Course Catalog

EDU115E Teaching about Religion in Public Schools (3 credits) 9543

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Teaching about religion in public schools is constitutional and necessary for a sound education. Teaching about religion is not religious indoctrination or religious devotional exercises; it is fair and objective presentation of the history and beliefs of religions and the study of the influence of religion on human society. This course examines the historical, constitutional and scholarly foundations for such teaching. It explores how teachers can practically incorporate teaching about religion into their classes in a constitutionally and age-appropriate manner.

LEARNING RESULTS
In this course the student will
• describe the development of religious liberty from the 1500s to the present.
• identify the important constitutional cases having to do with religion in the public schools.
• articulate and analyze the arguments of various people and organizations on the debate over religion in public schools.
• summarize current law with reference to religion in the public schools and articulate their own view of the role of the Christian in public education.
• describe the various philosophical contexts in the debate over religion in the public schools.
• articulate a Christian view of religious liberty and relation of church and state using biblical and Christian perspectives.
• demonstrate practically how the study of religion can be included in the school curriculum.
• critique curriculum or textbook presentations for their religious content.
• identify and evaluate resources that will assist them in further incorporation of religious topics into their curriculum.

REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS
• Nord, Warren. Religion and American Education: Rethinking a National Dilemma. Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press, 1995.
• Hayes, Charles C and Thomas, Oliver. Finding Common Ground: A Guide to Religious Liberty in Public Schools. The Freedom Forum First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 2002.
• Johnson, Philip. Reason in the Balance: The Case Against Naturalism in Science, Law & Education. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1998.

 To purchase textbooks, click here - AMAZON.com

INTEGRATION OF FAITH AND LEARNING
The integration of faith and learning takes place in a number of ways in this course. Students develop a philosophy of religious liberty from a biblical and Christian viewpoint. They reflect upon and articulate a Christian view of the role of church and state in the American Republic. Students examine how they can offer an accurate presentation of the Christian faith in the public schools in a way that is scholarly, constitutional, age appropriate and sensitive to student beliefs. Students will articulate their view of the role of the Christian in public education.

LEARNING DOCUMENTATION
To determine if the course learning results have been attained, students document their learning by submitting the following items:
• Chronology of the development of religious liberty, including significant events in the history. List and describe at least 20 significant events in the history of religious liberty.
• Brief description of 10 of the most important constitutional cases having to do with the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Each description should include the parties in the cases, the issue litigated, the decision and the reasons of the Court
• Unit/chapter study in the school (social studies or some other discipline) curriculum which could be used for classroom instruction. This should incorporate religious studies in the curriculum.
• Annotated bibliography (20 items) which will provide useful information and analysis of this topic.
• Journal entries for assigned readings.
• Essay on the philosophical context of the current debates over religion in the public schools.
• Essay on the arguments of various commentators on the proper place of religion in the public schools.
• Critique of a current textbook chapter or unit of study on its treatment of religion.
• Essay on the "Christian role in education."
There are 8 lessons and 0 examinations for this course.

LEARNING EVALUATION
Chronology of Religious Liberty 75 points
Description of Constitutional Cases 75 points
Essay-Analysis of Commentators on the First Amendment 100 points
Essay-Philosophical Context of Current Debates 50 points
Unit-Chapter study of Curriculum or Textbook Annotated Bibliography 50 points
Journal Entries-Reacting to Readings 100 points
Critique of Current Textbook Chapter or Unit of Study 50 points
TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE 500 points