DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to provide an experience of pastoral care in the general or psychiatric hospital setting under the direct supervision of a certified Hospital Chaplain. Students will: 1) explore attitudes about disease, pain, suffering, psychic dysfunction, separation from family, and death and dying; 2 ) develop skills in the visitation of patients and in relating to hospital staff; 3) sharpen abilities to reflect theologically in connection with personal encounters in the hospital setting; and 4) participate in leading of worship or devotional programs as scheduled.

This course offers an introduction to the tasks and skills of ministry as a hospital chaplain in a general-medical and/or psychiatric institution.

The student will spend a minimum of 80 hours in the hospital setting in one 10-week period. During this time, the student will be given visitation assignments, meet regularly with the chaplain and other hospital staff for integrative and didactic sessions, and participate in worship or devotional services as assigned. The chaplain will provide training and lead discussions on topics relevant to hospital ministry. Students are required to attend all sessions.

A one-page book report in the form of a synopsis or reflective analysis will be completed on each of three books to be selected in consultation with the supervising chaplain.

Regular and punctual attendance, completion of all visitation assignments, attendance at all scheduled seminars, participation in at least one chapel service, completion of at least two written (typed) verbatims, three book reviews, and one personal evaluation report to be submitted the tenth week of the quarter by the supervising Chaplain and the student to the Office of Field Education. NOTE: Substitute assignments may be given by the chaplain, but equivalent material must be submitted.

Pre-enrollment with the Office of Field Education is necessary. The location of the assignment varies and is pre-arranged with the Field Education Office. Every attempt is made to select a hospital setting that is most convenient and helpful to the student. All students will complete an orientation with the assigned chaplain at the beginning of the internship.

Meets FE2 Field Education M.Div. requirement (MIN 7). This practicum is offered pass/fail for two units.

None.