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Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title Liturgy, Sacraments & Spirituality
Module Code EDU1042 (ITS: CCE401)
Faculty Human Development School DCU Institute of Education
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Description

This module consists of two principal elements- Spirituality for the Educator is the first and it is delivered face to face; Liturgy and Sacraments is the second and it is delivered online in an asynchronous fashion.

Learning Outcomes

1. Examine the importance of self-esteem and esteeming the true self (care of the soul) in the development of spirituality.
2. Identify what a Christian spirituality of teaching might be and how it might impact on one’s professional life as a Christian teacher.
3. Analyse Christian resources for the spirituality of the educator.
4. Provide a basic overview of the Sacraments of Initiation from historical, theological, liturgical and pedagogical points of view.
5. Describe the principal periods of the Christian Church calendar and how they might be celebrated at school.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of how to prepare a para-liturgy in the primary school.
7. Outline the process of, and resources available for the preparation of children for the sacraments of Eucharist, Reconciliation and Confirmation in the primary school.


Total Workload: 0
Section Breakdown
CRN10452Part of TermSemester 1 & 2
Coursework0%Examination Weight0%
Grade Scale40PASSPass Both ElementsY
Resit CategoryRC1Best MarkN
Module Co-ordinatorVivek da SilvaModule Teacher
Assessment Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Reflective journalStudents will be expected to write a reflective response to six of the topics on the course. Reflections are to be based on the lectures and a selection of the recommended readings on the Loop page for each topic. Each reflection should be about 200 words. ( Maximum: 1,000 words).50%n/a
Loop QuizStudents complete Loop quizzes as they progress through the Liturgy and Sacrament's component of this module online in an asynchronous fashion. In addition, they complete a short reflective piece on their learning upon completion of the module in relation to their content knowledge and pedagogical impact.50%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

Introduction to Spirituality.
The Spirituality component of the module will explore the significance of Spirituality for the Educator. This course synthesizes psychology, spirituality and theology to enable students to begin to integrate their psychological development and their spirituality into their developing sense of themselves as teachers. It will draw mainly on Christian resources for the spirituality of the educator.

Developing Self-Esteem and esteeming the True Self.

Vocation and discovering your life’s mission.

Care of the soul.

Benedictine Spirituality: care of the soul at work.

A Christian spirituality of Teaching.

Theological and historical overview of Sacraments of Initiation.
The opening elements of this component of the module (i.e. Liturgy and sacraments), will explore the notion of sacrament focusing on the Sacraments of Initiation and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Sacramental rites.
The sacramental rites are addressed from historical, theological and liturgical perspectives.

Pedagogy of the sacraments.
The pedagogical approach to sacraments pays particular attention to the Catholic Preschool and Primary Religious Education Curriculum for Ireland as well as the Grow in Love programme.

Seasons of the liturgical year – Sunday, Easter Cycle and Christmas Cycle (colours and themes).
The Liturgical Year component will look at the various liturgical seasons and cycles with particular emphasis on Sunday, Easter and Christmas.

Indicative Reading List

Books:
  • Chittister, J: 1991, Wisdom Distilled from the Daily, Harper, San Francisco,
  • Rohr, R.: 2013, Immortal Diamond: the Search for our True Self, SPCK, London,
  • Benner, D.G.: 2015, The Gift of Being Yourself: The Sacred Call to Self-Discovery (Spiritual Journey), Inter-varsity Press, U.S.,
  • Palmer, P.: 1998, The Courage to Teach, Jossey-Bass Publications, San Francisco,
  • Durka, G.: 2002, The Teacher’s Calling: a spirituality for those who teach, Paulist Press, New York,
  • Moore, T.: 2009, A Life at Work: the joy of discovering what you were born to do, Piatkus, London,
  • Monbourquette, J: 2009, in How to Discover your Personal Mission, Darton, Longmann and Todd, London,
  • Rolheiser, R.: 2014, Sacred Fire: A Vision for a Deeper Human and Christian Maturity, Image Books, New York,
  • Monbourquette, J: 2006, Self-esteem and the Soul: from psychology to spirituality, Novalis, Montreal,
  • Radcliffe, T: 2012, Take the Plunge, Bloomsbury Continuum, London,
  • O’Collins, G. & Farrugia, M: 2003, Catholicism – The Story of Catholic Christianity, Oxford University Press, New York,
  • Irish Episcopal Conference: 2011, Share the Good News – National Directory for Catechesis in Ireland., Veritas, Dublin,
  • Drumm, M. and Gunning, T.: 1999, . A Sacramental People: Volume 1 Initiation, Columba, Dublin,
  • Irish Episcopal Conference: 2015, Catholic Preschool and Primary Religious Education Curriculum for Ireland, Veritas, Dublin,
  • Pope John Paul II: 1998, Dies Domini / On Keeping the Lord's Day Holy, Pauline Books and Media,


Articles:
None
Other Resources

  • 1: Website, National Catholic Education Commission, Together at One Altar,

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