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RELS580 World Religions: Introductory Overview

Updated: 01 February 2013
Credit Points 6
Offering
Responsible Campus Teaching Period Mode of Study
Armidale Trimester 1 Off Campus
Intensive School(s) None
Supervised Exam There is no UNE Supervised Examination.
Pre-requisites candidature in a postgraduate award
Co-requisites None
Restrictions HIST489 or HIST589 or RELS465
Notes None
Combined Units None
Coordinator(s) Adeel Khan (akhan4@une.edu.au)
Unit Description

This unit offers an introduction to the nature of religion and to the major world religion. A comparative methodology will be used to explore the various religions.
Prescribed Material
Mandatory 		Text(s):

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.

A History of the World's Religions
ISBN: 9780205167975
Noss, D.S., Prentice-Hall 13th ed. 2011
Note: This text is out of print.
Text refers to: Trimester 1 , 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
Assignment 1 50% 3500
Assessment Notes
Essay
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-6 GA: 1-6
Assignment 2 50% 3500
Assessment Notes
Essay
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-6 GA: 1-6

Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. display a wide-ranging knowledge of the various settings (political, social, religious) in which the major world religions developed and the ability to identify key aspects of, and assess critically, the influence of these settings on the sacred texts of these religions;
  2. demonstrate a high level of competence in the use of primary texts as resources for historical and sociological study through a working knowledge of the variety of text critical methods available, and of the major concepts and models presently adopted by historians and sociologists;
  3. transfer competence with the scriptural texts of the major religions to the task of analysing other religious texts;
  4. critically discuss Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam through the study of their primary texts;
  5. write clearly and analytically at a Masters level; and
  6. participate in effective discussion with fellow students on the Bulletin Board at an advanced level of critical enquiry.

Graduate Attributes (GA)
Attribute Taught Assessed Practised
1 Knowledge of a Discipline
Knowledge of the studies in religion discipline is essential as this unit is taught on an external basis only by using the unit guide, which provides readings essential for the essay. The unit is assessed through one written assignment. As a foundation unit in the postgraduate program, emphasis is placed on key concepts on which to build other advanced topics. 		True True
2 Communication Skills
Students will practise communication skills through written feedback on the essay component of the unit. Students will be assessed on the style of writing, clarity of writing, expression and development of ideas, and referencing. Students will practise their communication skills through completing the assessment tasks. 		True True True
3 Global Perspectives
This unit concentrates on a comparative perspective on world religions and this means it has an inherently global aspect. World Religions is one of these units that require students to learn a global perspective through the content of the unit and the models of analysis provided. A global perspective is both practised and assessed in the written work. 		True 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
5 Life-Long Learning
Through 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
By completing the written assessment, 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. Written and analytical skills will be assessed in the written assessment. 		True
7 Social Responsibility
Within the unit there are specific discussions concerning ethics in relation to the interpretation of texts, especially texts of other cultures than the students' own. Students are expected to practise such ethical approaches to the study of religions when doing their assignment work and in their online postings. 		True True
8 Team Work
Team work applies in general to discussions between students online about problems they encounter or interesting questions for discussion. 		True
   

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