Theological and Pedagogical Foundations of Religious Education (DR2000C)

Undergraduate, 18.0 points

Content

This unit focuses on the theological and professional principles underlying both the nature and process of religious education, emphasising the rationale, content, context, and methodologies of the discipline. Through a process of lectures, directed readings, and personal research, and with special emphasis on T. H. Grooome’s “Shared Praxis” model, students are invited to examine and critique the social, cultural and theological presupositions underlying their understanding and experience of religious education, and outline a specific project in line with their educative and pastoral activity.

Unit code: DR2000C

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 2

Unit discipline: Religious Education

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Catholic Theological College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Demonstrate and evaluate a basic understanding of the theological and educational principles underlying the nature and the processes of religious education.
2.

Identify and examine the specific nature of faith education as a ministry in the Church.
3.

Identify, examine, and critique the social, ecclesial, cultural, philosophical, and theological presuppositions underlying religious education.
4.

Synthesise and evaluate Thomas H. Groome’s “Shared Praxis” approach and compare and critique different models of religious education.
5.

Evaluate and assess pastoral and/or educational situations within various ministries in the light of various models of religious education.

Pedagogy

Religious education is a process of growth integrating life and faith through personal and communal experience. Students engage in formal lectures, presentations, dialogical and interactive learning through sharing and questioning practical experiences and case studies, providing opportunities for collaborative learning through critical discussion of directed articles and recommended authors.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Buchanan, Michael T., and Richard Rymarz. Introduction to Catholic Education: Current Perpsectives. Terrigal: David Barlow Publishing, 2008.
  • Church Documents on Catholic Education – 1965-2002. Strathfield: St Paul’s Publications, 2004.
  • Durka, Gloria. The Teacher’s Calling. A Spirituality for Those Who Teach. New York: Paulist Press, 2002.
  • Engebretson, Kath, Marian de Souza, Richard Rymarz and Michael T. Buchanan. Cornerstones of Catholic Secondary Education. Principles and Practice of the New Evangelisation. Terrigal: David Barlow Publishing, 2008.
  • Gallagher, Jim. Soil for the Seed. Great Wakering, Essex: McCrimmons Publishing, 2001.
  • Groome, Thomas H. Christian Religious Education. Sharing Our Story and Vision. Melbourne: Dove Communications, 1980.
  • Lovat, Terry J. What Is This Thing Called Religious Education?" Wentworth Falls: Social Science Press, 1989.
  • Rymarz, Richard and Angelo Belfonte, eds. Religious Education in Australian Catholic Schools. Exploring the Landscape. Mulgrave: Vaughan Publishing, 2017.
  • Ryan, Maurice, ed. Echo and Silence: Contemporary Issues for Australian Religious Education. Katoomba: Social Science Press, 2001.
  • Stern Julian, Teaching Religious Education. Researchers in the Classroom. London: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2018.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Case Study

500-word Case Study

500 20.0
Book Review

1000-word Literature Review

 1000 20.0
Essay

3,000-word Essay

 3000 60.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 7 Aug, 2018

Unit record last updated: 2022-12-15 16:05:08 +1100