Unit Descriptions
Undergraduate Business Units
Postgraduate Business Units
UNDERGRADUATE SOCIAL SCIENCES UNITS
CD101 INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
This unit introduces the theoretical and practical components of community development. Beginning from an understanding of community experiences and trends, students will learn how community development practices and principles can enable them to respond to contemporary needs. The unit will provide connections between the private world of the practitioner, the groups and associations with which one may work, and the broader public and policy realms in which the practitioner will move. Issues such as community profiling, skills in community development, maintaining hope, and working with groups will be discussed with reference to areas of community need such as mental health, refugees and youth.
CD211 SERVANT LEADERSHIP *
Christians are called to make disciples of all nations, to influence society with kingdom principles and relationship with the King. Many times Christians have followed worldly ideas of leadership – hierarchy, power, direction. This unit seeks to explore leadership through the concept of servanthood both through a reflective process and actual practice.
CD212 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLACEMENT I
This unit involves a 200-hour supervised placement within a community development context that allows students to develop and enhance relevant skills, apply theoretical perspectives studied in the classroom, appreciate the organisational dynamics of community development settings and the challenges of building relationships with community members and groups, and establish appropriate strategies and procedures within a specific practical environment.
CD213 BUILDING CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY *
This unit surveys a wide variety of models of Christian community from the early church to the present day. Various sociological perspectives on the nature of communities are introduced, and students are required to participate in some form of Christian community. Students are challenged to reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of a range of approaches to Christian community, and to develop their own theoretical framework for building Christian community.
CD253 CROSS CULTURAL EXPERIENCE *
This unit is designed to challenge students with an exposure to and analysis of cross-cultural contexts and experiences. Students will visit at least one other culture and experience the lived outcome of different social, cultural, economic and religious beliefs and traditions. Worldview and missional understandings will be used to examine that culture and to compare it with personal beliefs and experiences.
CD260 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PRACTICE *
It is important for community development workers to be able to draw on a practice framework – understanding and applying models, approaches, strategies – to make sense of their practice in the wide variety of community development contexts that exist today. This unit is intended to provide students with understandings and practical skills relevant to working with communities of people in a variety of settings utilising a range of approaches and models of community development practice.
CD312 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLACEMENT II
This unit involves a 200-hour supervised placement within a community development context that allows students to develop and enhance relevant skills, apply theoretical perspectives studied in the classroom, appreciate the organisational dynamics of community settings and the challenges of building relationships with community members and groups, and establish appropriate strategies and procedures within a specific practical environment. This placement is designed to build on the theoretical and practical knowledge gained in CD212 Community Development Placement I, and will provide further opportunity to engage in self-directed community development activities.
CD353 MARTYRS, RADICALS AND SAINTS: A CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL SPIRITUALITY
This unit allows students to study and critically engage with primary writings of First and Two-Thirds World Christian leaders who have combined theological reflection, spirituality, and the work of justice and social transformation. As students explore the lives and spirituality of these men and women, they also reflect on their own theology and strategies for social change.
CD354 TRANSFORMATION THEOLOGY
This unit forms a biblical, theological and practical reflection on the role and task of Christians in society, and especially changes in society, which community development seeks to engender. The unit gives an understanding of historical, theological and sociological perspectives which form a foundation for societal change and community development.
CH101 INTRODUCTION TO CHAPLAINCY
This unit is intended to provide students with a clearer understanding of the nature of chaplaincy as a Christian ministry and the contexts in which chaplains may be operate. It will examine the nature and theological framework of chaplaincy, its scope and limitations, and compare the different contexts in which chaplaincy is commonly undertaken.
CH161 CHAPLAINCY MICRO SKILLS *
The unit focuses on developing practical micro-skills and an understanding of the communication process to a level where students can operate successfully in a practicum placement.
CH200 CHAPLAINCY CONTEXTS
This unit gives students the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of a specific chaplaincy role, complementing the more generic studies in other units.
CH212 CHAPLAINCY PLACEMENT I
Chaplaincy practice is an essential part of training in this field. In this unit, students will take part in a chaplaincy placement of 200 hours, in order to observe and to take part in a realistic chaplaincy context, under the supervision of an experienced chaplaincy practitioner.
CH260 FRAMEWORKS FOR CHAPLAINCY *
This unit is intended to provide students with understandings and practical skills relevant to working as chaplains in a variety of contexts, utilising a range of approaches and models of pastoral care practice. It also explores a chaplaincy practice framework – understanding and applying models, approaches, strategies.
CH312 CHAPLAINCY PLACEMENT II
This unit enables students to practise, in a realistic placement setting, the skills and understandings which have been gained across the unit. Students will have the opportunity to function within a chaplaincy setting under the observation of a supervisor, working independently wherever possible in the performance of designated tasks and processes typical of chaplaincy in the selected setting.
CH360 CHAPLAINCY PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE *
Building on previous studies of chaplaincy issues and on previous experience, this unit examines practice issues in chaplaincy, and enables students to undertake an analysis of a range of pastoral care issues as well as practical skills relevant to working as a chaplain in a variety of contexts. Students will also examine protocols and procedures, reflecting relevant organisational structures and functions.
HB101 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
This unit introduces students to a broad overview of the field of psychology. Topics include the science of psychology, the nervous system, perception, motivation, intelligence, emotions, memory, psychological disorders and treatment. This study allows students to explore a number of possible future interest areas in psychology.
HB111 PERSONAL AND SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS *
It is essential that counsellors should be able to differentiate their own personal issues from those of their clients, and that they have to come to some measure of wholeness before seeking to apply intervention strategies with others. This unit focuses on models of personality, the self, and issues arising from the interaction of the family of origin, as a context for students to explore personal areas of strength and weakness.
HB121 HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
This unit focuses on development through the lifespan, with identification of growth from preschool to old age. Topics include cognitive, social, moral, physical and spiritual development. Theories explored include both social constructivist theories as well as stage models.
HB161 BASIC COUNSELLING SKILLS *
The unit focuses on practical counselling skills and an understanding of the counselling process, and is designed ideally to follow HB162 Connecting to the Human Story. Whereas that unit gives an experiential and conceptual base for counselling, this unit focuses on practice and development of counselling skills to a level where students can transition to HB261 Processes and Strategies in Counselling, which focuses on advanced skills and skills from specific theories.
HB162 CONNECTING WITH THE HUMAN STORY *
This unit is concerned with formation. The focus is on extending students’ capacity to companion troubled people in ways that are hospitable, authentic, compassionate, non-judgmental, non-directive and helpful. The focus will be on deepening the experience of walking with others, extending the capacity for redemptive listening, and fostering an action-prayer-reflection rhythm as basic to interpersonal encounters.
HB171 INTRODUCTION TO PASTORAL CARE
This unit introduces models and contexts of pastoral care, with particular emphasis on the church context. It also explores foundational Christian truths and their relevance to pastoral counselling practice. Students will learn basic counselling skills and will be introduced to several approaches to pastoral counselling by recognised practitioners. Awareness will also be developed of the ethics and limitations of pastoral care, and of the need for appropriate referrals to specialist help.
HB220 HUMAN BEHAVIOUR IN ORGANISATIONS
This unit introduces concepts that provide a framework for understanding human behaviour and examines their application to business and management. It examines relevant aspects of individual human behaviour, as well as behaviour in groups and organisations. It provides Christian perspectives on human behaviour and seeks to integrate these with psychological models and understandings.
HB225 LEADERSHIP AND CHANGE MANAGEMENT
This unit examines issues of leadership, organisational change and development. Topics include leadership theories, organisational culture, and change processes and strategies. Both personal and professional dimensions of leadership and organisational development are developed, and moral and ethical issues arising in change management are examined.
HB252 INTRODUCTION TO COUNSELLING THEORIES
This unit provides students with an introduction to the particular distinctives of counselling and an overview of the counselling process. The major focus of this unit is to provide an overview of leading approaches to counselling, and the psychological theories underlying them.
HB261 PROCESSES AND STRATEGIES IN COUNSELLING *
This subject builds on the skills and knowledge gained in the units HB161 Basic Counselling Skills and HB162 Connecting to the Human Story to develop advanced skills and strategies for a range of counselling contexts. It includes a detailed analysis of the various stages of the counselling process and the relationship between the counsellor and the counsellee. The emphasis of this unit is on the development of practical skills necessary in counselling and awareness of spiritual aspects of the counselling process.
HB262 GROUP PROCESSES *
Group processes and dynamics are an important aspect of many forms of social interaction. This unit focuses on theory and practice to improve students’ abilities to facilitate group functioning and individual growth in a group context, with particular reference to people-helping professions.
HB271 CHRISTIAN APPROACHES TO COUNSELLING
This unit aims to identify and clarify key features of Christian thinking in the domain of counselling. It includes an historical overview of the Church’s contribution to pastoral care and counselling, and examines the specific approaches of leading contemporary Christian practitioners. It also explores the distinctive theological and philosophical issues which arise for Christians in the context of counselling.
HB282 MAJOR ISSUES IN COUNSELLING
This unit gives a broad overview of issues which may be the focus of counselling for many people in the community. It provides a foundation for responding to these issues sensitively and helping others in their responses to the situations in which they find themselves. It also encourages students to identify the relevance of these issues to their own lives, and to consider their own limitations and other ethical dimensions when responding to clients presenting with these concerns.
HB300 COUNSELLING PRACTICUM I
Counselling practice is an essential part of training in this field. In this unit, students will take part in a counselling placement. They will observe as well as take part in the counselling process, and keep a reflective journal to encourage self-evaluation and personal growth. They will also be involved in a supervisory relationship as a foundation for continued supervision.
HB301 SUPERVISED COUNSELLING PRACTICUM
Counselling practice is an essential part of training in this field. In this unit, students will take part in a counselling placement. They will take part in the counselling process, and will keep a reflective journal to encourage self-evaluation and personal growth. They will also be involved in a supervisory relationship as a foundation for continued supervision.
HB310 THEOLOGY OF COUNSELLING
This unit explores fundamental theological issues which form the basis for a Christian understanding of the counselling process. Areas examined include the process of change and renewal in the individual, grace and law, the role of the Holy Spirit, the healing community and a theology of suffering. Students will thus develop a theological grounding for their counselling practice.
HB325 HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
This unit addresses the objectives and problems associated with human resource management in organizations. Topics include job analysis and design, human resource planning, recruitment and selection, training and development, performance appraisal, career planning, motivation and leadership, compensation and benefits, occupational health and safety, industrial relations, the legal environment, HRM auditing, and emerging trends.
HB351 EVALUATING APPROACHES TO COUNSELLING
This unit critically evaluates theoretical approaches to counselling and examines their practical applications. The psychological and philosophical presuppositions underpinning specific theories are specifically evaluated and compared with Biblical understanding in order to provide a high level of analytical understanding. Students are encouraged to reflect on how the models discussed in this model will contribute to their own developing practice as a counsellor.
HB366 REFLECTIVE COUNSELLING PRACTICE *
This unit builds on the experiences gained in the unit HB261 Processes and Strategies in Counselling to enhance skills and strategies, as well as developing a “personal-practitioner framework” linked to theoretical frameworks and real world applications. Students will practise counselling skills and review progress with peers and a supervisor. The supervision process is emphasised with a view to continued supervisory processes and relationships in counselling practice.
HB380 ADDICTIVE BEHAVIOURS: COUNSELLING INTERVENTIONS
This unit provides a framework for counselling people who exhibit various forms of compulsive behaviours. It investigates the causes and characteristics of compulsive behaviours and explores a range of appropriate strategies for intervention, including twelve-step programs.
HB382 CHILD AND ADOLESCENT ISSUES
This unit focuses on the issues met by counsellors of children and adolescents, and provides foundations for helping this age group. Emphasis is given to the developmental issues of young people and the particular societal pressures they face, and the skills necessary for counselling this age group are addressed.
HB383 RELATIONSHIP AND FAMILY ISSUES
Much of counselling and welfare work focuses on the person in relationship. Human service workers must be fully aware of their own attitudes to family relationships, their own family of origin and the issues which commonly confront couples and families today, as well as the wide variety of family units now functioning in society. This unit focuses on aspects of relationships including roles, expectations, conflicts, pre-marriage, divorce, remarriage, parenting and sexuality. It also provides opportunity for students to engage these issues from a distinctively Christian perspective.
HB385 ABUSE ISSUES
This unit addresses the complex issues of abuse that occur in society. It is designed to raise students’ awareness of the forms and nature of abusive practices, to underscore the trauma responses of individuals, families and communities, to outline special concerns and issues relevant to particular forms of abuse, and to examine appropriate responses for dealing with abuse. It also examines a range of strategies for the prevention of abuse and treatment of victims and offenders.
HB386 GRIEF AND TRAUMA: COUNSELLING INTERVENTIONS
Ordinary life is frequently touched with loss – death, marriage breakup, life-threatening illness, financial disaster, loss of career, dislocation, loss of dreams. People often seek help to address losses in their lives, either sudden or expected. Counsellors and other people helpers are often asked to counsel people who have come through a trauma – suicide, accident, disaster, etc. This unit explores responses to trauma and crisis events and the process of dealing with grief associated with trauma, as well as grief that is met in the normal course of life.
HB388 GENDER AND SEXUALITY: COUNSELLING INTERVENTIONS
Human sexuality and gender are important aspects of humanness. Today a wide range of views on sexuality and gender are debated in society, and counsellors need to understand not only the different perspectives but also the basis of their own beliefs. This unit investigates a range of views but especially examines Christian perspectives, as well as important counselling interventions.
LA110 ACADEMIC COMMUNICATION
This unit is designed to offer students an overview of communication specifically related to the academic sphere. It focuses on the development of skills required for academic success at the tertiary level, including researching for an essay, referencing and writing. Oral communication is also included.
SO101 AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY: INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
This foundational unit in Sociology provides students with the content knowledge and theoretical understandings needed to investigate, analyse and reflect upon Australian society from a sociological perspective. The unit explores key sociological theories and perspectives that students will apply to critique and investigate the social processes, institutions and cultural symbols and norms that contribute to the sociological heart of this nation. These sociological frameworks will all be filtered through a distinctively Christian perspective and a biblical rationale for this field of study will be personally shaped and moulded throughout this unit.
SO242 SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH METHODS
This unit introduces students to research methodologies which are commonly used in the social sciences. It provides a foundational understanding of both quantitative and qualitative methods of research, and equips students to evaluate and critique the reliability of statistical data. In this way, students are equipped to be informed consumers of social science research and active participants in research activities.
SO302 UNDERSTANDING HUMANNESS
This unit explores what it means to be human. It recognises that the nature of the human being has been thought about from many differing perspectives: philosophical, anthropological and sociological, psychological, cultural, biological and religious. Using a theological starting point, the unit seeks to evaluate differing perspectives on being human and to explore the nature of the human being in spiritual, social, ethical and economic relationships.
SO391 DIRECTED STUDY IN SOCIAL SCIENCES
This unit gives students the opportunity to plan and implement study in areas of personal interest. It is expected that most projects will consist of both a practice or personal reflection component and a theoretical component. The Directed Study enables students to focus on approved topics in some depth and to present research in a comprehensive report or essay.
WE101 INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN SERVICES
This unit provides an overview of the welfare sector in Australia. It begins with an historical overview of the provision of community services, and continues with a broad survey of the scope of human services practice in contemporary Australia, including an examination of important conceptual frameworks and philosophical debates. The unit concludes with a detailed examination of key areas of human services provision, including employment, families and children, and youth.
WE201 WORKING IN HUMAN SERVICES ORGANISATIONS
This unit focuses on issues of practice within the human services sector. Students will be equipped to meet the day-to-day demands of working in a human services organisation, investigate relevant legislative and ethical issues, and explore the personal and professional dimensions of human services practice.
WE212 SUPERVISED WELFARE PRACTICUM
This unit involves a 200 hour supervised placement within a human services context that allows students to develop and enhance relevant skills, apply theoretical perspectives studied in the classroom, appreciate the organisational dynamics of human service settings and the challenges of building relationships with clients, and establish appropriate strategies and procedures within a specific practical environment.
WE251 ETHICS, POLICY AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES
Human service workers today are required to work in a range of contexts and circumstances which require a solid understanding of relevant policy, legal and ethical issues. This unit introduces students to these issues and assists them to begin to develop their own frameworks for working ethically and professionally within the field of human services.
WE260 HUMAN SERVICES PRACTICE *
It is important for human services workers to be able to draw on a human services practice framework – understanding and applying models, approaches, strategies – to make sense of their practice in the wide variety of human services contexts that exist today. This unit is intended to provide students with understandings and practical skills relevant to working with people in a variety of settings utilising a range of approaches and models of human services practice.
WE281 HUMAN SERVICES PRACTICE FIELDS
This unit gives a broad overview of a variety of practice fields which may by the focus of human services work for contemporary practitioners. It provides a foundation for understanding the issues involved in each of these areas and assists students to begin to develop understanding as to how to work effectively in these contexts.
WE301 REFLECTING ON HUMAN SERVICES
This unit encourages students to consider human services theory and application from a number of viewpoints, including post-structuralist, feminist, social justice, cultural and theological perspectives. Students are also encouraged to develop their own views on these issues and to develop skills with which to conduct ongoing critical analysis within their profession.
WE312 HUMAN SERVICES PLACEMENT II
This unit involves a 200-hour supervised placement within a human services context that allows students to develop and enhance relevant skills, apply theoretical perspectives studied in the classroom, appreciate the organisational dynamics of human service settings and the challenges of building relationships with clients, and establish appropriate strategies and procedures within a specific practical environment. This placement is designed to build on the theoretical and practical knowledge gained in WE212 Supervised Welfare Practicum, and will provide further opportunity to engage in self-directed human services activities.
WE363 ADVOCACY, MEDIATION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION *
This unit is designed to introduce students to the theory and practice of advocacy, mediation and conflict resolution, including through personal experience in these activities. In addition, students will reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches and begin to form a framework in which to undertake these tasks for themselves.
YO101 INTRODUCTION TO YOUTH STUDIES
This unit is intended to provide students with an understanding of the nature of youth work as a Christian ministry and the contexts in which youth work may be undertaken. It examines the aims and objectives of ministry to youth, its scope and limitations, and compares different contexts in which youth work is commonly undertaken.
YO121 UNDERSTANDING YOUNG PEOPLE
This unit investigates various aspects of human development, including such topics as life-span theories and cognitive, emotional, moral and spiritual growth. The unit identifies processes which influence both developmental and individual differences, with an emphasis on young people aged 12 to 25 years.
YO202 THE SOCIO-CULTURAL WORLDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE
This unit is designed to introduce students to some of the social and cultural factors and contexts which shape the world of young people today. It investigates the different and sometimes-conflicting images of young people constructed by the media, and public policy. The unit addresses interventions that youth workers might access in their work with young people. The unit also examines some of the ways in which young people see themselves.
YO211 YOUTH MINISTRY PLACEMENT I
Youth ministry practice is an essential part of training in this field. In this unit, students will take part in a youth ministry placement in order to observe and to take part in a realistic youth ministry context, under the supervision of an experienced youth ministry practitioner.
YO212 YOUTH WELFARE PLACEMENT I
Youth welfare practice is an essential part of training in this field. In this unit, students will take part in a youth welfare placement equivalent to 200 hours, in order to observe and to take part in a realistic youth welfare context, under the supervision of an experienced youth welfare practitioner.
YO220 PASTORAL CARE OF YOUNG PEOPLE
This unit addresses the question of pastoral care for young people both in terms of proactive personal and spiritual formation, and in terms of helping teenagers who are facing major life issues. Students will evaluate different models of pastoral care amongst young people, and consider the opportunities and challenges of pastoral care in a range of contexts, including ethical considerations.
YO231 SCHOOL CHAPLAINCY
This unit provides students with the opportunity to reflect critically on different models of school chaplaincy and to gain greater understanding of the realities of working as a chaplain in a school community. The different roles and responsibilities which arise in school chaplaincy contexts will be examined and attention will be paid to maintaining appropriate relationships with school authorities, other support workers, government agencies and the wider school community.
YO260 YOUTH WORK PRACTICE *
This unit is designed to run parallel with YO212 Youth Welfare Placement I or YO312 Youth Welfare Placement II to give students an opportunity to critically engage with philosophical, theological, ethical, legal and practical issues in the conduct of youth work. Students critique a variety of models of working with young people and consider their relevance to their practicum experience. An action-reflection process will allow students to develop important practical skills necessary for effective youth work.
YO262 GROUP PROCESSES *
Group processes and dynamics are an important aspect of many forms of social interaction. This unit focuses on theory and practice to improve students’ abilities to facilitate group functioning and individual growth in a group context, with particular reference to people-helping professions.
YO311 YOUTH MINISTRY PLACEMENT II
This unit enables students to put into practice in a realistic placement setting the skills and understandings which have been gained across the course as a whole. Students will have the opportunity to function within a youth ministry setting under the observation of a supervisor, working independently wherever possible in the performance of designated tasks and processes typical of youth ministry in the specific setting.
YO312 YOUTH WELFARE PLACEMENT II
This unit enables students to implement in a realistic placement setting the skills and understandings that have been gained across the course. Students will have the opportunity to function within a youth welfare setting under the observation of a supervisor, working independently wherever possible in the performance of designated tasks and processes typical of youth welfare practice in the specific setting.
YO361 YOUTH WORK POLICY AND PROCEDURES *
This unit utilises a range of approaches and models of youth work to provide students with understandings of and practical skills relevant to youth work in a variety of contexts. Building on previous study of youth work practice, this unit examines practical issues in chaplaincy today, and enables students to undertake an analysis of a range of youth work issues.
YO381 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FOR SCHOOL CHAPLAINS
This unit seeks to provide chaplains, with or without teacher training, with an overview of the issues surrounding religious education in school contexts. It endeavours to prepare school chaplains with some of the skills and theories to teach and/or coordinate RE programs in school settings.
CD413 BUILDING CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY *
This unit surveys a wide variety of models of Christian community from the early church to the present day. Various sociological perspectives on the nature of communities are introduced, and students are required to participate in some form of Christian community. Students are challenged to reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of a range of approaches to Christian community, and to develop their own theoretical framework for building Christian community.
CD453 MARTYRS, RADICALS AND SAINTS: A CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL SPIRITUALITY
This unit allows students to study and critically engage with primary writings of First and Two-Thirds World Christian leaders who have combined theological reflection, spirituality and the work of justice and social transformation. As students explore the lives and spirituality of these people, they also reflect on their own theology and strategies for social change.
CD454 TRANSFORMATION THEOLOGY
This unit forms a biblical, theological and practical reflection on the role and task of Christians in society, and especially changes in society, which community development seeks to engender. The unit gives an understanding of historical, theological and sociological perspectives which form a foundation for societal change and community development.
CH412 CHAPLAINCY PLACEMENT
This unit enables students to put into practice in a realistic placement setting the skills and understandings which have been gained across the course as a whole. Students will have the opportunity to function within a chaplaincy setting under the observation of a supervisor, working independently wherever possible in the performance of designated tasks and processes typical of chaplaincy in the selected setting.
CH460 CHAPLAINCY PRACTICE *
It is important for chaplains to be able to draw on a chaplaincy practice framework – understanding and applying models, approaches, strategies – to make sense of their ministry in those contexts. This unit is intended to provide students with understandings and practical skills relevant to working as a chaplain in a variety of contexts.
HB400 SUPERVISED COUNSELLING PRACTICUM
Counselling practice is an essential part of training in this field. In this unit the student will take part in a counselling placement. Students will observe as well as take part in the counselling process, and will keep a reflective journal to encourage self-evaluation and personal growth. They will also be involved in a supervisory relationship as a foundation for continued supervision.
HB401 INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN BEHAVIOUR
This unit introduces the student to a broad overview of the field of psychology. Topics include the science of psychology, the nervous system, perception, motivation, intelligence, emotions, memory, psychological disorders and treatment. This study allows the student to explore a number of possible future interest areas in psychology.
HB410 THEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES
This unit explores fundamental theological issues that form the basis for a Christian understanding of the counselling process. Areas examined include the process of change and renewal in the individual, grace and law, the role of the Holy Spirit, the healing community and a theology of suffering. Students will thus develop a theological grounding for their counselling practice.
HB411 THE PERSON OF THE COUNSELLOR
It is essential that those working in people helping professions should be able to differentiate their own personal issues from those of others, and that they have to come to some measure of wholeness before seeking to apply intervention strategies with others. This unit focuses on models of personality, the self, and issues arising from the interaction of the family of origin, as a context for students to explore personal areas of strength and weakness.
HB421 THEORIES OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
This unit focuses on development through the lifespan, with identification of growth from preschool to old age. Topics include cognitive, social, moral, physical and spiritual development. Theories explored include both social constructivist theories and stage models.
HB452 COUNSELLING THEORIES
This unit critically evaluates theoretical approaches to counselling and examines practical applications of these approaches. The psychological and philosophical presuppositions underpinning specific theories are specifically evaluated and compared with Biblical understanding in order to provide a high level of analytical understanding.
HB454 MAJOR APPROACHES TO COUPLE COUNSELLING
This unit discusses at least one theoretical approach to couple counselling and evaluates how it fits into the broader theoretical framework and methodological presuppositions that underlie major contemporary models of couple counselling. The psychological and philosophical basis of these models of relationship counselling are critically evaluated and compared with biblical understanding in order to encourage a high level of analytical understanding.
HB460 ATTENDING TO THE HUMAN STORY *
This unit is concerned with the foundations of interpersonal communication. The focus is on students understanding themselves and extending their capacity to companion troubled people in ways that are hospitable, authentic, compassionate, non-judgmental, non-directive and helpful. The focus will be on deepening the experience of walking with others, extending the capacity for redemptive listening, and fostering an action-prayer-reflection rhythm as basic to interpersonal encounters.
HB461 ADVANCED PROCESSES AND STRATEGIES IN COUNSELLING *
This unit builds on the skills and knowledge gained in previous studies and experience to develop advanced strategies for a range of counselling contexts. It will include a detailed analysis of the various stages of the counselling process and the relationship between the counsellor and the counsellee. The emphasis of this unit is on the further development of practical skills necessary in counselling and awareness of spiritual aspects of the counselling process. HB460 Attending to the Human Story is a prerequisite for this unit.
HB462 REFLECTIVE GROUP PROCESS *
Group processes and dynamics are an important aspect of many forms of social interaction. This unit focuses on theory and practice to improve students’ abilities to facilitate group functioning and individual growth in a group context, with particular reference to people-helping professions.
HB464 COUPLE COUNSELLING I *
The emphasis of this unit is the development of both practical skills necessary in counselling and spiritual aspects of the counselling process. This unit will focus specifically on the additional dynamics inherent in the relational counselling context.
HB465 COUPLE COUNSELLING II *
Students will learn specific skills of therapy and personal reflection derived from Schnarch’s differentiation approach in the context of a broader framework of couple counselling approaches. The skills and strategies learned will enable students to deal more effectively with those who present for relationship counselling.
HB466 REFLECTIVE PRACTICE*
This unit builds on the experiences gained in HB461 Advanced Processes and Strategies in Counselling to enhance skills and strategies, as well as developing a “personal-practitioner framework” linked to theoretical frameworks and real world applications. Students will practise counselling skills and review progress with peers and a supervisor. The supervision process is emphasised as students will concurrently be involved in actual counselling practice.
HB471 CHRISTIAN APPROACHES TO COUNSELLING
This unit identifies key features of Christian thinking in the domain of counselling. It includes an historical overview of the Church’s contribution to pastoral care and counselling, and examines the specific approaches of leading contemporary Christian practitioners. It also explores the distinctive theological and philosophical issues including an understanding of the person and how this affects conceptualisations of counselling.
HB482 MAJOR ISSUES IN COUNSELLING
This unit gives a broad overview of a variety of issues which may be the focus of counselling for many people in the community. It provides a foundation for responding to these issues sensitively and helping others in their responses to the situations in which they find themselves.
HB483 RELATIONSHIP AND FAMILY ISSUES
Those working as counsellors, chaplains and in the human services must be fully aware of their own attitudes to family relationships, their own family of origin and the issues which commonly confront couples and families today, as well as the wide variety of family units now functioning in society. This unit focuses on aspects of relationships including roles, expectations, conflicts, pre-marriage, divorce, remarriage, parenting and sexuality and ethical responses to these issues.
HB511 THE TRANSFORMATION PROCESS
Personal growth and counselling are about the process of transformation, including emotional, cognitive and spiritual aspects. This unit focuses on students’ personal journeys, with emphasis on broadening experience and understanding to include historical Christian practices, such as silence, solitude and spiritual direction, often overlooked in contemporary protestant experience.
HB562 COMMUNITY AND TRANSFORMATION
Counsellors working with groups require an in-depth understanding of group processes and skills. This unit focuses on theory and practice to improve counsellors’ abilities to facilitate group functioning and individual growth in a group context, as well as to be able to interpret group dynamics in other church and community contexts.
HB565 PRACTICE REFLECTION INTEGRATION I *
This unit builds on the experiences and learning gained in HB466 Reflective Practice by helping students to develop a foundational understanding of narrative therapy as a major model of counselling, with the expectation that they will then begin to apply this approach with their clients. Students’ own counselling will form the basis of the learning approach in this unit, via utilisation of an experientially based action-reflection cycle and reflective teams. Opportunities to consider theoretical models of clinical supervision and for personal and Christian critique of counselling theory and practice are also emphasised.
HB566 PRACTICE REFLECTION INTEGRATION II *
This unit is designed to assist students to develop an advanced understanding of the theory and practice of narrative therapy, with the expectation that they will then be able to apply this approach at a competent and effective level with their clients. The students’ own counselling will form the basis of the learning approach in this unit, via utilisation of an experientially based action-reflection cycle, reflective teams and peer group supervision. Several major models of clinical supervision (including narrative therapy based supervision) as well as a personal and Christian critique of counselling are also emphasised.
HB576 SUPERVISION
This unit addresses both theoretical and practical aspects of supervision, so that students can develop competence in providing professional supervision to other counsellors. Supervision focuses on reflection of the counselling process, personal issues and development, transference, and counter-transference.
HB580 ADDICTIVE BEHAVIOURS: COUNSELLING INTERVENTIONS
This unit provides a framework for counselling people who have problems related to substance abuse and other addictive substances or behaviours. It investigates the causes and characteristics of compulsive behaviours, and explores a range of appropriate strategies for intervention, including twelve-step programs.
HB582 CHILD AND ADOLESCENT ISSUES
This unit focuses on the major issues that counsellors of children and adolescents deal with and provides foundations for helping this particular group. Emphasis is placed on the developmental issues young people face as well as the particular societal pressures felt by them. Skills necessary for counselling this age group are also developed.
HB585 ABUSE ISSUES
This unit addresses the complex issues of abuse that occur in society. It is designed to raise students’ awareness of the forms and nature of abusive practices, to underscore the trauma responses of individuals, families and communities, to outline special concerns and issues relevant to particular forms of abuse, and to examine appropriate responses for dealing with abuse. It also examines a range of strategies for the prevention of abuse and treatment of victims and offenders.
HB586 GRIEF AND TRAUMA: COUNSELLING INTERVENTIONS
Ordinary life is frequently touched with loss – death, marriage breakup, life-threatening illness, financial disaster, loss of career, dislocation, loss of dreams. People often seek help to address losses in their lives, either sudden or expected. Counsellors and other people helpers are often asked to counsel people who have come through a trauma – suicide, accident, disaster, etc. This unit explores responses to trauma and crisis events and the process of dealing with grief associated with trauma, as well as grief that is met in the normal course of life.
HB588 GENDER AND SEXUALITY: COUNSELLING INTERVENTIONS
Human sexuality and gender are important aspects of humanness. Society debates a wide range of views on sexuality and gender, and counsellors need to understand not only the different perspectives but the basis of their own beliefs. This unit will investigate and critically reflect upon a range of views but will especially examine Christian perspectives.
HB590 EXTENDED DIRECTED STUDY (20 credit points)
This unit gives students the opportunity to plan and implement a comprehensive study in areas of personal interest directly related to the theory and practice of counselling. It is expected that most projects will consist of a practice or personal reflection component, and a theoretical component. The Extended Direct Study enables students to focus on approved topics in considerable depth and to present the research in a comprehensive report or essay.
HB591 DIRECTED STUDY IN HUMAN STUDIES
This unit gives students the opportunity to plan and implement study in areas of personal interest. It is expected that most projects will consist of a practice or personal reflection component and a theoretical component. The Directed Study enables students to focus on approved topics in some depth and to present the research in a comprehensive report or essay.
SO402 ON BEING HUMAN
This unit explores what it means to be human. It recognises that the nature of the human being has been thought about from many differing perspectives: philosophical, anthropological and sociological, psychological, cultural, biological and religious. This unit uses a theological starting point to evaluate differing perspectives on being human and to explore the nature of the human being in their spiritual, social, ethical and economic relationships.
SO502 THE PERSON IN SOCIETY
The focus of this unit is the broader perspective of societal factors and how they influence the individual. Part of this process is understanding how the counsellor’s own conceptualisations of problems are influenced by society. Particular emphases are labelling and pathology, ethical process, social justice, and feminism.
SO542 RESEARCH METHODS
This unit introduces students to a range of research designs and methodologies. It provides a foundational understanding of both quantitative and qualitative methods of research, and equips students to be critical and discerning consumers of the published research of others. Students undertaking this unit will develop their understanding of a range of research designs, and will investigate the processes and principles that ensure that research is valid, reliable and useful within a particular research orientation.
SO590 EXTENDED DIRECTED STUDY (20 credit points)
This unit gives students opportunity to plan and implement a comprehensive study in areas of personal interest directly related to a specific aspect of the social sciences. It is expected that most projects will consist of both a practice or personal reflection component and a theoretical component. The Extended Directed Study enables students to focus on an approved topic in considerable depth and to present the research in a comprehensive report or essay.
SO591 DIRECTED STUDY IN SOCIAL SCIENCE
This unit gives students the opportunity to plan and implement study in areas of personal interest. It is expected that most projects will consist of a practice or personal reflection component and a theoretical component. The Directed Study enables students to focus on approved topics in some depth and to present the research in a comprehensive report or essay.
WE401 HUMAN SERVICES ORGANISATIONS
This unit focuses on issues of practice within the human services sector. Students will be equipped to meet the day to day demands of working in a human services organisation, will investigate relevant legislative and ethical issues, and will explore the personal and professional dimensions of human services practice. In addition students will critically reflect on important theoretical and practical aspects of the unit content.
WE501 REFLECTING ON THE HUMAN SERVICES
This unit will encourage students to consider human services theory and application from a number of viewpoints, including post-structuralist, feminist, social justice, cultural and theological perspectives. Students will also be encouraged to develop their own views on these issues and to develop skills with which to conduct ongoing critical analysis within their profession.
WE563 ADVOCACY, MEDIATION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION*
This unit is designed to introduce students to the theory and practice of advocacy, mediation and conflict resolution, including through personal experience in these activities. In addition, students will reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches and begin to form a framework in which to undertake these tasks for themselves.
YO402 YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR SOCIO-CULTURAL WORLDS
This unit is designed to introduce students to some of the social and cultural factors and contexts which shape the world of young people today. It investigates the different and sometimes-conflicting images of young people constructed by the media, and public policy. The unit addresses interventions that youth workers might access in their work with young people. The unit also examines some of the ways in which young people see themselves.
YO411 YOUTH MINISTRY PLACEMENT
This unit enables the unit to put into practice the skills and understandings which have been gained across the course as a whole in a realistic placement setting. Students will have the opportunity to function within a youth ministry setting under the observation of a supervisor, working independently wherever possible in the performance of designated tasks and processes typical of youth ministry in the specific setting.
YO412 YOUTH WELFARE PLACEMENT
This unit enables students to implement the skills and understandings that have been gained across the course, in a realistic placement setting. Students will have the opportunity to function within a youth welfare setting under the observation of a supervisor, working independently wherever possible in the performance of designated tasks and processes typical of youth welfare practice in the specific setting.
YO420 YOUNG PEOPLE AND PASTORAL CARE
This unit addresses the issue of pastoral care for young people in terms of proactive personal and spiritual formation, and of helping teenagers who are facing major life issues. Students will evaluate different models of pastoral care amongst young people and consider the opportunities and challenges of pastoral care in a range of contexts, including ethical concerns.
YO421 UNDERSTANDING YOUNG PEOPLE
This unit investigates various aspects of human development, including such topics as life-span theories and cognitive, emotional, moral and spiritual growth. The unit identifies processes which influence both developmental and individual differences, with an emphasis on young people aged 12 to 25 years.
YO431 CHAPLAINCY IN SCHOOLS
This unit provides students with the opportunity to reflect critically on different models of school chaplaincy and to gain greater understanding of the realities of working as a chaplain in a school community. The different roles and responsibilities which arise in school chaplaincy contexts will be examined and attention will be paid to maintaining appropriate relationships with school authorities, other support workers, government agencies and the wider school community.
YO460 YOUTH WORK PRACTICE *
This unit is designed to run parallel with a Youth Welfare or Youth Ministry Placement to give students an opportunity to critically engage with philosophical, theological, ethical, legal and practical issues in the conduct of youth work. Students critique a variety of models of working with young people and consider their relevance to their practicum experience. An action-reflection process will allow students to develop important practical skills necessary for effective youth work.
YO461 YOUTH WORK POLICY AND PROCEDURES *
This unit is intended to provide the student with understandings and practical skills relevant to working as a youth worker in a variety of contexts utilising a range of approaches and models of youth work practice. Building on previous study of youth work practice, this unit will examine practical issues in chaplaincy today, and will enable students to undertake an analysis of a range of youth work issues.
YO462 REFLECTIVE GROUP PROCESS *
Group processes and dynamics are an important aspect of many forms of social interaction. This unit focuses on theory and practice to improve the student's abilities to facilitate group functioning and individual growth in a group context, with particular reference to people-helping professions.
YO481 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION IN SCHOOL CHAPLAINCY
This unit seeks to provide chaplains, with or without teacher training, with an overview of the issues surrounding religious education in school contexts. It endeavours to prepare school chaplains with some of the skills and theories to teach and/or coordinate RE programs in school settings.
Postgraduate Social Sciences units – Additional modules
MODULE A MAJOR SCHOOLS OF PSYCHOLOGY *
Psychology is the study of human behaviour and the process of the mind. This module introduces students in survey form to the breadth of schools within the broad field of psychology, and will assist students to see that the study of psychology is relevant to and consistent with their developing worldview. Related unit: HB452 Counselling Theories.
MODULE B INTRODUCTION TO PERSONAL AND SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS *
Understanding oneself is essential for understanding others. An effective means of gaining understanding of human behaviour and psychological functioning is through self-examination and the personal development of appropriate life skills. This module focuses on understanding one’s own personality and idiosyncratic ways of relating. Family of origin is explored to further understand patterns of relationship repeated in present systems. This module will acquaint the student with the concept of the “the wounded healer” and ways in which this position is attained and maintained. An emphasis will be placed on personal application of knowledge and skills. Related unit: HB460 Attending to the Human Story.
MODULE C INTRODUCTORY COUNSELLING SKILLS *
Those working in counselling and human services need to develop basic counselling skills in the context of a growing self-awareness. The major focus of this module is to develop these basic counselling skills, by specific practice and feedback from others. The module approaches the topic in a holistic manner, in that skills are not taught in isolation but in the context of communication purpose and group orientation. Related unit: HB461 Advanced Processes and Strategies in Counselling.
MODULE D ETHICS IN COUNSELLING *
Counsellors are expected to authentically and constructively engage with clients who are facing a broad range of human experiences and dilemmas. Many of these client-related issues possess inherent ethical dimensions. In addition, the counsellor inhabits a position of considerable influence and power in clients’ lives. As a result, counsellors must have a comprehensive grasp of the principles and approaches that will inform ethical practice. Further, it is essential that those who seek to counsel from a Christian perspective are committed to high standards of personal and professional ethics. Related unit: HB466 Reflective Practice.
MODULE E INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN DEVELOPMENT *
In order to relate to children and adults at varying levels of development and ability, counsellors need to have understanding of human development. Through an analysis of human development through the lifespan, this unit equips students with basic understandings of the nature, processes and principles of human development, as well as helping them recognise their own level in the developmental sequence. Recognising that the human being is multifaceted although a unity, this unit enables students to explore the various facets of the human being – cognitive, emotional, spiritual, moral, relational and volitional – and to understand how these relate in development. This understanding contributes to a person’s ability to respect the essential uniqueness, dignity and value of each individual. Related unit: HB482 Major Issues in Counselling.
