CTH5410EN - Drama Therapy with Special Populations

Course description

Applies therapeutic uses of drama to the differing needs of special populations. In a survey course, students apply their training in drama therapy with various populations over the course of the semester. In a course focusing on a specific population, students learn in depth about the developmental and clinical psychological needs of one population and how to adapt drama therapy techniques to their treatment.

How this course benefits students

An exploratory course which focuses on drama therapy with a few select population groups. Students learn how to make accommodations for successful participation in creative drama, improvisation, puppetry, rehearsals for traditional plays, and develop new plays geared to participants' strengths. Students apply their training to various populations by choosing assignments which survey many population groups or by focusing on one specific population. The course may fulfill the requirement for the Registered Drama Therapist credential with the North American Drama Therapy Association.

Why this course is important

This course will encourage the student practitioner to imagine and integrate Drama Therapy with various people groups. The course may fulfill the requirement for the Registered Drama Therapist credential with the North American Drama Therapy Association.

Credit hours
3 hours
Subject area
Creative Therapy
Educational level
Master
Learning type
Instructional
Prerequisites
None
Upcoming terms
Pending
* Schedule subject to change. Please contact the Registrar's office with schedule questions.
Certificates

How this course relates to missional core values

Biblically based

This course will serve as a reminder to the student that God so loved the world (John 3:16). The world includes every race, nation, tongue, and culture. This class will encourage the student to look at Special Populations as an extension of our missional mandate to share the good news with all people.

Missionally driven

Drama Therapy is not therapy, per se, but is defined by the NADTA as “the intentional use of theatre to bring about therapeutic results.” The therapeutic results we aim for as evangelists is the understanding that man has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, but that Christ died while we were yet sinners. Drama therapy is not therapy, but drama that is therapeutic or in this case, missional.

Contextually informed

This course will examine the use of drama therapy within the context of special populations.

Interculturally focused

Students will be expected to consider different populations, which could include (but is not limited to) various cultures.

Practically minded

Drama Therapy is not limited to therapists, but is used in non-clinical settings such as schools, hospitals, community centers, and churches. Students will be able to bring these skills into these settings to bring about evangelistic results. Unlike clinical therapy, certain drama therapy techniques to not require confidentiality from the participants. This makes it a very easy and practical approach even for the unlicensed practitioner.

Experientially transformed

Theatre arts, by nature and definition, is an experiential medium. Students will be equipped to take the lessons learned from the course and apply them directly in their church or missional assignments.