Theology and Religious Studies looking outwards: knowledge transfer as a strategy for learning and assessment in the T&RS curriculum
Theology and Religious Studies Discipline Workshop
Venue: University of Manchester, Samuel Alexander Building, S.1.7
22nd May 2012
A workshop to share experience and discuss potential for the development of ‘outward looking’ learning and assessment strategies in Theology and Religious Studies.
The aim of this workshop is to share experience and discuss potential for the development of ‘outward looking’ learning and assessment strategies on taught programmes in Theology and Religious Studies. By this we mean focusing learning and assessment on the production of resources designed for use beyond the university, in contexts where knowledge and critical understanding of religion and theology may contribute to the development of community identities, equality and diversity agendas, and various educational objectives. Engagement with such themes may provide ongoing benefits for a range of community stakeholders, as well as providing students with opportunities to develop social responsibility and reflect on the value of their degree in relation to citizenship agendas and the formation of public attitudes, values and understanding.
Feedback on course units which include enquiry-based learning tasks and elements of assessment focused on the creation of ‘virtual’ resources and/or simulating practical situations indicate that students are engaged by such tasks, but frustrated by their virtual/simulated nature. We would like to explore the possibilities for developing learning/assessment strategies which enable students to engage in practices which have an impact ‘beyond’ the lecture and seminar space, drawing together colleagues from R&T departments and cognate disciplines across the country to share experience and explore ways forward.
Key questions:
- How do existing learning and assessment practices allow for the possibility for knowledge transfer beyond the university?
- How can teaching and learning be creatively related to the output of funded research in Theology and Religious Studies, such as that of the AHRC/ESRC Religion and Society programme?
- What kind of ‘outward looking’ resources/practices may be developed to enhance the quality of the student learning experience?
- How can non-HE institutions be actively engaged as partners in the production of ‘outward looking’ resources/practices?
Programme:
10.00: Introduction to themes of the session
10.30: Roundtable discussion of four case-studies of existing ‘looking outward’ practices (case-studies to be pre-circulated/advertised on workshop website); contributors include: Mel Prideaux and Emma Tomalin (Leeds); Katja Stuerzenhofecker (Manchester); Stefan Skrimshire (Leeds); Lynne Scholefield (St Mary’s University College, Twickenham)
11.30: Break
12.00: New technologies in teaching and learning and their applicability in this context (presentation and discussion led by University of Manchester Humanities e-learning team) - click here for presentation slides
12.30: Lunch (e-learning ‘hands on’)
1.30: Discussion on new technologies and looking outwards
2.00: Roundtable discussion of case studies of existing funded research projects with potential for use in teaching and learning contexts (case-studies to be pre-circulated/ advertised on workshop website); contributors include: David Voas (Essex); Kate Cooper (Manchester); Julia Ipgrave (Warwick); Roberta Mazza (Manchester)
3.00: Ways forward: small group work/plenary
4.00 Close
Case studies: please click on the links at the foot of this page to access files containing case studies; then read and be ready to discuss them at the workshop.
Registration: to register for the event click here and fill in a short form.
Blog: we have put together a blog - trslookingoutwards - to generate discussion and will be adding more materials and comments as the workshop gets nearer.