units

ATS1040

Faculty of Arts

10 June 2013 20 June 2013

Undergraduate - Unit

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6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.

LevelUndergraduate
FacultyFaculty of Arts
Organisational UnitSchool of Philosophical, Historical and International Studies
OfferedCaulfield Second semester 2013 (Day)
Clayton Second semester 2013 (Day)
Coordinator(s)Dr Tamara Prosic

Synopsis

This unit is a general introduction to the study of religions, spirituality, and belief and non-belief, in the contemporary world. In particular, it introduces a range of theoretical and methodological approaches, and examines some of the pressing intellectual questions that are raised by (and for) religions, spirituality, belief and non-belief.

Issues canvassed include: religion and colonisation; religion and environmental degradation; religion, gender and sexuality; religion and spirituality; religious responses to modernity; and religion, secularisation, and non-belief. The future of religions will also be discussed, in the light of the theories and methods introduced in the unit.

Outcomes

  1. Students who have completed this unit will have an enhanced ability to critically analyse and evaluate the concepts employed in, and the doctrines accepted by, the world's religions, as well as to put forward ideas and arguments of their own in a clear and coherent way. ("Monash Graduates will be critical and creative scholars who apply research skills to a range of challenges, and communicate perceptively and effectively.")
  2. Students who have completed this unit will have an enhanced knowledge of theories of religion, and of key issues in contemporary studies of religion.

Assessment

Weekly quiz: 20% (10 x 2%)
Expository exercise: 10%
Essay: 30%
Group presentation: 10%
Exam:30%

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Tamara Prosic

Contact hours

2 hours of lectures
1 x 1-hour tutorial per week

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

History
Jewish civilisation
Religion and theology