Counseling Psychology and Human Services
Graduate Division
Fall 1997
GRCP 634 - SPIRITUALITY OF THE 12-STEPS
Wednesdays 6:00 - 8:45 PM
St. Joseph's Hall, Room 242
Faculty: Jeffrey A. Schaler, Ph.D.
Telephone: (215) 402-0268
E-mail: jschale@american.edu
Office hours: (by appointment)
Course Description
According to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) historian Ernest Kurtz, spirituality in AA is transmitted and "grown into" through "release," "gratitude," "humility," and "tolerance." These are considered the characteristics of spirituality in AA, according to Kurtz. "The term not-God is the theme around which AA developed (Kurtz)."
In this graduate course, we will explore spirituality as a key aspect in 12- step programs in light of those four characteristics. In a general sense, spirituality refers to belief in a metaphysical entity that can influence personal experience. In AA, the belief in "not-God" is the heart of spirituality, particularly for the individual in relation to alcohol: "First of all, we had to quit playing God" (Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 62). Students in this course will develop a deeper understanding of what the term "not-God" means, how it constitutes the core of spirituality in AA, and what it means in relation to beliefs about alcoholism for 12-step programs.
AA ideas about alcoholism continue to influence and clash with scientific research. While many people believe that AA is the most effective form of treatment for alcoholism, and are attracted to it because of its spirituality, others eschew and denounce AA for the same reasons. We will learn about why an increasing number of people around the country dislike and criticize the spirituality of AA.
Finally, using historical, psychological and sociological research methods, we will examine spirituality in the 12-steps in relation to major religious and existential traditions. Students will be introduced to contemporary issues confronting spiritual practice in AA. These include the application of 12-step principles in professional treatment programs, the effectiveness of those programs, and First Amendment rights issues. Lecture and discussion format.
Course Objectives
- To know the history of Alcoholics Anonymous within the context of beliefs about alcoholism in the U.S.
- To develop a psychological understanding of general perspectives on spirituality; and the characteristics of spiritual beliefs in AA.
- To understand the nature of AA spirituality within the context of religious tradition.
- To become aware of the difference between AA and 12-step professional treatment programs for alcoholism.
- To understand contemporary legal problems facing AA and the growing interest in alternative self-help programs.
- To develop skill in reviewing, presenting and challenging these issues from a psychological point of view.
Required Texts
Kurtz, E. (1979). Not-God. Center City: Minneapolis, Minn.: Hazelden
Foundation.
Required readings: (Note: These are on reserve in the library. You will
need to make copies of each article at the library.)
Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. (1985). Alcoholics Anonymous.
New York.
Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. (Just the 12-Steps and the Twelve
Traditions.)
Alexander, F. amp; Rollins, M. (1984). Alcoholics Anonymous: The unseen
cult. California Sociologist, Winter, 33-48.
Antze, P. (1987). Symbolic action in Alcoholics Anonymous. In M. Douglas
(ed.) Constructive drinking: Perspectives on drink from anthropology, pp.
149-181. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Bateson, G. (1971). The cybernetics of "self": A theory of alcoholism.
Psychiatry, 34(1), 1-18.
"Elpenor." (1986). A drunkard's progress: AA and the sobering strength of
myth. Harper's Magazine, October, 42-48.
Greil, A.L. amp; Rudy, D.R. (1983). Conversion to the world view of
Alcoholics Anonymous: A refinement of conversion theory. Qualitative
Sociology, 6 (1), 5-28.
Leach, B. amp; Norris, J.L. (1977). Factors in the development of Alcoholics
Anonymous (A.A.). In Benjamin Kissin and Henri Begleiter (eds.), Treatment
and Rehabilitation of the Chronic Alcoholic, pp. 443-507. New York:
Plenum Press.
Schaler, J.A. (1996) Spiritual thinking in Addiction-Treatment Providers: The
Spiritual Belief Scale (SBS). Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 14 (3), 7-
33.
Course Requirements and Grades
First paper amp; presentation 20%
Mid-term examination 25%
Final paper 50%
Class participation 5%
Total = 100%
Review paper and presentation: Write a three-page paper reviewing one of the articles on reserve in the library. The paper should be typed and double- spaced. Do not quote more than two lines in the article. Describe the general idea(s) presented; how the author(s) presents these ideas and/or opinion; and your response to the ideas and the methodology of the article. You will then present your review in class.
Mid-term examination: This will be an essay exam based on the readings in class.
Final paper: Write a 10 to 15-page paper on any topic related to the ideas we focused on in class. You must discuss the topic of your paper with Dr. Schaler before you begin to write it. Your paper should be typed and double- spaced. You should use American Psychological Association (APA) format. Your paper should have an introduction including a statement of the problem or issue addressed, a review of the literature, a discussion and a conclusion. Cite 5 to 10 references outside of the ones assigned in class.
* Clear and accurate writing will be taken into account in assigning grades, as well as participation in class discussions. One grade reduction for over three class absences. Students are responsible for anything covered in class during their absence. Readings must be completed by the session to which they are assigned. Additional readings may be assigned during the course. Grades: A-=90, B+=89, B-=80, C+=79, C-=70
Class Schedule
Date Topic Reading
September 3 Introduction: Lecture
The History of Beliefs The 12-steps and
About Alcoholism; What Twelve Traditions
AA Is -- And What It Isn't; of AA; Schaler
What is "spirituality"?; article
What does "not-God" mean?
Characteristics of
spirituality in AA
September 10 The History Kurtz: The
and Development of AA Beginnings through
Evolving topics First Growth;
The problem of alcoholism Leach amp; Norris:
441-470
September 17 History and Kurtz:
Development of AA Independent
Evolving topics Existence through
Alcoholism research Prelude to
and controversies Maturity; Finish
Leach amp; Norris
September 24 History of AA Kurtz: Attaining
Film Maturity through
Evolving topics Responsibilities
of Maturity;
October 1 History and Fullness of Time
Developmental Factors through end of
Kurtz
October 8 Article review and Antze article
presentation
AA as Protestantism
October 15 Article review and Bateson article
and presentation
What is the "self"?
October 22 No class, Fall break
October 29 Article review and
presentation Greil article
The meaning of conversion
November 5 Article review and
presentation Alexander article
Is AA a cult?
November 12 Article review and
presentation Handout
Does AA "work"?
November 19 Mid-term examination
November 26 No class, Thanksgiving holiday
December 3 Freedom of and Freedom from Schaler lecture
spirituality and religion in Handout
AA; Contemporary legal issues
December 10 Project MATCH and 12-step Schaler lecture
Programs: What you always knew Handout
about spirituality, AA, and
alcoholism (but professional
treatment programs and the
federal government won't tell
you) Final paper due
