YTU Is a College of the University of Divinity

YARRA THEOLOGICAL UNION

98 Albion Road (POB 79)

Box Hill, Vic. 3128

YTU is a College of the University of Divinity

CRICOS Provider Code 01037A

Graduate Certificate in Teaching Religious Education

This specialisation of the Graduate Certificate is designed for those seeking accreditation to teach religious education in Catholic schools and parishes. It introduces students to contemporary scholarship in scripture, theology and religious education, so as to assist them in the planning, implementation and evaluation of programs of religious education.

MODE OF OFFERING

Each unit will be taught over four six-hour teaching sessions. Delivery of the unit will be oriented to the theory and praxis of religious education, but grounded in God’s revelation in scripture and tradition as most fully revealed in Jesus the Christ. Lectures will include opportunities for dialogue, reflection and interaction, so as to facilitate exploration of issues and sponsor personal growth and faith development.

ENROLMENT

Whether or not you are sponsored by the Catholic Education Office (Melbourne, Ballarat or Sale) your enrolment is made by completing the application form which you have found on this website and returning it to: The Postgraduate Coordinator, Yarra Theological Union, POB 79, Box Hill, Vic. 3128. Students will then be informed by the University of Divinity of their successful enrolment.

COURSE STRUCTURE

Four ten-point units of study together with an integrative unit valued at five points.

Introduction to Scripture for Religious Educators DR8601Y Box Hill - 2015); (DR 8641YBallarat – 2015); (DR8621 Mildura - 2015); (DR8631YSale – 2015)
This unit introduces teachers to the Scriptures by focussing on particular sections of the First (Old) and Second (New) Testaments and the manner in which these are interpreted within the Catholic Christian tradition. It provides an overview of: the nature of the Scriptures within a Catholic understanding of Divine revelation, principles and methods of biblical interpretation, the significance of the exodus and Sinai covenant for the Hebrew people, the social, political and religious context of first century CE Judaism, and the formation of the Gospels. Passages will be chosen from Genesis 1-11, Exodus 1-14, Gospel of Mark, Matthew 1-2, Luke 1-2.

Jesus Christ Today: In Church, Mission & Sacraments

(DR8602Y – Box Hill 2015); (DR8642YBallarat – 2015); (DR8622 Mildura - 2015); (DR8632Y Sale – 2015
This unit seeks to present with ecumenical sensitivity a general introduction to the origin, development, and nature of the Church of Jesus Christ as the community of his followers. From an understanding of sacraments as signs of the loving presence and self-giving of God, it also sketches the origin, development, and purpose of the Church’s ritual sacraments in making and sustaining the Church. The unit presents the Church itself as the sign and instrument of Jesus Christ today, for the coming of the reign of God on earth. Its consistent focus is on the whole Church as the Spirit-filled People of God and Body of Christ, and on the presence of the Holy Spirit in the life, sacraments, mission and ministries of the Church.

Foundations of Religious Education (DR8603Y – Box Hill 2015)

This unit examines foundational issues concerning the nature, purpose, context and practice of religious education in the Catholic Christian tradition. The focus is on Catholic schooling in Australia and is informed by church documents, clarification of current terminology used in regard to religious education, and an explanation of the sources of revelation. Participants are introduced to the history of Catholic schooling in Australia and to the work of contemporary theorists of religious education. While emphasising the importance of Catholic identity and the roles of prayer, ritual, liturgy and social justice in the maintenance of that identity, there is also an exploration of the possibilities of enrichment through interfaith dialogue.

Making Our (Christian) Choices in Life: A Valued Added Approach (DR8604Y - Box Hill 2015)

This unit has a threefold purpose. Drawing upon revelation, scripture and Catholic theological tradition, the unit aims to provide a framework for understanding the nature and place of moral decision making in Christian living. It will explore methods and strategies for teaching Christian morality in Catholic schools, and provide opportunities for teachers to integrate their study of the scriptures, tradition and the sacraments into their own faith and professional development.

Areas to be studied include the meaning of Christian morality, sources of moral knowledge, human freedom, sin and redemption, conscience formation, meaning and function of Church authority, and a strategy for making moral decisions in accordance with Church teaching and tradition

Integrative Study(DR8605Y - Box Hill 2015)

This unit is taken concurrently with the other units in the GCTRE program. It provides the student with an opportunity for personal appropriation, synthesis and integration of content, skills and formative experiences provided in these units.

2015 DATES Units to be offered in 2015 for Commencing and Continuing Students

Students commencing in 2015 will undertake:

Introduction to Scripture for Religious Educators Jesus Christ Today: In Church, Mission, and Sacraments

and in 2016

Foundations of Religious Education Making our (Christian) Choices in Life: A Value Added Approach

Integrative Exercise (part of each of the above units)

Students continuing in 2015 will complete the two units they did not take in 2014.

CONTINUING STUDIES

1] Graduate Diploma in Theology:

On successful completion of the GCTRE, a student may apply for the Graduate Diploma in Theology, which requires a further 45 points of study. There are two models for the acquisition of these points, and the choice depends on whether or not one wishes to proceed to the MA (Theol) or MPhil.

a) Model 1(coursework): The 45 points consists of three fifteen-point units of study.Generally, these are foundational units.

b) Model 2 (research component): If a student wishes to proceed to the MPhil by research it is important that they demonstrate research capability. The 45 points for the Graduate Diploma in Theology consists of one foundational unit and a supervised 12,000 word research essay on an approved topic.

2] Masters programs:

a) Model 1(coursework): Master of Arts (Theology)
Option A: 4 coursework units and a research essay of 12,000 words.
Option B: 6 coursework units

b) Model 2 (research): Master of Philosophy
Option C: 1 coursework unit on research methodology and a 40,000 word thesis
Option D: 3 coursework units (including a unit on research methodology) and a thesis of 25,000 words.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Please contact:

Rev.Associate Professor Michael A. Kelly, CSsR, Postgraduate Coordinator at YTU. Telephone: 9890 3771 ext 4;

OR: Ms Janette Bredenoord the Registrar on 9890 3771 ext 1;

DR8601YINTRODUCTION TO SCRIPTURE
FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATORS

DR8601Y Box Hill; DR8611 Sunbury; DR8621Y Mildura(Min. No. 8)

Course: GCTRE Unit Value: 10 points

CONTENT

This unit introduces teachers to the Scriptures by focussing on particular sections of the First (Old) and Second (New) Testaments and the manner in which these are interpreted within the Catholic Christian tradition. It provides an overview of: the nature of the Scriptures within a Catholic understanding of Divine revelation, principles and methods of biblical interpretation, the significance of the exodus and Sinai covenant for the Hebrew people, the social, political and religious context of first century CE Judaism, and the formation of the Gospels. Passages will be chosen from Genesis 1-11, Exodus 1-14, Gospel of Mark, Matthew 1-2, Luke 1-2.

PREREQUISITES

Undergraduate degree or equivalent

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

demonstrate an appreciation of the role of Scripture as witness to God’s revelation in the world
demonstrate an understanding that Scripture was written, and is read, in particular social, political and religious contexts
demonstrate an understanding that different ‘portraits’ of Jesus are presented in the Gospels
identify methods of interpretation and engage in basic literary analysis of texts
apply learnings to support a position on the appropriate uses of scripture in religious education.

ASSESSMENT

2000 word structured analysis of Gen 1-2 (50%); 2000 word essay on Gospel of Mark (50%)

BIBLIOGRAPHY * = set texts recommended for purchase

Boadt, Lawrence. Reading the Old Testament.An introduction. New York: Paulist, 1984.

Byrne, Brendan. A Costly Freedom: A Theological Reading of Mark’s Gospel. Strathfield, NSW: St Pauls, 2008.

Coogan, Michael D. The Old Testament: A Historical and Literary Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures. New York/Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006.

Ehrman, Bart D. The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings. 3rd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2004.

Flanagan, Patrick J. The Gospel of Mark Made Easy. Fairfield, VIC: Fairfield Press, 1996.

Goosen, Gideon, and Margaret Tomlinson.Studying the Gospels: An Introduction.Newtown, NSW: E.J. Dwyer, 1994.

Green, Joel B., Scot McKnight, and I. Howard Marshall, eds. Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1992.

* Ryan, Maurice, ed. Reading the Bible. Tuggerah, NSW: Social Science Press, 2003.

Stead, Barbara. A Time of Jubilee: Using Luke’s Gospel with Children. Northcote, VIC: Des Books, 1994.

Lecturer:ROSE MARIE PROSSER

DR8602Yjesus christ today: in church, mission and sacraments

DR8602Y Box Hill; DR8612Y Sunbury; DR8622Y Mildura (Min. No. 8)

Course: GCTRE Unit Value: 10 points

CONTENT

This unit seeks to present with ecumenical sensitivity a general introduction to the origin, development, and nature of the Church of Jesus Christ as the community of his followers. From an understanding of sacraments as signs of the loving presence and self-giving of God, it also sketches the origin, development, and purpose of the Church’s ritual sacraments in making and sustaining the Church. The unit presents the Church itself as the sign and instrument of Jesus Christ today, for the coming of the reign of God on earth. Its consistent focus is on the whole Church as the Spirit-filled People of God and Body of Christ, and on the presence of the Holy Spirit in the life, sacraments, mission and ministries of the Church.

PREREQUISITES

Undergraduate degree or equivalent

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

trace the origin of the Church from the person of Jesus Christ and his early disciples
describe how the mission of the Church in the world today continues the mission of Jesus Christ
identify particular human experiences as possible signs and paths to the mystery of God
outline how the early Christians understood themselves as communities of Christ and their sacraments as celebrating their shared commitment to Christ
explain how the Church’s ritual sacraments originate in both the Christ-event and the Church’s response
describe the role of the Holy Spirit as the life and soul of the Church, its mission, its ministries, and its sacraments.

ASSESSMENT

Section A: 2000 word essay (50%); Section B: 2000 word essay (50%)

BIBLIOGRAPHY * = set texts recommended for purchase

Bausch, William. A New Look at the Sacraments. West Mystic, CT: Twenty-Third Publications, 1977, 1983.

Cooke, Bernard. Sacraments and Sacramentality. Mystic, CT: Twenty-Third Publications, 1983.

*DeGidio, Sandra. Sacraments Alive: Their History, Celebration, and Significance. Mystic, CT: Twenty-Third Publications, 1991.

Dulles, Avery. Models of the Church. 2nd ed. Dublin: Gill & Macmillan, 1988.

Fuellenbach, John. Church: Community for the Kingdom. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2002.

Guzie, Tad. The Book of Sacramental Basics. New York/Ramsey, NJ: Paulist Press, 1981.

Hughes, Kathleen. A Mystagogy of Sacrament: Saying Amen. Chicago, IL: Liturgy Training Publications, 1999.

*Martos, Joseph. Doors to the Sacred: A Historical Introduction to Sacraments in the Catholic Church. Tarrytown, NY: Triumph Books, 1981, 1982, 1991, 2001.

Lecturer:ROBYN REYNOLDS OLSH

DR8603YFOUNDATIONS OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

DR8603Y Box Hill; DR8623Y Mildura (Min. No. 8)

Course: GCTRE Unit Value: 10 points

CONTENT

PREREQUISITES

Normally, first year of GCTRE sequence

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

articulate an understanding of the nuances of meaning in the term “religious education” and of the critical role played by context in the delivery of religious education
identify and explain the roles of scripture, tradition and experience in the processes of religious education
demonstrate knowledge of the social, political and religious context that gave rise to Catholic schools and of their evolution to the present
recognise, explain and assess the possibilities of some contemporary approaches to “religious education”.

ASSESSMENT

2000 word essay 50%; A unit of work (2000 words) 50%

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Archdiocesan Texts: Box Hill: To Know, Worship and Love: Mildura: Awakenings

Benjamin, Anne, and Dan Riley, eds. Catholic Schools: Hope in Uncertain Times. Mulgrave, VIC: John Garratt Publishing, 2008.

Congregation for Catholic Education.The Catholic School on the Threshold of the Third Millennium. Boston, MA: Pauline Books and Media, 1998.

D’Orsa, Jim and Therese.A Mission to the Heart of Young People: Catholic Curriculum. Mulgrave, Vic: Vaughan Publishing, 2012.

Groome, Thomas H. Christian Religious Education: Sharing Our Vision and Story. Blackburn, VIC: Dove Communications, 1980.

———. Thomas H. Will there be Faith? A New Vision for Educating and Growing Disciples. New York, NY: Harper One, 2011.

Hyde, Brendan, and Richard Rymarz.Religious Education in Catholic Primary Schools: Contemporary Issues and Perspectives for RE Teachers. Terrigal, NSW: DavidBarlow, 2009.

Lovat, Terence J. What is This Thing Called Religious Education: A Decade On? Katoomba, NSW: Social Science Press, 2002.

Ryan, Maurice. A Common Search: The History and Forms of Religious Education in Catholic Schools. Hamilton, QLD: Lumino Press, 2007.

Synott, John P. Quality Education: Global Perspectives for Australian Schools. Terrigal, NSW: David Barlow Publishing, 2009.

Lecturer: MICHAEL A. KELLY CSsR

DR8604YMAKING OUR (CHRISTIAN) CHOICES IN LIFE: A VALUE ADDED APPROACH

DR8604Y Box Hill; (Min. No. 8)

Course: GCTRE Unit Value: 10 points

CONTENT

PREREQUISITES

Normally, first year of GCTRE sequence

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

1.identify the process of moral decision making in regard to current ethical questions

2.articulate the Catholic moral tradition on relevant issues

3. discuss moral issues objectively, critically, and intelligently

4.apply Catholic moral methodology to the making of Christian moral choices

5. critique different perspectives on contemporary moral issues.

ASSESSMENT

1500 word written presentation (30%); 2500 word essay (70%)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Curran, Charles, ed. Conscience: Readings in Moral Theology.No. 14. New York: Paulist Press, 2004.

Gascoigne, Robert. Freedom and Purpose: An Introduction to Christian Ethics. Sydney, NSW: EJ Dwyer, 1993.

Groome, Thomas. What Makes Us Catholics: Eight Gifts for Life.San Francisco, CA: Harper San Francisco, 2003.

Gula, Richard. Call To Holines: Moral Discernment.New York: Paulist Press, 2003.

Keenan, JamesF. Commandments of Compassion.Franklin,WI: Sheed & Ward, 1999.

Kilpatrick, William. Why Johnny Can’t Tell Right from Wrong: And What We Can Do About It. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1993.

Mordini, Tony. Ethics for Today: Analyzing Values and Beliefs. Melbourne, VIC: John Garratt Publishing, 2002.

Nichols, Aidan. The Service of Glory: ‘The Catechism of the Catholic Church’ on Worship, Ethics, Spirituality. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1997.

Nichols, Alan. Street called Choice: Ethical Choices for Ordinary People. Melbourne, VIC: Acorn Press, 2005.

Pinckaers, Servais. Morality: The Catholic View. South Bend, IN: St. Augustine Press, 2001.

Shelton, Charles.Achieving Moral Health: An Exercise Plan for Your Conscience.New York:Crossroad Publishing, 2000.

Lecturers:PHILIP MALONE MSC (Mildura); BERNARD TEO CSsR (BoxHill)

DR8605Y INTEGRATIVE EXERCISE

DR8605Y Box Hill (Min. No. 8)

Course: GCTREUnit value: 5 points

Unscheduled

CONTENT

COREQUISITES

DR8601Y, DR8602Y, DR8603Y, DR8604Y or the comparative codes form Sunbury or Mildura.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

articulate the personal and professional learning that has occurred
discuss the implications for this learning in their delivery of religious education in a Catholic school.

ASSESSMENT

Each of the four integrative exercises will require the student to write a 500 word reflection paper (25% each) which will be graded as Pass/Fail. When the four integrative exercises have been successfully completed the student will have earned the final five points required for the award of the Graduate Certificate in Teaching Religious Education.