All Directed studies, Capstone Units and IMER900 will be offered in all sessions as required by students.
Units
2024 Availability
L7101
Introduction to Christian WorshipCurriculum Objectives
This course unit introduces students to concepts that provide a foundation for the study of Christian worship.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this unit of study, students will be able to:
- demonstrate a knowledge of the biblical, theological, cultural and historical foundations for the practice of Christian worship within a particular tradition
- articulate the current issues within Christian worship
- use and evaluate a wide range of liturgical resources
- prepare and conduct a range of liturgical services, and
- differentiate the riches of the Christian liturgical traditions.
Assumed Knowledge
T7101 and B7101
Study hours
10 hours per week for 12 week session, comprised of
- At least one hour per week for online lectures
- At least three hours per week of reading.
- At least six hours per week of directed study, including optional and assessable online activities.
Lecturer
Prof Gerard Moore
Teaching methods
Online lectures; online activities; guided reading; scaffolded assessments; feedback on assessments.
Indicative Assessment
At the Institute we use a range of assessment tasks, including essays, research papers, online posts, critical reflections, projects and praxis exercises. Within a unit of study each set of assessment tasks is designed as an integral part of your learning experience. These tasks vary across units and programs. All assessment tasks are aligned to the Australian Qualifications Framework level appropriate for graduate awards.
P8160 (GOVC800)
Introduction to Governance for Mission, Ministry and Work in the ChurchCurriculum Objectives
This unit provides opportunities for students to develop a foundational knowledge and understanding of governance in Catholic Church organisations. Theoretical insights from selected organisational research will be explored for their relevance to the variety of ways in which governance is exercised in the Church’s different contexts and organisational arrangements. In particular it will focus on the relationship between governance, mission, ministry and work.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this unit of study, students will be able to:
- demonstrate specialised knowledge of the organisational and theoretical aspects of Catholic Church governance and its relationship to the wider field of the governance
of non-profit organisations - demonstrate specialised knowledge of the relationship between Mission and Governance, how work or ministry is organised to fulfil the Mission, and the capacity to apply such knowledge in specific professional contexts
- demonstrate an ability to analyse and critically evaluate the governance arrangements of the Catholic Church and its various organisational forms, and
- demonstrate skills in deploying imagination and creativity in solving problems related to governance in mission and ministry contexts.
Assumed Knowledge
Not applicable
Study hours
10 hours per week for 12 week session, comprised of
- At least one hour per week for online lectures
- At least three hours per week of reading.
- At least six hours per week of directed study, including optional and assessable online activities.
Lecturers
Br John Henry Thornber cfc
Mr Michael Thornber
Teaching methods
Online lectures; online activities; guided reading; scaffolded assessments; feedback on assessments.
Indicative Assessment
At the Institute we use a range of assessment tasks, including essays, research papers, online posts, critical reflections, projects and praxis exercises. Within a unit of study each set of assessment tasks is designed as an integral part of your learning experience. These tasks vary across units and programs. All assessment tasks are aligned to the Australian Qualifications Framework level appropriate for graduate awards.
P8170 (GOVC802)
Structures in the Church: Canonical PerspectivesCurriculum Objectives
This unit will provide detailed analysis of the organisational structure of Church, with reference to relevant codes of canon law. Initial attention is given to the obligations and rights of all the Christian faithful as described by canon law. An understanding of the theological and canonical characteristics of the diocese, as an organisational unit of the Catholic Church, is developed. The concept of a public juridic person is studied, in relation to a wide range of Church organisations. Students are given the opportunity to analyse a specific Church organisation through this framework, including:
- Dioceses, diocesan agencies and parishes
- Religious Institutes
- Associations of the Faithful
- Ministerial Juridic Persons and other ecclesial organisations
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this unit, students will:
- demonstrate specialised knowledge of the relationship between theology and ecclesial structures
- demonstrate specialised knowledge of the relationship between theology and canon law in regard to ecclesial structures, and
- demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of ecclesial structures relevant to a diocese including its juridical personality.
Assumed Knowledge
P8160 & P8169
Study hours
10 hours per week for 12 week session, comprised of
- At least one hour per week for online lectures
- At least three hours per week of reading.
- At least six hours per week of directed study, including optional and assessable online activities.
Lecturer
Rev Fr Matthew Muller
Teaching methods
Online lectures; online activities; guided reading; scaffolded assessments; feedback on assessments.
Indicative Assessment
At the Institute we use a range of assessment tasks, including essays, research papers, online posts, critical reflections, projects and praxis exercises. Within a unit of study each set of assessment tasks is designed as an integral part of your learning experience. These tasks vary across units and programs. All assessment tasks are aligned to the Australian Qualifications Framework level appropriate for graduate awards.
P9293 (GOVC810)
Minor Independent Guided Study (Leadership)Curriculum Objectives
This graduate course unit provides students with demonstrated initiative and creativity an opportunity to focus at an advanced level in a particular area of Leadership, under the tutelage and guidance of a specialist in the field. The unit is designed to refine the skills of independent study by allowing the student to define their own study, and to set their own goals by means of an extended guided reading program.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- develop a focused topic for independent scholarly investigation
- conduct independent research, under supervision, in terms of locating, utilizing and referencing a wide range of appropriate primary and secondary sources
- analyse and evaluate with critical empathy a range of disparate scholarly positions
- defend an independent perspective on the topic of the investigation, and
- produce a cogent set of researched findings in an extended piece of academic writing.
Assumed Knowledge
For Governance and Canon Law students: P8160 & P8169, and for Leadership students: P8155, M8161 & P9264
Study hours
10 hours per week for 12 week session, comprised of
- At least 10 hour per week of directed study, including reading, research, consultation with tutor and writing up of assessment tasks.
Coordinator and Supervisor
Dr Ken Avenell and Rev Fr Matthew Muller
Teaching methods
Online lectures; online activities; guided reading; scaffolded assessments; feedback on assessments.
Indicative Assessment
At the Institute we use a range of assessment tasks, including essays, research papers, online posts, critical reflections, projects and praxis exercises. Within a unit of study each set of assessment tasks is designed as an integral part of your learning experience. These tasks vary across units and programs. All assessment tasks are aligned to the Australian Qualifications Framework level appropriate for graduate awards.
D8120 (REDU800)
Foundations for Religious Education Theory and PracticeCurriculum Objectives
This unit provides opportunities for students to develop knowledge and understanding of religious education in both its conceptual and practical aspects. Theoretical insights from research in general education contexts will be explored for their relevance to prominent theories of religious education. The importance of historical, philosophical and theological insights to current religious education practices will be examined for their significance to particular settings and the practical context(s) of the students in question. The unit will ultimately challenge students to relate their knowledge of religious education to a specific setting in which religious education is practised.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- demonstrate knowledge of the conjunction of religious education theory and educational research and theory in general
- understand prominent religious education theory in formal religious and public education contexts, and
- demonstrate knowledge of current models of religious education to be found in religious and public education settings.
Assumed Knowledge
Not applicable
Study hours
10 hours per week for 12 week session, comprised of:
- At least one hour per week for online lectures.
- At least three hours per week of reading.
- At least six hours per week of directed study, including optional and assessable online activities.
Lecturer
Assoc Prof Kath Engebretson
Teaching methods
Online lectures; online activities; guided reading; scaffolded assessments; feedback on assessments.
Indicative Assessment
At the Institute we use a range of assessment tasks, including essays, research papers, online posts, critical reflections, projects and praxis exercises. Within a unit of study each set of assessment tasks is designed as an integral part of your learning experience. These tasks vary across units and programs. All assessment tasks are aligned to the Australian Qualifications Framework level appropriate for graduate awards.
D8121 (REDU801)
Religious Education in the Contemporary ClassroomCurriculum Objectives
This unit introduces the discipline of religious education in Catholic schools in Australia, in its history and current practice. Attention is paid to the current context of religious and cultural pluralism, and the challenges that this presents in religious education contexts. The unit provides overviews and practical approaches to key topics in religious education.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this course unit, students should be able to:
- utilise a general understanding of religious education as a diverse field in developing their own personal philosophy of religious education
- demonstrate an advanced understanding of, and capacity to critically evaluate, some of the major debates that characterise religious education as a field, and some of the most prominent scholars associated with various schools of thought, and
- identify practical issues and problems associated with the current context of religious education, including in the areas of religious and cultural pluralism, and synthesise their skills and knowledge in religious education.
Assumed Knowledge
Not applicable
Study hours
10 hours per week for 12 week session, comprised of:
- At least one hour per week for online lectures.
- At least three hours per week of reading.
- At least six hours per week of directed study, including optional and assessable online activities.
Lecturer
Associate Professor Kath Engebretson
Teaching methods
Online lectures; online activities; guided reading; scaffolded assessments; feedback on assessments.
Indicative Assessment
At the Institute we use a range of assessment tasks, including essays, research papers, online posts, critical reflections, projects and praxis exercises. Within a unit of study each set of assessment tasks is designed as an integral part of your learning experience. These tasks vary across units and programs. All assessment tasks are aligned to the Australian Qualifications Framework level appropriate for graduate awards.
D9231 (REDU901)
Contemporary Pedagogies and Classroom Practices in Religious EducationCurriculum Objectives
In this unit, students will be exposed to updated pedagogical theory and associated practices emanating from a range of disciplinary research, including psychology, sociology, philosophy and neuroscience. The aim of the unit is to challenge students to make links between the pedagogical thinking that is driving educational innovation generally and the particular ramification for religious education.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this unit of study, students will be able to:
- utilise general pedagogical theory in analysing relevance to religious education as good practice pedagogy
- demonstrate an advanced understanding of, and capacity to critically evaluate pedagogical theory as an essential underpinning of effective religious education, and
- identify practical issues and problems associated with the pedagogical dimension of religious education, and synthesise their skills and knowledge in religious education and theology to propose creative responses to these.
Assumed Knowledge
D8120 & D8121
Study hours
10 hours per week for 12 week session, comprised of:
- At least one hour per week for online lectures.
- At least three hours per week of reading.
- At least six hours per week of directed study, including optional and assessable online activities.
Lecturer
Dr Amber Calleja
Teaching methods
Online lectures; online activities; guided reading; scaffolded assessments; feedback on assessments.
Indicative Assessment
At the Institute we use a range of assessment tasks, including essays, research papers, online posts, critical reflections, projects and praxis exercises. Within a unit of study each set of assessment tasks is designed as an integral part of your learning experience. These tasks vary across units and programs. All assessment tasks are aligned to the Australian Qualifications Framework level appropriate for graduate awards.
D9233 (REDU902)
Research and Praxis in Religious EducationCurriculum Objectives
Advanced studies in the areas of Religious Education and Theology require students to have knowledge of, and to be able to apply, a diverse range of research principles and methodologies in order to propose, justify and interpret theoretical propositions, conclusions and professional decisions in their leadership roles. Furthermore, graduates of the Master of Religious Education course need to demonstrate their ability to communicate and implement these disciplines, so the unit will provide an overview of research methodologies used within the disciplines of Religious Education and Theology and provide the opportunity to apply them to selected issues.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this unit of study, students will be able to:
- demonstrate advanced understanding and critical evaluation of at least two methodological approaches to research in religious education
- demonstrate a capacity to use at least one methodological approach to plan, propose, and defend a minor research project which will apply advanced skills in religious education and theology to identify a problem or issue in the area of religious education and respond to this creatively, and
- demonstrate skills in research and time management.
Assumed Knowledge
D8120 & D8121
Study Hours
10 hours per week for 12 week session, comprised of:
- At least one hour per week for online lectures.
- At least three hours per week of reading.
- At least six hours per week of directed study, including optional and assessable online activities.
Lecturer
Associate Professor Kath Engebretson
Teaching methods
Online lectures; online activities; guided reading; scaffolded assessments; feedback on assessments.
Indicative Assessment
At the Institute we use a range of assessment tasks, including essays, research papers, online posts, critical reflections, projects and praxis exercises. Within a unit of study each set of assessment tasks is designed as an integral part of your learning experience. These tasks vary across units and programs. All assessment tasks are aligned to the Australian Qualifications Framework level appropriate for graduate awards.
D9290 (REDU903)
Capstone Project in Religious EducationCurriculum Objectives
This advanced graduate course unit provides an opportunity for students to integrate what they have previously learned in the major area of study, in other course units that formed part of the degree, and in their life experiences beyond the formal course of study. Its integrative nature incorporates reflection (on what they have learned), introspection (on where their understanding is currently) and projection (where the study may lead). It enables students to demonstrate a broad mastery of learning across the curriculum, to consider its application in future life situations, and to plan further learning experiences designed to complement and extend their current levels of understanding. It normally introduces little new content, although it may introduce new methodologies and techniques.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this unit of study, students will be able to:
- identify and analyse the core disciplinary assumptions and principles of the range of units in their course Major
- assess the degree of alignment of these assumptions and principles with those of course units beyond their course Major
- formulate a statement of wholistic integration of their core learning across the curriculum
- establish a personal plan for the integration of their studies beyond the period of study, and
- design an approach for leading a specific group of people into the implementation of the major learnings from their studies.
Assumed Knowledge
D8120, D8121, D9121, D9231 & D9233
Study hours
10 hours per week for 12 week session, comprised of:
- At least one hour per week for online lectures.
- At least three hours per week of reading.
- At least six hours per week of directed study, including optional and assessable online activities.
Lecturer
TBA
Teaching methods
Online lectures; one-to-one supervision.
Indicative Assessment
At the Institute we use a range of assessment tasks, including essays, research papers, online posts, critical reflections, projects and praxis exercises. Within a unit of study each set of assessment tasks is designed as an integral part of your learning experience. These tasks vary across units and programs. All assessment tasks are aligned to the Australian Qualifications Framework level appropriate for graduate awards.
D9225 (REDU915)
Godly Play, Religious Education and the FutureCurriculum Objectives
In this unit, students will study how the Godly Play approach can influence the development of religious education pedagogy in Catholic schools. The contributions of Maria Montessori, E. M. Standing and Sofia Cavalletti to religious education will be examined, as will the influence of the Montessori Method on Jerome Berryman’s approach to religious education, known as Godly Play. Students will apply key principals of Godly Play to contemporary religious education to create new stories and materials, as well as identify some of the challenges this approach poses for pedagogical practice in Australian Catholic classrooms.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this unit of study, students will be able to:
- critically evaluate the work of significant thinkers who have contributed to the development of Godly Play as an approach to religious education
- discern and articulate particular challenges the Godly Play approach may pose for pedagogical practice in contemporary religious education in Australia and suggested creative ways in which these might be addressed, and
- apply key principals of the Godly Play approach to create new materials for religious education which have relevance for their own particular contexts.
Assumed Knowledge
D8120 & D8121
Study hours
10 hours per week for 12 week session, comprised of
- At least 1 hour per week for online lectures
- At least 4 hours per week of reading.
- At least 6 hours per week of directed study, including optional and assessable online activities.
Lecturer
Associate Professor Brendan Hyde
Teaching methods
Online lectures; online activities; guided reading; scaffolded assessments; feedback on assessments. Opportunities for face-to-face offerings also exist.
Indicative Assessment
At the Institute, we use a range of assessment tasks, including essays, research papers, online posts, critical reflections, projects and praxis exercises. Within a unit of study, each set of assessment tasks is designed as an integral part of your learning experience. These tasks vary across units and programs. All assessment tasks are aligned to the Australian Qualifications Framework level appropriate for graduate awards.