Introduction to the Principles and Practice of Religious Education (DR8600C)

Content

The unit introduces students to the principles and practice of religious education (R.E.) within the context of the Catholic school in Australia. It highlights religious education as a ministry and pastoral instrument for promoting personal faith and development. Participants examine contemporary theological and educational principles underlying religious education, various pedagogical approaches and selected works of educational theorists, including the language of Enhancing Catholic School Identity and Dialogue Schools. Clarification of the faith and spiritual development perspectives of children and adolescents, and the relationship of these to the use of Scripture and liturgy in the classroom is introduced. Current curriculum texts and resources and educational networks are studied. Lesson and unit planning for primary and secondary religious education is developed, implemented, and critically evaluated. Strategies for assessing and evaluating children and adolescents’ religious education are identified for classroom application.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

Prerequisites: BS8600C and CT8600C

Pedagogy

The pedagogical framework engages an inquiry-based learning approach, which is underpinned by a constructivist learning model that is person-centred and acknowledges students’ professional teaching experiences as an integral part of their learning. It particularly focuses on the development of their research skills through reflective practice and application of critical analysis of R.E. planning and its delivery.

Indicative Bibliography

• Catholic Education Melbourne. Horizons of Hope: Education Framework for the Archdiocese of Melbourne. Melbourne: Catholic Education Melbourne, 2020. https://www.macs.vic.edu.au/Our-Schools/Curriculum/Horizons-of-Hope.aspx
• D’Orsa, Therese. Leading for Mission: Integrating Life, Culture and Faith in Catholic in Catholic Education. Melbourne: Garratt, 2013.
• Engebretson, Kathleen, Marian de Sousa, Richard Rymarz, and Michael T. Buchanan. Cornerstones of Catholic Secondary Education: Principles and Practice of the New Evangelizatisation. Terrigal: David Barlow Publishing, 2008.
  
• Erricker, Jane, Cathy Ota, and Clive Erricker, eds. Spiritual Education: Cultural, Religious and Social Differences. Eastbourne: Sussex Academic Press, 2012.
• Groome, Thomas H. Sharing Faith: A Comprehensive Approach to Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry: The Way of the Shared Praxis. San Francisco: Harper, 1991.
• Groome, Thomas H. "Religious Education in Catholic Schools to Educate for Living." Journal of Christian Education in Korea 61, no. 3 (2020): 37-60.
• Hay, David, with Rebecca Nye. The Spirit of the Child. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2006.
• Hyde, Brendan. Children’s Spirituality: Searching for Meaning and Connectedness. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2008.
• Pollefeyt, Didier, and Jan Bouwens. Identity in Dialogue: Assessing and Enhancing Catholic School Identity: Research Methodology and Research Results in Catholic Schools in Victoria, Australia. Berlin: LIT Verlag, 2014.
• van Dijk-Groeneboer, Monique. “Who am I, the Religious Educator? Religion in the Formation of a Moral Compass.” Journal of Religious Education 68 (2020): 191-200.

Assessment