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Module Specifications

Archived Version 2020 - 2021

Module Title
Module Code
School

Online Module Resources

NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
Description

This module introduces students to the discipline of religious education as the critical encounter between religion and education as well as a faith development activity. The module will provide a historical overview of the development of religious education theory and practice with particular reference to the Christian tradition. Students will consider the challenges for religious education today and draw on the perspective of selected theorists to identify an inclusive, student-centred and holistic rationale for the inclusion of religious education in schools on educational grounds.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of current challenges for religious education today and how these pertain to the teaching of religious education in second level schools.
2. Offer a rationale for the inclusion of religious education in schools on educational grounds.
3. Evaluate the contribution of selected practitioners in the early tradition of catechesis: John Chrysostom, Cyril of Jerusalem, Augustine, Luther, the Catechism tradition.
4. Evaluate key 20th century developments in religious education.
5. Display a degree of independence of thought; together with an awareness of, and appreciation for, the independent thoughts and needs of others.
6. Express a coherent, person-centered philosophy of life in the classroom and beyond, reflecting a generous respect for young people from a variety of social, economic, cultural and religious backgrounds.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture22Engagement in lecture based activities
Assignment Completion40Project
Independent Study63Preparation for lectures - required reading
Total Workload: 125

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

Situating contemporary religious education in its historical context

The history of Catholic Religious Education - early Christian Catechetical Sources (2nd-5th centuries)

The Catechism Tradition (16th-20th centuries), Official catechetical documents (late 20th century etc)

Introducing the language of catechesis

The educational case for Religious Education in second-level schools

From catechesis to religious education - Ireland: a case study

Implications for the teaching of Religious Education at second level in a variety of contexts

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment% Examination Weight%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Reassessment Requirement
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
Unavailable
Indicative Reading List

  • Byrne, Gareth & Kieran, Patricia (eds.): 2013, Toward Mutual Ground, Columba, Dublin,
  • Devitt, Patrick: 1992, That You May Believe, Dominican Publications, Dublin,
  • Devitt, Patrick, M.: 2000, Willingly to School, Veritas, Dublin,
  • Gallagher, James: 2001, Soil for the Seed, McCrimmons, Great Wakering,
  • Hession, Anne: 2015, Catholic Primary Religious Education in a Pluralist Environment, Veritas, Dublin,
  • Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference: 2010, Share the Good News: National Directory for Catechesis, Veritas, Dublin,
  • Kieran, Patricia & Hession, Anne: 2008, Exploring Religious Education, Veritas, Dublin,
  • Kieran, Patricia & Hession, Anne: 2005, Children, Catholicism & Religious Education, Kieran, Patricia, ‘Clearing the Ground: Religious education in Primary Schools’, Veritas, Dublin,
  • Lane, Dermot: 2008, Challenges Facing Religious Education in Contemporary Ireland, Veritas, Dublin,
  • Martin Rothgangel, Robert Jackson, Martin Jäggle (eds): 2014, Religious Education at Schools in Europe, Vienna University Press, Vienna,
  • Sawicki, Marianne: 1988, The Gospel in History: Portrait of a teaching church: the origins of Christian education, Paulist Press, New York,
  • Tuohy, David: 2013, Denominational Education and Politics: Ireland in a European Context, Veritas, Dublin,
  • Watson, Brenda & Thompson, Penny: 2007, The Effective Teaching of Religious Education, Longman, Harlow,
  • Castelli, Mike & Chater, Mark (eds) , 2018): 2018, We Need to Talk about RE, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London, 978178592695
  • Anne Looney: 2006, Religious Education in the Public Space: Challenges and Contestations’. In deSouza et al. International Handbook of the Religious, Moral and Spiritual Dimensions in Education Part Two., Springer, The Netherlands,
  • Mary Shanahan: 2017, Does Religious Education Matter?, Routledge,
Other Resources

39238, Website, Congregation for Catholic Education 1988, 1988, 1988, The Religious Dimension of Education in a Catholic School, http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccatheduc/documents/rc_con_ccatheduc_doc_19880407_ca, 39239, http://www.materdei.ie/icre, 0, Irish Centre for Religious Education, 39240, Newspaper, Sandra Cullen, 2018, ‘Young demonstrate appetite to learn about religion in schools’, Irish Times, https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/young-demonstrate-appetite-to-learn-about-religion-in-schools-1.3423115,
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