Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Psychology

Purpose

The purpose of the Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Psychology is to enable learners to critically apply focused analysis, knowledge and skills in serving and taking leadership in Christian faith communities, community organisations and society at large. This interdisciplinary qualification produces life-long learners who will be able to explore and debate current issues in African and international contexts. The qualification also seeks to enable learners to develop, clarify and articulate a value system based on a faith perspective. The qualification is to raise the consciousness of learners concerning issues of justice such as gender, social disparity, disability and the environment. It enables them to develop transformative communities and contribute to the development of society as a whole.

The Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Psychology also fulfil the need for learners to be to able to identify and distinguish basic concepts and theories concerning Biblical Studies and Psychology as human and social sciences. Learners will integrate and apply a range of concepts and disciplines from the fields of human and social sciences; critically compare and use sources to explore moral questions in general and issues about faith communities in particular.

This qualification seeks to

• Facilitate moral decision making and formation;
• Facilitate pastoral ministry from a faith-based perspective to individuals and communities and evaluate its effectiveness;
• Promote, develop and evaluate transformative leadership in the community in general and faith communities in particular;
• Participate sensitively in multicultural and multi-faith communities;
• Identify and formulate transformative responses to contemporary societal needs related to emotional well-being.

Rationale

The qualification fosters engagement in and articulation of critical and creative thinking and writing on theological and psychological issues; play a moral and constructive role by developing and applying core human and faith-based norms and values to contexts.

This qualification consists of the following elective modules at Levels 5, 6 and 7 totalling 384 Credits.

Elective Modules, NQF Level 5

• Academic Literacy (AGLE121), 12 Credits.
• English (ENLL111), 12 Credits.
• English (ENLL121), 12 Credits.
• Intro Hum Geo (GGFS121), 12 Credits.
• Afrikaans and Dutch (AFLL111), 12 Credits.
• Intro Geo (GGFS111), 12 Credits.
• Afrikaans & Dutch Lang & Lit Study: Text & Context (AFLL121), 12 Credits.
• Academic Literacy (AGLA12), Credits.
• Introduction to Psychology (PSYC111), 12 Credits.
• Social and Community Psychology (PSYC121), 12 Credits.
• Text in Content and Context (SSLL122), 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Sociology: Basic Concepts and Themes (SOCL111), 12 Credits.
• Descriptive Statistics (STTN111), 12 Credits.
• Practical Statistics (STTN124), 12 Credits.
• Biblical Studies (BYBV113), 12 Credits.
• Biblical Studies (BYBV123), 12 Credits.
• History (HIST111), 12 Credits.
• History (HIST121), 12 Credits.
• Language in Content and Contexts (SSLL112), 12 Credits.

Elective Modules, NQF Level 6

• Afrikaans & Dutch: Grammatical Perspectives (AFLL221), 16 Credits.
• Biblical Studies (BYBV223), 16 Credits.
• Biblical Studies (BYBV211), 16 Credits.
• Know and Understand The Health World (WVGW221), 12 Credits.
• Afrikaans and Dutch Language and Literature Study (AFLL211), 16 Credits.
• English (ENLL221), 16 Credits.
• Sociology Of The Family And Group Dynamics (SOCL221), 16 Credits.
• Sesotho (SSLL212), 16 Credits.
• Development Psychology (PSYC211), 16 Credits.
• English (ENLL211), 16 Credits.
• Sociology Of Development And Social Problems (SOCL211), 16 Credits.
• Sesotho (SSLL222), 16 Credits.
• Positive Psychology (PSYC221), 16 Credits.
• Personality Psychology (PSYC212), 16 Credits.

Elective Modules, NQF Level 7

• OT Survey & Interpret with Pastoral Application (BYBV312), 32 Credits.
• NT Survey & Interpret with Pastoral Application (BYBV323), 32 Credits.
• Applied Psychology (PSYC322), 16 Credits.
• Basic Counselling and Ethical Conduct (PSYC321), 16 Credits.
• Research and Psychometry (PSYC312), 16 Credits.
• Psycho Pathology (PSYC311), 16 Credits.

1. Interpret, integrate and apply Christian sources in context;
2. Understand communities, in the light of a particular history of faith, and position responsibly in their contexts;
3. Analyse information critically, and articulate and communicate effectively;
4. Evaluate and apply faith-based ethics personally and in the community;

And

1. Initiate and develop pastoral guidance in faith-based communities as well as the wider community.

Integrated Assessment

Continuous formative assessment strategies are integrated by nature and take the form of assignments and tests throughout the semester. Integrated summative assessment takes the form of a formal examination. Oral presentations of smaller integrated research projects or seminars in individual, as well as group context, may also be employed. Learners are continuously assessed on the application of integrated knowledge and advanced skills to ensure that they are competent for the workplace.