Foundations of Religious Education (DR8603Y)

Postgraduate, 16.0 points

Content

This unit examines foundational issues concerning the nature, purpose, context and practice of religious education in the Catholic Christian tradition. The focus is on Catholic schooling in Australia and is informed by church documents, clarification of current terminology used in regard to religious education, and an explanation of the sources of revelation. Participants are introduced to the history of Catholic schooling in Australia and to the work of contemporary theorists of religious education. While emphasising the importance of Catholic identity and the roles of prayer, ritual, liturgy and social justice in the maintenance of that identity, there is also an exploration of the possibilities of enrichment through interfaith dialogue.

Unit code: DR8603Y

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 16.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Foundational

Unit discipline: Religious Education

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Yarra Theological Union

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Learning outcomes

1.

Articulate an understanding of the nuances of meaning in the term “religious education” and of the critical role played by context in the delivery of religious education
2.

Identify and explain the roles of scripture, tradition and experience in the processes of religious education
3.

Demonstrate knowledge of the social, political and religious context that gave rise to catholic schools and of their evolution to the present
4.

Recognise, explain and assess the possibilities of some contemporary approaches to “religious education”

5.

Develop and critically evaluate a unit of work in religious education for delivery to a specific group of students
6.

Identify the roles of prayer, ritual, liturgy and social justice in the maintenance catholic identity and the possibilities of enrichment through interfaith dialogue

Unit sequence

Prerequisites: 1st year of GCTRE

Pedagogy

Intensive: Face to face Box Hill: two Saturdays and two days at the beginning or end of the school term holidays Mildura: two sessions of two days (Friday and Saturday) Ballarat: two sessions of two days (Thursday and Friday)

Indicative Bibliography

  • Archdiocesan Texts: Box Hill: To Know, Worship and Love: Mildura: Awakenings
  • Benjamin, Anne, and Dan Riley, eds. *Catholic Schools: Hope in Uncertain Times. Mulgrave, VIC: John Garratt Publishing, 2008.
  • Congregation for Catholic Education. *The Catholic School on the Threshold of the Third Millennium. Boston, MA: Pauline Books and Media, 1998.
  • D’Orsa, Jim, and Therese D’Orsa. *A Mission to the Heart of Young People: Catholic Curriculum. Mulgrave, Vic: Vaughan Publishing, 2012.
  • Groome, Thomas H. *Christian Religious Education: Sharing Our Vision and Story. Blackburn, VIC: Dove Communications, 1980.
  • — — — . Thomas H. *Will there be Faith? A New Vision for Educating and Growing Disciples. New York, NY: Harper One, 2011.
  • Hyde, Brendan, and Richard Rymarz. *Religious Education in Catholic Primary Schools: Contemporary Issues and Perspectives for RE Teachers. Terrigal, NSW: David Barlow, 2009.
  • Lovat, Terence. *What is this thing called Religious Education? 3rd ed. Katoomba: Social Science Press, 2009.
  • Maher, Anthony, and Bob Hanley. *Educating Hearts: Seven Characteristics of a Good School. Strathfield: St Pauls Publications, 2013.
  • Pollefeyt, Didier, and Jan Bouwens. *Identity in Dialogue: Assessing and enhancing Catholic school identity. Research methodology and research results in Catholic schools in Victoria, Auustralia. Zürich: LIT VERLAG GmbH & Co. KG Wien, 2014.
  • Ryan, Maurice. *A Common Search: The History and Forms of Religious Education in Catholic Schools. Hamilton, QLD: Lumino Press, 2007.
  • Synott, John P. *Quality Education: Global Perspectives for Australian Schools. Terrigal, NSW: David Barlow Publishing, 2009.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

2000 words: This assignment is an opportunity for you to engage in Reflective Practice. It will be based on a unit of work that you have, will or desire to teach and it invites you to critically examine your pedagogy.

 2000 50.0
Essay

2000 words: Develop, or utilise an existing definition of religious education and critically evaluate its strengths and limitations and its applicability to a particular school context.

 2000 50.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 31 Dec, 2015

Unit record last updated: 2020-09-04 12:03:29 +1000