The goal of SORAPS Project is to create a Teachers Training Course. The aim of this course is to strengthen the professional profile of teachers by achieving the appropriate preparation in topics related to history of religions, contemporary religious pluralism, intercultural issues management and digital literacy. In addition, special attention is devoted to the theme of stereotypes and prejudices about religions.
Religion is still an essential element in the cultural identity of various groups that make up our societies. Religions still influence large sectors of the world population, and not only in the so-called third countries. In a globalized and digital world, information concerning religions from all cultures can be easily found in any kind of media, be it news, film, books, comics, videogames and so on. At the same time, however, it is likewise easy for such information on religions to come in form of stereotypes and prejudices.
In the present context characterized by strong immigration flow, recent terrorist attacks, increase of intolerance and fear, stereotypes and prejudices about religions can jeopardize an already fragile social fabric and lead to discrimination, ghettoization and radicalization.
Therefore, it is important for humanities teachers (but not only) to have, and to be able to share a basic knowledge of the principal religious traditions. But even more important is to understand the value and methods of learning and teaching about religions from a scientific, a-confessional and critic point of view. Also, since religions do not exist nor live in separate boxes, it is important to get a glimpse of the various aspects of contemporary religious pluralism. Trainees will engage in all these points. For each of them, where applicable, main prejudices and stereotypes will be analyzed and discussed.
In order to effectively conduct a lesson on religions in a perspective of intercultural dialogue, knowledge of religious phenomena alone could not be enough. For this reason also methods and tools for participatory activities in class will be presented, fostering a learning environment that can recognize the value of religious and cultural diversity. Moreover, methods and hints for teaching with ICT tools (web applications, tablets, etc.) will also be touched on in order to train teachers to enrich their lessons with multimedia and interactive dimensions.
This training course exploits, combines and puts in use previously EU funded educational projects' results, such as the Digital Modules of the "Intercultural Education through Religious Studies" project and the Toolkit of the "Schools for Future Youth" project.