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Thomas Shields and the Renewal of Catholic Education

Thomas Shields and the Renewal of Catholic Education

Education and Integral Human Development

by Leonardo Franchi

Published by: The Catholic University of America Press

Imprint: The Catholic University of America Press

140.00 × 216.00 mm

Paperback
9781949822380
Published: June 2023

£22.99

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This book explores the contribution of the Rev. Dr. Thomas Shields (1862-1921) to Catholic education in the United States of America in the late 19th and early 20th century.

Fr. Shields was a pioneer in combining a career as an academic in Catholic University of America with the publication of many resources for schools. Given his pioneering role in aligning Catholic educational thought with emerging insights in the sciences, and his multi-layered commitment to Catholic education as scholar, author of textbooks and founder of initiatives in the field of Teacher Education, it seems fitting that his considerable body of work should be the subject of fresh scholarly investigation.

The book is in five parts. Part 1, ""Catholicism as an Educational Movement"", sets out the contours of the intellectual climate in which Shields operated and presents Catholicism as a dynamic educational movement. Part 2, ""Responding to Progressive Thought"", explores the relationship between Progressivism and Catholic Education, showing how the Catholic Church responded to the challenges presented by Progressive thought. Part 3, ""Shields and the Reform of Pedagogy"", examines both Shields's general pedagogical principles and how they relate to Catholic education. Part 4, ""Forming Teachers in Heart and Mind"", considers Shields' ideas on Catholic Teacher Formation, exploring issues such as culture, vocation, method and curriculum. Part 5, ""The Catholic Education Series"", explores selected examples from Shields' Catholic Education Series to identify how his material for schools reflected, to a greater or lesser extent, his wider educational ideas.

As the present age is also witness to considerable and deep-rooted challenges to Catholic education and, indeed to the Catholic understanding of the human person, Shields's work will inspire contemporary reform-minded Catholic educators to reassess and develop the mission of Catholic education in light of the traditions of the Church.

Catholic education in the West often involves an amalgam of secular educational theories infused with a religious content. Given that Catholic education involves the formation of the mind and character, it is important that we take a more holistic approach to the process of education itself. This should start by basing our educational theories on a true Catholic anthropology. Thomas Shields did just that, and so this excellent study of his work is timely given the urgent need to re-evangelize our culture."" - Phillip Booth, St. Mary's University, London

""Well-researched and masterfully written, by a seasoned scholar and educator, this book is a must-read for every educator, in Catholic or secular institutions of higher learning. Shields Master Plan of teaching the old in the new, of introducing reform and renewal steeped deeply in the relation between faith and reason and interdisciplinarity, and his reform pedagogy which is not only theoretical but practical and part of the divine vocation of every educator is still relevant. The book guides one to be a reformer while being formator, an innovator while staying steadfastly true to tradition, forward-thinking while valuing the core of the Catholic education. The study provides a road map for educators as they seek to combine truth-seeking with novel opportunities."" - Ines A. Murzaku, Seton Hall University

""To paraphrase the first chapter of this timely volume, Professor Franchi's contribution to the history of Catholic education in the United States contains things old and new. The life and work of Thomas Shields is well covered. The striking feature of this well written and researched account is how the rationale for Shields' work resonate with modern audiences who often find themselves grappling with similar issues. Franchi outlines how the genesis of Shields' educational thinking can be seen as a response to the philosophical position of Dewey and the progressivist movement. And here we see and ongoing challenge for Catholic educators, that is, how best to engage with the great cultural issues of the day. Shields was also concerned with the formation of teachers, another perennial topic for Catholic educators. This book is highly recommended for those who see the value of exploring and reflecting on the past to better understand the present and the future."" - Richard Rymarz, Director of Research and Head of Religious Education, BBI-TAITE. Sydney, Australia