VCE Religion & Society Unit 3 & 4

VCE Religion and Society enables students to understand the complex interactions between religion and society over time. Religion has played and continues to play a significant role in the development and maintenance of society. 

Through the study of Religion and Society students come to acknowledge the role of religion in shaping historical and present events. They explore times when religion dominated societies and the shifting role of religion in societies today in which multiple worldviews coexist and religion may be seen to have a lesser role overall but an enhanced role in other settings.

This study fosters an appreciation of the complexity of societies where multiple worldviews coexist and develops skills in research and analysis, helping students to become informed citizens and preparing them for work and further study in fields such as anthropology, theology, philosophy, sociology, journalism, politics and international relations.

VCE Religion and Society is a VCE subject, with students receiving a study score that contributes to their final ATAR.

The search for meaning 

In this unit students study the purposes of religion generally and then consider the religious beliefs developed by a religious tradition or religious denomination in response to the big questions of life. Students study how particular beliefs within a religious tradition or religious denomination may be expressed through the other aspects of religion, and explore how this is intended to foster meaning for adherents. Students then consider the interaction between significant life experiences and religion.

Areas of Study

1. Responding to the search for meaning 

2. Expressing meaning 

3. Significant life experiences, religious beliefs and faith 

Religion, challenge and change 

This unit focuses on the interaction over time of religious traditions and religious denominations and the societies of which they are a part. For a large part of human history religion has been drawn on as a truth narrative, offering a means for finding answers to the big questions of life. Religious traditions and religious denominations are in a dynamic process of engagement and negotiation with members individually and collectively, as well as with other key institutions in wider society associated with power, authority and credibility. In this unit students explore challenges for religious traditions or religious denominations generally over time and then undertake a study of challenge and change for a religious tradition or religious denomination.

Areas of Study

1. Challenge and response 

2. Interaction of religion and society 

• Case studies 

• Visual analysis

• Essay

• Extended responses 

• Analyse scripture  

Mrs Cara Pawsey: cpawsey@cmcb.vic.edu.au