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 United 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)
SPD Minor
A SPD Minor is available to students pursuing an Honours degree in any Faculty and to students taking the Four-Year General Major degree in Arts. The SPD Minor requires successful completion of a minimum of five academic course units (ten courses) with a minimum cumulative average of 65%, including:
- SPD 270, 271
- one of SPD 302, 378, 379, 380, RS 384
- three approved core courses, from the following:
PHIL 201 Love
PSYCH 211 Developmental Psychology
RS 260 The Study of Religion
SOC 260 Religion in Sociological Perspective
- one additional core course, from the following:
SPD 302 Selected Topics in Psychology and Religion
SPD 378 Aging as a Spiritual Journey
SPD 379 Spirituality and Psychotherapy
SPD 380 Carl Jung's Theory of Religion
RS 384 Dreams in Religious Experience
- three approved courses offered by participating departments.
SPD 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. The SPD Option requires successful completion of a minimum of three academic course units (six courses), including:
- SPD 270, 271
- one of SPD 302, 378, 379, 380, RS 384
- two approved core courses, from the following:
PHIL 201 Love
PSYCH 211 Developmental Psychology
RS 260 The Study of Religion
SOC 260 Religion in Sociological Perspective
- 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 120 Religious Quests
RS 121 Evil
RS 180 Love and Friendship
RS 253 Women and the Church
RS 254 Christian Sexual Ethics
RS 260 The Study of Religion
RS 280 Cults and New Religious Movements
RS 284 Women and the Great Religions
RS 286 Spirit in Motion: Secular and Religious Spiritualities Today
RS 384 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