EDU 400 Certificate in Religion & K-12 Education
What will we learn?
Certificate Students: The certificate program is based on The Oxford Handbook of Religion and American Education, and organized into five interactive courses:
▸ In EDU 4001 Civic and Academic Frameworks, you will
▸ In EDU 402 Lifespan Faith Development, you will
▸ In EDU 403 Faith-Based K-12 Education, you will
▸ In EDU 404 Religion and the Public School Curriculum, you will
▸ In EDU 405 Religious Expression in Public Schools, you will
Students Seeking Academic Credit: After completing the graded assignments in the previous five courses, students will enroll in ISPU 2506 Capstone Project. Students will design and implement a community-based project, applying what they have learned from the course collection. Speak to your advisor about which accredited colleges and universities will offer you credit for completing the ISPU 2500-level course collection.
How will we learn together?
ReligionAndPublicLife.org is a social learning community. Adult learners apply the WISE CAP method developed by 1791 Delegates. Students begin by Watching compelling videos, Interacting with retention games, Studying scholarly sources, and Engaging their fellow students and community. Those enrolled for college credit earn their CAP by Composing essays, Amending their written work based on faculty feedback, and verbally Presenting their insights to their classmates and community. The WISE CAP and Capstone exercises use the gamification of online learning to enhance the intellectual and professional development of adults of all ages.
College, Graduate, Professional Development
Civic Education for a Common Good
We apply the U.S. Department of Education’s Consensus Statements about Constitutional Approaches for Teaching about Religion
▸ Our approach to religion is academic, not devotional;
▸ We strive for student awareness of religions, but do not press for student acceptance of any religion;
▸ We sponsor the study about religion, not the practice of religion;
▸ We expose students to a diversity of religious views, but may not impose any particular view;
▸ We educate about all religions, we do not promote or denigrate any religion;
▸ We inform students about religious beliefs and practices, it does not seek to conform students to any particular belief or practice.
We apply the American Academy of Religion’s “Religious Literacy Guidelines”
▸ “Religious Literacy Guidelines for College Students.” American Academy of Religion, 2019.
▸ “Teaching About Religion: AAR Guidelines for K-12 Public Schools.” American Academy of Religion, April 2010.
We apply the National Council for the Social Studies C3 Frameworks for Religious Studies
▸ College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards, “Religious Studies Companion Document for the C3 Framework.” Silver Spring, MD: National Council for the Social Studies, 2017.
