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SOCA3902

Religion and Politics in Contemporary Society

10 Units 3000 Level Course

Available in 2013

Callaghan Campus Semester 1
Ourimbah Semester 1

Previously offered in 2012, 2011, 2009, 2008

Covers religion in contemporary societies, and in particular the impact of religion on the political arena. Topics include the development of religious fundamentalisms, gender and religion issues, left-wing religious movements of resistance to social oppression, and intersections between religion and environmental politics. Case studies are drawn from various societies and cultural arenas. The aim is to enable students to reach a sympathetic yet critical understanding of the place of these developments in contemporary societies.

Objectives 1. To enable students to understand the variety of religious expressions in the contemporary world.
2. To equip them to make informed and intelligent judgments and appreciations of such expressions.
3. To enable them to understand the social, political and cultural conditions which give rise to such expressions.
4. To enable them to understand the impact on the political process, local and global, of such expressions, in particular in regard to processes of identity formation at individual and group levels.
5. To enable the students to acquire an informed and critical understanding of key concepts employed in this field, including "globalisation," "secularisation" and "fundamentalism".
6. To aid in the development of high-level oral and written communication skills.
Content Topics include the development of religious fundamentalisms, gender and religion issues, left-wing religious movements of resistance to social oppression, and intersections between religion and environmental politics. Case studies are drawn from various societies and cultural arenas. The aim is to enable students to reach a sympathetic yet critical understanding of the place of these developments in contemporary societies.
Replacing Course(s) SOCA2520
Transition Students who have successfully completed SOCA2520 are not permitted to take this course.
Industrial Experience 0
Assumed Knowledge 40 units of study at 1000 level.
Modes of Delivery Flexible Delivery / Student Centred Learning
Internal Mode
Teaching Methods Lecture
Integrated Learning
Tutorial
Assessment Items
Essays / Written Assignments Assessment may include Written Assignments, Class Tests, On-line Assessments.
Contact Hours Lecture: for 1 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Tutorial: for 1 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Timetables 2013 Course Timetables for SOCA3902