Back to Find Units Page

Unit of Study SOCI3003 - Religions and the State (2023)

Show me unit information for year

Unit Snapshot

Unit description

Introduces students to key theoretical approaches to the sociology of religion. Students will explore the history, main teachings and social implications of beliefs in Judaism, Christianity or Islam as a basis for examining contemporary debates between secularisation and fundamentalism. The unit focuses on the relationship between religious and political worldviews linked to social issues such as abortion, homosexuality and euthanasia.

Unit content

Module 1 - Sociology of Religion

Module 2 - Types of Religion

Module 3 - Theorising Religion

Module 4 - Publics and Politics

Module 5 - Stratification and Religion

Module 6 - Social Constructionism, Evil and Faith Today

Availabilities

Location Domestic International
Online
Term4
N/A

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.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

demonstrate a critical understanding of the history, key teachings and beliefs of specific religions

critically examine the social dimensions of religions and religious beliefs, including the role of violence and gender

evaluate the historical relationships between religious and secular laws

analyse and contrast relationships between religious and political worldviews

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts
  • No prescribed texts.
Prescribed Resources/Equipment

  • You will need access to a computer, a reliable internet connection and a headset (for optional virtual classes) to complete your study and assessment requirements in this unit.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.