Module: Religious Education

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Religious Education
Module Code	EDU1044 (ITS: CCE501)
Faculty	Human Development	School	DCU Institute of Education
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module invites students to examine insights from the philosophical, theological and educational domains that inform Catholic religious education in the primary school. An examination of these theoretical foundations will enable students to understand the professional rationale supporting their own approach to religious education in the primary school. Students will be introduced to the Catholic Preschool and Primary School Curriculum for Ireland (2015) and to the Grow in Love programme (2015-2020). Students will be introduced to participatory and empowering methods in primary religious education. They will develop their own religious literacy in ways that will enhance their ability to teach religious education to children. They will explore the Catholic approach to moral education in light of Christian ethics and international research in children’s moral development.

Learning Outcomes

1. Study the Catholic Pre-school and Primary Religious Education Curriculum for Ireland
2. Explore some theoretical foundations for Catholic primary religious education
3. Develop competence in using the new religious education programme, Grow in Love.
4. Explain and apply religious education methodologies and approaches (lesson planning, story, questioning, evaluating, Montessori-based forms of RE, moral education strategies, inter-religious learning).
5. Explain the Catholic approach to moral education and distinguish Catholic moral education from secular ethical approaches.
6. Analyse the pedagogical approach to the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation.

Total Workload: 0

Section Breakdown
CRN	10454	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	David Kennedy	Module Teacher	Cora O'Farrell

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Essay	Essay based on a choice of titles drawn from course materials.	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

Introduction to the Discipline of Religious Education.

Types of Religious Education found in Liberal Democracies.

Catholic religious education: Formation and Critical Education.

The Catholic Primary Religious Education Curriculum: Overview, Context, Aim, The Four Strands.

The Catholic Primary Religious Education Curriculum: outcomes, skills of religious literacy,

The Spiral Curriculum

The Grow in Love programme.

Teaching Sacred Scripture to children.

Montessori-Based forms of Religious Education.

Inter-religious learning in the Primary school.

Catholic Moral Education: Philosophical approach and practical strategies.

The role of the school and wider community in effective Religious Education practice.

Inclusivity and rights in Catholic Religious Education.

Inclusivity and rights in Catholic Religious Education.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Hession, A.: 2015, Catholic Primary Religious Education in a Pluralist Environment, Veritas, Dublin,
Catholic Schools Partnership: 2015, Catholic Primary Schools in a Changing Ireland: Sharing Good Practice on Inclusion of All Pupils, Catholic Schools Partnership, Maynooth,
Byrne, G. and Kieran, P. Eds: 2013, Toward Mutual Ground: Pluralism, Religious Education and Diversity in Irish Schools, 11, The Columba Press, Dublin,
Cavelletti, Sofia: 1992, The Religious Potential of the Child, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Publications, Chicago,
Irish Episcopal Conference: 2015, Catholic Pre-School and Primary Religious Education Curriculum for Ireland, Veritas, Dublin,
Kieran, Patricia and Hession, Anne: 2005, Children, Catholicism and Religious Education, Veritas, Dublin,
Nye, R.: 2009, Children's Spirituality: what it is and why it matters, Church House Publishing, London,
Grajczonkek, J. et al.: 2007, Religious Education in Early Childhood: a reader,, Lumino Press, Brisbane,
Mahon, E. and O'Farrell, C.: 2016, Grow in Love Teacherâ€™s Manual, First Class/ Primary 3, Veritas, Dublin,

Articles:

2003: Religious and spiritual development: An introduction, Review of Religious Research, Vol. 44, 213, 521596, 2
The spiritual potential of childhood: Awakening to the fullness of life: International Journal of Children's Spirituality, Vol. 18, 4,

Other Resources

None