Studies of Religion II

2 Units for each of Preliminary and HSC

Exclusions:  Studies of Religion I, Studies in Catholic Thought I

Course description

Studies of Religion II promotes an understanding and critical awareness of the nature and significance of religion and the influence of belief systems and religious traditions on individuals and within society.

What students learn

Preliminary course

• Nature of Religion and Beliefs: The nature of religion and beliefs including Australian Aboriginal beliefs and spiritualities, as a distinctive response to the human search for meaning in life.

• Three Religious Traditions Depth 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.

HSC course

• Religion and Belief Systems in Australia post-1945: Religious expression in Australia's multicultural and multifaith 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 Traditions Depth Studies from Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism

  • • Significant people and ideas

    • A religious tradition’s ethical teachings about bioethics or 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 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.

Industries related to Studies of Religion II

The knowledge and skills developed in this course can be applied across a range of career pathways.

Industries related to this course include, but are not limited to, the following outlined on the Your Career website:

• Arts and Recreation Services

• Education and Training

• Financial and Insurance Services

• Health Care and Social Assistance

• Public Administration and Safety

Assessment: HSC course only