Online · School of Behavioral Sciences · Psychology

Issues of Christian Counseling

CCOU-202

CG Section 8WK 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 Modified 12/12/2022  Course Description

This course provides the framework to the structure and issues surrounding biblical counseling and helping ministries. Special attention will be given to the dealing with spiritual warfare, “brief therapy” model of counseling, life transitions, and crisis care.

Requisites

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog (https://catalog.liberty.edu/).

 Rationale

A pressing concern at the inception of the 21st century is that people are hurting and searching frantically for hope and new life. If there is ever a time for godly leadership, servanthood, and biblical counsel, it is now. This course seeks to meet that challenge by equipping students to biblically guide individuals asking for help.

 Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

A. Describe the biblical and ethical standards of the Christian counseling profession (PL01, PL04, PL06). B. Analyze the differences in Christian and secular counseling.

C. Discuss the clinical/research-based understanding of mental health and wholeness (PL02, PL05).

D. Discuss the ethical issues related to professional boundaries in Christian counseling (PL04, PL05).

E. Apply Christian counseling techniques to specific counseling issues (PL03). F. Recognize diversity in counseling populations (PL06).

 Course Resources

Click on the following link to view the required resource(s) for the term in which you are registered: Liberty University Online Bookstore (https://bncvirtual.com/liberty).

Additional Materials for Learning

A. Computer with basic audio/video output equipment

B. Internet access (broadband recommended)

C. Canvas recommended browsers (https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Canvas-Basics-Guide/What-are-the-browser-and-

computer-requirements-for-Canvas/ta-p/66)

D. Microsoft Word (Microsoft Office is available at a special discount to Liberty University students.)

E. APA formatting information https://go.openathens.net/redirector/liberty.edu?url=http%3A%2F%2FAPAStyleCENTRAL.apa.org

(https://go.openathens.net/redirector/liberty.edu?url=http%3A%2F%2FAPAStyleCENTRAL.apa.org)

    Course Assignments

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Textbook readings, Watch items Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Syllabus and Student Expectations (https://www.liberty.edu/institutional-effectiveness/student-expectations/), the student will complete the related checklist found in the course overview.

Reflection Paper Assignment

The student will write a 2-page reflection paper on the relationship between lay counseling and the church as it is currently perceived by the student.

Essay Assignments (5)

Throughout this course, the student will write 5 essays of at least 500 words in response to a provided prompt. The student must support his or her assertions with the textbook, reference(s) as required, and Biblical integration. Each essay must include a title page and reference page.

Lay Counseling PowerPoint Presentation Assignment

The capstone project for the course will provide the student with the opportunity to design and build a lay ministry model suitable for a local church ministry.

Quizzes (2)

Each quiz will cover the material presented in the corresponding module: week. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 50 multiple-choice and true/false questions, and have a time limit of 1 hour and 30 minutes.

 Course Grading

 Course Requirements Checklist

Reflection Paper Assignment (1 at 45 pts ea)

Essay Assignments (5 at 100 pts ea)

Lay Counseling PowerPoint Presentation Assignment (1 at 155 pts ea)

Quizzes (2 at 150 pts ea)

10 45

500 155

300

Total 1010

 Policies

Late Assignment Policy

Course Assignments, including discussions, exams, and other graded assignments, should be submitted on time.

If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must contact the instructor immediately by email.

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Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the instructor will receive the following deductions:

1. Late assignments submitted within one week after the due date will receive up to a 10% deduction.

2. Assignments submitted more than one week and less than 2 weeks late will receive up to a 20% deduction.

3. Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the course will not be accepted outside of special

circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by

the instructor.

4. Group projects, including group discussion threads and/or replies, and assignments will not be accepted after the due date

outside of special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the instructor.

Disability Assistance

Students with a disability and those with medical conditions associated with pregnancy may contact Liberty University’s Online Office of Disability Accommodation Support (ODAS) at LUOODAS@liberty.edu for accommodations. Such accommodations require appropriate documentation of your condition. For more information about ODAS and the accommodations process, including how to request an accommodation, please visit https://www.liberty.edu/online/online-disability-accommodation- support/ (https://www.liberty.edu/online/online-disability-accommodation-support/). Requests for accommodations not related to disabilities or pregnancy must be directed to the Registrar’s Office, which generally handles medical needs support.

If you have a complaint related to disability discrimination or an accommodation that was not provided, you may contact ODAS or the Office of Equity and Compliance by phone at (434) 592-4999 or by email at equityandcompliance@liberty.edu. Click to see a full copy of Liberty’s Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy (https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Liberty+University+Discrimination,+Harassment,+and+Sexual+Misconduct+Policy) or

the Student Disability Grievance Policy and Procedures (https://www.liberty.edu/disability-support/wp- content/uploads/sites/106/2022/01/Disability-Grievance-Procedures.pdf).

Course Attendance

In an effort to comply with U.S. Department of Education policies, attendance is measured by physical class attendance or any submission of a required assignment within the enrollment dates of the course (such as examinations, written papers or projects, any discussion posts, etc.) or initiating any communication with one’s professor regarding an academic subject. More information regarding the attendance policy (https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Online+Attendance+and+Non-Attendance) can be found in the Academic Course Catalogs (https://www.liberty.edu/academics/course-catalogs/). Regular attendance in online courses is expected throughout the length of the term. Students who do not attend within the first week of a sub-term by submitting a required academic assignment (such as the Course Requirements Checklist, an examination, written paper or project, discussion post, or other academic activity) will be dropped from the course. Students who wish to re-engage in the course are encouraged to contact Academic Advising to discuss their enrollment options. Students who begin an online course, but at some point in the semester cease attending, and do not provide official notification to withdraw, will be assigned a grade of “FN” (Failure for Non- Attendance (https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Unofficial+Withdrawals)). Students wishing to withdraw from courses after the official start date should familiarize themselves with the withdrawal policy.

Grading Scale

ABCDF

900-1010 800-899 700-799 600-699 0-599

For courses with a Pass/NP final grade, please refer to the Course Grading section of this syllabus for the assignment requirements and/or point value required to earn a Passing final grade.

Add/Drop Policy

The full policy statement and procedures are published in the Policy Directory

(https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Dropping+and+Adding+Online+Classes). Honor Code

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Liberty University comprises a network of students, Alumni, faculty, staff and supporters that together form a Christian community based upon the truth of the Bible. This truth defines our foundational principles, from our Doctrinal Statement to the Code of Honor. These principles irrevocably align Liberty University’s operational procedures with the long tradition of university culture, which remains distinctively Christian, designed to preserve and advance truth. Our desire is to create a safe, comfortable environment within our community of learning, and we extend our academic and spiritual resources to all of our students with the goal of fostering academic maturity, spiritual growth and character development.

Communities are predicated on shared values and goals. The Code of Honor, an expression of the values from which our Doctrinal Statement was born, defines the fundamental principles by which our community exists. At the core of this code lie two essential concepts: a belief in the significance of all individuals, and a reliance on the existence of objective truth.

While we acknowledge that some may disagree with various elements of the Code of Honor, we maintain the expectation that our students will commit to respect and uphold the Code while enrolled at Liberty University.

Adherence to the principles and concepts established within facilitates the success of our students and strengthens the Liberty community.

The Code of Honor can be viewed in its entirety at https://www.liberty.edu/students/honor-code/ (https://www.liberty.edu/students/honor-code/).

 Schedule

   When Topic Notes

  Course Overview

Student Acknowledgements Technology Integration Set-up

Course Requirements Checklist VitalSource Student Resources

 Module 1: Week 1

Learn

Apply

Apply

Apply

Reflection Paper Assignment

Essay: Cultures and Worldviews Assignment

Essay: Ethical Issues Assignment

Read: 1 item Watch: 1 item

    Module 2: Week 2

Learn

Read: 1 item Watch: 1 item

    Module 3: Week 3

Learn

Read: 2 items Watch: 1 item

      Module 4: Week 4

Learn

Read: 2 items Watch: 1 item

  Apply

Essay: Lay Counseling Assignment Quiz: Mid-Term

 Module 5: Week 5

Learn

Read: 1 item Watch: 1 item

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 Apply

Apply

Apply

Apply

Essay: Addressing Spiritual Concerns Assignment

Essay: Counseling Couples and Children

Lay Counseling PowerPoint Presentation Assignment

Quiz: Final

 Module 6: Week 6

Learn

Read: 2 items Watch: 1 item

    Module 7: Week 7

Learn

Read: 1 item Watch: 1 item

    Module 8: Week 8

Learn

Read: 1 item Watch: 1 item

  NOTE: Each course Module: Week (except Module 1: Week 1) begins on Tuesday morning at 12:00 a.m. (ET) and ends on Monday night at 11:59 p.m. (ET). The final Module: Week ends at 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday.

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