Arts Departmental Academic Plans

Spirituality and Personal Development (SPD) is an Interdisciplinary academic plan which may be chosen by students in conjunction with a major in any department. It provides a course of study for those who have a special interest in the relationship between religious growth and human development. The SPD academic plan is also appropriate for those considering careers in the ministry or other social service oriented vocations. It is administered by St. Paul's College in co-operation with an advisory committee representing four UW departments — Philosophy, Psychology, Religious Studies and Sociology.

Core Courses

The core courses provide an introduction to the field and give students a base of knowledge, a familiarity with the subject and an understanding of the concepts involved.

There are six core courses:

• SPD 270 Psychology of Religion and Spirituality (examines the variety of religious experiences from a psychological point of view)
• SPD 271 Personality and Religion (examines personality theory and its relationship to religious development and growth)
• SPD 302 Selected Topics in Psychology and Religion (involves the study of how the disciplines of philosophy, sociology, and religious studies have come to know and understand human behaviour)
• SPD 378 Aging as a Spiritual Journey (studies issues related to the aging process from a spiritual perspective)
• SPD 379 Spirituality and Psychotherapy
• SPD 380 Carl Jung's Theory of Religion (examines the role of religion in Jung's personality theory)

ACADEMIC PLANS

Minor

A Minor in SPD is available to students pursuing an Honours degree in any Faculty and to students taking the Four-Year General Major degree in Arts. Successful completion of five academic course units (ten courses) with a minimum cumulative average of 65%, including:

1. Three core courses: SPD 270, 271, and one of SPD 302, 378, 379, 380 or RS 370
2. Three approved core courses, from the following:
   
   SOC 260 Religion in Sociological Perspective
   PHIL 201 Love
   PSYCH 211 Developmental Psychology
   RS 200 The Study of Religion
3. One more core course, from the following:
   
   SPD 302 Selected Topics in Psychology and Religion
   RS 370 Dreams in Religious Experience
   SPD 378 Aging as a Spiritual Journey
   SPD 379 Spirituality and Psychotherapy
   SPD 380 Carl Jung's Theory of Religion
4. Three approved courses offered by participating departments.

Option

An SPD Option may be earned by any student in the University who can meet the requirements of his or her major field and the requirements of the option listed below. Also, students in Three-Year and Four-Year Liberal Studies academic plans can take the SPD Option. Successful completion of three academic course units (six courses) including:

• Three core courses: SPD 270, 271, and one of SPD 302, 378, 379, 380 or RS 370
• Two approved core courses, from the following:
  
  SOC 260 Religion in Sociological Perspective
  PHIL 201 Love
  PSYCH 211 Developmental Psychology
  RS 200 The Study of Religion
• One approved course offered by participating departments.

Note

Each of the participating departments has designated certain course offerings as SPD-content courses. Many 300- and 400-level courses have specific prerequisites. Students planning to take these upper-level courses should use their elective courses wisely to ensure that the prerequisites are met.

Courses Offered by Participating Departments

The study of selected courses offered by participating departments will either broaden the student's comprehension of the field or permit a deeper understanding of some particular aspect of it.
The actual combination of courses selected is subject to approval by the SPD advisor.

Gerontology 

GERON 352 Sociology of Aging

Peace and Conflict Studies

PACS 201 Roots of Conflict, Violence and Peace
PACS 202 Conflict Resolution

Philosophy

PHIL 201 Love
PHIL 202 Gender Issues
PHIL 237 Introduction to Philosophy of Religion

Psychology 

PSYCH 211 Developmental Psychology
PSYCH 218 Psychology of Death and Dying
PSYCH 231 The Psychology of Religious Experience
PSYCH 232 Psychology of Evil
PSYCH 315 Psychology of Adolescence
PSYCH 354 Interpersonal Relations

Religious Studies 

RS 100C Religious Quests
RS 100L Evil
RS 100M Love and Friendship
RS 200 The Study of Religion
RS 221 Cults and New Religious Movements
RS 236 Christian Sexual Ethics
RS 261 Women in the Great Religions
RS 292 Women and the Church
RS 296A Spirit in Motion
RS 370 Dreams in Religious Experience

Sexuality, Marriage, and Family Studies

SMF 206 Couples, Marriages and Families
SMF 207 Parents and Children

Social Development Studies (Interdisciplinary Social Science)

ISS 220R Changing Concepts of Childhood
ISS 320R Critical Encounter with Human Nature
ISS 350D Adult Life Crises and Events
ISS 350H Values and the Contemporary Family

Sociology 

SOC 206 Gender Relations
SOC 209 Ancestry, History and Personal Identity
SOC 234 Social Psychology and Everyday Life
SOC 260 Religion in Sociological Perspective