HPRO 507 Spirituality and Health: The Wholeness Connection - 3 units
This course examines how religious beliefs and practices might influence physical health through known physiological mechanisms of the neuroendocrine and immune systems. How devout religious beliefs and practices might affect not only a sense of well-being and quality of life but also longevity. Information about religious study methodologies and research instruments. The principles of spiritual care as applied to practice is also explored, including perspectives on the theology of healing, the connection between body and spirit, and the roles of faith and meaning.
Overview
Spirituality and Health: The Wholeness Connection is an introductory course for health care professionals that first explores a foundation of evidence-based science research and biology and then the principles of spiritual care as applied to health care practice (the majority of the course). This course, with a Judeo-Christian orientation, focuses specifically on the significance of spirituality in health care settings with practical suggestions on how to apply these principles in healing the whole person (application). This course will help you learn when and how to address spiritual issues in health care all the while keeping in mind the potential for the biology/physiology to be affected (biotranslation). Part of the bases for this renewed application is a result of the following questions: Can religion/spirituality help keep you well? Or even more so, can it make you healthier? Religion/Spirituality and Health! What is the relationship between the two? Over the past century, medical science has viewed mind, body and spirit as separated entities. Yet, the question remains, can one function without the other relative to wholeness and optimal health? It is only within the last decade that medical science and health care are examining more closely the relationship between religion/spirituality and health and its impact on wellness; specifically, stress, stress biology, the immune system, and mental health.
“Science without spirituality is lame,
Spirituality without science is blind.”
–Albert Einstein
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, the successful student will be able to:
- Discuss the impact and interplay of religion/spirituality in the context of psychoneuroimmunology.
- Explain how some religious/spiritual experiences may affect biological mechanisms in relationship to health, wellness, and therapeutic application.
- Describe the value of spirituality in the health care settings with practical suggestions on how to apply these principles in helping to heal the whole person.
- Discuss the principles of spiritual care as applied to health care practice.
Required Texts
- Sorajjakool, S and Lamberton, H (Eds) (2004). Spirituality, Health, and Wholeness---An Introductory Guide for Health Care Professionals Health. The Haworth Press, Inc. (ISBN 0-7890-1496-3)
- Koenig, HG, Cohen, HJ, (Eds) (2002). The Link Between Religion and Health---Psychoneuroimmunology and the Faith Factor. Oxford University Press (ISBN 0-19-514360-4)
Course Prerequisites – None
Course Sign-up and Registration
If you would like to join this class in summer 2007, please email Dianne Butler or call (909) 558-7763, on-campus ext. 87763.
Registration Deadlines
See important dates for online course registration.
Computer Requirements
See technology requirements for online courses.
Blackboard Tutorial
Blackboard is the software used by Loma Linda University to manage online courses. If this is your first online course through Loma Linda University School of Public Health please take the Blackboard tutorial. This is required before registration can be processed. For more information please contact Dianne Butler.
Tuition
School of Public Health Tuition & Fees† |
|
| Fees | $500.50* |
| Tuition (per unit) |
|
| --BSPH | $325 |
| --Master's & doctorate | $610 |
| --Audit | $305 |
| --Online |
$610 |
* Students accepted and registered in the SPH remote/distance and online programs are exempt.
† These costs are for the 2008-09 school year and are subject to change without notice. Please consult the University Catalog under which you were admitted or contact the financial aid office.
Contact Information - Distance Learning
Rafael Molina, MEd
Director
Office of Distance Learning and International Programs
Assistant Professor of Health Policy and Management
RVMolina@llu.edu
Gracie Molina, MFR
Instructor, Office of Distance Learning and International Programs
Instructor of Health Education and Promotion
GMolina@llu.edu
Phone: (909) 558-7762
Fax: (909) 651-5937
1510 Nichol Hall,
24951 North Circle Drive,
Loma Linda CA 92350