Educating the self through religious and physical education : an interdisciplinarity approach

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the possibility of presenting an interdisciplinary approach to the teaching of Religious Education, in secondary education. I will study the possibility of how Religious Education (R.E.) and Physical Education (P.E.) can interact and effectively contribute to the student's holistic development, through both the spiritual and the physical dimensions. The study will also focus on the values and attitudes associated with the human body, vis-à-vis their link with the student's spiritual dimension. This means in creating a link between the spiritual and the physical dimensions, through an interdisciplinary approach. This was measured by conducting a number of interviews with R.E. and P.E. teachers and with the two Education Officers of both subjects so as to seek their views on the desirability and practicality of such an approach. The findings showed that the physical body is of much concern and is to be taken care of. Furthermore, the participants discussed also the relevance of interdisciplinary approaches which will contribute to the relevancy of R.E. in the students' lives. In fact, the aspect of self-awareness came out through the values and attitudes that show the identity of the human person. This was strongly evidenced by the need to show care, love and respect. According to the findings, this is where spirituality takes place and with which as a result the human being will feel inner peace.