UMS : Unit: DR8012L

Content

This unit is located at the intersection between theory and practice in Lutheran education. It considers the classroom as a place of diverse prior understandings, including spirituality and worldview, which need to be considered in the planning of both Christian Studies and worship in a Lutheran or other Christian education setting. It engages students in a close theological and pedagogical study of the Lutheran Education Australia Christian Studies Curriculum Framework (CSCF). It explores questions of best practice and assessment in teaching Christian Studies. Students will also examine Lutheran theology, theory and practice of worship at education sites, considering various complexities and issues surrounding worship in schools and early childhood centres. Students are provided with opportunities to reflect critically on their practice in the light of theological and pedagogical theory.

Unit code: DR8012L

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Foundational

Unit discipline: Religious Education

Proposing College: Australian Lutheran College

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Learning outcomes

1.	Demonstrate awareness of the impact of external factors, including spirituality, worldview and secular agenda, on worship and Christian Studies practice in Lutheran or other Christian education settings
2.	Engage with the Christian Studies Curriculum Framework, and demonstrate deep understanding which leads to appropriate contemporary teaching methodology and assessment practice
3.	Critically analyse worship in the context of the Lutheran (or other Christian by negotiation) education setting, considering issues relating to the theology, theory and practice of worship
4.	Demonstrate a developed capacity to engage in the process of theological reflection in an education context.

Unit sequence

Course relationship: A level 8 unit in postgraduate theology, ministry and education courses

Pedagogy

This unit uses teaching strategies which encourage student engagement and participation in a variety of learning tasks and opportunities which foster deep learning.

Indicative Bibliography

Barnes, Philip. Debates in religious education. New York: Routledge, 2012.
Bartsch, Malcolm. A God who speaks and acts: theology for teachers in Lutheran schools. North Adelaide, SA: Lutheran Education Australia, 2013.
Grajczonek, Jan, and Maurice Ryan, eds. Religious education in early childhood: a reader. Hamilton, QLD: Lumino Press, 2007.
Groome, Thomas. Educating for life: a spiritual vision for every teacher and parent. Allen, TX: Thomas More, 2008.
Hughes, Philip. Educating for purposeful living in a post-traditional age. Nunawading, VIC, Christian Research Association, 2017.
Hyde, Brendan. Children and spirituality: searching for meaning and connectedness. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2008.
Lutheran Education Australia. Christian Studies Curriculum Framework. Rev. ed. North Adelaide, SA: Lutheran Education Australia, 2015.
Lutheran Education Australia. Lifelong qualities for learners: a vision for learners and learning in Lutheran schools. Rev. ed. North Adelaide, SA: LEA, 2005.
Murdoch, Kath. The power of inquiry, Northcote, VIC: Seastar Education, 2015.
Rymarz, Richard, and Angelo Belmonte, eds. Religious education in Australian Catholic schools: exploring the landscape. Mulgrave, VIC: Vaughan Publishing, 2017
Watson, Keith. Education and religion: global pressures, local responses. London: Routledge, 2012.

Assessment

Type	Description	Word count	Weight (%)
Portfolio	Evidence of worship theory and practice	3500	50.0
Portfolio	Evidence of Christian Studies theory and classroom practice	3500	50.0

Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Maggie Kappelhoff on 19 Jul, 2021

Unit record last updated: 2021-07-19 14:29:47 +1000