Course Catalogue

View Specification Document | Reading List

This module will focus on Theology and will engage you with central Christian beliefs and distinctive Catholic approaches to them. You will be asked to reflect on how God is seen as Father, Son and Spirit in the Doctrines of Creation, Incarnation and Redemption. You will learn how to respect and interpret Scripture; how to contribute to the Church's structure and dynamic; to appreciate the role of Sacraments in Christian living; how Christian values and ideals are worked out in human relationships and how to become involved in the Church' s Tradition and its development.

This is an open enrolment and continous programme.

You must hold a teaching qualification or be a student on a programme of initial teacher education.

a) An essay demonstrating a depth of understanding by showing both the interrelationship of different parts of the course's theological content, and also their relationship to human experience and Christian living. (1500 words)

plus EITHER

b i) A critical report on participation in a CPD event of equivalent experience provided by the local diocese or its delegated agency and concerned the biblical, moral or theological matters. (1500 words)
OR if such participation is deemed by the tutor inappropriate or impracticable.
b ii) A critical essay on faith development in consultation with, and with the approval of, the student's tutor. (1500 words)

By the end of the course students will
- Understand the underlying principles and practices of the Catholic faith and to examine critically the implications of these for Christian commitment and living.
- Be able to express the values and ideals of the Catholic faith integrating these with Christian living in the context of the work, obligations and challenges of those involved in Religious Education.

The Programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas:

Knowledge and Understanding

To support the student in developing an understanding of the scriptures, doctrines, morals and practices of the Catholic faith;
To support the student in understanding the roles, in the study of religion, of scripture, language, liturgy, signs and symbols, and the interpretation of experience, as reflected in the traditions and insights of Catholic education.

Skills And Other Attributes

Subject-specific / practical skills

Interpreting and contextualising a range of biblical, doctrinal and religious principles and beliefs and developing and implementing appropriate educational experiences based upon these.

Affording learners positive, varied and motivating contexts for learning and personal growth in Religious Education based upon confidence in using the syllabus, resources and strategies of the subject area.

Intellectual Skills

Continual critical enquiry and personal development in values and religious education.
Sensitivity to culture, authority, belonging and tradition in religion.
Research into the relationship of faith to life, to religious practice, to tolerance and to respect for difference.

Transferable / Key Skills

Developing reflective professional practice in the broad interpersonal, spiritual and philosophical dimensions of education.
Concern for the needs of all learners.
Collaborative participation in ongoing educational change and technological innovation.
Communication and cooperation with other stakeholders in education.
Planning, implementation, assessment and evaluation of learning and teaching.

Successful completion of the assignment.