The document discusses the guidelines for the Religious Education coursework component of the Leaving Certificate exam in Ireland. It states that coursework makes up 20% of the total exam marks and involves students researching and writing about a selected title from a list of four options. The coursework is divided into two sections: findings, which summarizes the research; and personal reflection, which addresses five questions about the topic. Students are marked based on demonstrating engagement with sources and drawing conclusions from their research.

1. The PDST is funded by the Department of Education and Skills
under the National Development Plan, 2007-2013
Leaving Certificate
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Coursework.

2. The PDST is funded by the Department of Education and Skills
under the National Development Plan, 2007-2013
General Information
• Each Year, 2 sections from Part 3 of syllabus
are designated for coursework. These sections
will not appear on the exam paper,
• Coursework is 20% of total mark, i.e. 80
marks.
• Candidates select one title from a list of four
prescribed titles. Coursework is written up in
pro forma booklet and submitted to the State
Examinations Commission.

3. The PDST is funded by the Department of Education and Skills
under the National Development Plan, 2007-2013
Aims of LC Coursework
• To allow students an opportunity for personal
engagement on an issue of interest or concern.
• To develop students’ knowledge, understanding,
skills and attitudes as outlined in the objectives of
the section designated for coursework.
• To provide an opportunity for students to engage in
extended research, analysis and reflection on the
chosen topic.
• To develop skills of research, analysis, evaluation,
critical thinking, communication and reflection.

4. The PDST is funded by the Department of Education and Skills
under the National Development Plan, 2007-2013
Structure
• Coursework is divided into sections, Part A &
Part B.
• Guidelines indicate a word count of 1500
words in total.
• Candidates should be familiar with exam
terminology e.g. Profile, Examine etc. See
LCRE Teacher Guidelines, pg 130

5. The PDST is funded by the Department of Education and Skills
under the National Development Plan, 2007-2013
Section A-Findings(40 marks).
• Summary of candidates investigation into
prescribed title.
• Outline your work in steps, e.g. The first step
is...
• Highlight your sources of information that you
used to find out your information.
• Indicate skills you acquired during your
research on prescribed detail.

6. The PDST is funded by the Department of Education and Skills
under the National Development Plan, 2007-2013
Section B-Personal Reflection (40 marks).
• 5 key questions to be covered.
• 1.) Why was the title of interest to you?
• 2.) What different perspectives did you encounter in
doing your coursework?
• 3.) What questions arose for you in doing this
coursework?
• 4.)What personal insights did you gain from doing
coursework on this title?
• 5.)What was the most valuable part of doing this
coursework?

7. The PDST is funded by the Department of Education and Skills
under the National Development Plan, 2007-2013
Marking Scheme
• Marking Schemes are available on
www.examinations.ie
• Candidates should make appropriate
reference to their chosen title.
• Candidates should also be familiar with
examination terminology, e.g. ‘Substantial’,
‘drawing conclusions’ etc.

8. The PDST is funded by the Department of Education and Skills
under the National Development Plan, 2007-2013
Links
• Where possible it might be worth linking to
other sections of the course. This can be done
as a revision exercise once candidates have
presented coursework.
• E.G. If candidates are doing coursework on
Section I 2.1, this might remind them of
Section A 2.2 and state the reason why?

9. The PDST is funded by the Department of Education and Skills
under the National Development Plan, 2007-2013
Extended Research
• Candidates should show evidence of
‘substantial’ engagement in their chosen title.
• Using a variety of sources is to be encouraged
and drawing conclusions on these during
personal reflection could be important, i.e
linking to current news events, novels ‘The
Kite Runner’ by Khaled Hosseini

10. The PDST is funded by the Department of Education and Skills
under the National Development Plan, 2007-2013
Extended Research
• Candidates should show evidence of
‘substantial’ engagement in their chosen title.
• Using a variety of sources is to be encouraged
and drawing conclusions on these during
personal reflection could be important, i.e
linking to current news events, novels ‘The
Kite Runner’ by Khaled Hosseini