Religious Education and the Public Sphere

"""This important book makes a significant contribution to the debates about the place of religious education in contemporary society. Hannam presents an eloquent and well-informed argument, drawing together a range of thinkers that have shaped debates about the place of religious education in public life over recent decades as well as theorists hitherto unexplored in mainstream discussions of religious education, notably that of Hannah Arendt. The book reveals the pernicious influence of some of the key assumptions underpinning RE theory and practice, namely a conception of religion as propositional and a notion of education as limited to the development of reason and knowledge. Hannam’s fine book will be of great interest to educationalists examining the place of religion and religious education in contemporary society. Student teachers will find a trove of insight and inspiration within these pages."" Dr David Lewin, Lecturer in Philosophy of Education, University of Strathclyde. ""Patricia Hannam offers new perspectives on the history of religious education (RE) in England. She employs the work of Hannah Arendt to outline a fresh understanding of the point and purpose of education, draws upon Simone Weil to champion an existential understanding of living a religious life, and outlines her own suggestions for a renewal of RE in the public sphere. It is good to examine assumptions that may lurk behind what we are saying about RE. It is good to hear female voices that challenge the knowledge transfer model of education, stress the importance of experience, and empower the individual pupil while valuing collaboration. I appreciated the critique of an instrumentalist education deadened by predetermined outcomes, and the importance of the creative teacher who does far more than ‘deliver’ curriculum or facilitate the development of skills. There was much food for thought here and a welcome re-examination of our complex but fascinating field. I would recommend scholars, teacher trainers, teachers, student teachers and anyone interested in the interface of religion and education to engage with the challenges provided by Hannam’s analysis."" Denise Cush, Professor of Religion and Education, Bath Spa University. ""This is one of the most ambitious books on religious education that I have read in some time. Its importance lies in the challenging question that it raises. Patricia Hannam identifies … shortcomings of current approaches to RE in England by focusing on its history as exemplified through the work of three key scholars. Her intention in doing this is to then provide a new, normative answer to the question ‘what should religious education seek to achieve in the public sphere?’ In her words, this book is intended as ‘an interruption in current thinking about the relationship between religion and education’ … … In an age when content is king, she is absolutely right to be asking penetrating questions about the relationship between the child and that content."" Professor Trevor Cooling. Canterbury Christ Church University, UK."