Course Details

Adolescent Spirituality
and
Methods of Faith Development

Course Description

With this course, students first examine in depth the phenomenon and characteristics of adolescent spirituality today. They then examine typical stages of religious development during the adolescent years. Finally, students direct their attention to a study of a variety of methodologies to enhance the faith development of youth, and appropriate to helping youth grow in religious knowledge and religious expression.

Course Goals

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

describe the distinguishing characteristics of a Catholic approach to adolescent spiritual formation;
identify three different dimensions of adolescent spiritual growth;
describe at least four different activities for participating in the spiritual journey of adolescents;
list and describe characteristics of effective adolescent catechesis, and
assess their personal efforts in adolescent faith formation in light of the course content.

Thiesen, Michael. “Adolescent Catechesis Today: On the Road to Transformation.” Available as free download at the NFCYM web site:
http://www.nfcym.org/resources/components/adocatechesis/documents/Theisenarticle.pdf

Delgatto, Laurie (ed.). Catholic Youth Ministry: Essential Documents. Winona, MN: St. Mary’s, 2005.

Dean, Kenda Creasy and Foster, Ron. The Godbearing Life: The Art of Soul Tending for Youth Ministry. (Nashville: Upper Room Books, 1998). ISBN-13: 978-0835808583.

U. S. Catholic Bishops. National Directory for Catechesis. Washington, D.C.: 2005. ISBN: 978-1-57455-443-4. Produce Code: 5-443.

McCarty, Bob. “National Study of Youth and Religion Summary.” Washington, D.C.: NFCYM, 2005. http://store.nfcymoffice.net/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=90

Dean, Kenda Creasy. Practicing Passion: Youth and the Quest for a Passionate Church. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2006. ISBN-13: 978-0802847126.

Warren, Michael. “Reflections on Parish and Adolescent Catechesis.” Available as free download at the NFCYM web site: http://www.nfcym.org/resources/components/adocatechesis/documents/WarrenFinal.pdf

U.S. Catholic Bishops. Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry. Washington, D.C.: USCCB, 1997. ISBN: 978-1-57455-004-7; Product Code: 5-004.
http://www.usccbpublishing.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=63

Smith, Christian and Lundquist, Melinda. Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005. ISBN-13: 978-0195180954.

McCarty, Robert J., Delgatto, Laurie, and Dunne, Tom (eds.). The Vision of Catholic Youth Ministry: Fundamentals, Theory, and Practice. Winona, MN: St. Mary’s Press, 2005. ISBN-13: 978-0884898368.

Course Requirements

LIM online courses are available for 3 graduate semester credits or 3 continuing education units.

Graduate students will participate in the class by:

completing readings in assigned texts and review of other course materials each week
posting responses to discussion questions and to the reflections of other students at least three times each week (10 weekly sessions)
completing two reflective essays (described in more detail in the course syllabus)

CEU students will participate in the class by:

completing readings in assigned texts and review of other course materials each week
posting responses to discussion questions and to the reflections of other students at least three times each week (10 weekly sessions)

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