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RELS181 World Religions: An Introduction

Updated: 16 November 2012
Credit Points 6
Offering
Responsible Campus Teaching Period Mode of Study
Armidale Trimester 1 Off Campus
Armidale Trimester 1 On Campus
Armidale Trimester 3 Off Campus
Intensive School(s) None
Supervised Exam There is no UNE Supervised Examination.
Pre-requisites None
Co-requisites None
Restrictions RELS101 or RELS111 or HIST181
Notes None
Combined Units None
Coordinator(s)
Unit Description

This unit introduces students to the five major world religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism). It focues on the early history of the five religions, with an emphasis on theories about founder figures and the development of new religious movements.
Recommended Material
Optional 		Text(s):

Note: Recommended material is held in the University Library - purchase is optional

Major World Religions from their Origins to the Present
ISBN: 9780415297967
Ridgeon, L., Routledge/Curzon 2003
Note: Also available as an ebook in the Dixson Library.
Text refers to: Trimester 1 , On and Off Campus
A History of the World's Religions
ISBN: 9780205167975
Noss, D.S., Prentice-Hall 13th ed. 2011
Text refers to: Trimester 1 , On and Off Campus
Disclaimer Unit information may be subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Assessment
Title Exam Length Weight Mode No. Words
Exercise 30% 1500
Assessment Notes
Short essay.
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1,2,3,4 GA: 1,2,4,5,7
Exercise 2 50% 2500
Assessment Notes
Long Essay.
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1,2,3,4 GA: 1,2,4,5,7
Online Assessment 20%
Assessment Notes
Participation exercise
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1,2,3,4 GA: 1,2,4,5,7

Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. demonstrate an understanding of the origins and development of the five major religions;
  2. critique some key concepts of religion as well as some possible methods of studying religion;
  3. show comparative aspects relating to the five major religions by means of a written assignment; and
  4. demonstrate an informed and educated attitude towards, and a continuing curiosity and interest in, the varieties of religious belief and practice.

Graduate Attributes (GA)
Attribute Taught Assessed Practised
1 Knowledge of a Discipline
Knowledge of the Studies in Religion discipline will be taught in a seminar atmosphere and online. It will be assessed in all three assessments. 		True True
2 Communication Skills
In this unit, students learn to communicate through their assignment work. In their essays, students will communicate in well-organised and logical arguments the ideas they have developed in studying particular topics. Students are also expected where possible to participate in the online discussions and thus practise communicating their ideas with other students. 		True True True
3 Global Perspectives
A study of world religions should broaden the world perspective of a student. 		True
4 Information Literacy
Students will be directed to relevant literature and taught how to assess its validity. Students will be assessed on their ability to identify and critically analyse the relevant literature. 		True True
5 Life-Long Learning
By completing the assessments, students will be provided with the necessary lifelong skills to be able to research, write and discuss social issues. These skills can be transferred to any discipline, and will be useful in any research positions. These attributes will be assessed in all of the assessments. 		True True
6 Problem Solving
Students will be assessed on their ability to work out how to address the question and where the most appropriate material is to answer the question. 		True
7 Social Responsibility
Students will be taught about their responsibilities as a researcher to provide balanced and accurate research. In addition, students will be taught that they have a social responsibility to question and challenge some 'facts'. This will be assessed and taught through their responses to the essay, online exercises and discussions in the seminar or online postings. 		True True
8 Team Work
Students will practise their teamwork skills through participating in the seminar or online discussion postings. They will be required to discuss the weekly topics with their fellow students in a thoughtful and respectful manner. 		True
   

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