Rethinking the Course Content and Pedagogies used in Learning about ‘Asian Religions’

This essay examines the concerns expressed by students when studying a second-year module on Asian religions and how they thought the facilitation of their learning could be most effective. Following research done with three cohorts of second-year students studying Asian religions from 2015 to 2017...

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Main Author: Maria Frahm-Arp
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Association for the Study of Religion in Southern Africa 2021-06-01
Series:Journal for the Study of Religion
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.uj.ac.za/index.php/ReligionStudy/article/view/545
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author Maria Frahm-Arp
author_facet Maria Frahm-Arp
author_sort Maria Frahm-Arp
collection DOAJ
description This essay examines the concerns expressed by students when studying a second-year module on Asian religions and how they thought the facilitation of their learning could be most effective. Following research done with three cohorts of second-year students studying Asian religions from 2015 to 2017, this essay argues that both changes in pedagogy and course content are needed to create spaces where learning about these religions can address the concerns raised by students. Students were particularly concerned about how studying Asian religions would prepare them for the world of work and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The research for this essay is located in a social constructivist pedagogy that forefronts social justice and is grounded in an engaged learning practice. The essay examines why in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, studying Asian religions is important and valuable to students studying for a degree in preparation for entry into the workplace. The essay shows that engagement with different technologies in teaching and learning enables a pedagogy of co-knowledge production and co-sharing of know-ledge where students learn technological skills, critical thinking skills, and a deepening awareness of their worldviews and those of other people. In so doing, this module addressed student concerns about their studies and the skills they considered valuable in preparing them for future careers.
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spelling doaj-art-263b35ea4c8e42a6826f0eb1221241542025-01-29T09:01:20ZengAssociation for the Study of Religion in Southern AfricaJournal for the Study of Religion1011-76012413-30272021-06-01341Rethinking the Course Content and Pedagogies used in Learning about ‘Asian Religions’ Maria Frahm-Arp0Department of Religion, University of Johannesburg This essay examines the concerns expressed by students when studying a second-year module on Asian religions and how they thought the facilitation of their learning could be most effective. Following research done with three cohorts of second-year students studying Asian religions from 2015 to 2017, this essay argues that both changes in pedagogy and course content are needed to create spaces where learning about these religions can address the concerns raised by students. Students were particularly concerned about how studying Asian religions would prepare them for the world of work and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The research for this essay is located in a social constructivist pedagogy that forefronts social justice and is grounded in an engaged learning practice. The essay examines why in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, studying Asian religions is important and valuable to students studying for a degree in preparation for entry into the workplace. The essay shows that engagement with different technologies in teaching and learning enables a pedagogy of co-knowledge production and co-sharing of know-ledge where students learn technological skills, critical thinking skills, and a deepening awareness of their worldviews and those of other people. In so doing, this module addressed student concerns about their studies and the skills they considered valuable in preparing them for future careers. https://journals.uj.ac.za/index.php/ReligionStudy/article/view/545Pedagogy, Eastern religion, Asian religion, technology, teaching
spellingShingle Maria Frahm-Arp
Rethinking the Course Content and Pedagogies used in Learning about ‘Asian Religions’
Journal for the Study of Religion
Pedagogy, Eastern religion, Asian religion, technology, teaching
title Rethinking the Course Content and Pedagogies used in Learning about ‘Asian Religions’
title_full Rethinking the Course Content and Pedagogies used in Learning about ‘Asian Religions’
title_fullStr Rethinking the Course Content and Pedagogies used in Learning about ‘Asian Religions’
title_full_unstemmed Rethinking the Course Content and Pedagogies used in Learning about ‘Asian Religions’
title_short Rethinking the Course Content and Pedagogies used in Learning about ‘Asian Religions’
title_sort rethinking the course content and pedagogies used in learning about asian religions
topic Pedagogy, Eastern religion, Asian religion, technology, teaching
url https://journals.uj.ac.za/index.php/ReligionStudy/article/view/545
work_keys_str_mv AT mariafrahmarp rethinkingthecoursecontentandpedagogiesusedinlearningaboutasianreligions