Schooling: Christian

Perspectives
 

In addition to ethnographic and other research studies, this unit uses a range of contemporary films such as School of Rock, Our Boys, Plumpton High Babies, and Devil's Playground,  to examine the major functions of schooling in Australia.  We examine the pastoral, skilling, regulative, human-capital, individual expression, cultural-heritage, and democratic functions of schooling in Australia.  As we do so, we consider Christian principles and values that have bearing on each of these functions.  For instance, as we consider the individual expression function of schooling, we consider the tensions between child-centred schooling; subject centred schooling, and Christian principles and values that call both into question.  Using this framework, we examine the functions of Christian faith-based schools (Catholic, independent, Anglican, and Christian schools).
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When & Where Offered

This unit is offered in online mode in semester 1 2008. 

Lecturer

Dr Neil Holm, Dip. Teach, B.A. (Hons), Ph.D., MACE Dean and Senior Lecturer in Education Studies and Christian Formation, Macquarie Christian Studies Institute.
After an early teaching career in one-teacher and Aboriginal schools NSW and the NT, Neil Holm played a key role in the development of the Aboriginal Teacher Education Centre (the forerunner of Batchelor Institute for Indigenous Tertiary Education).  His long interest in the integration of faith and work has been expressed through his membership of the Australian Christian Forum on Education, editing the international Journal of Christian Education for 10 years, and serving on the board of the Zadok Institute for Christianity and Society for 10 years. He is a life member of the Australian College of Educators.   Neil is also involved in the Wellspring Community.

Unit Code and Details

IN425 (MCSI 230) Schooling: Christian Perspectives
This unit is equivalent to a standard semester unit at advanced level.  For example it is worth:
3 credit points at 200 level towards Maccquarie University undergraduate degrees
4 credit points at 400 level towards Australian College of Theology undergraduate degrees.
For advice on how to credit this subject to other institutions please contact our advisor.
Prerequisites: the equivalent of 6 months (1 semester) full time study (4 subjects) of university level study should be completed before enrolling in this subject.   (Students not meeting this prerequisite can request permission from MCSI Dean to enrol) 

It is recommended but not required that students have completed either or both of:

Worldview Survey: IN301 (MCSI 100) or
Bible Survey: IN302: (MCSI 101)

Details of Presentation:

This unit may be offered in standard or online format of 3 hours class contact per week over 13 weeks. It may also be offered in intensive format.  Intensive format involves 36-39 hours of class contact spread over a week or longer. 
In both formats, teaching will include lectures, presentations, student-led case studies, tutorials, reading and reflection exercises, and audio/video components.
When this unit is presented in intensive format, students will be given adequate time to reflect on the material presented in class before submitting major assignments.  For instance, when the weeklong intensive format is used students will normally be allowed up to 8 weeks to submit their assignments.


Unit Content/Lecture Topics:

1. Overview of the major functions of schooling in Australia
2. Consensus and Conflict interpretations of Australian schooling
3. A framework for developing a Christian perspective on schooling
4. Pastoral function of schooling including some Christian perspectives eg on caring, nurture and the concept of a person
5. Democratic function of schooling including some Christian perspectives eg on justice, equity, community, multiculturalism
6. Regulative function of schooling including some Christian perspectives eg on discipline, conformity, and assessment
7. Human-capital and skilling functions of schooling including some Christian perspectives eg on economics, competition, work, accountability
8. Individual expression function of schooling including some Christian perspectives eg on freedom, student rights, individualism, and creativity
9. Cultural heritage function of schooling including some Christian perspectives eg on teaching religious studies and Christian schools.
10. A Biblical view of education as a guide to choosing a school
11. Schooling and teacher professionalism including some Christian perspectives eg on commitment, indoctrination, and controversial issues

Assessment

a. Film report: Before commencing any of the reading for this unit, view the film School of Rock. Write a 750 word response paper that answers the following questions:

i. What does it say about conventional notions of schooling?

ii. In what ways does it challenge and even overturn conventional notions of schooling?

iii. From your perspective, which functions of schooling in this film are positive and which are negative? Defend your viewpoint.

(This exercise must be completed and submitted on or before Week 2.  It is part of your preparation for the unit and for the research paper.  It will be graded as Pass/Fail.)

b. Seminar: Preparation and presentation of a seminar and an accompanying handout of 500 words. Every seminar must include song, music, poetry, film, art, or photography to add variety to the presentation (30%).

c. Quiz: Participation in constructing and completing a quiz (equivalent to 1,500 words) (30%)

d. Research essay: A 2,500-word research essay that analyzes the functions of schooling revealed in a novel, play, film, art form, monograph, or text approved by the lecturer, offering a critical evaluation of that function from a theoretical and/or biblical perspective (40%).

Texts & Readings:


1.    Required Readings provided online

Suggested Additional Reading:

1. Angus, Laurence. Continuity and Change in Catholic Schooling. London: Falmer, 1988

2. Austin, Helena, Dwyer, Bronwyn, and Freebody, Peter. Schooling the Child. London: Falmer 2003.

3. Bartsch, Malcolm. Why a Lutheran School? North Adelaide: Board of Lutheran Schools, 2001

4. Chapman, Judith and Dunstan, Jeffrey (eds). Democracy and Bureaucracy: Tensions in Public Schooling. London: Falmer, 1990.

5. Edlin, J.G. The Cause of Christian Education. 2nd ed., Northport: Vision Press, 1998

6. Fowler, S. Christian Schooling: Educating for Freedom. Potchefstroom: Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 1990.

7. Francis, L.J., & Lankshear, D., eds. Christian Perspectives on Church Schooling. Leominster: Gracewing/Fowler Wright Books, 1993.

8. Francis, L.J., & Thatcher, A., eds. Christian Perspectives for Education: A Reader in the Theology of Education. Leominster: Gracewing/Fowler Wright Books, 1990.

9. Hill, Brian. Choosing the Right School. Sydney: ATCF Books, 1987

10. Hill, Brian. The Greening of Christian Education. Homebush west: Lancer, 1985

11. Hill, Brian. Faith at the Blackboard. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982

12. Hogg, Anna. The Concept of School Discipline. Sydney: ATCF Books, 1981

13. Hogg, Anna. Values in Focus. Sydney: ATCF Books, 1984

14. Hukins, Austin (ed). Schooling for Profit. Bondi Junction: ATCF Books, 1993

15. Postman, Neil. The End of Education. New York: Vintage, 1995

16. Saha, L., & Keeves, J., eds. Schooling and Society in Australia: Sociological Perspectives. Sydney: Australian National University Press, 1990.

17. Smyth, John, Hattam, Robert, and Lawson, Mike. Schooling for a Fair Go. Annandale: Federation Press, 1998

18. Thiessen, E. Teaching for Commitment: Liberal Education, Indoctrination and Christian Nurture. Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press, 1993.

19. Thompson, Pat. Schooling Rustbelt Kids. Crows Nest: Allen & Unwin, 2002.

20. Van Brummelen, Harro. Walking with God in the Classroom. Seattle: Alta Vista College Press, 1998

21. Vinson, Tony (ed). Inquiry into the provision of public education in NSW: report of the Vinson Inquiry. Annandale, NSW. : Pluto Press; 2002