Religious studies - 2019

All human cultures reflect on the meaning of life through myth, symbol and abstract reflection. Studying the religions and theologies of different cultures, within a variety of historical contexts, is both an important intellectual exercise and a fascinating process that provokes many questions about the past, the present and the future. The religious studies program is devoted to the critical study of a wide range of religious traditions, as interpreted both in the past and in the contemporary world. It is also concerned with thinking about the ways in which specific religious traditions engage in intellectual reflection on a wide range of specific issues, such as the nature of God, ethics, social issues, gender, the environment and the meaning of life.

You can choose from a great range of topics related to religion, spirituality, belief and non-belief. You will be exposed to the history, core teachings and central practices of many of the world's religions. Topics investigated may include religion in relation to colonisation, environmental degradation, gender and sexuality and religious responses to modernity.

In the arts faculty, we strongly encourage students to engage in international study and broaden their view of the world. Religious studies subjects can be taken as part of a study overseas or exchange experience, or in intensive mode between semesters at our Prato centre in Italy - where students can immerse themselves first-hand in the unit Dante's medieval world: politics, religion and the city.

Availability

Religious studies is listed in A2000 Bachelor of Arts at Clayton as a minor.

Outcomes

In addition to achieving the broad outcomes of their course, students successfully completing this major will:

• be aware of current philosophical, historical and cultural debates about religion in both past and present society
• think reflectively about how religions are represented and interpreted in contemporary society.