EDU 402 Lifespan Faith Development

Explore the various ways that three institutions––the family, religion, and the state––can contribute to the moral, intellectual, and faith development of learners across their lifespans. Review the state of interdisciplinary work on faith, moral, and character development. Survey the ways that faith communities are designing their lifespan religious education programs. Explores the contemporary trend of religious communities to intentionally expose their adherents to neighboring faiths. As a formal extension of their own religious education, these interfaith programs are designed not only to advance the moral competency of self-differentiation but also to deepen one’s understanding of one’s own religion’s beliefs and practices. These lessons prepare you to analyze the purpose and nature of religiously affiliated schools in the United States (EDU 4030, which are distinct from that of the purpose and nature of public schools.

1791 Delegates · October 28, 2020

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.

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