Introduction to Religious Education for Teachers (DR8640Z)

Content

This unit introduces students to the principles and practice of religious education within the context of contemporary Catholic schools in Australia. It investigates the nature, purpose, context, and history of religious education within the Catholic tradition in dialogue with the wider culture. The importance of Catholic identity and mission, an explanation of the sources of revelation, and the role of prayer, ritual, liturgy, social justice, and interfaith awareness are studied with reference to the realities of contemporary Catholic schools.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

This is the third/fourth unit in the CTC & YTU program of units for the Graduate Certificate in Teaching Religious Education.

Pedagogy

Online classes consist of interactive lectures. The asynchronous learning consists of guided learning activities.

Indicative Bibliography

• Melbourne: Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS). Horizons of Hope. https://resource-macs.com/horizons-of-hope/ ; MACS 2030 Strategic Plan; MACS Vision of Instruction and the Science of Learning, Faith Formation; Ballarat: Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education. "Awakenings." https://awakenings.ceob.edu.au/
• Benjamin, Ann, and Dan Riley (eds). Catholic Schools: Hope in Uncertain Times. Mulgrave: Garratt Publishing, 2008.
• D’Orsa, Therese. Leading for Mission: Integrating Life, Culture and Faith in Catholic Education. Melbourne: Garratt Publishing, 2013.
• Engebretson, Kathleen, Marian de Sousa, Richard Rymarz, and Michael T. Buchanan. Cornerstones of Catholic Secondary Education: Principles and Practice of the New Evangelisation. 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. Faith for the Heart: A “Catholic” Spirituality. New York/Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 2019.
• Hay, David and 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.
• Mercieca, Bernadette & Ann Rennie. Witness, Specialist, Moderator: The Critical Role of Catholic Educators in our Changing World. Mulgrave: Garrett Publishing, 2023.
• 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.

Assessment