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LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Session2
N/A

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.

GA1: Intellectual rigour, GA2: Creativity, GA3: Ethical practice, GA4: Knowledge of a discipline, GA5: Lifelong learning, GA6: Communication and social skills, GA7: Cultural competence
On completion of this unit, students should be able to:GA1GA2GA3GA4GA5GA6GA7
1demonstrate an understanding of the history, key teachings and beliefs of Judaism, Christianity and IslamIntellectual rigourKnowledge of a disciplineCultural competence
2critically examine the social dimensions of religions and religious beliefs, including the role of violence and genderIntellectual rigourCultural competence
3evaluate the historical relationships between religious and secular lawsIntellectual rigourEthical practice
4analyse and contrast relationships between religious and political worldviewsIntellectual rigourEthical practiceKnowledge of a discipline

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
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
    • GA7: Cultural competence
  2. critically examine the social dimensions of religions and religious beliefs, including the role of violence and gender
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA7: Cultural competence
  3. evaluate the historical relationships between religious and secular laws
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA3: Ethical practice
  4. analyse and contrast relationships between religious and political worldviews
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA3: Ethical practice
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Prescribed texts

  • Prescribed text information is not currently available.
Prescribed texts may change in future study periods.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method
Structured online learning 2 hours  (11 weeks )
Tutorial online 1 hour (11 weeks )
Assessment
Essay50%
Exam: take home50%
Notice

Intensive offerings may or may not be scheduled in every session. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Southern Cross University employs different teaching methods within units to provide students with the flexibility to choose the mode of learning that best suits them. SCU academics strive to use the latest approaches and, as a result, the learning modes and materials may change. The most current information regarding a unit will be provided to enrolled students at the beginning of the study session.

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.

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