| CODE | PLC2620 | ||||||
| TITLE | Spiritual, Moral and Religious Formation in the Child's First Years | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Pastoral Theology, Liturgy and Canon Law | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit has two main components: the first part deals with the relationship between religion and the formation of personal and social identity. The role of religion in general and the resurgence of spirituality in contemporary society will be tackled. The second part of the course will present religion, morality and spirituality as essential components of holistic education. After reviewing the history of children in western society, students will be introduced to current theories and research on children’s spiritualities, religiosity and morality. Study-unit Aims The main aim of this study-unit is to help prospective Early-Childhood educators to understand the centrality of spiritual and moral formation in the holistic development of children. It also aims at equipping educators with those skills necessary to enhance their spiritual, religious and moral formation. Learning Outcomes 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - define religion and spirituality, - understand the role of religion and spirituality in the formation of identity, - list the developmental stages of faith and moral development, - discuss the Christian understanding of Childhood and children’s spirituality, - have a basic understanding of 3 major religions. 2. Skills (including transferable [generic] skills): By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - plan and develop suitable interventions to enhance the spiritual, religious and moral development of the child. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings - Borriello, L. (2002). Anche i bambini possono essere santi. Rivista di Vita Spirituale 56:443–68. (available - Seminary) - Bunge, M. J. (2001). The child in Christian thought, edited by, 29–60. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans. (available - University) - Cavalett, S. & Coulter, P.( 2007). The Religious Potential of the Child: Experiencing Scripture and Liturgy with Young Children, Chicago: Liturgy Training. (ordered) - Fowler, J. W., Nipkow, K. E. & Schwietzer F. (eds). (1992). Stages of Faith and Religious Development ,London: SCM. (available - University) - Gellel, A. (2006). Spiritual formation of children in the catholic church. In K. M. Yust, A. N. Johnson, S. Eisenberg Sasso & E.C. Roehlkepartain (eds.), Religious perspectives on spirituality in childhood and adolescence (83-94). USA: Rowman & Littlefield. (available - University) - Hart, T. 2003. The secret spiritual world of children. Makawao: Inner Ocean. (ordered) - Oser, F. K., Scarlett, G. & Bucher A. (2006). Religious and spiritual development throughout the life span, in Damon, W. & Lerner, R. M. (eds.) Handbook of child psychology, San Francisco: Wiley. (available - University) - Roehlkepartain, E., Ebstyne King P., Wagener, L. & Benson P. (eds.). (2005). The handbook of spiritual development in childhood and adolescence, USA: Sage. (available - University) |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-requisite Qualification: First year of the undergraduate programme | ||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Adrian Mario Gellel |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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