Studies in Religion
Studies in Religion
Major
A major in Studies in Religion requires 48 credit points from this table including:
(i) 12 credit points of 1000-level core units
(ii) 12 credit points of 2000-level units
(iii) 18 credit points of 3000-level units
(iv) 6 credit points of 3000-level Interdisciplinary Project units
Minor
A minor in Studies in Religion requires 36 credit points from this table including:
(i) 12 credit points of 1000-level core units
(ii) 12 credit points of 2000-level units
(iii) 12 credit points of 3000-level units
1000 level units of study
Core
RLST1002 Religion: Texts, Life and Tradition
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 2x1hr lectures/week, 1x1hr tutorial/week Assessment: 1x1500wd Take-home paper (30%), 1x2000wd Essay (40%), 1x500wd early feedback (10%), 1x500wd Tutorial presentation (10%), Participation (10%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
In this unit, students will learn about the major religions, ancient and modern: Indigenous traditions, Egypt and Mesopotamia, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Taoism. History, texts, beliefs and practices are outlined to provide a foundation using the lens of lived religion. Fundamental skills and methodologies of the discipline are integrated into the program.
RLST1005 Atheism, Fundamentalism and New Religions
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2x1hr lectures/week, 1x1hr tutorial/week Assessment: 1x2000wd Essay (40%), 1x2000wd Take-home paper (40%), 1x500wd Presentation (10%), Tutorial participation (10%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
This unit examines religion in the contemporary world including recent high-profile debates and the emergence of new religions. Case studies and themes include: fundamentalism, the 'new' atheism, the effect of globalisation, consumerism and new media on religious practice, new forms of spirituality and enchantment.
2000 level units of study
Selective
RLST2612 Ancient Gnosticism
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x1hr lecture/week, 1x1hr seminar/week, 1x1hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: (12 junior credit points in Studies in Religion) or (6 junior credit points in Studies in Religion and (ANHS1600 or ANHS1601 or ANHS1602)) Prohibitions: RLST2012 Assessment: 2x1500wd essay (60%), 1x1500wd seminar presentation (30%), participation (10%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
This unit provides an overview of the Ancient Gnostic, Hermetic and Manichaean traditions: the exploration of the divine and demonic worlds; the nature of gnosis or knowledge; magic, the occult sciences and alchemy; dualism and the problem of evil; cosmogony, apocalypse and eschatology. A special feature is the study of recently discovered texts such as the gnostic gospels.
RLST2624 The Birth of Christianity
This unit of study is not available in 2018
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x1hr lecture/week, 1x1hr seminar/week, 1x1hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: (12 Junior credit points from Studies in Religion) or (6 Junior credit points from Studies in Religion and (ANHS1600 or ANHS1601 or ANHS1602)) Prohibitions: RLST2024 Assessment: 1x1000wd Oral Presentation (20%), 1x2000wd Essay (40%), 1x1500wd Take-home paper (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
This unit discusses the textual, archaeological and socio-cultural evidence for the origins of Christianity; with a particular purpose to analyse how cults centred on the charismatic figure of Jesus of Nazareth led to the construction of such a powerful religious tradition. Tensions within that emergent tradition will be considered, and especially its struggle towards self-identity with both Judaism and the Greco-Roman world.
RLST2631 Celtic and Germanic Mythology
This unit of study is not available in 2018
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Carole Cusack Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2x1-hr lectures/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: 12 junior credit points from Studies in Religion Prohibitions: RLST2001 or RLST2002 Assessment: 1x2000wd essay (50%), 1x1500wd text-based assignment (30%), 1x500wd equivalent tutorial presentation (20%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
This unit investigates the mythology and the religion of the Celtic and Germanic peoples. It ranges from prehistoric sites of Hallstatt (800 BCE) and Jastorf (350 BCE) to the Christian Middle Ages, when mythological collections (e.g. the Eddas and the Lebor Gebala) were complied. Sources used include archaeology, texts, folkloric survivals, and Indo-European mythology. It covers deities and the supernatural; sacred times and places; kingship and priesthood; goddesses; death and afterlife; and the conversion of the Celts and Germans to Christianity.
RLST2639 Secular Religion: Faith in Modernity
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x1hr lecture/week, 1x1hr seminar/week, 1x1hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: 12 credit points at 1000 level in Studies in Religion Assessment: 1x 3000wd Research Essay (50%), 1x 1500wd Community-engaged tute paper (35%), Seminar participation (15%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
This unit examines tensions between states and religions and the emergence of secular society. It investigates the 'ultimate concerns' of moderns, the focus on self-transformation, and how 'multi-faith' states operate. The unit provides students with vital methodologies to deeply examine the nature of 'religion' in modernity.
RLST2640 Contemporary Australian Religion
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 2x1hr lectures/week, 1x1hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: 12 credit points at 1000 level in Studies in Religion Prohibitions: RLST2627, RLST3603 Assessment: 1x 500wd Scoping Task (10%), x Tutorial Participation (10%), 1x 2500wd Research Essay (50%), 1x 500wd Site Visit Presentation (10%), 1x 1000wd Media Journal (20%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
Contemporary Australia manifests low levels of institutional religion, a multi-cultural and multi-faith population, and a vocal atheist/ secularist lobby. Students explore religion in the media and law, the Constitution, and Census data on religion. Issues examined include atheism and secularity, Aboriginal religion, values, sport and ANZAC as religious phenomena.
BBCL2610 The New Testament Literature
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x2hr lecture/week, 1x1hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: 12 Junior credit points including at least 6 in BBCL1001, BBCL1002, HBRW1111, HBRW1112, RLST1002 and 6 from Hebrew, Biblical and Jewish Studies, Ancient History, Anthropology, Archaeology, History, English, Philosophy, Studies in Religion, Arabic Studies or 6 Senior credit points in BBCL2603, BBCL2607, BBCL2609 or 12 credit points at 1000 level in Biblical Studies and Classical Hebrew or 12 credit points at 1000 level in Jewish Civilisation, Thought and Culture or Studies in Religion Assessment: 1x2700wd research essay (50%), 1xequivalent to 1500wds tutorial presentation and paper (30%), 1x300wd research proposal (10%), tutorial participation (10%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
This unit of study provides an overview of the New Testament as a literary and theological work, seeking to understand both the early Christian 'story' and the various modes in which it was retold and applied in the first century CE. Students explore the various genres of NT literature, including 'gospel', epistolary forms, parable and apocalyptic. Particular attention is paid to reader-response criticism of the Gospels and intertextuality in the NT epistles. Documents will be read in English translation.
3000 level units of study
Selective
RLST3601 Rethinking Religion
This unit of study is not available in 2018
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2hr seminar Prerequisites: 12 Senior credit points from Studies in Religion Assessment: 1x2000wd Essay (30%), 1x3000wd research proposal (50%), 1x1000wd Oral Presentation (10%), Tutorial participation (10%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
This unit investigates pressing contemporary issues in the method and study of religion. It prepares students for advanced research, including honours. Historical analysis of religion and contentious key terms are debated, as students are introduced to field studies methodology and other complex research strategies. Theoretical work is more tightly integrated in this unit with research practice and the unit is structured to nurture the student in an extended research project, helping them to find a dynamic and assured academic voice.
RLST3602 Global Christianity
This unit of study is not available in 2018
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x2-hr seminar/week Prerequisites: 12 senior credit points from Studies in Religion Prohibitions: RLST2006 or RLST2606 Assessment: 1x1000wd textual analysis (15%), 1x1500wd site visit report (25%), 1x1000wd seminar participation (15%), 1x2500wd essay plan and annotated bibliography (45%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
From the fifteenth century Christianity spread to Asia, the Americas, Africa, and the Pacific. Students will interrogate the relationship between Christian doctrine and cultural accommodation within colonialism, the European domination of the 'Global South', and the contemporary re-evangelisation of the 'Global North' by former colonies. New trends explored include online Christianity, growing Pentecostal congregations, radical transformations caused by individualism, gender, and indigenous politics. Students' investigations will focus on global agendas, such as liberation theology, environmental ethics, and Christian popular culture.
RLST3604 Ancient Egyptian Religion and Magic
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x1hr lecture/week, 1x1hr seminar/week, 1x1hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: 12 credit points at 2000 level in Studies in Religion or 12 credit points at 2000 level in Ancient History Prohibitions: RLST2636 Assessment: 1x 1000wd Seminar Presentation (20%), 1x 2000wd Essay (40%), 1x 1500wd Take-home paper (30%), 1x Participation (10%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
Students will learn about the cosmologies, gods and religious structures of Pharaonic Egypt from the imperial cult to the domestic; its legacy including the Roman cult of Isis, Hermeticism, magical handbooks from the Greek to the Islamic era; the popular and scientific rediscovery of ancient Egypt and its influence on modern esotericism and popular culture.
RLST3605 Sex, Desire and the Sacred
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x2hr seminar/week Prerequisites: 12 credit points at 2000 level in Studies in Religion Prohibitions: RLST2635 Assessment: 1x 2000wd Public Discourse Analysis (30%), 1x 3000wd Essay (50%), 1x 1000wd equivalent Presentation (10%), Tutorial participation (10%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
This unit examines the relation between sexuality, desire, gender and the sacred as presented in a diverse range of religious traditions; mysticism; tantra; cults of virginity and abstinence; sacred androgyny; philosophy of religion approach to gender and ontology, epistemology and ethics; cultural difference as it pertains to issues of religion and sexuality
RLST3606 Sacred Creativity: Text, Image, Film
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x1hr lecture/week, 1x1hr seminar/week Prerequisites: 12 credit points at 2000 level in Studies in Religion Prohibitions: RLST2628, RLST2625 Assessment: 1x4000wd (55%), 1x2000wd essay on creative methods (30%), participation (15%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
The keys to human creativity have long been encoded in religious endeavour. Here we examine the thoughts and methods that have enabled profound artistic and literary responses within, and in response to, religious worldviews. The impact of inspiration, prophecy, dreams, drug-taking, and ritual on great art, literature, and film will be demonstrated.
Interdisciplinary project unit of study
FASS3999 Interdisciplinary Impact
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 1hr lecture/performance event week for 5 weeks 2hr workshop per week for 10 weeks 2hr online learning modules for 5 weeks Prerequisites: 18 credit points at 2000 level Assessment: 1x 2000 wds equivalent Mapping knowledge exercise (30%), 1x 10 minutes Collaborative Presentation (30%), 1x 2000 wds equivalent Critical reflection essay (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Interdisciplinarity is a key skill in fostering agility in life and work. This unit provides learning experiences that build students' skills, knowledge and understanding of the application of their disciplinary background to interdisciplinary contexts. In this unit, students will work in teams and develop interdisciplinarity skills through problem-based learning projects responding to 'real world problems'.
Honours
Honours in Studies in Religion requires 48 credit points from this table including:
(i) 36 credit points of 4000-level Honours thesis units
(ii) 12 credit points of 4000-level Honours seminar units
Honours seminar units
RLST4113 Methodology in the Study of Religion
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 2x1hr seminar/wk Assessment: 1x 3000wd Essay A (50%), 1x 3000wd Essay B (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
In this unit you will examine methodological and theoretical approaches to the academic study of religion. Most theorists covered are from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The approaches discussed include philosophy, sociology, anthropology, politics, and cultural studies. Students select methods and theories to apply to religions.
RLST4115 Pilgrimage in the Great Traditions
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2x1hr seminar/week Assessment: 1x 3000wd Essay A (50%), 1x 3000wd Essay B (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
The unit is a study of pilgrimage practices in dominant faith traditions including Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. Students will consider a variety of literature on pilgrimage and will develop two research projects on specific case studies. Students analyse both pilgrimage practices and their representation in academic and popular discourse.
Honours thesis units
RLST4111 Studies in Religion Honours Thesis I
Credit points: 18 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 7 x 0.5hr supervision meetings/semester on average Mode of delivery: Supervision Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
This unit involves research towards and preliminary writing of an Honours thesis of 20 000 words in collaboration with a supervisor approved by the Studies in Religion Honours Coordinator.
RLST4112 Studies in Religion Honours Thesis 2
Credit points: 18 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 7 x 0.5hr meetings/semester on average. Assessment: 1x 20000wd Honours thesis (100%) Mode of delivery: Supervision Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
The Honours thesis is a supervised research project that is 20,000 words in length. In this unit you begin a substantial, independent research project in Studies in Religion. Regular meetings with a supervisor approved by the Studies in Religion Honours Coordinator will guide your progress. You will develop a plan for researching and writing the thesis, submit an ethics application if appropriate, familiarize yourself with disciplinary conventions and standards, engage with relevant literature, theories and methodologies, and submit drafts at agreed times.