26-06 Catholic Schools and Democracy

Partner dioceses receive discounted courses. This link provides a list of partner dioceses and discount codes to use when registering.

Description 

Democracy is not self-winding. Effective educational experiences are required to develop personally responsible, engaged citizens who can cooperate with a diverse community in the project of creating a good society.  Catholic schools make distinctive contributions to democracy, including through the preparation of Christian citizens. This course, based on a live, interactive, online summit developed during summer 2025 by the McGrath Institute for Church Life, ACE Teaching Fellows, and Remick Leadership Program, explores these contributions for the purpose of equipping school teachers and leaders with a greater understanding of the significance of their work. 

Course Plan

Unit 1: What are the contributions schools make to society? What is unique to Catholic schools.

Unit 2: What are the characteristics of Christian Citizens?

Unit 3: What are the mechanisms within and outside the classroom for forming and educating citizens?

Unit 4: What are the ways in which Catholic schools prepare leaders? What makes them distinctive?

Unit 5: What conditions must the school environment have to make efforts to prepare citizens more efficacious?

Unit 6: Applying what has been learned

Course Format

• Eight weeks in duration, with six units of material to complete.
• Flexible assignment deadlines to accommodate summer schedules.
• Completed with a cohort of other learners to develop community and enhance learning.
• Cohort limited to 25 students.
• Video-based content.
• Confirmation of achievement available for 35 contact hours if desired.

Participation Requirements

• Watch the lectures for each unit

For a Confirmation of Achievement

• Participation in 4 of 6 “real-time” Zoom sessions with other participants. Note: If you are unable to attend in “real time”, participation requirements can be met by watching the Zoom recording and summarizing insights gained.
• Read or watch assigned materials; keep notes, questions, and comments for class discussions.
• Answer weekly discussion questions. 
• Respond to a weekly unit assignment (approximately 250 words).
• Complete the course evaluation.

*Your diocese may allow this to count for professional development credits. Check with your diocesan school’s office.

Time Expectation

4-5 hours per week, depending on your learning style and schedule.

Confirmation of Completion

Documentation of completion awarding 25 contact hours will be sent upon completion of all course requirements

Course Developer Biography

Clare Kilbane, Ph.D. is a Professor of the Practice at the University of Notre Dame affiliated with the McGrath Institute for Church Life.  She has a wide-range of expertise across a variety of educational areas. Clare has worked as a classroom teacher, teacher educator, curriculum developer, and media producer. Additionally, she has produced many books, articles, and other creative works.  At the McGrath Institute, Clare educates theology teachers, heads-up research and development for its online theology program, and serves as the Learning Designer for much of its educational programming. Clare and her husband Dennis are the parents of a college-aged daughter and live in South Bend, Indiana. 

Area: Catholic Education