THSP506 - Spiritual Exercises Praxis A

Year

Credit points

Campus offering

Prerequisites

THSP504 Spiritual Exercises: Theory A

Teaching organisation

This unit involves 150 hours of focused learning, which reflects the standard volume of learning for a unit in a University qualification of this Australian Qualifications Framework type. 

Unit rationale, description and aim

Graduates of programs in Spirituality should be able to critically articulate the interrelationships between their spiritual development and their personal and professional roles, as well as developing knowledge, skills, and attitudes in the discipline. In this unit, students will be prepared for the ministry of spiritual direction in the Ignatian tradition and for giving the full Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola under supervision. Students will practice spiritual direction skills in daily ‘quad’ groups, learn how to use Ignatian frameworks and adapted forms of the Spiritual Exercises to help directees understand their method and dynamics, and practice the giving of the Spiritual Exercises. The aim of the unit is to develop students’ skills in the giving of the Spiritual Exercises and to enable them to reflect critically on the implications of their learning for their professional practice of spiritual direction.

Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

LO1 Articulate and illustrate through their own reading, research and praxis, ways in which the Spiritual Exercises, in its different forms, can be used as a resource for spiritual directors in the Ignatian tradition (GA8)

LO2 Identify and comment on foundational dispositions, attitudes and key skills required for spiritual directors in the Ignatian tradition (GA1); 

LO3 Demonstrate, under supervision, the ability to provide spiritual direction according to the method, purpose, rhythm and dynamic of the  Spiritual Exercises (GA3); 

LO4 Apply the Spiritual Exercises creatively as a means of aiding others in their ongoing individual personal discernment (GA1).  

Graduate attributes

GA1 - demonstrate respect for the dignity of each individual and for human diversity

GA3 - apply ethical perspectives in informed decision making

GA7 - work both autonomously and collaboratively 

GA8 - locate, organise, analyse, synthesise and evaluate information 

Content

Topics will include:

• The dimensions of the Spiritual Exercises: the Faith Community Dimension; The Inter-Personal Dimension; The Social Dimension; The ‘Reality’ dimension; and, The Ecclesial dimension; 
• An introduction to discernment; 
• Adapting the Exercises to the needs and circumstances of exercitants: a brief history, theory and practice; 
• Attitudes, disposition and capacities of the Ignatian ‘subiecto’; 
• The purpose of the Spiritual Exercises; 
• What makes Ignatian Exercises, Ignatian; 
• Introduction to ‘Ignatian Dogmatics’: a system of ‘Ignatian principles’. 

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

THSP506 will be delivered in multi-mode, that is, in various combinations of face to face and mediated learning environments, utilising strategies which may include: 

• Self-directed activities (such as completing scaffolded reading tasks or web-based exercises) which enable each student to build a detailed understanding of a topic; 
• Small-group tasks and activities (such as contributing to discussion forums or undertaking peer review) which enable students to test, critique, expand and evaluate their understandings;  
• Plenary seminars and webinars which enable students to link their understandings with larger frameworks of knowledge and alternative interpretations of ideas; 

Practical or fieldwork activities which enable students to rehearse skills necessary to the discipline and to be mentored in that practice; 

• Critically reflective activities (such as a guided Examen or private journal-writing) which assist students to learn reflexively, that is, to identify their affective responses to the learning and to integrate their learning with action. 

The unit is delivered with the expectation that participants are adult learners, intrinsically motivated and prepared to reflect critically on issues as well as on their own learning and perspectives. 

Assessment strategy and rationale

In order to pass this unit, students are required to complete all assessment tasks and achieve an overall minimum grade of pass. All assessment tasks are designed for students to show their achievement of each learning outcome and graduate attribute. They require students to demonstrate the nexus between their learning, dispositions, and the practice of spiritual direction, and the evidence on which this demonstration is based. 

Overview of assessments

Representative texts and references

Barry, William A, and William J. Connolly, The Practice of Spiritual Direction. San Francisco: Harper, 2009. 

Buckley, Suzanne (ed.). Sacred is the Call. New York: Crossroad Publishing, 2005. 

Cowan, Marian, and Futrell, John C. The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola: a handbook for directors. Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Jesuit Educational Centre for Human Development, 1982.   

Dyckman, Katherine, and L. Patrick Carroll. Inviting the Mystic, Supporting the Prophet: An Introduction to Spiritual Direction.  Mahwah, N.J.: Paulist Press, 1981. 

Gallagher, Timothy M. The Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide for Everyday Living. New York: Crossroad, 2005. 

Guenther, Margaret. Holy Listening: The Art of Spiritual Direction. Maryland NY: Rowman & Littlefield, 1992. 

Lonsdale, David. Dance To The Music Of The Spirit: The Art Of Discernment.  London: Dartman, Longman, Todd, 1992. 

Munitiz, Joseph, and Philip Endean. Ignatius of Loyola: Personal writings, Reminiscences, Spiritual Diary, Select letters, the text of the Spiritual Exercises.  London: Penguin Books, 1996. 

Ruffing, Janet. Spiritual Direction: Beyond the Beginnings. New York: Paulist Press, 2000. 

Tetlow, Joseph. Choosing Christ in the World: Directing the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola, St. Louis: Institute of Jesuit Sources 2000.