Diploma in Youth Ministry

MM675: Advanced Adolescent Pastoral Care

Aim

To have students develop pastoral care strategies for a range of adolescent issues.

Content Outline

The uniqueness of adolescent pastoral care. Cause, symptoms and pastoral care strategies for

• Physiological issues (self esteem, disability, sexuality, addictions, abuse and disorders)
• Emotional Issues (anger, anxiety, stress, grief, depression, suicide)
• Social Issues (Identity problems, relationship/friendship issues, vocational/educational issues, family issues)
• Spiritual Issues (guilt, doubts, guidance, salvation, deliverance)
  
  

Assessments

Assessment 1: Written Assessment (2,000 words): Reflect on your experiences of adolescence by selecting at least three issues in the workbooks that you recall facing in your own adolescence. (Note: each workbook is divided into 10 sections but each section frequently contains more than one issue). For each issue use theoretical research from the workbook, the anthology and other sources, along with your own insights to:

• Describe the dynamics and symptoms present.
• Identify and analyse possible causes including how various issues were linked.
• Explain what caring strategies used by others or you yourself, helped or didn’t help, giving reasons why.
• Explain the extent to which the issues identified impact your life today. Discuss those issues that are still present in your life and the strategies you are using or will use in future to overcome them.

Assessment 2: Written Assessment (2000 words): Select one young person who has faced a number of issues covered in the workbooks as a “case study”. Either reflect back on pastoral care offered previously to or talk with them about the issues they currently face and base your assignment on your conversations. Use theoretical research from the workbook, the anthology and other sources, along with your own insights to:

• Describe the dynamics and symptoms of each issue as they pertain to the individual.
• Identify and analyse possible factors causing their difficulties, including how various issues in the individual’s life were linked.
• Analyse the effectiveness or otherwise of strategies you or others have used to help, justifying your assessment using theoretical research and observation of outcomes in the individual’s life.
• Describe and justify future strategies you might adopt in helping this individual or other young people facing similar issues.
  

Mode of delivery

Distance study.