Debates in Religious Education

What are the key debates in Religious Education teaching today? Debates in Religious Education explores the major issues all RE teachers encounter in their daily professional lives. It encourages critical reflection and aims to stimulate both novice and experienced teachers to think more deeply about their practice, and link research and evidence to what they have observed in schools.
This accessible book tackles established and contemporary issues enabling you to reach informed judgements and argue your point of view with deeper theoretical knowledge and understanding. Taking account of recent controversy, and challenging assumptions about the place of religion in education, expert contributors cover key topics such as:


Effective pedagogy in RE teaching

Exploring thinking skills and truth claims

The relationship of science and religion in the classroom

The place of school worship in contemporary society

The role of RE in spiritual and moral development

Diversity in the RE classroom.

With its combination of expert opinion and fresh insight, Debates in Religious Education is the ideal companion for any student or practising teacher engaged in initial training, continuing professional development and Masters level study.

L. Philip Barnes is Reader in Religious and Theological Education at King’s College London, where he is currently Director of the MA in Religious Education and the MA in Jewish Education.

Introduction: Entering the Debate L. Philip Barnes Part 1: History, Policy and Purpose 1. Why Religious Education Matters Brenda Watson 2. RE in the United Kingdom and Ireland Introduction - L. Philip Barnes (i) England and Wales - David Lundie (ii) Northern Ireland - David Armstrong (iii) Scotland - Stephen McKinney (iv) Republic of Ireland – Kevin Williams 3. Agreed Syllabuses William K. Kay Part 2: Educational Issues and Religious Education 4. Diversity L. Philip Barnes 5. Gender Gemma Odell 6. Faith, Education and Whole School Issues Trevor Cooling 7. Faith Schools J. Mark Halstead 8. Citizenship and Human Rights Mark Pike 9. Spiritual and Moral Development Tony Eaude 10. Social Cohesion Rosemary Woodward 11. Humanism Marius Felderhof 12. Research Leslie J. Francis 13. European Developments Robert Jackson Part 3: Issues in Teaching and Learning in Religious Education 14. Constructing Religion Roger Homan 15. Schemes of Work and Lesson Plans David Aldridge 16. Pedagogy Vivienne Baumfield 17. Differentiation Nigel Fancourt 18. Thinking Skills Elina Wright and Andrew Wright 19. Assessment Lat Blaylock 20 Information and Computer Technologies Paul Hopkins 21. Science and Religion Michael Poole