Cognitive, theological, historical-critical, and psychodynamic theories are explored and applied to empirical studies and biographical accounts of the faith lives of men and women, past and present. The course is mainly discussion, based on primary sources. An internship with Hospice of Crawford County, a fully accredited hospice that serves patients throughout Crawford County. Hospice provides nursing care, pastoral counseling, social work assistance, and respite care to patients and families of patients, who are facing a life-threatening illness. The intern primarily works in the hospice offices, although there may be opportunities to accompany a hospice professional into patient homes, when agreed upon by the patient and family.
Interns take the volunteer course that is required of all hospice workers.
An internship at YWCA Meadville, involving developing and leading a women's reading group on spiritual issues. In conjunction with close faculty supervision, the student is responsible for selecting the readings around specific issues such as faith, forgiveness, Christian love, interreligious dialogue, etc., and leading the discussion of the issues arising in the readings for a medium-sized group of women of all ages. This group also provides loose spiritual support for the members. Students may take the internship for two or four credit hours, and work either 5 or 10 hours a week respectively. Students may wish to engage in this internship in a pair.