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Unit outline_

EUST2617: Europe's Religions: Cultures and Beliefs

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

The new millennium witnessed a return to religion in European political, social and cultural life. Europe's Religions explores this development through an examination of the dynamic interaction between the three monotheistic religions in the European context. We focus on the relation between religion and political power that has so deeply contributed to the shaping of European civilisation. Investigating where and how religious and political ideologies meet, the unit illuminates the persistent influence of religious ideas in the contemporary European landscape.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit European Studies
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 1000 level from Table A
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Avril Alba, avril.alba@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Online task Research Essay
Research Essay
60% Formal exam period
Due date: 05 Jun 2022 at 23:00
4500wd
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Online task Essay plan and bibliography
Research essay proposal
30% Week 08
Due date: 15 Apr 2022 at 23:00
1500wd
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Participation Participation
Active participation in class discussion and completion of readings.
10% Weekly
Closing date: 02 Jun 2022
Weekly
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

Class participation Individual Weekly 10%

Essay plan and bibliography Individual 1500wd 30%

Essay Individual 4500wd 60%

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 02 Islam and Muslims in 21st century Europe: cultural and political debates Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 Rituals and Representations of Everyday Islam in Europe Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Gender and Women’s Bodies as Sites of Representation of Muslims and Islam in Europe. From the debate about the headscarf to the “burkini” Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Christianity in the 21st Century Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 The Reformation and Counter Reformation Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Jesus and the Origins of Christianity in Europe Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Orthodox Christianity - Contemporary Manifestations Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Orthodox Christianity - Origins Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Jews and Judaism life in a post-Holocaust Europe Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 The Emancipation of Europe's Jews: A political, social and religious experiment Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Antisemitism and philosemitism: The European Imagination and the Jews Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 Europe's religions today: Points of connection and dissent Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

As per the University Coursework Policy

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library’s reading list system Leganto, available on Canvas

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Explain the historical and contemporary significance of the three monotheistic religions in the European context
  • LO2. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the relationship between the three monotheistic faiths in the European context
  • LO3. Identify central themes in current scholarly debates in the broad area of European religious civilisation
  • LO4. Analyse significant issues regarding religion and socio-political environment in Europe
  • LO5. Evaluate contemporary debates about the relationship between religious and political power in Europe

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9
LO1         
LO2         
LO3         
LO4         
LO5         

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

We will incorporate more detailed information into assessment requirements as per previous requests. See Canvas site for more details

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.