Module: Foundations in Catholic Religious Education

Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Foundations in Catholic Religious Education
Module Code	ED1010
School	76
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Vivek da Silva Semester 2: Vivek da Silva Autumn: Vivek da Silva
Module Teachers	Cora O Farrell Vivek da Silva
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

None

Description

This module commences by introducing students to the discipline of Religious Education (RE) as an NCCA curricular area. It outlines various approaches to RE and then moves specifically into the context or RE in Catholic schools at primary level. Students engage with foundational literature concerning the theoretical context of Catholic RE as well as professional content knowledge. Students are introduced to participatory and empowering methods in primary religious education, with a focus on fostering young children’s spirituality and on teaching Sacred Scripture to young children. This knowledge is built on by further appreciating its pedagogical application through an analysis of the Catholic Preschool and Primary Religious Education Curriculum for Ireland and the Grow in Love RE programme (J.I. – 2nd Class). The role of the school in partnership with parents and parish is explored in the module and exemplars of good practices in this regard are introduced. Students are also afforded the opportunity to give specific attention to the planning of lessons assisting them in preparation for school placement. The module also seeks to develop their own religious literacy in ways that will enhance their ability to teach RE to primary school children.

Learning Outcomes

1. describe the discipline of religious education at primary level
2. explore some theoretical foundations for Catholic Primary Religious Education
3. study the Catholic Preschool and Primary Religious Education Curriculum for Ireland ( 2015)
4. explain and apply religious education methodologies and approaches
5. develop competence in using the Grow In Love programme
6. identify skills of spiritual, moral and religious literacy appropriate for primary school children
7. enhance and reflect on their own religious literac
8. Recognise the partnership role of parents in the domain of RE

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	12	No Description
Seminars	6	No Description
Independent Study	100	No Description
Total Workload: 118

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

The Child
The Christian understanding of the Child

Introduction to the discipline of Religious Education
Education in religion and spirituality from the outside. Education in religion and spirituality from the inside. A History of RE in Ireland

The Catholic Preschool and Primary Religious Education Curriculum for Ireland (CPPRECI)
Overview; context; aim; strands; outcomes; skills of religious literacy; the spiral curriculum.

Grow in Love programme
Shared Christian Praxis approach Prayer in the classroom Digital resources Partnership with parents Lesson Planning Interreligious Lessons in GIL

Teaching Sacred Scripture to children
Godly Play Difficult texts

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Loop Quiz	Students complete a quiz which tests their knowledge of the content of the module.	75%	n/a
Essay	A 500 word piece on one of the chapters from the Core Text	25%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Hession, Anne: 2015, Religious Education in Catholic Primary Schools. In A. Hession, Catholic Primary Religious Education in a Pluralist Environment., Veritas, Dublin,
Adams, K. Hyde, B. and Woolley, R.: 2008, The Spiritual Dimension of Childhood, Jessica Kingsley, London,
Whittle, Sean.: 2018, Religious Education in Catholic Schools: perspectives from Ireland and the UK., Peter Lang, Oxford,
Irish Episcopal Conference: 2015, Catholic Preschool and Primary Religious Education Curriculum for Ireland, Veritas, Dublin,
Byrne, G. and Kieran, P.: 2012, Toward Mutual Ground: Pluralism, Religious Education and Diversity in Irish Schools., Columba Press, Dublin,
Council for Catechetics of the Irish Episcopal Conference.: 2019, Grow In Love, Veritas, Dublin,
Shanahan, M.: 2017, Does Religious Education Matter?, Routledge, London,
Berryman, J.: 1991, Godly Play. An Imaginative Approach to Religious Education, Augsberg, Minneapolis,

Other Resources

0, Website, Nye, R., 2017, Spirituality as a natural part of childhood., https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/content/explore_the_bible/bible_in_transmission/files/2017_spring_v2/transmission_spring_2017_nye.pdf, 0, Website, 2022, Grow In Love Online Resources, Dublin, Veritas,

Programme or List of Programmes

BED	Bachelor of Education

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