Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE PLC5001

 
TITLE Lifelong Catechesis

 
UM LEVEL 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course

 
MQF LEVEL 7

 
ECTS CREDITS 10

 
DEPARTMENT Pastoral Theology, Liturgy and Canon Law

 
DESCRIPTION In the first part, fundamental notions of catechesis are studied. These include a definition of terms, the relationship between catechesis and religious education, the history of catechesis,and catechesis and its relation to the Word of God, to communion, to the liturgy and to socio-charitable commitment.

The second part of the study-unit will deal with specific categories of interlocutors, namely children, adolescents and adults. When dealing with children, the study-unit seeks to give a comprehensive theoretical and practical knowledge on the contexts in which catechesis with children and with adolescents unfolds. This is done by taking the cultural context and situation in which children and adolescents live, together with their respective needs. This will help in designing and implementing programmes of catechesis which are aimed at promoting the religious and spiritual development of children. Students will also be introduced to the current theories of child and adolescent ministry and through study-visits become acquainted with contemporary pastoral practice and vision for child and adolescent ministry in Malta.

When dealing with adults as a specific category of interlocutors, the fundamental notions developed in the first part of the study-unit are applied to adulthood in the light of contemporary theories of adult formation and education.

The study-unit is also enhanced with six study visits which complement child, adolescent and adult catechesis, and from which students can experience good practices of catechesis for each of these three categories. Here students may get first hand knowledge of how things work, and of the difficulties encountered and the practical solutions applied.

Study-unit Aims:

The study-unit aims at:
1. introducing the student to the history of catechesis and the fundamental notions on which catechesis is structured;
2. introducing the student to the reality of contemporary child, adolescent and adult catechesis;
3. helping students to apply the fundamental knowledge gained through a theoretical study of catechesis to children, adolescents and adults as particular categories of interlocutors.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

1. define the terms Catechism, catechesis, catechetics and evangelisation;
2. outline the history of catechesis throughout the ages;
3. demonstrate the link between catechesis and the Word of God, the liturgy, communion and socio-charitable commitment;
4. outline a theological and philosophical framework for understanding child, adolescent and adult catechesis;
5. comprehend the stages of development of children, adolescents and adults;
6. reflect on concrete situations of child, adolescent and adult catechesis.

2. Skills
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

1.differentiate between different forms of education for the faith;
2. distinguish the aims, objectives and methods used in catechesis and in religious education respectively;
3. apply the knowledge acquire through the study of fundamental notions of catechesis to childhood, adolescents and adulthood as categories interlocutors;
4. analyze the needs of children,adolescents and adults;
5. plan and design a catechetical programme;
6. evaluate executed programmes in a realistic manner;
7. integrate the knowledge acquired with innovative methods and models of catechetical ministry;
8. respond to the needs of children, adolescents and adults in different contexts, such as parishes and schools.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts:

- Alberich, Emilio, La catechesi oggi. Manuale di catechetica fondamentale.
- Alberich, Emilio and Ambroise Binz. Adulti e Catecehsi. Elementi Di Metodologia Catechetica Dell'Éta Adulta. Leumann (Torino): Editrice elledici, 2004.
- Alberich, Emilio and Jerome Vallbaraj. Communicating a Faith that Transforms. A Handbook of Fundamental Catechetics. Bangalore, 2004.
- Buchanan, Michael T. and Adrian-Mario Gellel. Global Perspectives on Catholic Religious Education in Schools.: (Learning and Leading in a Pluralist World). Vol. II Springer, 2019.
- Coleman, John C. and Leo B. Hendry. The Nature of Adolescence. Adolescence and Society. 2nd ed. London ; New York: Routledge, 1990.
- Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization, Directory for Catechesis, London: Catholic Truth Society, 2020.
- Pope Francis, Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, 2013.
- Pope Francis, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Christus Vivit, 2019.
- Roehlkepartain, Eugene C. The Handbook of Spiritual Development in Childhood and Adolescence. The Sage Program on Applied Developmental Science. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: SAGE Publications, 2006.
- Santrock, John W. Adolescence. 13th ed. New York; London: McGraw-Hill Higher Education; McGraw-Hill distributor, 2009.
- Steinberg, Laurence D. Adolescence. 9th ed. New York: McGraw-Hil, 2010.
- Sultana, Carl-Mario. "Catechesis and Catholic Religious Education: Distinct Nonetheless Complementary." Verbum Vitae 37, no. 2 (2020): 365-379.
- Sultana, Carl-Mario. "Catechesis and its Six Tasks." The Person and the Challenges 8, no. 1 (2018): 23-44.
- Sultana, Carl-Mario. "Catechesis in Italy between the Two Vatican Councils - 1870 - 1962." The Person and the Challenges 7, no. 2 (2017): 23-43.
- Sultana, Carl-Mario. "Education for the Faith in Malta: A Parish and School Enterprise." Melita Theologica 70, no. 2 (2020): 143-160.
- Sultana, Carl-Mario. "The Formation of Catechists through a Laboratory." Roczniki Teologiczne 65, no. 11 (2018): 35-56.
- Yust, Karen-Marie, Aostre N. Johnson, Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, and Eugene C. Roehlkepartain. Religious Persepctives on Spirituality in Childhood and Adolescence. USA: Rowman & Littlefield, 2006.

Supplementary texts:

- Arnett, Jeffrey Jensen and Malcolm Hughes. Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood: A Cultural Approach. Harlow, England ; New York: Pearson, 2012.
- De Souza, Marian. International Handbook of the Religious, Moral and Spiritual Dimensions in Education. International Handbooks of Religion and Education. Vol. 1. Dordrecht ; London: Springer, 2006.
- Dunlap, Judith. Practical Catechesis. Visions and Tasks for Catechetical Leaders. Cincinnati, Ohio: St Anthony Messenger Press, 2001.
- Hendry, Leo B. and Marion Kloep. Adolescence and Adulthood: Transitions and Transformations. Houndmills, Basingstoke ; New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan, 2012.
- Istituto di Catechetica. Andate e Insegnate. Manuale Di Catechetica. Leumann (To): Elledici, 2002.
- Istituto di Teologia Pastorale, ed. Pastorale Giovanile. Sfide, Prospettive Ed Esperienze. Leumann (To): Elledici, 2003.
- Trenti, Zelindo. La Fede Dei Giovani. Linee Di Un Progetto Di Maturazione Alla Fede Dei Giovani. Leumann (To): Elledici, 2003.
- Warren, Michael. Editor. Sourcebook for Modern Catechetics, 2 vols. Winona, MN: St. Mary’s Press, 1983.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Independent Study, Lect, Online Learning & Visits

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Reflective Diary SEM2 Yes 30%
Portfolio SEM2 Yes 70%

 
LECTURER/S Carl Mario Sultana

 

 
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 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

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