Learning opportunities 

Learning outcomes

Explain the theological foundations of the ECSI project and the hermeneutic-communicative model.

Demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical framework for the ECSI instruments.

Interpret data generated by the ECSI instruments accurately and with insight with respect to personal areas for growth.

Content

• Views of the contemporary situation: detraditionalisation and pluralisation
• Theology and tradition
• The nature and purposes of the Catholic School
• The hermeneutic-communicative model
• Undertaking the ECSI survey
• Theoretical and methodological frameworks for the ECSI instruments
• Interpreting the ECSI survey results
• Conditions for authentic dialogue
• Theology as recontextualisation
• Enhancing Catholic School Identity: What do I do now?

Schedule

This unit is offered in a blended mode over three phases.

1. Preparatory phase

Participants will complete an online module and preliminary reading prior to attending the residential intensive.

The completed material is not graded and is not accessible to teaching staff, however, it will form part of your preparation for assessment in the unit.

2. Intensive residential phase

Participants engage in seminars and activities designed to enhance and deepen their engagement with the resources.

During this phase, participants will develop skills to interpret the data generated by the ECSI instruments, and the ability to communicate their understanding in ways that support Catholic schools, educational systems, and communities in enhancing their Catholic identity.

3. Consolidation phase

Participants reflect critically on the personal challenges and implications of ECSI. A webinar will support participants in the completion of the final assessment task.

Assessment

All assessment items relate to real-world situations and opportunities.

Task one

Participants are asked to:

• describe the theological background, aims and purposes of the ECSI Project
• define the project’s key terms
• analyse data from the three ECSI scales
• discuss some of the challenges posed by the ECSI Project in the contemporary context
• where possible, participants are given the opportunity to work with their own school or diocesan data.

Task two

Participants are asked to:

• reflect on their personal Catholic identity in light of the aims and purposes of the ECSI Project
• identify ways in which their understanding of, and identification with, Catholic identity has changed as a result of their learning in the unit
• reflect critically on the personal and professional implications and challenges of ECSI.

Participation options

If you’re wishing to undertake this unit, you may do so via one of the following modes:

Completing the unit for credit

• Course admission and enrolment: This unit constitutes 10 credit points and is part of the 160-point Master of Theological Studies and the 120-point Master of Professional Studies in Theology. Upon completion of this unit, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a second, more advanced unit on the ECSI Project.
• Credit towards another masters course: If you’re enrolled in another ACU program – such as the Master of Religious Education or Master of Educational Leadership – you should approach your Course Coordinator to apply for credit into those courses.
• Individual unit enrolment: You may enrol in an individual unit and complete the assessment, but do not enrol in a course at this time. You may seek to credit the unit to a relevant course in which you enrol in the next few years.

Completing the unit for general interest and professional learning

• Audit: You are welcome to audit the unit and will not be required to complete the assessment. Please note, however, that preference will be given to applicants seeking academic credit for the unit; the assessment tasks are designed to ensure that participants are able to read and interpret the ECSI surveys with confidence.