Course Content
Within an international community of students and expert (guest) lecturers you will extend your theoretical and practical understanding of Christian education. Using the philosophy of education, we reflect on which views on educational practices are effective and how they can be evaluated from a Christian perspective. Starting from observations in the practice of Christian Education in the Netherlands, participants will be introduced to a variety of practices worldwide.
We frame current views within the practices approach of Christian education (Smith & Smith, 2009), and study the approach’s background and recent research findings. By studying theory and reflection on their own practices, this course helps participants to enrich their practice (or the practices they serve) with insights into Christian pedagogy. We will study the dominant neoliberal approach and the constructivist approach, and how these philosophies have an impact worldwide.
Participants will learn how to recognize those influences and will be invited to reflect critically from their own religious background. In the research / innovation strand participants will examine the current situation of their institute(s) and explore which innovations are needed in their own practices (practice-oriented research). The personal development strand is aimed to reflect on the professional role of the participants, and it is focused on the integration of knowledge and practice.
