Inclusive Religious Education


Book Description

To what extent is diversity perceived and recognized as a resource in contemporary religious education in schools and congregations? What happens with children and their teachers when classrooms shift into inclusive learning communities, where all are invited to learn from their abilities and vulnerabilities? This book offers theoretical and empirical insights into the complex domain of inclusive religious education. It brings together scholars working on the intersection of theological, educational, and disability studies. (Series: Dortmund Contributions to Theology and Religious Education / Dortmunder Beitrage zu Theologie und Religionspadagogik - Vol. 12) [Subject: Religious Studies, Education, Disability Studies]




Religious Education in a Global-Local World


Book Description

This book examines Religious Education (RE) in over ten countries, including Australia, Indonesia, Mali, Russia, UK, Ireland, USA, and Canada. Investigating RE from a global and multi-interdisciplinary perspective, it presents research on the diverse past, present, and possible future forms of RE. In doing so, it enhances public and professional understanding of the complex issues and debates surrounding RE in the wider world. The volume emphasizes a student-centred approach, viewing any kind of ‘RE’, or its absence, as a formative lived experience for pupils. It stresses a bottom-up, sociological and ethnographic/anthropological research-based approach to the study of RE, rather than the ‘top down’ approaches which often start from prescriptive legal, ideological or religious standpoints. The twelve chapters in this volume regard RE as an entity that has multiple and contested meanings and interpretations that are constantly negotiated. For some, ‘RE’ means religious nurturing, either tailored to parental views or meant to inculcate a uniform religiosity. For others, RE means learning about the many religious and non-religious world-views and secular ethics that exist, not promoting one religion or another. Some seek to avoid the ambiguous term ‘religious education’, replacing it with terms such as ‘education about religions and beliefs’ or ‘the religious dimension of intercultural education’.




Religious Education for Plural Societies


Book Description

In the World Library of Educationalists series, international experts themselves compile career-long collections of what they judge to be their finest pieces – extracts from books, key articles, salient research findings, major theoretical and practical contributions – so the world can read them in a single manageable volume. Readers will be able to follow the themes and strands and see how their work contributes to the development of the field. Religious Education for Plural Societies highlights key writings from Robert Jackson’s international career in education. It provides a historical perspective in relation to current debates about religious education in the UK and internationally, drawing attention to current issues of concern. Carefully selected examples explore the key themes in religious education that allow us to consider how things were, how they are now and the future for the field of study. Split into parts: empirical research; the interpretive approach to religious education pedagogy; religious education and plurality and human rights and international policy developments, Robert Jackson also provides an overview of the text in the form of a general introduction, and also introductions to each section of the book, allowing the reader a personal insight into why each piece has been chosen. Religious Education for Plural Societies allows readers to follow themes and strands across Robert Jackson’s career and see how his work has contributed to the development of the fields of religions and education. It will be of interest to all followers of Robert Jackson’s work and any reader interested in the development of religious education in the UK and internationally.




Addressing Special Educational Needs and Disability in the Curriculum: Religious Education


Book Description

The SEND Code of Practice (2015) reinforced the requirement that all teachers must meet the needs of all learners. This topical book provides practical, tried and tested strategies and resources that will support teachers in making RE lessons accessible and interesting for all pupils, including those with special needs. The author draws on a wealth of experience to share his understanding of special educational needs and disabilities and show how the RE teacher can reduce or remove any barriers to learning. Offering strategies that are specific to the context of RE teaching, this book will enable teachers to: create a supportive environment which maximises learning opportunities; plan the classroom layout and display to enhance learning; help students of all levels to gain confidence in their reading and writing ability; stimulate discussion and develop thinking skills through using stimuli such as religious art, music, artefacts and films; successfully train and fully use the support of their teaching assistants. An invaluable tool for continuing professional development, this text will be essential for teachers (and their teaching assistants) seeking guidance specific to teaching RE to all pupils, regardless of their individual needs. This book will also be of interest to SENCOs, senior management teams and ITT providers. In addition to free online resources, a range of appendices provide RE teachers with a variety of writing frames and activity sheets to support effective teaching. This is an essential tool for RE teachers and teaching assistants, and will help to deliver successful, inclusive lessons for all pupils.




Issues in Religious Education


Book Description

Religious education in schools continues to be a subject of debate and is especially topical in our multicultural society. This text is designed to give students and teachers a contextual and theoretical background to this subject.




International Perspectives on Citizenship, Education and Religious Diversity


Book Description

Citizenship is high on the agenda of education systems in many of the world's democracies. As yet, however, discussions of citizenship education have neglected issues of religious diversity and how the study of religions can contribute to our understanding of citizenship. International Perspectives on Citizenship, Education and Religious Diversity brings together an international range of contributions from religious studies scholars and educators specialising in the study of religions. Together, these illustrate and explore the key questions for educational theory and pedagogy raised by drawing issues of religious diversity into citizenship education. The chapters address and extend debates over the nature of citizenship in late modernity, highlighting local and global dimensions of citizenship in relation to issues of national, religious, ethnic and cultural identity. As well as emphasising the role religious education has to play in citizenship education, this book also covers wider issues such as state-supported faith schools and cultural diversity in relation to common citizenship. The authors argue that critical, yet reflective, approaches to religious education have a distinctive and valuable contribution to make to citizenship education. Issues addressed within the study of religions are related to new forms of global and cultural citizenship, as well as citizenship within the nation state. Ultimately, this stimulating and original collection highlights the challenges and possibilities for teaching and learning about religion, religions and religious diversity within an inclusive educational practice.




Rethinking Religious Education and Plurality


Book Description

This text offers a critical view of approaches to the treatment of different religions in contemporary education, in order to devise approaches to teaching and learning and to formulate policies and procedures that are fair and just to all.







Debates in Religious Education


Book Description

This essential book provides a comprehensive introduction to current debates in religious education. Exploring the rich variety of opinions and ideas that constitute and impact upon religious education, both novice and experienced teachers will benefit from deepening their theoretical knowledge and understanding through reading Debates in Religious Education. This second edition has fully updated all chapters and included an additional thirteen new contributions, providing a provocative yet informative introduction to current debates and allowing teachers to reach informed decisions about how they approach this subject. Responding to recent controversy and challenging assumptions about the place of religion in education, expert contributors cover key topics such as: The aims of religious education Religious education in the United Kingdom and Ireland Agreed syllabuses and the role of Standing Advisory Councils Educational issues, such as the right of withdrawal, collective worship, and faith schools Teaching and learning in religious education Multi-faith religious education Relating science and religion. With its combination of expert opinion and fresh insight, this essential text is the ideal companion for any student or practising teacher engaged in initial training, continuing professional development or Master's-level study.




Teaching Religious Education


Book Description

An updated, expanded, edition of the popular textbook for student and practising teachers of religious education. It is a book for and about teaching and learning religious education in schools, which is a lively and open-ended subject, ideal for those wanting to explore how people understand the world, and how they live their lives. A wide range of religious and non-religious ways of life are explored. New to this edition are descriptions of more recent research on teaching and learning religious education from the UK, Europe, America, Asia, Africa and Australia. Also included are personal accounts written by pupils, teachers and researchers, giving voice to those learning and researching religious education in practice. As well as revising and extending every chapter of the first edition, there are brand-new chapters on: - the real lives of teachers and pupils in religious education - religious education around the world - spirituality - thinking about philosophy, truth, and religious education - ethics, rights, values and virtues - creativity and religious education. A key feature of the book is the 33 classroom activities for learners aged 7 to 18, which are also designed for use by student and practising teachers. These activities enable those studying and teaching religious education to be active researchers.