Religious education is an area of complexity and controversy which raises many questions throughout education, such as why teach RE in schools? What is the relevance of religion in a secular society? Can anyone teach it? How should world religions be taught? How can students be assessed?
The Effective Teaching of Religious Education seeks to open up the debates surrounding these issues in order to provide clear guidelines for both practising and trainee teachers. Written with a practical concern to improve the quality of RE delivered in schools, this books adopts a clear and direct approach that is balanced and unbiased. Theory and practice are tighly integrated and many practical suggestions and examples are given. The author demonstrates a sensitivity to where RE currently stands and offers practical answers to hard questions and shows how the subject contributes to cross curricular work.
'At a time when many would wish to drive religion out of the public sphere, this balanced book provides a breath of fresh air with its sensible survey of the issues and problems concerning the contemporary teaching of religious education.'
Professor Roger Trigg, The University of Warwick
‘Revised and updated, Brenda Watson and Penny Thompson’s analysis of contemporary religious education retains all its original rigor and insight. It is as important a study now as it was when first published.’
Dr Andrew Wright, King’s College, London
‘Watson and Thompson are well acquainted with the RE classroom and bold enough to confront the complacency of established opinions and habits. Because of this, they have given the RE professional an essential tool.’
Dr. Marius Felderhof, The University of Birmingham
The Effective Teaching of Religious Education provides an accessible yet intellectually rigorous resource for all those involved in the teaching of RE in schools today.
Written with the needs of specialist and non-specialist teachers in mind, in both the primary and secondary sectors, it successfully integrates theory and practice, encouraging debate and reflection on a broad range of issues in what is often regarded as a complex and often controversial subject area.
The second edition has been written with the collaboration of a new co-author, Penny Thompson and has been thoroughly updated, revised and extended to include:
- A new chapter on the place of Christianity in RE
- New material on the purpose of RE and on the relationship of RE to other subjects
- A new Appendix on tackling assessment and syllabus requirements
- A new companion website at www.pearsoned.co.uk/watson-thompson including an overview of the use of ICT in RE teaching, web links and practical resources for use in the classroom.
Brenda Watson is the author of several books on education and religion. A former lecturer at Didsbury College of Education, she became Director of the Farmington Institute in Oxford for several years before doing consultancy work.
Penny Thompson taught RE in comprehensive schools on Merseyside in the UK for 15 years. She has taught at tertiary level, at an independent school and in adult education. She has written a book on RE and is the author of many articles on the subject.
