8_1_intro.qxp 10/11/2008 11:59 Page 1 Discourse Learning and Teaching in Philosophical and Religious Studies 8_1_intro.qxp 10/11/2008 11:59 Page 2 Discourse: Learning and Teaching in Philosophical and Religious Studies Editor: Dr David J Mossley Deputy Editor: Julie Closs If you have any comments or queries If you have any comments or queries about the content featured in about production or distribution Discourse, please contact the editor issues, please contact the deputy on: editor on: +44(0)113 343 7856 +44(0)113 343 7856 [email protected] [email protected] Distributed freely to all individuals and PRS departments in UK Higher Education and to those registered in our subject areas. Editorial board: Dr Ron Geaves Dr Gary Bunt Dr Joe Cain AUDTRS representa- Subject Co-ordinator Chair tive Subject Centre for PRS Dept. of Science and University College University of Wales, Technology Studies Chester Lampeter University College London Dr Graeme Gooday Ms Danielle Lamb Division of HPS Resource Co-ordinator Mr Joe Cunningham, Dept. of Philosophy Subject Centre for PRS British Undergraduate University of Leeds University of Leeds Philosophy Society (BUPS) representative Prof Hugh Pyper, Dr Rebecca O’Loughlin Heythrop College AUDTRS Academic Co-ordinator University of London representative Subject Centre for PRS Dept. of Biblical Studies University of Leeds Prof David Evans University of Sheffield School of Philosophical Mr George MacDonald Studies Prof Tom Sorrell Ross The Queen’s University BPA representative Director of Belfast Dept. of Philosophy Subject Centre for PRS University of University of Leeds Prof Steven French, Birmingham British Society for the Dr Clare Saunders Philosophy of Science Dr James Wilson Academic Co-ordinator (BSPS) representative Intute Subject Centre for PRS Dept. of Philosophy University of Oxford University of Leeds University of Leeds Dr Simon Smith Co-Director Subject Centre for PRS University of Leeds 2 Discourse: Volume 8, Number 1,Autumn 2008 The journal of the Subject Centre for Philosophical and Religious Studies of the Higher Education Academy Contents Editorial............................................................................................................................................ 4 News and information The Higher Education Academy.......................................................................................... 7 The Subject Centre for Philosophical and Religious Studies..................................8 Departmental Visits and Workshops..................................................................................9 Conference Announcements and Notices......................................................................10 Discussion, Reports,Articles and Practical Teaching The Discourse Interview Stanley Hauerwas.................................................................................................................19 A Report into the Issues Surrounding the Progression of Students to Undergraduate Studies with Particular Reference to GCE RS and Undergraduate TRS Natasha Pyne.........................................................................................................................29 The Challenges of A-level RE: A View From the Trenches Ian Jamison.............................................................................................................................57 Staff Expectations and Student Experience: A Case Study of First Year Undergraduate Curriculum Planning and Evaluation Paul Reid-Bowen and Catherine Robinson...............................................................73 Critical Thinking and Conceptual Enquiry: A Report on the Pilot of the International Baccalaureate World Religions Course Helen James and Clive Erricker....................................................................................91 Fostering Effective and Appropriate Use of Online Resources: (Or: How Do We Stop Students Copying Their Essays From Wikipedia?) Meriel Patrick.................................................................................................................107 Theological Foundations of Action Research for Learning and Teaching Ralph Norman.....................................................................................................................121 About Discourse........................................................................................................................144 3 8_1_intro.qxp 10/11/2008 11:59 Page 4 Progression and Independent Learning This issue of Discourse is largely higher education educators in devoted to papers from ‘Spoon- our discursive disciplines bring Feeding or Critical Thinking? A to reflection on issues around Level / Higher to First Year progression for a diverse and Progression in Religious Studies changing student body, that we and Theology’, a conference are able to publish such a good held at St Anne’s College, selection of papers here. Oxford on 3rd-4th July 2008. The conference addressed a Progression is a theme for our range of themes around pro- work in philosophy this year gression, both conceptually and too, and next summer a confer- practically. Moving students ence will address philosophy beyond the expectations of specific issues. Confirmed ‘spoon-feeding’ and helping speakers include Anthony them develop their inde- Seldon, Master of Wellington pendent learning skills was seen College and John Lippit from as both a challenge and achiev- Hertfordshire University. Initial able by the conference presen- information and a call for ters—schoolteachers and aca- papers is available: demics alike. The papers pro- http://prs.heacademy.ac.uk/ vide positive solutions to issues view.html/prsevents/420 faced by lecturers today. Further information about the The news and information sec- conference itself can be found tion of this edition also con- on our website: tains details of forthcoming http://prs.heacademy.ac.uk/ events, including a conference view.html/prsevents/313 on Teaching Black Theology, a workshop on using Creativity Many of these papers arose in TRS teaching in conjunction from projects funded or sup- with the C4C CETL, and a col- ported by the Subject Centre loquium on academic practice and demonstrate the diversity in our disciplines in collabora- of pedagogical development tion with the Centre for taking place in our disciplines. It Excellence in Academic is a testament to the deep Practice CETL. expertise and insights that 4 8_1_intro.qxp 10/11/2008 11:59 Page 5 Since the last issue we have been putting together the out- comes of a major international conference on e-learning held in the summer of 2008, along with other resources and out- comes of our e-learning project, and we shall be pub- lishing a special e-journal edi- tion of Discourse in the New Year. Many thanks to those of you who returned the postcard included with the last edition. As you may know, the journal is now available as a searchable resource online, and we are committed to reducing the number of printed copies we send out, so please let us know if you would like to be removed from the hard copy mailing list, and/or added to an email list to receive a bulletin when a new e-version becomes available. As always, feedback and com- ments are welcome: [email protected] All good wishes for the Christmas break. David 5 8_1_intro.qxp 10/11/2008 11:59 Page 6 News and Information 6 8_1_intro.qxp 10/11/2008 11:59 Page 7 The Higher Education Academy he Higher Education Academy’s mission is to help institutions, discipline groups and all staff to provide the best possible Tlearning experience for their students. Its aims and objectives are: 1. To be an authoritative and independent voice on policies that influence student learning experiences; 2. To support institutions in their strategies for improving the student learning experience; 3. To lead, support and inform the professional development and recognition of staff in higher education; 4. To promote good practice in all aspects of support for the student learning experience; 5. To lead the development of research and evaluation to improve the quality of the student learning experience; 6. To be a responsive, efficient and accountable organisation. http://www.heacademy.ac.uk The Subject Network The Subject Network is a network of 24 subject centres based in higher education institutions throughout the UK. It is funded by the four HE funding bodies in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It aims to promote high quality learning and teaching through develop- ment and transfer of successful practice in all subject disciplines. 7 8_1_intro.qxp 10/11/2008 11:59 Page 8 The Subject Centre for Philosophical and Religious Studies The Subject Centre for Philosophical and Religious Studies is based at the University of Leeds and at a partner site at the University of Wales, Lampeter and covers the disciplines of Philosophy, Philosophy of Science, History of Science (including the History of Medicine and Technology), Theology, and Religious Studies. Mission statement To support and promote Philosophical, Theological and Religious Studies higher education in the UK, and to build on its culture of dia- logue and reflection. Strategic Aims • To work in collaboration with PRS colleagues and students in order to be effective advocates for our disciplines in the development of national and regional policies. • To fund and take part in projects and events that support the development and recognition of good teaching