EL256 Teaching Religion in a Contemporary Irish School

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Module Level

8 (Undergraduate)

Time Allowance

Lectures 24 Hours

Assessment

Classwork 30% Mid-Term Assignment 30% • End of Semester Assignment 40%

Module Aims

The course is designed to introduce students to aspects of teaching religion in Irish Primary and Secondary Schools.

Objectives:

By the end of the module, students will be able to.

  • Define the principle 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.
  • Discuss the place of a faith and spirituality in the life of a teachers

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

Bibliography

  • Kieran, Patricia and Anne Hession, eds, Exploring Religious Education: Catholic Religious Education in an Intercultural Europe, 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.
  • Lane, Dermot A. Challenges Facing Religious Education in Contemporary Ireland, Dublin: Veritas, 2008.
  • 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.
  • 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.