EDRE621 to EDRE640

EDRE621 History and Theories of Religious Education                                                                         10 cp

This unit deals with the development of theory in religious education, particularly by examining a range of approaches to religious education and the historical contexts that give rise to them. These approaches are examined and critically evaluated in light of the contemporary religious education classroom. Students will evaluate the contribution of various contemporary theorists of religious education to the present understanding of the field.

EDRE622 Cultural Contexts of Religious Education                                                                              10 cp

This unit critically examines the place of religion in Australia and how this is reflected through cultural heritage, art, literature, music and media. It explores the implications for religious education. It examines the challenges and opportunities involved in communicating a specific religious tradition in a multi-cultural and multi-faith context.

EDRE623 Coordination in Religious Education                                                                                     10 cp

Coordination in religious education occurs in a number of settings. This unit investigates the role of coordinating religious education by adopting a macro and a micro-view approach to the topic. It examines theoretical and practical issues related to coordination in religious education. The unit explores models and practice of coordination and investigates a range of challenges and implications associated with coordination theory and religious education.

EDRE624 Curriculum in Religious Education                                                                                        10 cp

This unit addresses curriculum issues in religious education focusing on such issues as evaluation, assessment and reporting dimensions. It examines the philosophical, theoretical and practical aspects of these issues as they relate to implications for religious education.

EDRE625 Contemporary Issues in Religious Education                                                                        10 cp

This unit allows for further study of a selection of contemporary issues for religious education. It examines the literature relevant to the issues and enables participants to analyse problems and consider implications for religious education (such as religious education theory, epistemology, leadership and curriculum).

EDRE626 Faith, Moral Development and Values Education                                                                 10 cp

This unit examines various theories related to faith and moral development and considers the nature of values and how they are developed. It also explores the spiritual dimension in education and ways in which this can be addressed. Various critiques of moral and faith development theories and theories of spiritual intelligence are considered as are the implications of these theories for religious education.

EDRE627 Social Justice and Religious Education                                                                                10 cp

This unit fosters reflection on and critique of programs related to education for justice, peace and ecological responsibility in the light of relevant literature from biblical, theological and philosophical fields. Catholic social teaching is used as the basis for understanding Christian involvement in social issues. The unit also assists students to gain skills in integrating education for social justice into religious education curricula.

EDRE628 Creative Arts and Religious Education                                                                                  10 cp

Fundamental to religion is its use of ritual, story, drama, music, dance and art. This unit provides insight into the role of the arts in religious expression and in the teaching and learning of religion. Using an imaginative and investigative approach it will explore the many ways in which the teaching of religious education relates to the creative arts.

EDRE629 Spirituality and the Religious Educator                                                                                 10 cp

This unit provides students with an opportunity to examine the nature of spirituality and explore the implications for religious education when it seeks to educate for and about spirituality. Particular attention is given to articulating spirituality in an Australian context. The unit allows students to reflect critically on the relationship between spirituality, education and teaching, and a variety of ways to nurture spirituality.

EDRE632 Teaching World Religions                                                                                                     10 cp

This unit investigates the content and methods of teaching world religions in the classroom. It initiates students into knowledge about the dimensions of religions as they are found in a variety of religious traditions, and presents a range of curriculum initiatives, approaches and strategies that can be applied to the teaching of secondary school religious studies courses.

EDRE633 Religious Education Project 1                                                                                               10 cp

This unit provides students with an opportunity to explore in depth a topic of interest in the field of religious education. The project entails research of an aspect of the scholarship and practice of religious education under the supervision of a faculty staff member. This project may be undertaken as a one or two unit research study.

EDRE634 Religious Education Project 2                                                                                               20 cp

This unit provides students with an opportunity to explore in depth a topic of interest in the field of religious education. The project entails research of an aspect of the scholarship and practice of religious education under the supervision of a faculty staff member.

EDRE635 Religious Education Independent Unit                                                                                  10 cp

This unit provides students with the opportunity to explore in depth the literature related to a topic of interest in the field of religious education. The project entails extended reading in an aspect of the scholarship and practice of religious education, in negotiation with the course coordinator, and under the supervision of a Faculty staff member.

EDRE636 Religious Education Seminar                                                                                                10 cp

This unit provides the flexibility to make use of the occasional presence of visiting lecturers and/or special study/seminar arrangements to provide for the study of particular topics that fit well with the Master of Religious Education course, but which otherwise might not be taught within the regular list of units offered. The seminar also allows for the flexible delivery of the unit.

EDRE637 Religious Education in the Middle Years                                                                               10 cp

This unit is designed to explore ideas of religious education for the Middle Years of schooling, years 5-9. The unit focuses on perspectives and principles underlying contemporary approaches to quality middle years education and considers appropriate practice and socio-cultural influences on learning in the religion classroom.

EDRE639 Religious Education in the Faith Community                                                                        10 cp

This unit explores the distinctions and complementarity between catechesis and religious education. It addresses the relationship between developments in Christian theology, the goals of faith education, and contemporary catechetical theory as it pertains to the education of children, adolescents and adults in the faith community.

EDRE640 Religious Education Research Project                                                                                  40 cp

Prerequisites To be undertaken after successful completion of three units in religious education and the successful completion of EDFD 633 Methods in Educational Research

This unit allows for an in-depth, research approach to a religious education issue of interest to the student. It is individually supervised and subject to Australian Catholic University regulations as listed in the Research and Professional Doctorate Degree Regulations July 2003.