Course Objectives

The study of Christianity, religion and ethics is important for the child’s development of character and cultural identity. The subject is concerned with the kindergarten and the school’s foundation of values, the subject areas, religion and ethics in the kindergarten, and Christianity in the primary and lower secondary school. The subject will also contribute to the student’s personal growth and his/her reflection on his/her own values and actions.

The course will help students to:

• develop attitudes which will make them capable of meeting with respect, tolerance, attentiveness and insight children and adults from various backgrounds and outlooks on life; they will learn how to plan so that all children may receive support for their individual characters, and so that they in turn have respect for others.
• gain awareness of their role as role model.
• acquire knowledge of religions and outlooks on life (with a particular focus on Christianity), insight into the child’s interpretation of reality and practice in discussing ethical challenges.
• learn to respond to children's questions and queries seriously and with respect (dialogue and philosophical discussion).
• acquire knowledge of the subject so that they can support the development of the children's religious and cultural identities.
• learn how the Christian cultural heritage may be reflected by, among others, important Christian festivals.
• learn how the cultures of other religions and their festivals are presented in kindergartens.

Course Description

The course unit Subject Didactics will focus on the following areas:

• knowledge and reflective attitudes towards the foundations of values in kindergarten and schools.
• the 2006 National Curriculum for kindergartens.
• the importance of religion and various outlooks on life for personal and cultural identity.
• insight into a child’s perception and understanding of religion, outlooks on life and morals, and learn skills regarding discussing outlooks on life with children and stimulating their curiosity about the subject.
• planning, implementation and assessment of the teaching of topics within the subject area for different age groups, and the use of teaching and learning methods that will stimulate joy, curiosity and play.

The course unit The Christian Faith and Tradition will focus on the following areas:

• knowledge of important Bible stories and topics relating to the Christian faith and festivals in kindergarten arrangements and activities.
• knowledge regarding Christianity’s importance for Norwegian culture both locally and nationally.

The course unit Religion and Outlooks on Life will focus on the following areas:

• knowledge of the main characteristics of some major religions and outlooks on life with a focus on narratives, religious festivals, family and daily life.
• analyse and make reflective choices when confronted with challenges regarding the diversity of religions and secular beliefs.

The course unit Ethics will focus on the following areas:

• Insight into the basic ethical questions, professional ethics and the place of ethics in religion and secular beliefs.
• Analyse, prioritise and act when confronted with professional ethical problems, practical ethical challenges and conflicts which arise in the kindergarten’s daily operations.
• Contribute to children’s developing positive values and attitudes.
• Develop ability to reflect and philosophical discussions with children.

Learning Methods

Students are responsible for their own learning through lectures, seminars, project work, assignments, self-study and teaching practice.

Students will carry out a project in connection with pedagogy and social studies. The topic of this project will be further developed in coordination with Social Studies, resulting in a ten-page written assignment.

The course offers lectures, seminars and assignment work, and students are expected to study the subject individually at least three hours per week.

Teaching practice is also an important part of the course. The periods of teaching practice will provide students with experience in practical training which focuses on values and life attitudes in the daily operation of the kindergarten. This may be related to the students’ observation assignments during the periods of teaching practice, and their work concerning planning, execution and assessment of pedagogical activities.

Assessment Methods

Finally, an all round assessment is carried out. The minimum requirement is that students are able to document basic knowledge and insight of the subject, and skill in applying it:

- The student must have participated in 80 % of the obligatory hours of teaching in order to be permitted to take the final examination.

- The interdisciplinary project assignment (group) and the practice-related assignment in subject didactics (individual or group) must have received passing marks before the student will be permitted to take the final examination.

The final grade will be determined on the basis of:

· A subject didactics group assignment/project assignment together with Social Studies (40% of the final grade).

· A final 4-hour individual written examination (60% of the final grade).

A single grade will be entered on the diploma, graded from A to F, where A represents the highest grade, and E the lowest passing grade. Each course unit must receive a passing grade in order to achieve a final passing grade for the course.

Please refer to Telemark University College’s examination regulations for further information.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean