Religion/Relational Studies (RELR)

RELR 105. Introduction to Whole-Person Care. 1 Unit.

Introduces the integration of psychosocial and spiritual care within the clinical setting.

RELR 275. Whole Person Care. 2 Units.

Integrates psychosocial and spiritual care in the clinical setting.

RELR 404. Christian Service. 1,2 Unit.

Student participates in approved service learning, with written reflection on the Christian reasons for service. Additional project required for second unit.

RELR 407. Care of the Dying and Bereaved. 2 Units.

Examines medical, sociocultural, religious, spiritual, and psychological aspects of death and dying in primary patient care. Equips health-care professionals with core skills when treating patients with a terminal condition, such as coping with loss as well as destigmatizing death in patient care.

RELR 408. Christian Perspectives on Marriage and the Family. 2 Units.

From a Christian perspective, overviews the family life cycle.

RELR 409. Christian Perspectives on Death and Dying. 3 Units.

From a Christian perspective, considers the meaning of death—including the process of dying, cultural issues regarding death and dying, grief and mourning, suicide, and other related issues.

RELR 410. Compassion. 3 Units.

Practical study of the art and science of compassionate living for health-care professionals.

RELR 427. Crisis Counseling. 2 Units.

Crisis phenomena, current crisis theory, a Christian model of crisis care, and the dynamics and practices of crisis care.

RELR 429. Cultural Issues in Religion. 2 Units.

Studies similarities and differences between European-American culture and 'minority' cultures in America, and the differences pertaining to the way religion is perceived and practiced.

RELR 445. Wholeness and Health. 3 Units.

Aids in formulation of a portfolio that incorporates a variety of activities related to biblical concepts of wholeness. Addresses the integration of mind/body/spirit, strengthening relationships, environmental care, and national healing from personal and professional perspectives.

RELR 447. Cross-cultural Ministry. 2 Units.

Studies the challenges of serving in cross-cultural situations from a Christian mission perspective, using the insights of missiology and cultural anthropology as they relate to personal and professional growth, social change, and effective intercultural communication and service.

RELR 447A. Service Learning Practicum–International Project. 1 Unit.

Loma Linda University-sponsored international mission trip, facilitated by SIMS Program. Students engage in service activities, maintain a reflective journal while on the trip, and submit a final report summarizing the social-learning experience upon return.
Prerequisite: RELR 447.

RELR 455. Body, Intimacy and Sexuality in Whole Person Care. 2 Units.

Focuses primarily on whole person patient care in the context of dealing with changes to body image, intimate relationships, and sexuality in the face of illness and injury. Explores a variety of issues relating to body and body image, intimate relations, gender, and sexuality for relevant patient populations; and the role of the health-care professional in bringing wholeness and healing in the face of sensitive and personal issues.

RELR 475. Whole Person Care. 2 Units.

Integrates psychosocial and spiritual care in the clinical setting.

RELR 499. Directed Study. 1-3 Units.

Individual arrangements for students to study under the guidance of a faculty member. May include readings, literature reviews, written papers, or other special projects. Minimum of 30 hours required for each unit of credit.

RELR 500. Religion and Global Health. 4 Units.

Focuses on an international perspective of the interconnections between religion and health, with special attention to how faith (theological ideas) of a community play a role in how people seek treatment and relate to health and disease.

RELR 508. Religion, Health-Care Policy, and Advocacy. 3,4 Units.

Explores how Christian ethical visions shape definitions of health, concepts of just health-care policies, and faithful motivation for taking action to improve the health of communities. Encourages students to be participant-observers in programs of effective health-care advocacy. Students taking the course for 4 units will meet for an additional hour each week to learn more about theory and practice of advocacy for health policy change.

RELR 520. Clinical Training in Spiritual Care I. 4 Units.

Combines theoretical and clinical aspects of spiritual care in the exploration of a theological understanding of health and illness. Students examine cases and learn the theoretical foundations and practical skills needed to provide spiritual care. Designed for students pursuing a career in chaplaincy, mental health, and/or any discipline that benefits from clinical experience related to health care as understood through a theological lens.

RELR 521. Clinical Training in Spiritual Care II. 4 Units.

Combines theoretical and clinical aspects of spiritual care in the exploration of a theological understanding of health and illness. Students examine cases and learn the theoretical foundations and practical skills needed to provide spiritual care. Designed for students pursuing a career in chaplaincy, mental health, and/or any discipline that benefits from clinical experience related to health care as understood through a theological lens.

RELR 525. Health Care and the Dynamics of Christian Leadership. 3 Units.

Christian principles of leadership in the community and in the practice of health care.

RELR 526. Pastoral and Professional Formation. 4 Units.

Introduces students to the professional requirements of working as a chaplain in a health-care setting. Involves learning to function pastorally within boundaries of authority, integrate theology with the practice of spiritual care, and make appropriate ethical decisions as part of an interdisciplinary spiritual care team.

RELR 527. Crisis Care and Counseling. 3 Units.

Crisis phenomena, current crisis theory, a Christian model of crisis care, and the dynamics and practices of crisis care.

RELR 530. Spirituality and Clinical Psychology. 3 Units.

Examines the positive resources of both religion and spirituality in the lives of clients, as well as the ways in which they can become linked to psychopathology. Outlines the spiritual aspects of the therapeutic relationship, including the use of spiritual interventions as an aspect of psychotherapy.
Cross-listing: RELT 530.

RELR 535. Spirituality and Mental Health. 3 Units.

Explores the interrelationship between spirituality and mental health. Seeks to enhance understanding of the term "spirituality" in the context of religious traditions. Considers the therapeutic effects both of spirituality and of religious traditions.
Prerequisite: PSYC 580.

RELR 536. Spirituality and Everyday Life. 3 Units.

Explores the place of spirituality in everyday life through assimilation of information drawn from religious theorists, theology, spiritual and religious practices, and occupation.

RELR 540. Wholeness and Health. 3 Units.

Aids student in formulation of a portfolio that incorporates a variety of activities related to biblical concepts of wholeness. Addresses 1) the integration of mind/body/spirit, 2) strengthening relationships, 3) care of the environment, and 4) the healing of the nations from personal and professional perspectives.

RELR 541. History of Seventh-day Adventist Chaplaincy and Healthcare Policy Making. 4 Units.

Focuses on the history of chaplaincy, Adventist chaplaincy, and the Adventist approach to critical cases and positions in world church documents.

RELR 564. Religion, Marriage, and the Family. 3 Units.

The family in theological, historical, and ethical perspectives—with a Christian assessment of contemporary theories regarding the family.

RELR 565. Practical Theology and Methodology. 3 Units.

Informs and enriches the practice of pastoral professionals through the study of practical and pastoral theologies. Designed especially to serve as a foundations course in which fundamental questions about the relationship between religious tradition, theology, and contemporary practice are explored.

RELR 567. Pastoral Counseling. 4 Units.

Provides overview of theology, history, theory, and practice of pastoral counseling.

RELR 568. Care of the Dying and Bereaved. 3 Units.

Studies the biblical, theological, cultural, religious, relational, and psychological aspects of dying and death.

RELR 574. Preaching. 3 Units.

Examines the biblical and theological foundations for liturgy and preaching, with special attention given to the healing context. Considers liturgical ministry in diverse settings and with diverse faith perspectives. Focuses on the process of study, construction, and delivery of sermons.

RELR 575. Whole Person Care. 3 Units.

Integrates psychosocial and spiritual care in the clinical setting.

RELR 584. Culture, Psychology, and Religion. 3 Units.

Introduces the major contours of Western culture as they relate to various schools of psychological thought and the influence of religious beliefs.

RELR 587. Religion and the Social Sciences. 3 Units.

Introduces classic and contemporary dialogues between religion and the social sciences.

RELR 588. Personal and Family Wholeness. 3 Units.

Studies personal spiritual development as the center for individual and family life and professional practice, with special attention to balancing healthy family relationships and professional obligations.

RELR 590. Quantitative Research in Religious Studies. 3 Units.

Introduces students to quantitative methods and data used to study the topic of religion and health, and discusses how quantitative methods are used to answer research questions related to the discipline. Students discuss published quantitative studies and explore how to use software programs (Excel, SPSS) to analyze quantitative data. Students analyze quantitative data as a component of the course.

RELR 591. Qualitative Research in Religious Studies. 3 Units.

Provides an overview of a variety of qualitative methods that can be utilized to examine relationships between religion and the health of individuals and populations. Focuses primarily on grounded theory methods. Students required to conduct their own research and/or to be involved in a research project.

RELR 595. Independent Study in Chaplaincy. 1 Unit.

Students study the processes of various chaplaincy specializations, formulate a personal chaplaincy mission statement, and submit paperwork for endorsement and certification with the Adventist Chaplaincy Ministry of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

RELR 692. Seminar in Religion and Health Care Leadership: Current Trends. 4 Units.

Explores current trends in faith and health-care leadership, such as working with faith communities, developing a values-based health-care system, and understanding current research and hiring mission; as well as other topics. Course taught in seminar fashion, exposing students to various health-care leaders and allowing students to focus on their area(s) of interest.

RELR 699. Directed Study. 1-6 Units.

Individual arrangements for students to study under the guidance of a faculty member. May include readings, literature reviews, written papers, or other special projects. Minimum of forty hours required for each unit of credit.

RELR 704. Orientation to Christian Physician Formation. 2 Units.

Introduces the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus and its continuing relevance for medical professionals. Engages students through reflective reading, writing, and conversation with other classmates, guided by faculty and physician mentors.

RELR 709. Christian Perspectives on Death and Dying. 2 Units.

From a Christian perspective, considers the meaning of death, including: the process of dying, cultural issues regarding death and dying, grief and mourning, suicide, and other related issues.

RELR 710. Compassion. 2 Units.

Practical study of the art and science of compassion in practice for health-care professionals.

RELR 715. Christian Dentist in Community. 2 Units.

Studies Christian leadership in the local church, surrounding community, and the larger society—emphasizing the practical development of leadership skills.

RELR 717. Diversity and the Christian Health Professional. 2 Units.

Facilitates the development of personal and professional understanding and appreciation for the diversity in a multicultural society from a Judeo-Christian perspective.

RELR 725. Wholeness for Physicians. 2 Units.

Knowledge, values, attitudes, and skills contributing to the physician's goal of personal wholeness.

RELR 749. Marriage and Family Wholeness. 2 Units.

Studies personal spiritual development as the center for individual and family life and professional practice, with special attention to balancing healthy family relationships and professional obligations.

RELR 774. Whole-Person Care for Physicians. 1 Unit.

Integrates psychosocial and spiritual care in the clinical setting, focusing on the patient-physician relationship.

RELR 775. Whole Person Care. 2 Units.

Integrates psychosocial and spiritual care in the clinical setting.

RELR 776. Christian Spirituality and the Health Professional. 2,3 Units.

Explores the meaning of spirituality in the light of Scripture and Christian thought. Studies practices and disciplines that form and mature an individual's spiritual life.