SCY3290

Spiritualities, Faiths and Religions: Society and the Transcendent

(ART)

Gary Bouma

6 points + 2 hours per week + Second semester + Clayton + Prerequisite: A first-year sequence in Sociology or the permission of the head of school + Prohibitions SCY2290, RLT2/3290, COS2/3290

Synopsis: Are Australians spiritual, religious or what? Is Australia Christian, Monotheist, Secular or Polytheist? Why are Islam, Buddhism and Witchcraft growing? Is there a future for the churches? Does it make any difference? Focusing on religion in Australia, this option examines the problem of religious meaning, the emergence and maintenance of religious systems of meaning, and the interaction between religion and other aspects of society.

Assessment: Research report (3500 words): 75% + Class test (1 hour): 25%