Program Overview

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Unit Overview

The unit THSP634 - Spiritual Exercises Theory B is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the Spiritual Exercises, exploring their theory, context, content, and dynamics. This unit is part of a larger program that aims to develop students' self-knowledge, ethical behaviors, and accompaniment skills.

Unit Rationale, Description, and Aim

The unit rationale emphasizes the need for individuals in formal relationships of accompaniment to have appropriate theoretical frameworks and skills to reflect critically on their personal development and professional roles. The unit description outlines the exploration of the Spiritual Exercises' theory, context, content, and dynamics, using theological and philosophical frameworks. The aim of the unit is to ground students in a comprehensive understanding of the structure, form, and dynamics of the Spiritual Exercises.

Campus Offering

The unit is offered online in a scheduled mode, with a flipped classroom model that involves preparatory learning activities and active participation in online classes.

Prerequisites

Students must have completed the following units:

• THSP509 Ignatian Discernment and Decision-Making
• THSP520 Introduction to Spiritual Direction in the Ignatian Tradition
• THSP521 Psychological Foundations for Supervision and Spiritual Direction
• THSP522 Ethics and Professional Practice in Supervision and Spiritual Direction

Incompatible Units

THSP505 Spiritual Exercises Theory B is an incompatible unit.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing this unit, students will be able to:

1. Describe the theory and content of the Spiritual Exercises in light of their historic and contemporary contexts.
2. Analyze the Spiritual Exercises in light of foundational Ignatian themes.
3. Articulate a fluent understanding of the dynamics of the Spiritual Exercises.

Content

The unit content includes:

• Key Meditations in the Second Week
• The grace of conversion
• Employing each of the Four Gospels in the Exercises
• Adaptations of the Spiritual Exercises
• Plato and Augustine on the Soul; echoes in the Spiritual Exercises
• Aristotle and Aquinas on the soul and virtue; echoes in the Exercises
• Postmodernism and Religious Faith
• Postmodern Faith and the Exercises

Assessment Strategy and Rationale

The assessment strategy involves a combination of tasks designed to deepen students' understanding and self-appropriation of the Spiritual Exercises. The tasks include:

• A hurdle task: fortnightly reflections on regular practice of Ignatian contemplation
• Task 1: Presentation on how a particular theme in the Exercises challenges, affirms, or deepens parallel views in contemporary popular culture and/or held by the student
• Task 2: Interpretative essay with an oral exam on philosophical and theological frameworks implied in the giving and receiving of the Exercises
• Task 3: Oral examination to demonstrate a theologically and scripturally-informed knowledge of the Exercises

Learning and Teaching Strategy and Rationale

The unit involves 150 hours of focused learning, using a flipped classroom model that includes preparatory learning activities, online classes, and critical reflection.

Representative Texts and References

A list of representative texts and references is provided, including works by Aschenbrenner, De Mello, Dyckman, Egan, Fleming, Ivens, Moloney, Munitiz, O'Reilly, and Williams.

Locations and Credit Points

The unit is offered online and is worth 10 credit points.