REL418 Didactics of Religion part 2, one subject only.

The course is connected to the following study programs

• Post-Graduate Certificate in Education

Teaching language

Norwegian

Prerequisites

REL123 Didactics of Religion, part 1, one subject only

Course contents

The course is one part of the one-year programme in educational theory and practice which consists of didactics in one or two topics, pedagogy and praxis.

The course in Religious didactics is subdivided into three main areas:

The school's position in society and the subject's place in education

Pupil knowledge and the role of the teacher

Teaching and learning

The school's position in society and the subject's place in education deals with the distinctiveness of the school subject Religion, its development and legitimization as a school subject, the National Curriculum and other official regulations. The subject's role in the multicultural school will also be emphasized.

Pupil knowledge and the role of the teacher focuses on the role of the Religion teacher, including professional ethics. The course also deals with youth culture and the diversity of the pupils' abilities. Practical- pedagogical skills in classroom management, communication and good learning environments are also central.

Teaching and learning treats didactic theories, work methods, learning strategies and teaching aids. Based on the students' knowledge of the subject Religion and insight in the didactics, the course will furthermore focus on didactic reflection and practical rehearsal in the form of planning, implementation, adjustment and assessment of teaching religion secondary school.

Research on teaching religion and ethics, and the presentation of R&D projects, will be required.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course the student shall

Knowledge

• Have thorough didactical knowledge in religion aimed at level 11-13

• Have knowledge about the subject¿s Curriculum for secondary school

• Have broad knowledge about a variety of learning strategies, teaching methods and learning arenas suited to religion

• Have broad knowledge of youth culture and the diversity of the pupils¿ abilities and interests

• Have broad knowledge about multicultural society and the possibilities and challenges that this represents for religious education

• Have knowledge about current didactical research

• Have the ability to orient him-/herself in the subject¿s R&D literature and use relevant theory in a critical and reflective manner in own R&D work

Skills

• Be able to analyze curricula and develop precise and relevant learning goals

• Have the ability to stay updated with regards to current curricula and regulations

• Have the ability to apply his/her academic and didactical knowledge in a manner that enhances good academic and social learning processes

• Be able to plan, implement, adapt, document and assess teaching in religion and ethics

• Be able to make practical use of subject didactical R&D work

• Be able to initiate and carry out subject didactical development work

• Be able to discuss and legitimate religion as a school subject

• Be able to plan and carry out a practice related R&D project, and discuss and present the results in a structured and scientific manner

• Have advanced knowledge of methodology and be able to carry out an individual analysis of collected data material

General competence

• Have a reflective attitude and critically reflect on problems related to the subject, professional ethics and school politics

• Have a conscious relation to ethical problems related to research including privacy protection, source criticism and references

Examination requirements

The following must be completed and passed:

• The practice period

• Mandatory attendance requirements (80%)

• Presentation of the R&D project (Further information will be given when the semester starts)

• Additional requirements that will be described when the semester starts.

Teaching methods

Teaching will consist of a variety of work forms and will take the form of lectures, practice and supervision, excursions, conversation, reflection, interviews, presentations, preparation of teaching and other practical exercises. Practical testing of various forms of activities relating to Religion and the role of the teacher will be central.
Apart from the teaching, students are expected to do work, both individually and in groups. A significant part of the students' learning and development will occur through such practice.
As the course is part of the one-year programme in educational theory and practice, students' actual participation in practical assignments that are part of the teaching is required and mandatory.
Students taking Religion as one subject only will during the semester carry out an R&D project. This implies that the student must collect data in relation to their practice period, and process and analyze the data in the light of relevant theory. The results are to be presented in a structured and scientific manner in a written assignment. The students must in addition to the mandatory methodology present a selected reading list of about 600 pages relevant to the assignment.

The students will have six weeks of practice in secondary school.
The workload is estimated to about 400 hours.

Evaluation

The study programme manager, in consultation with the student representative, decides the method of evaluation and whether the courses will have a midterm- or end of term evaluation, see also the Quality System, section 4.1. Information about evaluation method for the course will be posted on Canvas.

Assessment methods and criteria

4-hour written individual examination (50%)

Individual project (50%)

Graded assessment

Reduction of Credits

This course’s contents overlap with the following courses. A reduction of credits will occur if one of these courses is taken in addition:

Course	Reduction of Credits
KR-112 – Subject didactics in religion, faith, philosophy and ethics	15
REL422 – Specialization assignment for one-subject students - Religion	7.5