Introduction to Leaving
Certificate Religious Education
1
Why Introduce Leaving Certificate R.E?
• It is a follow through from Junior Certificate
• It has a practical component that will aid weaker students
especially
• The techniques for coursework are similar to third level work.
Therefore it is good preparation for third level study
• It has the same points value as other subjects:
A1 = 100 points
A2 = 90
B1 = 85
B2 = 80 etc
• There are life issues that students can explore
• It is relevant to all professions
•There is a syllabus and a curriculum framework to help teachers
deal with the question of examined and non-examined Religious
Education
2
Statistics
Numbers of candidates entered for examination:
2005
2007
2011
80
535
1086
The figures above represent a major increase in the numbers
of candidates sitting the examination since 2005.
3
The figures below show the numbers taking the exam at
Higher and Ordinary level:
2005
2007
2011
Higher
Level
76
417
888
Ordinary
Level
4
118
198
4
2011 LCRE % of Higher Level As, Bs, Cs
Religious Education
77.3
English
76.8
Business Studies
71.3
5
Aims of Religious Education
• To foster an awareness that the human search for meaning
is common to all peoples, of all ages and at all times
• To explore how this search for meaning has found, and
continues to find expression in religion
• To identify how understandings of God, religious traditions,
and in particular the Christian tradition, have contributed to
the culture in which we live and continue to have an impact
on personal lifestyle, inter-personal relationships and
relationships between individuals and their communities and
contexts
• To appreciate the richness of religious traditions and to
acknowledge the non-religious interpretation of life
• To contribute to the spiritual and moral development of the
student
6
Leaving Certificate Religious Education Syllabus, p5
Leaving Certificate Religious Education
Syllabus Structure
UNIT 1
Section A: The Search for Meaning and Values (Compulsory)
UNIT 2 (any 2 sections from UNIT 2)
Section B: Christianity: origins and contemporary
expressions
Section C: World Religions
Section D: Moral Decision-Making
UNIT 3 (Any 1 of the following, excluding the 2 sections designated for coursework)
Section E: Religion and Gender
Section F: Issues of Justice and Peace
Section G: Worship, Prayer and Ritual
Section H: The Bible: Literature and Sacred Text
Section I: Religion: The Irish Experience
7
Section J: Religion and Science
Each syllabus section includes
Aims – Setting out the broad purpose of each section and how
each section is related to the overall aims of the syllabus
Parts – each of which contains:
Objectives: indicating the direction from which the
content should be approached
Topics: Presenting the areas of study
Description of Content and Learning
Outcomes: Indicating the expected depth and breadth of
engagement with the topics
When planning a programme of study all four aspects of each section need to be
8
Textbooks: Currently only 1 series of textbooks by Veritas
Teacher Materials: Notes from R.E. Support Service
Into the Classroom Series, Veritas
Websites: www.ress.ie
www.examinations.ie
www.ncca.ie
www.curriculumonline.ie
www.ncte/rtai.ie
www.education.dublindiocese.ie
www.wikipedia.org (exercise caution…!)
Other websites mentioned in Guidelines e.g. www.mythicalireland.com
www.philosophypages.com
Publication: RESS publication called ‘Teaching Religious Education’
Irish Times materials / archive: www.ireland.com
Literature / libraries / religious magazines / RTAI conferences / newspapers
9
What is assessed in LCRE?
‘Assessment of religious education in the
Leaving Certificate examination will be based
on the aims, objectives, and outcomes of
each section of the course. Students’
personal faith commitment and / or affiliation
to a particular religious grouping will not be
subject to assessment for examination for
national certification’
Leaving Certificate Religious Education Syllabus p9
10
Differentiation: Ordinary and Higher Level
All material in red print in the syllabus must be studied
by students taking the examination at Ordinary and
Higher Level.
Further sections of the syllabus for higher-level students
are designated in black type.
11
Assessment of LCRE
Two Components:
Coursework
&
Terminal written paper
Marks for coursework and written examination will
be combined to constitute the final grade awarded
400 marks shall be awarded in total
12
Terminal examination
At Ordinary and Higher levels, all sections of the course,
apart from the sections designated for coursework, will
appear on the examination paper.
The higher level paper will be allocated 2 ½ hours.
The ordinary level paper will be allocated 2 hours.
Leaving Certificate Religious Education Syllabus p10
13
Leaving Certificate Religious Education
Aims of Coursework
• To
allow
students
an
opportunity
for
personal
engagement on an issue of interest or concern
• To develop students’ knowledge, understanding, skills
and attitudes as outlined in the objectives of the section
designated for coursework
• To provide an opportunity for students to engage in
extended research, analysis and reflection on a chosen
topic
• To develop skills of research, analysis, evaluation,
critical thinking, communication and reflection
14
Coursework
The inclusion of coursework as an element of the
assessment procedure for religious education in the
Leaving Certificate examination arises from the nature of
the subject.
Students at this level should be afforded an opportunity
to engage in extended reflection, research and analysis.
The results of this process will be submitted for
assessment.
In each year of the Leaving Certificate examination, two
sections from unit three of the syllabus will be designated
for coursework. The same sections will be designated for
Ordinary and Higher level. A list of titles for coursework
from each section will be made available.
Students must submit ONE piece of coursework.
20% of the total mark will be awarded on the basis of
15
coursework.
Leaving Certificate Religious Education Syllabus p10
Marks for coursework:
Part A 10% (40 marks)
Part B 10% (40 marks)
Maximum marks in total for LCRE:
Terminal examination: 320
Coursework:
Total:
80
400
16
Coursework - What is the student expected to produce?
Coursework booklet (sent from SEC) in two parts:
Part A - A summary of the students’ investigation of the
title
Part B - The student’s personal reflection on the
learning, skills and experience gained through
undertaking coursework
Format : Hand-written (unless reasonable
accommodation applies)
NCCA Religious Education Leaving Certificate Guidelines for Teachers Page 143
17
Part A: A summary of the student’s investigation
of the chosen title
The coursework booklet to date has required
students to address the following three areas in this
summary:
• An indication of the sources of information that you
used e.g. web based materials, literature, and other
sources
• An outline of the steps you took and the skills you
used in investigating your chosen title
• A summary of your findings on your chosen title
18
Part B: the student’s personal reflection on the learning,
skills and experience gained through undertaking
coursework.
Part B should include answers to the following:
• Why was the title of interest to you?
• What different perspectives did you encounter in
doing coursework on your chosen title?
• What questions arose for you through doing
coursework on this title?
•What personal insights have you gained through
doing coursework on this title?
•What has been the most valuable part of doing
coursework on this title?
19
Length of coursework
Ordinary Level
1,000 – 1,500 words
Higher Level
1,200 – 1,500 words
NCCA Religious Education Leaving Certificate Guidelines for Teachers Page 143
20
Coursework
Criteria for assessment of ordinary level and higher
level
The higher level student will be expected to:
• use a greater range of sources of information in
completing the research component of the coursework
• show a greater depth of understanding of the title and
approach it from a variety of perspectives
• show a greater capacity to reflect personally and
critically on the learning gained through coursework
NCCA Religious Education Leaving Certificate Guidelines for Teachers p143
21
Part 1 The Quest for Meaning
Topics / Description of content / Outcomes
1. The contemporary context
2. The tradition of search
ge
d
le ves
w
o cti
n
1.
K bje
O
2.
3.
4.
At
Ob titu
jec de
tiv s
es
5.
Part 2 The Response to the Quest
Topics / Description of content / Outcomes
1. The language of symbol
2. The tradition of response
Un
d
Section A
Ob ersta
jec nd
The Search for Meaning and Values
tiv ing
es
To present religions as systematic responses to perennial
questions common to all peoples about the meaning of
life in the world
To develop an understanding of the nature of this search
for meaning through an examination of questions arising
in personal experience
To examine philosophical and religious answers to the
questions of the meaning of life and its ultimate
grounding
To examine philosophical and religious answers to the
questions of the existence of God and the nature of divine
revelation
To examine the role of religion in the secular world
Part 4 Religion and the Emergence of Values
Topics / Description of content / Outcomes
1. Religion as a source of communal values
2. Secular source of communal values
ls es
l
i
Sk ctiv
je
b
O
Part 3 Concepts of God
Topics / Description of content / Outcomes
1. The gods of the ancients
2. The concept of revelation
22
3. Naming God, past and present
23
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