Studies of Religion II
KLA: RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
KLA: RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Studies of Religion II promotes an understanding and critical awareness of the nature and significance of religion and the influence of beliefs systems and religious traditions on individuals and within society.
Nature of Religion and Beliefs
The nature of religion and beliefs including Australian Aboriginal beliefs and spiritualties, as a distinctive response to the human search for meaning in life.
Three Religious Tradition Studies from: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism
Origins
Principal beliefs
Sacred texts and writings
Core ethical teachings
Personal devotion/expression of faith/observance
Religions of Ancient Origin
The response to the human search for ultimate meaning in two religions of ancient origin from:
Aztec or Inca or Mayan
Celtic
Nordic
Shinto
Taoism
An Indigenous religion from outside Australia
Religion in Australia pre -1945
The arrival, establishment and development of religious traditions in Australia prior to 1945
Religion and Belief Systems in Australia post -1945
Religious expression in Australia’s multi-cultural and multi-faith society since 1945, including an appreciation of Aboriginal spiritualities and their contribution to an understanding of religious beliefs and religious expression in Australia today
Three Religious Tradition Depth Studies from: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism
Significant people and ideas
A religious traditions ethical teachings about bioethics, environmental ethics or sexual ethics
Significant practices in the life of adherents
Religion and Peace
The distinctive response of religious traditions to the issue of inner and world peace
Religion and Non-Religion
The human search for meaning through new religious expression, Non-Religious worldviews and the difference between Religious and Non-Religious worldviews
Year 11
The Nature of Religion & Beliefs
Judaism
Christianity
Islam
Religion in Australia (pre 1945)
Religions of Ancient Origins
Year 12
Religion in Australia (post 1945)
Judaism
Christianity
Islam
Religion & Peace
Religion & Non Religion
Students should achieve A or B in Year 10 Religious Education, History and English in order to succeed in this course.
Year 11 - three assessment tasks in total:
Essay
Short Answer Responses
Final Examination
Year 12 - four assessment tasks in total:
Short Answer Responses
Study Guide
Essay
Trial Examination
Ancient History
Modern History
Society and Culture
Community & Family Studies
PDHPE
Advanced English
The following is an example of a lesson and accompanying homework for “The Nature of Religion and Beliefs” topic. Please note that the vast majority of lessons are followed up with homework tasks that must be completed prior to the next lesson. If a student is to be successful in the SOR II course they will need to complete all homework assigned.
Write down and annotate the following syllabus dot points. Be sure to leave space between each one to ensure you have space for annotations.
Define the supernatural dimension
Discuss a transcendent religious worldview which has a belief in a divine power and/or powers beyond the human
Discuss a immanent worldview which has a belief in a divine being or powers dwelling within the individual
2. Write, pair, share:
What is “religion”?
Belief in the supernatural dimension is central to all world religions. Religion by its nature defies precise definition. However, the central commonality to all world religions is the belief in the supernatural dimension. Thus, it can be said that the most significant element of a religious worldview is this belief in a divine being or power, which is greater than humankind and the natural world. This being or power is believed to be responsible for the creation of the world, for providing a moral framework for human life and being the ultimate destiny of a human person at the end of their mortal life.
Respond to the statement below via the "class comments" section in PEEL form using proper punctuation, grammar and spelling.
In order to ensure this is your best work, write a draft, edit and then post here.
"The study of religion is important..."
Answer the following in your exercise book. Write answers to the following questions:
Why bother to get up in the morning?
Why bother striving to do your best at school?
Why worry about what to wear, where to go, with whom to associate?
What’s life all about?
What could these questions have to do with religion?
Answer the following in your exercise book. Watch the Oprah clip for inspiration and the answer the question below in PEEL paragraph form in your exercise book.
"What is the difference between a religious and non-religious view?"
The following is an example of a “Writing Masterclass” lesson for 11 SOR 2. Please note that being able to write successfully is a key skill in SOR 2 and we engage in specialist writing lessons throughout Year 11 and 12 to ensure that students short answer responses and essay writing skills are at the level demanded by the course. Students who select this course must enjoy developing your writing skills and applying them.
During the next week we will be engaging in an essay workshop using the dot point on Muhammad as a model for Islam life.
The following are the steps we will move through:
Discussion on the purpose and elements of the essay (Introduction (thesis statements), body paragraphs (integrating quotes) and conclusions (conclusion triangle)
Direct instruction on the importance of planning and using a structure to do so
Breakdown the sample responses and evaluate them by comparing the samples - Coding of a sample response [ content, structure (Thesis statement, sub arguments], examples, quotes & terminology] and discussion. (You will need different coloured highlighters for this)
Group planning session in order to write a successful response (Planning for writing scaffold and essay planner)
Individual response writing - You will have 35 minutes to write a response to this essay question under exam conditions.
Peer feedback protocol - delivering feedback on each other's work according to the marking criteria
Questions/issues with answering the question
The following essay is a student sample of a response to a question completed in class after engaging in a week long essay workshop. This is the standard of writing expected by a student completing the Studies of Religion II course.
Explain why the Prophet Muhammad is the model for Islamic life - Read Sample Essay