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RET2000 World Religions

Semester 2, 2023 Online
Units : 1
School or Department : School of Education
Grading basis : Graded
Course fee schedule : /current-students/administration/fees/fee-schedules

Staffing

Course Coordinator:

Overview

Religion is one of the principal cultural phenomena in which humans participate. Humankind has been concerned throughout recorded history with religious questions, such as the existence of God, the meaning and purpose of life and death, and the sense we make of our lives. In the contemporary world, religion has a significant influence on individuals and societies across the globe, informing significant global events, as well as the everyday detail of people鈥檚 lives. In the study of religion, students become aware of their own religious beliefs, the religious beliefs of others, and how people holding such beliefs are able to co-exist in a pluralist society. An understanding of the key religions throughout the world is important in understanding other peoples and cultures, which in turn is crucial in a pluralist and diverse 21st Century. The religions are studied in such a way that students acquire a sense of what it is like to belong to a particular religion and how that influences the way in which the followers of that religion understand the world, act in it, and relate and respond to others.

World Religions provides an overview of the key religions of the world. This course presents an analysis of religion and religious ideas. It explores religious traditions as lived by diverse people within particular geographical, social and historical contexts. The course looks at religion through common themes and examines symbols, rituals, followers, sacred texts, doctrines and beliefs, experiences, ethics and moral concerns, architecture, art and music in the five major world religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism. The course covers religions and religious thought from the earliest humans to the Ancient and Classical Worlds and right through to today. It seeks to promote respect for the diversity of religious beliefs, both locally and globally, with the aim of enhancing international and inter-religious understanding.

Course learning outcomes

  1. demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of relevant concepts, theories, and examples;
  2. demonstrate a broad familiarity with key concepts and ideas across a variety of religious traditions;
  3. understand religious traditions as lived by diverse people within particular geographical, social and historical contexts;
  4. relate religious ideas and ideas about religion to contemporary issues;
  5. critically engage with issues surrounding the study of religions;
  6. critically evaluate relevant professional and research literature;
  7. synthesise by integrating evidence and critical commentary;
  8. demonstrate appropriate cognitive, literacy and communication skills, including spelling, grammar, punctuation and bibliographic referencing.

Topics

Description Weighting(%)
1. Religion in the Ancient and Classical Worlds 5.00
2. Hinduism 15.00
3. Islam 15.00
4. Judaism 15.00
5. Buddhism 15.00
6. Christianity 30.00
7. Religion in the 21st Century 5.00

Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed

There are no texts or materials required for this course.

Student workload expectations

To do well in this subject, students are expected to commit approximately 10 hours per week including class contact hours, independent study, and all assessment tasks. If you are undertaking additional activities, which may include placements and residential schools, the weekly workload hours may vary.

Assessment details

Approach Type Description Group
Assessment
Weighting (%) Course learning outcomes
Assignments Written Annotated bibliography No 15 1,2,3,4,8
Assignments Written Journal No 35 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
Assignments Oral Presentation (ind, grp, mltmd) No 50 5,6,7,8
Date printed 9 February 2024