Students develop a theological framework with which to engage those who experience pain and hardship. The course addresses the importance of holistic mission through caring for the pastoral, spiritual, medical, and health-related needs of those experiencing illnesses, disabilities, cancer, etc. Assessment items include reading, lectures, case-study projects, discussion forums, and service projects pointed to a global area of interest.

With the rise of chronic illness, increased life expectancy, and complex medical technology, palliative care offers quality of life to those facing life ending or life limiting illness. In this course, students will read, discuss, and engage the basic concepts of palliative care. Students will explore contemporary issues in healthcare that challenge patients coping with advanced illness. This course prepares caregivers to advance in their practice of tending to those facing serious illness.

Addressing the challenges of life-limiting or life-ending illness with those in distress demands the best from medical or pastoral caregivers. In this course, students will study, engage, and practice the vital communication skills necessary for empathic engagement with the seriously ill and their families. The broader examination and assessment of palliative care interventions will also be examined and applied to real world case studies so that caregivers can facilitate a greater quality of life for the seriously ill.

As modern healthcare continues to grow in complexity, palliative care is taking a greater role in the care of patients. Interprofessional pallaitive care team contribute to delivering high quality of care. Students in this course will develop skills to advance in their role as an interprofessional team member by examining issues of quality improvement, leadership, and policy development.

Communities of faith have done well to prepare people how to live and to prepare people to face eternity. What about the transition from this life to the next? Dying well is becoming increasingly difficult in an age of advanced medical technology. In this course, students will engage the societal and cultural challenges around end of life issues. Students will engage in their own end of life planning and will develop the advanced skills necessary to leading conversations around end of life care. This course will enable participants to impact their communities in a positive way by helping bring awareness to the possibility of dying well.

In this course, students will examine the nature of terminal illness and the inevitability of death. Looking at the physical and spiritual dimensions of dying, students will develop a spiritual care philosophy and practice that will equip them to provide spiritual care to the dying.