Availabilities:
| Location | Domestic | International |
|---|---|---|
| Online |
Unit description
Introduces students to key theoretical approaches to the sociological study of religion. Particularly the unit focuses on the relationships between religious and political worldviews underlying contemporary social issues such as terrorism, abortion and homosexuality. Students will explore the history, main social teachings and beliefs of Judaism, Christianity or Islam as a basis for examining contemporary religious fundamentalisms.
Unit content
Module 1 Understanding religion
Topic 1 Religion as a social phenomenon
Topic 2 Types of religion
Topic 3 Types of monotheistic religion
Module 2 Religion in society
Topic 4 Secularisation theory
Topic 5 Religion in the public sphere
Topic 6 Theories of religious affiliation
Topic 7 Fundamentalism and conservative politics
Module 3 Religion and politics
Topic 8 Violence and the social construction of evil
Topic 9 Gender and sexuality
Topic 10 Migration
Topic 11 Sociology and religious faith
Learning outcomes
Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.
| On completion of this unit, students should be able to: | |
|---|---|
| 1 | demonstrate an understanding of the history, key teachings and beliefs of Judaism, Christianity and Islam |
| 2 | critically examine the social dimensions of religions and religious beliefs, including the role of violence and gender |
| 3 | evaluate the historical relationships between religious and secular laws |
| 4 | analyse and contrast relationships between religious and political worldviews |
On completion of this unit, students should be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of the history, key teachings and beliefs of Judaism, Christianity and Islam
- critically examine the social dimensions of religions and religious beliefs, including the role of violence and gender
- evaluate the historical relationships between religious and secular laws
- analyse and contrast relationships between religious and political worldviews
Prescribed texts
- Possamai, A, 2009, Sociology of religion for generations x and y, Equinox, London.
Teaching and assessment
| Teaching method |
| Structured online learning 2 hours (11 weeks ) |
| Tutorial online 1 hour (11 weeks ) |
| Assessment | |
| Essay | 50% |
| Exam: take home | 50% |
Fee information
Domestic
Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.
Fee paying courses
For postgraduate or undergraduate full fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees
International
Please check the international course and fee list to determine the relevant fees.