Civic, Social and Political Education (CSPE)
This 100-hour short course builds upon the 70 hour CSPE course that many teachers are familiar with. It is built around three strands, rights and responsibilities, global citizenship and exploring democracy. There is a strong focus on student action aimed at giving students an experience of active citizenship.
CSPE is an important part of a wellbeing programme within junior cycle as it enables students to feel connected to and take responsibility for the wellbeing of others. It also develops students' confidence, agency and engagement which are important characteristics of student wellbeing.
Artistic Performance
Learning in the area of artistic performance is enjoyable for students, because it is hands-on, fully engaging the participants in practical group activities. It fosters both the development of the specific skills in drama, dance and performance and a range of transferable skills that may apply to other collaborative endeavours. While it may draw on the students’ previous experiences, it also provides opportunities for students to develop new skills; the performance being both a challenge and a source of satisfaction in bringing an idea from conception to realisation.
Physical Education (PE)
This short course builds on the Junior Cycle Physical Education Framework which physical education teachers currently use to plan their physical education programme in junior cycle.
There are four strands, each one focusing on learning in different physical activity areas: Physical activity for health and wellbeing. Games, Individual and team challenges, Dance and Gymnastics.
Coding
This short course aims to develop the student’s ability to formulate problems logically; to design, write and test code through the development of programs, apps, games, animations or websites; and, through their chosen learning activities, to learn about computer science.
Literacy
The Literacy short course is based on three strands:
· Oral Literacy
· Reading Literacy
· Writing Literacy
Over three years, students broaden their existing skills in these three areas as they are woven together for projects such as; speech writing and delivery, making oral presentations and reading and analysing short stories and poems.
Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE)
This short course aims to develop students’ positive sense of themselves and their physical, social, emotional and spiritual health and wellbeing. It also aims to build the capacity of young people to develop and maintain healthy relationships.