Faith and Human Development

Course Details

The course provides an introduction to stage theories of human development and spiritual growth. Participants will consider the relationship between the maturation of human beings and their growth in the spiritual life. The works of Fowler, Erikson, Kohlberg, Gilligan, Piaget and others will provide the foundation for examining psychological and spiritual growth during childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, middle age, and older adulthood. Particular attention is given to moral and ego development in relationship to spiritual progress.

Successful completion of this course earns 2.5 CEU's.

General Course Objectives

• Describe the basic principles of Christian spirituality.
• Explain theories of human development in terms of moral growth, ego development, the life cycle, and spiritual growth.
• Explore the stages of life from psychological and spiritual perspectives: childhood, adolescence, early young adulthood, young adulthood, middle age, older adulthood.
• Understand the connections between normal human development and spiritual growth.
• Articulate implications of models of human development and spirituality for self-understanding and understanding of others.

Course Materials

• Required Book: Feldmeier, Peter The Developing Christian Paulist Press, 2007 ISBN: 978-0-8091-4438-9
• Required Book: USCCB Department of Education National Directory for Catechesis USCCB Publishing 2005 ISBN: 978-1574554434

Course Structure and Highlights

• Week 1: Spirituality and Human Development Models
  • Explain the nature of spirituality in general.
  • Discuss fundamental elements of Christian spirituality.
  • Understand models of human development as set forth by Jean Piaget, Lawrence Kohlberg, Carol Gilligan, Jane Loevinger, and Erik Erikson.
• Week 2: Models of Spiritual Development
  • Understand the spiritual development models of Fower, Teilhard, and St. John of the Cross.
  • Reflect on the connections between human maturation and spiritual development.
  • Apply the developmental models to the healthy growth of children ages 2-12.
• Week 3: Adolescence and Early Young Adulthood
  • Understand the life-cycle characteristics and developmental needs of adolescents ages 12-18.
  • Connect the human and spiritual development theories to the needs of adolescents ages 12-18.
  • Understand the life-cycle characteristics and developmental needs of early young adults ages 18-22.
  • Connect the human and spiritual development theories to the needs of early young adults ages 18-22.
• Week 4: Young Adulthood and Middle Age
  • Understand the life-cycle characteristics and developmental needs of young adults ages 22-40.
  • Connect the human and spiritual development theories to the needs of young adults ages 22-40.
  • Understand the life-cycle characteristics and developmental needs of adults ages 40-65.
  • Connect the human and spiritual development theories to the needs of adults ages 40-65.
• Week 5: Elderhood and Final Questions
  • Understand the life-cycle characteristics and developmental needs of adults ages 65 and beyond.
  • Connect the human and spiritual development theories to the needs of adults ages 65 and beyond.
  • Explain the limitations of stage theories and how they complicate the questions of human and spiritual development.

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