Interfaith Dialogue

Lesson Overview

• Unit: Faith and Unity: Australia (Lesson 2 of 3)
• Duration: 60 minutes
• Year: 12
• Class size: 20 students
• Subject: Australian History (Year 12 NSW History Curriculum)

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

1. Evaluate the role of interfaith dialogue in promoting social harmony and community cooperation within multifaith Australia.
2. Analyse case studies demonstrating successful interfaith initiatives and their impact on community relations.
3. Apply the ALARM model (Answer, Locate, Analyse, Review, Make) to critically evaluate historical and contemporary examples of interfaith dialogue.
4. Collaborate effectively in role-play to understand diverse perspectives in interfaith contexts.

NSW History Syllabus Alignment

• Stage 6 History Extension/Historical Studies:

  • Understanding contemporary Australian society and issues relating to diversity and multiculturalism.
  • Investigate and evaluate historical events and developments that shape Australian identity and social cohesion.
  • Use historical inquiry skills to critically analyse sources and construct well-supported arguments.

• NSW History Skills:

  • Question and research historical events and issues.
  • Analyse and evaluate sources for reliability, perspectives, and purpose.
  • Communicate findings and arguments using appropriate historical terms and concepts.

This lesson supports the NSW History Curriculum aims to foster students’ critical thinking, collaborative skills, and appreciation of multicultural and multifaith perspectives in Australian society.

Links to Quality Teaching Framework (QTF)

• Intellectual Quality: Promote deep understanding via critical evaluation of interfaith dialogue’s societal impact.
• Quality Learning Environment: Collaborative, respectful discussion and group role-play activities.
• Significance: Connects students’ learning to real-world multicultural Australian context and citizenship.
• Connectedness: Links history with contemporary social issues, community relations, and ethical understanding.

Resources Needed

• Case study handouts (examples of Australian interfaith initiatives)
• Role-play scenario cards
• ALARM framework poster/chart
• Whiteboard and markers
• Student notebooks or digital devices

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Lesson Structure and Timing

Time	Activity	Description	NSW Curriculum Focus & Pedagogical Notes
0-5 mins	Introduction & Lesson Context	Teacher briefly revisits key ideas from Lesson 1 on multiculturalism and religious diversity in Australia. Present today’s learning goals clearly.	Set purpose and orient students. Activate prior knowledge.
5-15 mins	Direct Instruction: Importance of Interfaith Dialogue	Teacher explains what interfaith dialogue is and how it promotes harmony. Provide historical and contemporary Australian examples. Discuss benefits and challenges.	Develop historical understanding and terminology. Use teacher explanation to scaffold knowledge.
15-30 mins	Case Study Analysis (Group Work)	In groups of 4-5, students receive different interfaith case studies (e.g., Parliament of the World’s Religions event in Melbourne, local interfaith youth forums). Using the ALARM model, they answer a structured set of questions:
a) What was the initiative?
b) Who was involved?
c) What was its impact on community relations?
d) What evidence supports its effectiveness?
Groups prepare a 3-minute summary.	Engage students in historical inquiry skills—source analysis, evidence evaluation, and synthesis. Use ALARM to structure critical thinking.
30-45 mins	Role-Playing Activity: Building Interfaith Understanding	Each group receives a role-play scenario involving interfaith dialogue challenges (e.g., planning community event, addressing a conflict). Students assume perspectives of different faith/community leaders, developing dialogue to promote mutual respect and cooperation.	Promote empathy, perspective-taking, collaborative problem solving, and communication skills. Aligns with QTF for quality learning environment.
45-55 mins	Group Presentations and Reflection	Groups present their case study summaries and role-play outcomes. Whole class reflects on insights gained about interfaith dialogue’s importance in pluralistic Australia. Encourage critical questions from peers.	Develop communication and evaluative skills, peer learning, and critical reflection.
55-60 mins	Lesson Summary and Exit Task	Teacher summarises key points. Exit task: Write a brief response applying ALARM—“In what ways can interfaith dialogue shape Australia’s future social cohesion?”	Reinforce learning outcomes, formative assessment, and application of ALARM framework.

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Assessment and Feedback

• Formative assessment through group case study analysis and presentations.
• Observation of student participation and collaborative skills during role-play.
• Exit task writing will assess students’ ability to articulate the significance of interfaith dialogue applying historical inquiry skills.
• Provide verbal and written feedback focusing on historical reasoning, the use of evidence, and collaborative engagement.

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Extensions and Differentiation

• Extension: Students research and present on international models of interfaith dialogue for comparison.
• Support: Provide simplified case studies or scaffolded ALARM templates for students requiring additional assistance. Use peer support in groups.

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Teacher Notes

• Emphasise respectful language and promote a safe classroom atmosphere for discussing sensitive intercultural and religious topics.
• Use ALARM posters visibly in the classroom as a continual scaffold for structuring answers.
• Encourage students to connect historical events with contemporary Australian contexts and their own experiences.

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This lesson plan models a high-order, collaborative learning experience grounded in the NSW History syllabus and contemporary social relevance, guided by established pedagogy frameworks like ALARM and the Quality Teaching Framework. It prepares Year 12 students to critically engage with Australia's evolving multifaith identity and contribute thoughtfully to ongoing social unity.

If you require, I can also help draft the supporting materials such as detailed case studies or ALARM worksheets.