Assessment

Essay 70% + Classroom Participation 10% + Attendance 10% + Short Reflections based on Required Reading 10%

Module Aims

This module is in two parts – The first part is to introduce students to the foundation, aims, and concepts of religious education, catechesis, and Catholic Education. To provide a study of the various theories and writings on these topics in the Christian tradition and in modern thought. To explore the magisterial documents on these topics and to engage critically on the practical application of this work in the Irish religious landscape. To introduce the syllabus and curriculum of the primary school religious education programme.

The second part is to introduce the students to the study of liturgy.

Indicative Syllabus

• Religious Education and Catechesis.
• Catholic Education.
• Catholic Preschool and Primary Religious Education Curriculum for Ireland.
• Catholic Education and the Irish Constitution.
• Shared Christian Praxis as the foundation for religious education and catechesis.
• Introduction and general principles of Grow in Love – the Catholic Religious Education programme for Ireland.

Learning Outcomes

• — LO1: Demonstrate how religious education and catechesis informs, forms, and transforms the pupils in primary schools under Catholic patronage.
• — LO2: Display a comprehensive understanding of the aims and objectives of Catholic Education in its widest context and its place in the Church today.
• — LO3: Display knowledge of the current pedagogical theories and writings that underpin religious education and catechesis.
• — LO4: Integrate the aims and rationale of religious education and catechesis in the planning and execution of the spiritual life of the primary school under Catholic patronage.
• — LO5: Display a competent knowledge of the current religious education programme as taught in primary schools under Catholic patronage.
• — LO 6: Display competent and practical knowledge in assisting children in their sacramental preparation.
• — LO 7: Display a competent knowledge around the construction of prayers service, Sacred Spaces and other areas of the liturgical life of the primary school under Catholic patronage.

Bibliography

• — Groome., Thomas (1980) Christian Religious Education
• — McKinney, Stephen & John Sullivan (2003) Education in a Catholic Perspective
• — Pring, Richard (2003) School Culture & Ethos
• — Kieran, Patricia & Anne Hession (2005) Children, Catholicism and Religious Education
• — Kieran Patricia & Anne Hession (2008) Exploring Religious Education
• — Sullivan, John (2008) Philosophy of Catholic Education
• — Irish Council for Catechetics (2015) Catholic Primary Schools in a Changing Ireland
• — Irish Council for Catechetics (2015) Grow in Love (Primary School Religious Education Programme)
• — Congregation for the Clergy (2022) General Catechetical Directory
• — Magisterial Documents from Second Vatican Council, the Congregation for Catholic Education, Council for New Evangelisation, Council for Catechetics of the Irish Episcopal Conference
• — Articles coming from Journals in the areas of Religious Education, Catechetics and Catholic Education