Dr. Maureen O’Brien, Ph.D. Duquesne University Theological Reflection and Social Analysis for Ministry I: Foundations of Theological Reflection Dr. Maureen O’Brien, Ph.D. Duquesne University Part 2 Unit 5 Click here for instructions.

Instructions Navigation through the course will occur by clicking on the following action buttons located in the lower right corner of each screen: The HOME button will be placed in the center of each slide and will bring you to the Table of Contents for further navigation. The NEXT and BACK buttons will move you through the course content. The EXIT button will be placed at the end of each Unit and will return you to the course menu.

Instructions This course is meant to be self-paced, though there will be opportunities to interact with your local and global JPIC groups. Course content and activities should be completed in the order that they are presented to maximize student success. The Table of Contents will be your starting point for each Unit

Activity Icons Each type of course activity has a unique icon located in the upper right corner of the screen. In this course you will: Online journal Local discussion Read online Create doc Reflect Global discussion Watch video Quiz/test

Part 2: Important Considerations in TR Unit 5: Goals, Participants and Elements

Table of Contents The unit is divided in several components. Start with 5.1 Description of Learning Journal OR click on the link below to navigate to the component where you left off. Revisit as needed. 5.1 Description of Learning Journal 5.2 Learning Outcomes 5.3 Preparatory Questions 5.4 Micro-lecture 5.5 Reading 5.6 Discussion Questions 5.7 Closing Exercise Add Links

Description of Learning Journal Your Learning Journal is the place to record your responses to questions placed in each unit, as well as any notes that you take on the readings or in group discussions. These may be hand written or typed into a computer. If you type, please remember to save your work. Whenever possible, we encourage you to share your Learning Journal with other students in your own group and in other groups through the course’s online networking sites. Narrate?

Learning Outcomes By the end of this unit, students should have: Learned several likely goals for TR and determined their own priorities among these Considered the types of participants with whom they may profitably engage in TR Learned the major elements that are typically included in TR in relation to its primary goals

Preparatory Questions Reflection and response to the following questions is an important way for you to begin thinking about the content of the upcoming unit.  Please record your responses in your Learning Journal or hand write them in a notebook if you prefer.  You are not expected to share this information with others unless you choose to do so.

Preparatory Question 1 Review the definition of theological reflection and related terms in the Critical Concepts in Unit 1. Are you currently involved in theological reflection according to this understanding? If so, describe why you do TR, with whom, and what its major components are. Go to Learning Journal (MS Word)

Read the Text of the Lecture Micro-Lecture A View the Lecture (01:43) Read the Text of the Lecture

Read the Text of the Lecture Micro-Lecture B View the Lecture (02:24) Read the Text of the Lecture

Reading Critical Concepts Instructor’s Notes Whitehead, James D. and Evelyn Eaton Whitehead. Method in Ministry: Theological Reflection and Christian Ministry. Rev. ed. Kansas City: Sheed and Ward, 1995. Print. [Introduction]. Go to Duquesne University’s E-Res

Discussion Questions Reflect and respond to the following questions in your Learning Journal as you work through this unit.   Then, please choose your response to one of the Discussion Questions that is especially important to you. Paste that response into a Wiki posting in order to promote and participate in a larger discussion with other students, locally and internationally.   All of your Discussion Question responses should be brought into your Group Meetings.

Discussion Question 1 Recall your response to the Preparatory Question for this unit. In reviewing the possible goals, participants and elements for TR outlined in the Instructor’s Notes, which of these do you consider most important in your own current experience of TR? Why? If you are not able to name a current experience of TR for yourself, which goals, participants and elements might be most important for you in the future? Go to Learning Journal (MS Word) Go to Learning Journal (Wiki)

Discussion Question 2 On p. xiii in the reading, the Whiteheads state, “The emphasis today [in ecclesiology, or theology of the Church] moves toward understanding the community of faith as the locus of theological and pastoral reflection. Pastoral insight and decision are not just received in the community but are generated there as well. Theological reflection becomes a responsibility of the community itself, a corporate task.” Do you agree that TR is the responsibility of the Church in its local incarnations, such as the parish or Basic Christian Community? Why or why not? Go to Learning Journal (MS Word) Go to Learning Journal (Wiki)

Closing Exercise After completing the reading and participating in the group meeting and Google Group discussion, take time to write in your Learning Journal in response to the following questions.  You are not expected to share this information unless you choose to do so.

Closing Exercise After the reading and discussion, take time to write in your Learning Journal: Has your understanding of the critical concepts changed through your learning during this unit? If so, how? What one or two important questions or insights will you carry forward from this unit, and from Part 1 as a whole? Go to Learning Journal (MS Word)

Wiki If you are ready to respond to the Discussion Question most important to you: Click here to go to the JPIC 200 Wiki. Sign in so that you can post your entry. Choose the appropriate Unit Number Click reply to add your entry.