Program Overview
This course explores the nature and purpose of compassion, equipping learners with practical methods to cultivate it within themselves and towards others. Addressing work-related stress and burnout, the program provides evidence-based practices and supports the wellbeing of individuals working in helping professions. The assessment involves personal reflections on learned concepts, enabling participants to enhance their understanding and develop compassionate practices.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
This course aims to develop and deepen learners’ knowledge and understanding of the nature and purpose of compassion, and how to work compassionately in a way that is empowered and promotes wellbeing. Compassion is recognised as a vital quality for those working in a range of sectors, from health and wellbeing, through to social care and education. Despite this, research shows it is not a very well-understood quality, and ‘compassion fatigue’ has been identified as an issue impacting upon workforce wellbeing in many helping professions. This course will introduce learners to both ‘ancient wisdom’ as well as new and emerging evidence-, theory- and practice-bases that illuminate this essential human quality.
Outline:
- The human condition, suffering and ‘world views’.
- The nature, purpose and value of compassion.
- Helping professions, compassion and burnout.
- ‘Empowered Compassionate Practice’.
- Methods for cultivating compassion.
- Extending compassion in difficult circumstances.
Assessment:
Learners will be expected to produce a 500-word written reflection on each of the three learning outcomes (1,500 words in total). The reflections should describe what has been learned and discuss personal views and practices, and how these may have changed or developed, in view of the research and theory presented. The three learning outcomes are to:
- Identify mentalities and practices linked to compassion that can lead to burnout.
- Describe compassion for self and others at the level of intention, processing, and practice.
- Discuss methods of cultivating compassion toward self and others.
Teaching:
Learners will be provided with core content via recorded talks on the Virtual Learning Environment and encouraged to explore their personal views and practices in depth via guided reflections using a medium of their choosing (e.g. journaling, meditation, or creative activities). Facilitated discussion groups will be held at strategic points to enable learners to ‘check in’ and share how they are getting on.
Other:
- This course addresses some challenging themes, such as work-related stress, vicarious trauma and human suffering, and learners will be invited to reflect upon these in their own experience. As such, it is recommended that those who sign up for this course are feeling ‘well’ and open enough to do this at this point in time.
- This course is not designed to function as a therapy for those suffering from work-related mental illness, and it is advised that anyone experiencing this seeks support through their workplace or GP ahead of applying for this course.
- A unique and cutting-edge course designed to support those working in helping professions.
- Explores ‘ancient wisdom’ as well as new and emerging evidence-, theory- and practice-bases.
- Adopts a flexible, manageable and supportive teaching and learning strategy.
- Successful completion of the course leads to a Wrexham University Certificate of Continuing Education.
Tuition Fees: £95.00 incl VAT
