This timely book focusses on the central issues and questions which emerge in relation to the teaching and learning of Islam in confessional and constructivist religious education. Considering the consequences of a lack of diversity in the Islamic Religious Education curriculum, the text also explores the challenges faced by Muslim pupils in connection with secularism and radical Islam. Through rich analysis of research carried out across Muslim and public secondary schools in the UK, this book develops a meaningful pedagogy of Islamic Religious Education. In particular, the volume investigates the benefits of Critical Religious Education and Variation Theory frameworks on student learning in Religious Education classrooms and illustrates how these didactic frameworks can help to ameliorate distinct problems seen across Islamic Religious Education. Chapters identify discrete pedagogical issues that arise in the confessional and constructivist approaches to Islamic Education, such as students’ difficulties in relating to concept of Islam, and progressive approaches taken in public schools. In addressing these, the text proposes a new theoretical and pedagogical approach to the teaching of Islam, which draws on the philosophy of Critical Realism, the theories of Critical Religious Education, and Variation Theory.This book will be of great interest to postgraduate students, researcher scholars and academics in the fields of religion and education and Islamic studies. In addition, it will be of interest to social equity professionals and public policy decision makers.
Ayse Demirel Ucan is Researcher in the Religious Education Department at Marmara University, Turkey.
List of tables AcknowledgementsChapter 1Introduction Problems of teaching Islam in confessional and constructivist religious educationAbsence of diversity in the Islamic Religious Education curriculumA new theoretical and pedagogical approach to Islamic Religious EducationThe aim of the studyStructure of the bookChapter 2Critical Realism and Islam Critical Realism Religion, God and Critical Realism Critical Realism as applied to Islam Critical Realism as ‘underlabouring’ Islamic Religious Education Chapter 3Applying the Framework of Critical Religious Education and Variation Theory to Islamic Religious Education Critical Religious Education PhenomenographyVariation Theory Learning Study Model Chapter 4Research Methodology Research Approach Implementaion of learning studiesSampling of research participants Data collection toolsData analysisEthical considerations and trustworthiness of the studyReflexivity Chapter 5Implementation of Critical Religious Education and Variation Theory in RE lessons: A learning study on ‘Islam and being a Muslim’The first lived object of learning The intended object of learning The enacted object of learning The second lived object of learning Chapter 6Implementation of Critical Religious Education and Variation Theory in RE lessons: A learning study on ‘equality in Islam’The first lived object of learning The intended object of learning The enacted object of learning The second lived object of learning Chapter 7RE teachers’ pedagogical perceptions and practices before and during the learning study Theoretical backgroundThemesChapter 8Discussion and Conclusion Summary and discussion of the findings The theoretical and pedagogical implications for Islamic Religious EducationLimitations of the study Future research Concluding remarksAppendicesIndex
Nadeem A. Memon, Mariam Alhashmi, Mohamad Abdalla, Nadeem A. (University of South Australia) Memon, Mariam (Zayed University) Alhashmi, Mohamad (University of South Australia) Abdalla