| CODE | PRE4107 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Dealing with Worldviews in the Primary Classroom | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 04 - Years 4, 5 in Modular UG or PG Cert Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Early Childhood and Primary Education | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | All humans approach and interpret reality through a Worldview. By adapting the thoughts of Slunecko and Hengl (2007) on language and culture, one could assert that the languages of the religious and spiritual predate the individual. By using these languages, the individual is able to impose order and give meaning to the natural and lived worlds which are otherwise incomprehensible. Consequently, the conception of the world imposed by a particular religious and spiritual language will radically change the way one understands oneself, connects with nature, others and the Ultimate, as also the way one constructs meaning. This study-unit helps students become aware of the plurality of worldviews not only among religious traditions and belief systems but also within the same religions and beliefs systems. Students will investigate the concepts of pluralism, multiculturalism, interculturalism, globalization, secularism and secularization and their implications for education. Furthermore students will be introduced to the major worldviews (with specific emphasis on Christianity, Islam, Judaism and non religious beliefs) and how to deal with these worldviews in the classroom. Study-unit Aims: - To become aware how religions and belief systems shape the way we relate with reality and each other. - To become aware of the different worldviews present on the Maltese islands. - To become aware of the differences among and within worldviews. - To develop a worldviews' etiquette. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Discuss the relation between Context, Culture and Worldview. - Acquire a foundational knowledge and understanding of selected approaches, methods and theories in the Study of Religions and Religious Education. - Discuss the relationship between morality, religion and spirituality. - Define, understand and apply the principles of symbol literacy. - Distinguish between Christian, Islamic and Jewish denominations. - Analyse Maltese culture and explain how different Worldviews have contributed to the current Maltese society and identity. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Practice a religious etiquette. - Find and use books, journals and other sources of information relevant to worldviews encountered in the classroom. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Engebretson, K. De Souza, M. , Durka G. & Gearon, L. (Eds.). 2010. International handbook of inter-religious education. Netherlands: Springer. - Gellel, A. 2010. Nurturing spirituality through symbol literacy in religious education. Journal of Religious Education, 58(3), 44-51. Supplementary Texts: - Jackson, R. 2004. Intercultural education and recent European pedagogies of religious education. Intercultural Education, 15(1), 3-14. - Matlins, S. M., & Magida, A. J. (Eds.). 2010. How to Be a Perfect Stranger: The Essential Religious Etiquette Handbook. Skylight Paths Pub. - Meijer, W. A., Miedema, S., & der Velde, A. L. 2009. Religious education in a world of religious diversity (Vol. 12). Waxmann Verlag. - Valsiner, J. and Rosa, A. (Eds.) 2007. The Cambridge Handbook of Sociocultural Psychology, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Fieldwork and Independent Study | |||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Edward Wright |
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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 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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