Assessment

Classroom attendance & participation 10% + Short Reflections 20% + Essay 70%

Module Aims

This module aims (a) to introduce students to the foundation, aims, and concepts of religious education, catechesis, and Catholic Education (b) to provide a study of the various theories and writings on these topics in the Christian tradition and in modern thought (c) To explore the magisterial documents on these topics and to engage critically on the practical application of this work in the Irish religious landscape, and (d) to introduce the syllabus and curriculum of the post-primary school religious education programme.

Indicative Syllabus:

• Religious Education
• Religious Education – Theological and Philosophical Perspectives
• Integrating Theology and Religious Education
• Catholic Education
• Vision, Ethos and Identity of Faith Based Schools
• Spirituality of the Child
• Religious Education – Curricula
• Religious Education – Programmes
• Religious Education – Methodologies & Planning
• Religious Education – Contemporary Issues and Challenges
• Faith, Spirituality and Education
• Teacher Identity

Learning Outcomes

• — Define the principal terms and concepts associated with Irish education today and specifically Religious Education.
• — Understand the difference between Religious Education, Catholic Education and Catechesis.
• — Integrate their theological knowledge into religious education methodologies.
• — Explain the concepts and current thinking on Childhood Spirituality.
• — Understand the current curricula and syllabi for teaching religious education in Ireland.
• — Show proficiency in constructing lesson plans based on content and current methodologies.
• — Understand and evaluate the current challenges involved in teaching religious education today.
• — Identify and describe the relationship between faith, spirituality and education as it is manifest in post-primary education today.

Bibliography

• — Barnes, L. Philip, ed. Debates in Religious Education London: Routledge 2012.
• — Byrne, Garth & Patricia Kieran, Toward Mutual Ground – Pluralism, Religious Education and Diversity in Irish Schools Dublin: Columba Press, 2013.
• — Kieran, Patricia and Anne Hession, eds, Exploring Religious Education: Catholic Religious Education in an Intercultural Europe, Dublin: Veritas, 2008.
• — O’Higgins Norman, James, ed., Education Matters – Readings in Pastoral Care for School Chaplains, Guidance Counsellors and Teachers, Dublin: Veritas, 2011.
• — Lane, Dermot A. Challenges Facing Religious Education in Contemporary Ireland, Dublin: Veritas, 2008.
• — Hession, Anne Catholic Primary Religious Education in a Pluralist Environment, Veritas 2015.
• — Groome, Thomas H, Will There be Faith? Depends on Every Christian, Dublin: Veritas, 2011.
• — O’Higgins Norman, James, ed., Education Matters – Readings in Pastoral Care for School Chaplains, Guidance Counsellors and Teachers, Dublin: Veritas, 2011.
• — Ratcliff, Donald E., ed. Handbook of Children’s Religious Education Birmingham, AL: Religious Education Press, 1992.
• — Best, Ron, ed. Education, Spirituality and the Whole Child London: Cassell 1996.