Curriculum, Pedagogy and

Worldview


Worldviews affect teachers' understanding of curriculum and pedagogy.  Curriculum is the selection and organisation of experience for the purposes of teaching and learning. Pedagogy is the theory of education concerning the aims/objectives of teaching and the theory of how people acquire values and commitments in various contexts. The criteria that determine curriculum selection and organisation express a perspective on the kind of world in which we live and what is important for fulfilling our vocation. This unit encourages critical evaluation of curriculum structure and process, with a recognition of the pedagogy that accompanies it, and considers ways in which curriculum can express a Christian worldview.  The unit considers the effect of various perspectives on teacher effectiveness and student learning.


When & Where Offered

This unit is offered in intensive mode in July 2008 at Macquarie University as follows:
Monday 7 - Friday 11 July, 9am - 1:30pm daily
Monday 14 - Thursday 17 July, 9am - 1:30pm daily.
Students taking this subject at Graduate Diploma or Masters level will also have a further 6-hour session a few weeks later.

Intensive mode requires about 500 pages of pre-reading.


Lecturers

Dr. Thomas Smith, Dip. in Th. (Australian College of Theology), B.A. (Macquarie University), M. Ed. (Sydney University); Ph.D.  (Sydney University)
Thomas has recently retired from the position of Head of Religious Studies and Junior Science teacher at Cranbrook.  Formerly Director, Anglican Youth Department and Special Religious Education Consultant, Sydney Anglican Board of Education, Thomas brings a lifetime of wide experience in school education and Christian education to MCSI. 

Dr Neil Holm, Dip. Teach (CSU), B.A. (Hons)(UNE), Ph.D., MACE
Dean and Senior Lecturer in Education Studies and Christian Formation, Macquarie Christian Studies Institute

Unit Code and Details

IN633i: Curriculum, Pedagogy and Worldview
This unit is worth 4 credit points at 600 level towards a Graduate Diploma in Christian Studies.
Prerequisites for students at Graduate Diploma Level:
Completion of undergraduate degree, including some prior studies in Education.
Students not meeting the above requirements may seek approval from the Dean.
Students interesting in completing this subject at Masters or 700 level should contact the Dean.

Unit Content /Lecture Topics

a) Introduction

b) Curriculum and Pedagogy

c) Worldviews - Reformed Protestant

d) Worldviews Catholic and Orthodox

e) Worldview, Pedagogy and Curriculum (Groome 1)

f) Pedagogy -Groome 2)

g) Analysis of

(i) Curriculum Area 1 eg English

(ii) of Curriculum Area 2 eg Science Curricula

(iii) Curriculum Area 3 eg Mathematics Curriculum/or History

(iv) Curriculum Area 4 eg Religious Education/Spiritual Development Curriculum

(v) Pedagogy Area 1 eg embodied learning and the engaging the total learner

(vi) Pedagogy Area 2 eg higher order thinking, learner-teacher relationships, collaborative learning, praxis

(vii) Pedagogy Area 3 Identity oriented to the Kingdom of God, justice, behaviour management, digital literacies

h) Leadership and Renewal in Curriculum and Pedagogy

i) Presentations and Conclusion: Review of course learning; Strategies for action


Assessment

  1. A 1-hour exam that reviews the assigned reading (25%)
  2. Presentation of a learning activity for this class that connects curriculum, pedagogy and worldviews:
    i) Prepare a 20 minute lesson for an age group of your own choosing.
    ii) This lesson should integrate some of the basic worldview and pedagogy principles of this course.
    ii) Teach this lesson to the group.
    iv) Write a 2,000 word essay that explains your worldview and pedagogy and how they are expressed in the aims, methods and assessment of the lesson. (35%)
  3. A 4,500 word paper on a reflection that examines the connection between worldview, pedagogy in a particular school curriculum. (40%)

Texts and Readings

Required Reading:
Groome, T. H.,  (1998),  Sharing faith a Comprehensive Approach to Religious Education and pastoral Ministry,  Eugene, Oregon: Wipf and Stock Publishers.

Naugle, David K. (2002), Worldview: The History of a Concept, Michigan: Eerdmans

Suggested Reading:
Beane, J.A. (Ed.). (1995). Toward a Coherent Curriculum.  Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Brady, L & Kennedy, K.  2003.  Curriculum Construction.  Sydney: Prentice Hall.

Charis Mathematics Writing Team. (1997) Charis Mathematics Units 1- 11. Stapleford, Notts: The Stapleford Centre. [MCSI reader]

Charis Science Writing Team. (1997) Charis Science Units 1- 11. Stapleford, Notts: The Stapleford Centre. [MCSI reader]

Fenstermacher, G D and Soltis, J F.  (1998) Approaches to Teaching, New York: Teachers College Press [Multiple library copies]

Gregory, M. (2001). Curriculum, Pedagogy and Teacherly Ethos, Pedagogy, Vol 1 No 1, 69-89 [online database]

Grundy, S. (1987). Curriculum: Product or Praxis? Deakin Studies in Education Series. London: The Falmer Press.

Hargreaves, A. (2003). Teaching in the Knowledge Society.  Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Hill, B. V. (2004). Exploring Religion in School.  Adelaide: Open Book

Hill, B. V.  (1994). Teaching Secondary Social Studies in a Multicultural Society. Melbourne Longman Cheshire, 1994

Leicester, Mal, Modgil, Celia and Modgil, Sohan (eds). (2000).  Classroom issues: practice, pedagogy and curriculum. London: Falmer Press.

MacNeill, N. and Silcox, S. (2005) Pedagogic Leadership: Putting Professional Agency Back into Learning and Teaching, Curriculum Leadership, 18 January. [online database]

Mitchell, J. (2004) Teaching about Worldviews and Values. Sydney: Anglican Youth & Education [Purchase]

Mitchell, J. (2004).  Worlds of Difference: Exploring Worldviews and Values in English Texts.  Melbourne: Council for Christian Education in Schools. [Purchase?]

Pendergast, D & Bahr, N. (eds). (2005). Teaching middle years:  rethinking curriculum, pedagogy and assessment. Crows Nest, N.S.W. : Allen & Unwin.

Print, M. (1998). Curriculum Development and Design. 2nd edn. Sydney: Allen & Unwin

Sire, J W. (1988) The Universe Next Door, Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press. [Multiple library copies]

Smith D. & Lovat T. (1995).  Curriculum: Action on Reflection Revisited.  3rd edn.  Wentworth Falls: Social Science Press.

Thiessen, E. J. (1993).  Teaching for Commitment: Liberal Education, Indoctrination, & Christian Nurture.  Montreal, Ca: McGill-Queen's University Press.

Van Brummelen, H. (1994). Steppingstones to Curriculum: A Biblical Path. Seattle, WA: Alta Vista College Press. [MCSI reader]

Walker, D C and Soltis, J F. (1997) Curriculum and Aims (3rd edition), New York: Teachers College Press [Multiple library copies]

Wineland, R. K. (2005) Incarnation, Image and Story, Journal of Research on Christian Education, Vol 14, No. 1, pp. 7-16 [online database]

Wolterstorff, N (edited by Stronks, G. G., Joldersma, C.W.) (2002).  Educating for Life: Reflections on Christian Teaching and Learning.  Grand Rapids: Baker.

Wright, NT. (1992/2002).  The New Testament and the People of God.  London: SPCK