Module: Professional Practitioner in Religious Education

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Professional Practitioner in Religious Education
Module Code	EDP1132 (ITS: ED3042)
Faculty	Human Development	School	DCU Institute of Education
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

Students will become conversant with the issues surrounding primary religious education in Ireland and abroad (legal basis for RE, human rights, philosophical and ethical conflicts, inclusion and diversity). Students will develop their understanding of theories of religious education, principles of learning and research into the spiritual, moral and religious dimensions of children's development. Students will examine the approach to inter-religious learning in Catholic schools. Children will learn about the Meditation with Children project and how to engage children in Christian meditation. Students will build on the professional expertise gained in years two and three to develop a sense of creativity and innovation in their RE practice.

Learning Outcomes

1. Outline a Catholic philosophy of education and critically compare it with a secular philosophy of education
2. debate issues surrounding primary religious education ( human rights, conflicting philosophies, legal standing of RE, legal and ethical conflicts, inclusion, ethos).
3. explain how to engage children in Christian meditation
4. explore the fifth and sixth class Grow in love programmes
5. examine and critically assess research into Montessori-based forms of religious education
6. design material that demonstrates structured, creative and innovative religious education practice.
7. identify skills of inter-religious literacy appropriate for the primary school child

Total Workload: 0

Section Breakdown
CRN	20309	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Vivek da Silva	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	n/a	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Hession, A.: 2015, Catholic Primary Religious Education in a Pluralist Environment,, Veritas, Dublin,
Hession, A.: 2013, Inter-religious Education and the Future of Religious Education in Catholic Primary Schools. In G. Byrne & P. Kieran (Eds.), Toward Mutual Ground: Pluralism, Religious Education and Diversity in Irish Schools, Columba Press, Dublin, 165,
Lane, Dermot A.: 2015, Catholic Education In The Light of Vatican II and Laudato Si’,, Veritas, Dublin,
Johnson, Aostre, N.: 2011, Developing Spirit Related Capacities of Children and Adolescents. In Aostre N. Johnson & Marylyn W. Neagley (Eds.), Educating From the Heart: Theoretical and Practical Approaches to Transforming Education, Rowman & & Littlefield Education., Plymouth,
Catholic Schools Partnership: 2015, Part Two: Developing and Sharing Good Practice. In Catholic Primary Schools in a Changing Ireland: Sharing Good Practice on Inclusion of All Pupils,, Catholic Schools Partnership., Maynooth,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None