Course Overview
Diploma Programme
Aims and Objectives
To provide the participants with a foundational, authentic, theological, scriptural, spiritual and psychological basis from which to design and deliver youth retreat and other youth ministry experiences, through a facilitative process.
This course in applied youth ministry and facilitation explores the development of a comprehensive methodology for retreat facilitators and other youth workers in our contemporary youth culture. Its values are rooted in a theological and pastoral vision of Christian Spirituality. Apart from helping participants develop foundational understandings for youth ministry, the skills of the course are transferable to varied pastoral work with youth. Reflective practice and theological reflection will be integral to the programme.
Course Topics
- Introduction to Youth Ministry and Youth Retreat Facilitation
- Course ethos - theological, educational and anthropological underpinnings of the course
- Methodology, Safeguarding and Prayer
- Adolescents and cultural influences; secularisation and the decline of institutional religion; media 'platforms' and their influence on adolescents
- Adolescent Development Piaget, Erikson, Marcia, Vygotsky
- Understanding the social media culture and influences on today's teens
- Holistic understanding of mindfulness and wellbeing - Reflection on the spiritual aspects of the person
- Christian meditation and young people
- Teens, stress, sexuality and developmental issues
- Class facilitation skills and approaches with youth ministry group work
- Practical use of music in applied youth ministry
- Practical use of drama and ice breakers in youth ministry and retreat settings
- Use of you tube, video and film in retreat facilitation
- Practical approaches to youth pastoral and retreats
- Reflective practice and theological reflection
- Understanding the sacraments of initiation, rites of initiation
- Youth culture and difficult questions
- New and old testament images of God How our images of God affects our retreat facilitation and youth ministry
- The central role of Jesus in applied youth ministry
- The universe story, ecological awareness and responsibilities
Course Objectives
At the conclusion of this course, participants should be able to:
- Design and conduct faith-based retreat or other faith based programmes for adolescents.
- Analyse and critique “post-modern” culture and develop some strategies for faith formation with adolescents.
- Identify the relevant characteristics, skills and practices applicable in youth ministry today.
- Identify a variety of ways to nurture a living relationship with God in the lives of adolescents.
- Integrate and transfer theological reflection into their work as reflective practioners
Learning Progression
MA in Applied Spirituality (www.spiritualityinstitute.ie)
Entry Details: Applicants for the MA in Applied Spirituality should normally hold an NFQ Level 8 Honours degree in a field of study related to the programme such as, philosophy, humanities, human sciences, religious studies, or a similar discipline. They will usually have familiarity with the language of spirituality and will have experience in the field through, for instance, attendance at retreats, prayer practice, meditation, pilgrimage, social justice engagement, planetary well-being advocacy, or other such activities.
Applicants who do not hold the NFQ Level 8 qualification, but have sufficient relevant learning gained through the workplace, voluntary service, life experiences, and study will be considered for admission to the programme.
Every applicant is invited for an admissions conversation.
For further information, please contact Michael at spiremos@gmail.com
Admission Criteria
Course Pre-Requisites:
- Ongoing commitment and a basic knowledge of their Christian Faith
- An openness to ongoing personal faith development and reflective practice
- A general awareness of the influences on adolescents today
- An aptitude and openness in working with young people
A participant who, due to circumstances, is unable to complete the diploma course may be awarded a certificate depending on the amount of the curriculum completed.
Cost of Diploma Year
€1,500
Student workload and criteria for assessment
Students are strongly recommended to make use of the library, lecture notes and resources offered.
- Participation
It is important that students attend all 10 workshop days. If someone is absent due to illness or other extenuating circumstances they will have to do an assignment pertaining to the particular section that they missed. They will also have to take responsibility for acquiring any relevant material pertaining to that day.
- Continual Assessment
Students will demonstrate their skills in leading meditation and prayer experiences, ice- breakers and involvements exercises. The will be encouraged to create audio visual presentations and demonstrate their ability to select appropriate media resources for appropriate age groups. They will be visited by a supervisor twice during their practical placement.
Completion of required written work
Students are required to submit four 2,000 word papers under the following headings
Module 1 Adolescent development, psychology and culture
-
"Adolescence is a wonderful period of life”
Do you agree?
How would you in your role as a youth minister help an adolescent cope well with the challenges of adolescence
Note: Students will be expected to answer this question drawing on their personal views and informed by reviewing the relevant literature in this area and referring to the contribution of developmental theorists such as Erick Erickson, Jean Piaget and Lawrence Kohlberg
Or
Discuss the challenges and opportunities for religious faith among the rising generations in contemporary culture.
Module 2 Applied skills in youth ministry
The importance of effective classroom management strategies for youth ministry facilitation
or
What are the advantages of using a facilitative approach over traditional methods when organising youth retreats?
Module 3 (2 essays) Approaches to theology, scripture and reflective practice
1. Theological Reflection
Reflecting on Significant Learning Experiences
The instructions are:
i. Choose a significant personal event in your life and write a reflection on the experience describing what happened, your understanding of the event and what you have learned from it. Write a theological reflection where you interpret the event in the light of your faith and cultural tradition.
ii. Choose a pastoral experience which had significant learning for you (the more recent the better). Describe the experience and reflect on what was happening for you and others. Write a theological reflection ion on the event describing how it contributed to your understanding of ministry and your sense of call.
iii. Write a short conclusion describing your experience of writing this assignment and the learning that emerged for you.
2 Images of God
Reflecting on Significant Learning Experiences
(i) What have I come to know of God for myself – that is by conviction, in an experiential way and how does this experience shape my approach to life and the lives of others?
(ii) Where or how am I energised/inspired/hope-filled in my efforts to respond to God’s call as a disciple of Christ?
(iii) Where or how am I challenged in my efforts to respond to God’s call as a disciple of Christ?
Or
Write a reflective account (500 words per topic) on four of the following topics, outlining the implications for ministry with young people
A) Reflective practice and theological reflection
B) Understanding the sacraments and rites of initiation
C) How our images of God affect our retreat facilitation
D) The central role of Jesus in Applied youth ministry
E) The Universe story, ecological awareness and responsibilities.