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Residential Program for Teachers
of Religious Education
The diploma for teachers of religion in churches and
primary schools requires basic foundations in biblical
studies, general pedagogical and psychological subjects
and seminars in Christian pedagogy and practical ministry.
ETS has a specialized program of study for teachers
of Religious Education. Students who choose this option
enroll in the four-year Bachelor of Arts degree, taking
theology classes in the day and some pedagogy classes
in the evenings and weekends.
Graduates of this program are qualified to teach Religious
Education and Ethics in Croatian public schools as well
as Evangelical churches. The theological courses are
conducted either in English or in Croatian, both with
translation. Most of the lectures of the Residential
Programs are held in Croatian by professors from Osijek
University and experienced Christian teachers. The program
curriculum meets all the requirements of pedagogical
academic training.
Purposes and objectives
In 1992, in our primary schools, and later in the high
schools, religion classes were introduced in the curriculum
as electives. Parents have the opportunity to choose
which religion class their children would attend: Catholic,
Orthodox, Muslim or Protestant.
According to the Law of Religious Education, all religious
communities are equal and all of them could have religion
classes under the same conditions.
With this new change, the need for teachers of religious
education with appropriate training increased. The Evangelical
Theological Seminary wanted to meet this need and so
in 1994 opened the Institute for Christian Education
and Culture where prospective teachers of religion for
churches and schools could take classes by extension
study. The response was very good and we had great results.
Many graduates of this program are now instructing as
teachers of religious education.
After four years of extension studies, we saw the need
for establishing a residential program for teachers
of Religious Education as a distinctive department of
ETS. Given the international status of our school, students
from both Croatia and other Eastern European countries
are given the opportunity to enroll in this program
and become teachers of religious education.
Three fourth of students involved in the residential
program are from Eastern Europe. After graduating from
our seminary and returning to their local churches,
they can work effectively in children and youth ministries.
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Programs
The prospective students are given two opportunities
to complete this program: by part-time or by additional
studies. The part-time study program is meant for persons
who cannot afford to attend regular classes because
of their busy schedule. The part-time study program
for teachers of religious education has its own curriculum.
The additional study program offers two alternatives:
a) two regular academic years of theology with
additional classes in Pedagogy for teachers of religious
education in primary schools and churches;
b) four regular academic years of theology with
additional pedagogical classes for teachers of religious
education in primary and high schools. Additional undergraduate
studies for pedagogy last 4 semesters.
Academic aspects
The curriculum program is made for additional undergraduate
studies. It contains Psychology, Pedagogy and Methods
of Teaching. The structure of this curriculum was designed
as an inclusive program from the regular curriculum
for theology at Evangelical Theological Seminary.
Curriculum for additional
studies
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Nr.
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General
Pedagogical Courses
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Credits
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1.
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General Pedagogy
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3
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2.
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General Psychology
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2
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3.
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Developmental Psychology
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2
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4.
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Didactics
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3
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5.
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Children in Crises
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2
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Nr.
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Methods
of Teaching
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Credits
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1.
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Methods of Teaching for Preschoolers
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1
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2.
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Methods of Teaching for School
Children
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1
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3.
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Methods of Teaching for High
School Religion Class
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2
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4.
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Methods of Teaching Art Education
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1
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5.
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Methods of Teaching Music Education
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2
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6.
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Drama and Puppets
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1
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7.
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Practice
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3
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