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RE Courses
Terri-Anne Scott
Terri-Anne Scott
Religious Education is at the heart of Catholic education. It informs all aspects of school life and contributes to the mission of the Catholic Church in announcing the good news of Jesus Christ. At Xavier Catholic College we offer a range of courses for students to explore how religion provides answers to enduring questions of life such as 'what is one's purpose in life?' or 'what does it mean to be human?'. Students may investigate this through the study of beliefs, sacred texts, ethics, practices and significant people of religious traditions, or through the exploration and deepening of their understanding of the Catholic Faith.
Religious Education is compulsory and all students will participate in a three day Retreat in Year 12. The retreat is a wonderful opportunity for students to deepen their own faith and spend time as a community.
Studies in Catholic Thought
Number of Units: 1
NESA Developed: No
ATAR Eligible: No
Course Costs: (approximate, subject to conditions and approval): Including potential excursions, consumables and other relevant costs*
Preliminary: Nil
HSC: Nil
Studies in Catholic Thought Additional Information
Studies in Catholic Thought Additional Information
Course Overview
Studies in Catholic Thought is a NESA Endorsed Course developed by the Catholic dioceses of NSW. It involves new ways of thinking based on philosophy, the arts, history, scripture and Catholic beliefs.
It is a course that examines the ‘big questions’ that human beings ask and explores ways that the Catholic religion answers them. Students will be involved in researching and constructing balanced arguments around these questions and the religious values and beliefs connected to them.
Preliminary Course (Year 11):
Who is a Human Person?
The Trinitarian God and Humanity?
The Re-imagining of Creation
HSC Course (Year 12):
Virtue, Vice, Salvation
The Good Works
The Common Good
Typical School-based Course Assessment
Preliminary Course (Year 11)
Research Task
Presentation
Examination
HSC Course (Year 12)
Multi-modal Presentation
Research Task
End of Course Examination
HSC Exam
Duration: 1.5 hours
Typical format: 20 Multiple Choice, 2 x Short Answer & 1 x Extended Response
Possible Vocational/Career Pathways
Any field that depends on ethics, critical analysis, and cultural literacy
Religious Education; Academic Researcher
International Aid Worker; Social Worker
Community Development Officer
Human Rights Lawyer; Public Policy Advisor
Chaplain; Nursing/Medicine; Counsellor
Tertiary Prerequisite Possibilites
There are no prerequisite for University for this course, however some of the key transferable skills include ethical reasoning, cultural sensitivity and critical writing.
Past Student Challenges
Planning for and completing all aspects of your study routine, including in-class learning activities, homework and assessment tasks
Contributing to mature, analytical, contemporary discussions with sensitivity and a reflective approach
Having to reflect on and challenge at times, your own belief systems, values and morality
Students who do well in/enjoy this Subject
Those with a desire to develop their critical thinking, research, and communication skills.
Those who are keen to explore the Catholic tradition and its impact on the world
Studies of Religion I
Number of Units: 1
NESA Developed: Yes
ATAR Eligible: Yes
Course Costs: (approximate, subject to conditions and approval): Including potential excursions, consumables and other relevant costs*
Preliminary: Nil
HSC: Nil
Studies of Religion I Additional Information
Studies of Religion I Additional Information
Course Overview
Studies of Religion I 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.
Suitability: Students consistently achieving at a high C to A range for both Religion and English/History.
Exclusions: Studies of Religion II and Studies in Catholic Thought.
Other Information: Students who undertake Studies of Religion I will be required to study religion for 2 periods per week over 2 years.
Preliminary Course (Year 11)
The Nature of Religion & Beliefs
Christianity - focussing on origins, sacred texts, Principal Beliefs, core ethical teachings, expressions of faith
One other Depth Study which may be Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism or Islam - focussing on origins, sacred texts, Principal Beliefs, core ethical teachings, expressions of faith
HSC Course (Year 12)
Religion Post 1945
Christianity - focussing on a Significant Person, Ethic & Practise
Depth Study which was studied in Preliminary (Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism or Islam) - focussing on a Significant Person, Ethic & Practise
Typical School-based Course Assessment
Preliminary Course (Year 11)
Source Based Study
Research Task
End of course Examination
HSC Course (Year 12)
Source Based Study
Research Task, Extended Response Writing Task
Trial Examination
HSC Exam
Duration: 1.5 hours
Typical format: 10 x multi choice, 1 x short answer 5 marks, 2 x extended response
Possible Vocational/Career Pathways
Human Rights Lawyer; Advocate; Lobbyist
Bioethicist; Policy Advisor; Foreign Service Officer/Diplomat; Intelligence Analyst
Social Worker / Community Developer
Chaplaincy; Interfaith Liaison
Educator; University Lecturer/Researcher; Theologian
Tertiary Prerequisite Possibilites
There are no prerequisite for University for this course, however employers value this subject (even in "secular" fields like Business or Marketing) for significant skills such as cultural intelligence, critical analysis and ethical reasoning. Many tertiary students pair a major in Religious Studies with Law, Psychology, or International Relations to specialise.
Past Student Challenges
Students will need to be committed to completing homework and self directed study.
Students will also need to complete Essay writing as a part of this course and be committed to developing their skills in this area
Students who do well in/Enjoy this Subject
Those with inquiring minds, and a desire to develop their critical thinking, research, and communication skills.
Those with an interest in History and who enjoy reading
Studies of Religion II
Number of Units: 2
NESA Developed: Yes
ATAR Eligible: Yes
Course Costs: (approximate, subject to conditions and approval): Including potential excursions, consumables and other relevant costs*
Preliminary: Nil
HSC: Nil
Studies of Religion II Additional Information
Studies of Religion II Additional Information
Course Overview
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.
Suitability: Students consistently achieving at an A-B range for both Religion and English.
Exclusions: Studies of Religion I, Studies of Religion 1 (Compressed) and Studies in Catholic Thought.
Other Information: Students will study religion in both Year 11 and Year 12.
Preliminary Course (Year 11)
The Nature of Religion and Beliefs
Christianity (Depth Study) focussing on origins, sacred texts, Principal Beliefs, core ethical teachings, expressions of faith
2 x Depth Studies (Judaism, Islam, Buddhism & or Hinduism) - focussing on origins, sacred texts, Principal Beliefs, core ethical teachings, expressions of faith
Religion of Ancient Origins and Religion in Australia Pre-1945
HSC Course (Year 12)
Religion and Belief Systems Post 1945
Christianity - focussing on a Significant Person, Ethic & Practise
2 x Depth Study which was studied in Preliminary (Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism or Islam) - focussing on a Significant Person, Ethic & Practise
Religion and Peace
Religion and Non-Religion
Typical School-based Course Assessment
Preliminary Course (Year 11)
Source Based Study
Research Task
End of course Examination
HSC Course (Year 12)
Source Based Study
Research Task, Extended Response Writing Task
Trial Examination
HSC Exam
Duration: 3 hours
Typical format: 20 multiple Choice, 2 x Short Answer, 4 Extended Responses (Essays)
Possible Vocational/Career Pathways
Human Rights Lawyer; Advocate; Lobbyist
Bioethicist; Policy Advisor; Foreign Service Officer/Diplomat; Intelligence Analyst
Social Worker / Community Developer
Chaplaincy; Interfaith Liaison
Educator; University Lecturer/Researcher; Theologian
Tertiary Prerequisite Possibilites
There are no prerequisite for University for this course, however employers value this subject (even in "secular" fields like Business or Marketing) for significant skills such as cultural intelligence, critical analysis and ethical reasoning. Many tertiary students pair a major in Religious Studies with Law, Psychology, or International Relations to specialise.
Past Student Challenges
Students will need to be committed to completing homework and self directed study.
Students will also need to complete Essay writing as a part of this course and be committed to developing their skills in this area.
Students who do well in/Enjoy this Subject
Those with inquiring minds, and a desire to develop their critical thinking, research, and communication skills.
Those with an interest in history, ethics, philosophy and even politics
Those who enjoy reading and writing
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