ATS3862 - Thinking about religion - 2018

This unit considers different ways of thinking about religion and religious belief, both phenomenological (historical, social scientific, etc.) and philosophical. It raises philosophical questions about the role of religious discourse and the relationship of evidence to religious belief, examining classic texts on questions such as omniscience, simplicity and eternity. It also examines religious pluralism, and the range of responses that can be made to diverse views about salvation or enlightenment.

The objectives of this unit are:

1. to offer students the opportunity to improve their understanding of the history, beliefs, practices and sacred texts of various religious traditions
2. to help students develop their hermeneutical and exegetical skills, so that they can interpret, contextualise and explain passages and texts from different religious traditions, as well as integrate their analysis of scriptural texts with contemporary scholarly and critical material
3. to develop the capacities of students to engage in reflective and critical thinking, particularly the capacity to critically analyse and evaluate concepts, doctrines and arguments that have played a central role in the world's religions, as well as to put forward ideas and arguments of their own in a clear and cogent way.

Within semester assessment: 80% + Exam: 20%

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. A unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information

Religious studies

http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/philosophy/ugrad/units/phl3040.php