church have a curriculum? What can we learn from Acts 2:42-47 for parishes today? Who are we teaching? What are some approaches to the education of Christians? Who is going to teach? What is the role of the teacher? Because the class also has a field component through the Field Education program, where it is assumed that the students are teaching Sunday school, presenting the Faith to OCF groups, or working in educational settings, students will have the opportunity and will be expected to apply these skills in their field setting. Finally, there will be ample opportunity throughout the semester to reflect theologically on the experience of handing forward the Orthodox Christian faith.

Professor

Class Day & Time

His Grace Anton C. Vrame

R

1:10-3:30 PM

Grading Option

Letter/PF/Aud

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

PAST 6022 H1

Theology Of Pastoral Care II

BTI Category

Semester

Practical/Pastoral Theology

SP25

Theology of Pastoral Care II is intended to build upon Theology of Pastoral Care I by presenting a framework for understanding contemporary pastoral issues through the lens of Orthodox theology of the person, sickness, healing, and salvation. This class is not intended to provide you with the 'right' answers for pastoral decisions. Rather, this course is designed, through the readings, class discussions, and assignments to develop your understanding of Orthodox pastoral care and your thinking as an Orthodox Christian and future minister/pastor. The models of Orthodox Pastors/Saints explored in the first semester class serve as witnesses to the Orthodox pastoral care framework we will develop and discuss this semester as we explore contemporary pastoral issues, and secular theories and research. Particular attention will be placed on understanding how to access and integrate current secular knowledge into an Orthodox worldview todevelop an appropriate pastoral response. Students will be invited to explore and discuss different dimensions of the pastoral care relationship and explore, independently and as a class, how one might address contemporary pastoral care issues. As in the first semester, particular emphasis will be placed on how we work together in the classroom, and on campus, as we develop an Orthodox understanding and approach to pastoral care.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Dr. Philip Mamalakis

MW

9:10-10:30 AM

Grading Option

Letter/PF/Aud

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

Y

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

Y

Notes

N

School

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

PAST 7015 H1

Pastoral Couns.: Theory & Practice

BTI Category

Semester

Practical/Pastoral Theology

SP25

Listening is at the heart of pastoral counseling. Yet what the pastor/minister hears is shaped by his or her theoretical orientation, belief system, worldview, and lived experience. This course seeks to give students the opportunity to study different pastoral counseling theories as they go beyond the limits of their own stories in the context of practicing foundational counseling skills.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Dr. Philip Mamalakis

MW

6:30 - 8:50 PM

Grading Option

Letter/PF/Aud

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Boston College School of Theology & Ministry

TMPS7018

Death and Dying

BTI Category

Semester

Practical/Pastoral Theology

SP25

The study of death and dying is a complex, multidimensional, and evolving field. This course draws on contemporary theory and research to explore death and dying from multiple perspectives, including religious, theological, pastoral, and psychological. Topics include societal attitudes toward death; facing one's own death; cultural features of death and dying; end-of-life issues; children and death; funerals and the use of ritual in ministry to the dying; pastoral sensitivities and skills for ministering to the dying; and pressing contemporary concerns, such as death in the workplace, institutional death, violent death, and death in global perspective.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Melissa Kelley

F

09:00AM-12:00

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Boston College School of Theology & Ministry

TMPS7279

Conflict Transformation

BTI Category

Semester

Practical/Pastoral Theology

SP25

Conflict theory can enable constructive responses to situational disagreements and long-term relationship building. This course combines resources from secular conflict theory and Christian theology and ministry to foster transformation of micro (interpersonal), meso (communal), and macro (societal, international) level conflicts. Most texts reference the U.S. context, but other cultural perspectives are welcome. Assignments include regular short papers and a presentation. This is a discussion-based (not lecture-based) class. Close reading is required.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Heather M. DuBois

W

04:00PM-06:20PM

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Boston College School of Theology & Ministry

TMPS8046

Identity: From Discovery to Integration

BTI Category

Semester

Practical/Pastoral Theology

SP25

This course considers the process of identity formation, which comes to the fore in adolescence and is refined and integrated throughout adulthood. This course examines the questions and concerns that surround that discovery and integration process, particularly attending to how identity is problematized within postmodern contexts. Participants in this course pursue the question: how might we attend ministerially to young people growing through this process? Conducted in seminar format, participants are responsible for conducting topic discussions for the class. Prior coursework in youth and young adult ministry and/or developmental theory is required for registration. Permission required.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Theresa A. O'Keefe

W

10:00AM-12:50PM

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

Y

Notes

TMPS7041 or coursework in adolescent development

School

Boston College School of Theology & Ministry

TMPT7248

Screening Theology: Theology in and through Film

BTI Category

Semester

Practical/Pastoral Theology

SP25

Highlighting the possibility and potential of a theology of culture, this course explores the ways in which recent Hollywood movies can be used as resources to think about and even to rethink the meaning of key theological concepts such as ideas of God, human nature, sin, Christ/human redemption, and eschatological hope. Through brief lecture presentations, reading materials, the viewing of movies, and class discussions, students will be encouraged to consider how an appreciative and critical engagement with popular culture can allow for a relevant and contemporary practical theology.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Benjamin Valentin

R

03:30PM-06:20PM

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Boston University School of Theology

STHTY 826

Psychodynamics of Marriage and Family

BTI Category

Semester

Practical/Pastoral Theology

SP25

This is an introductory course that includes a comprehensive overview of the field of family systems and family therapy. This course will serve as an introduction to the theory and techniques of couples and family therapy. An attempt will be made to integrate theory and practice through assignments, class activities, and personal and professional self-reflection. Students will have the opportunity to reflect upon how they might actually use course content professionally in their respective disciplines.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Sandage, Steven

R

3:30PM - 6:15PM

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Boston University School of Theology

STHTY 926

Psychodynamics of Marriage and Family

BTI Category

Semester

Practical/Pastoral Theology

SP25

This course includes a comprehensive overview of the field of family systems and family therapy. It will serve as an introduction to the theory and techniques of couples and family therapy. An attempt will be made to integrate theory and practice through assignments, class activities, and personal and professional self-reflection. Students will have the opportunity to reflect upon how they might actually use course content professionally in their respective disciplines.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Sandage, Steven

R

3:30PM - 6:15PM

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

Y

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

PhD Students only; DOCTORAL

School

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary-Hamilton

CO728

Physiology, Complexity, and Human Behavior

BTI Category

Semester

Practical/Pastoral Theology

SP25

This course is designed to provide the student with a survey of fundamental elements of neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, neurotransmitters, pharmacology, genetics, human development and personality, and cultural influences that contribute to the understanding of human behavior as an emergent property of a complex dynamical system.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Domigan, Paul

W

1:30-4:30pm

Grading Option

Letter, P/F, Audit

Credits

4

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

Y - with live meeting time

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary-Hamilton

PC511

Intro to Pastoral Counseling

BTI Category

Semester

Practical/Pastoral Theology

SP25

Basic preparation for the complex task of pastoral care and�counseling. The focus is upon the pastor in the congregational setting. �

Professor

Class Day & Time

Lin, Davi

F

9am-12pm

Grading Option

Letter, P/F, Audit

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Harvard Divinity School

HDS 2951

The Varieties of Ecstatic Experience

BTI Category

Semester

Practical/Pastoral Theology

SP25

Visions, spirit possession, near-death experiences � experiences of ecstasy are universal in the history of religions. Psychology of religion attempts to explain such experiences using current understandings of the mind. At times, the study of ecstatic experiences has led psychologists to posit revised, even novel, models of the mind.This course will examine the dialectic between ecstatic experience and psychological theory. Starting with the work of William James, the course will survey writings on the psychology of ecstasy from the late 19th century up to contemporary authors like Tanya Luhrmann, Jeffrey Kripal, and Gananath Obeyesekere. We will read a mix of psychoanalysis, history of religions, and cognitive-neuroscience. Thematically, the course will focus on visionary events, spirit possession, revelations, and out-of-body or near-death experiences. We will balance readings in theory with historical accounts of ecstatic experiences.All students will have the option of writing a research paper.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Matthew Dillon

W

3:00pm - 4:59pm

Grading Option

Letter, P/F, Audit

Credits

4

Professor Approval Req'd?

Y

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

Interested students should email mdillon@hds.harvard.edu to request the course petition.

School

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

PAST 5301 A

Religious Education Field Ed

BTI Category

Semester

Practical/Pastoral Theology

SP25

Field Education

Professor

Class Day & Time

Stavroula Gurguliatos

NA

NA

Grading Option

Letter/PF/Aud

Credits

0

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

NA

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

PAST 6052 H1

Marriage and Family

BTI Category

Semester

Practical/Pastoral Theology

SP25

The course will examine the Orthodox theological understanding of marriage and family. It will include a focus on the characteristics of both healthy and unhealthy relationships. Issues which negatively affect marital and family relationships, such as addictions, as well as psychological, verbal, physical, and sexual abuse, will be examined. Attention will also be given to clergy marriages and the issue of clerical "burnout." The role of the pastoral caregiver in ministering to marriages and families will be emphasized.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Dr. Philip Mamalakis

TBA

TBA

Grading Option

Letter/PF/Aud

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

TBA

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

bottom of page