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.