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Online
Term4
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Unit Summary

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit

Credit points

12

Unit aim

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

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:
1 demonstrate a critical understanding of the history, key teachings and beliefs of specific religions
2 critically examine the social dimensions of religions and religious beliefs, including the role of violence and gender
3 evaluate the historical relationships between religious and secular laws
4 analyse and contrast relationships between religious and political worldviews

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

  1. demonstrate a critical understanding of the history, key teachings and beliefs of specific religions
  2. critically examine the social dimensions of religions and religious beliefs, including the role of violence and gender
  3. evaluate the historical relationships between religious and secular laws
  4. analyse and contrast relationships between religious and political worldviews

Prescribed texts

  • Prescribed text information is not currently available.
Prescribed texts may change in future teaching periods.