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Unit outline_

RLST1005: Atheism, Fundamentalism and New Religions

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit examines religion in the contemporary world including recent high-profile debates and the emergence of new religions. Case studies and themes include: fundamentalism, the 'new' atheism, the effect of globalisation, consumerism and new media on religious practice, new forms of spirituality and enchantment.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Studies in Religion
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Christopher Humphrey Hartney, christopher.hartney@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Christopher Humphrey Hartney, christopher.hartney@sydney.edu.au
Gregory Uzelac, gregory.uzelac@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation Tutorial presentation and write-up
5 minute tutorial presentation. 1000 word write up due following week.
10% Ongoing 5 minute/500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO5
Online task hurdle task Early Feedback Task
Early feedback research proposal. #earlyfeedbacktask
10% Week 03
Due date: 16 Aug 2024 at 23:59
500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO6 LO4 LO3
Assignment Take Home Paper
Scholarly response to 2 questions with referencing.
30% Week 08
Due date: 20 Sep 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 25 Oct 2024
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Essay
Scholarly response to question.
40% Week 13
Due date: 01 Nov 2024 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Participation Tutorial participation
Based on attendance and participation in tutorial discussions.
10% Weekly n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO7
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Instructions and detailed information on each assessment will be distributed in class and made available on Canvas

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

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Fail

0 - 49

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

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

As per Faculty guidelines

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Introduction: Modernity, Its Faithful Enemies and Devoted Allies Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO5
Tutorial 1: Introduction and Early Assessment Tutorial (1 hr) LO4
Week 02 The Conditions of Modernity, Atheism, and the Sacred Secular Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO5
Tutorial 2: Atheism in the Middle Ages Tutorial (1 hr) LO7
Week 03 1. Atheism, Nationalism, and Religion in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Century 2. New Atheism Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO6
Tutorial 3: New Atheism Tutorial (1 hr) LO7
Week 04 1. Proofs for God 2. Proofs for the State 3. Proofs for the Sovereign Citizen Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6
Tutorial 4: Secularisation and the Secularisation Thesis Tutorial (1 hr) LO7
Week 05 1. ANZAC and the Cult of the State 2. The Cult of Consumerism 3. The Cult of Romantic Love Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Tutorial 5: Civil and Civilized Religions Tutorial (1 hr) LO7
Week 06 What is Fundamentalism? Lecture (2 hr) LO5
Tutorial 6: The Fundamentals of Fundamentalism Tutorial (1 hr) LO7
Week 07 Christian Fundamentalisms Lecture (2 hr) LO1
Tutorial 7: Fundamentalist Extremism Tutorial (1 hr) LO7
Week 08 Ethno-Religious Fundamentalism Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Tutorial 8: The Babri Masjid and Consequences Tutorial (1 hr) LO7
Week 09 Islamic Fundamentalism Lecture (2 hr) LO1
Tutorial 9: Salafism, Wahhabism, and Westoxification Tutorial (1 hr) LO7
Week 10 1519 and the Rise of New Religions: From Quakers to Waco Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Tutorial 10: Charisma (and Re-enchantment) Tutorial (1 hr) LO7
Week 11 Sacred Violence Movements in the time of Colonialism Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Tutorial 11: Caodaism Tutorial (1 hr) LO7
Week 12 The New Age and the Human Potential Movement Lecture (2 hr) LO1
Tutorial 12: Scientology Tutorial (1 hr) LO7
Week 13 Invented and Fictional Religions Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO5
Lost in Middle Earth, and on Pandora and Solaris Tutorial (1 hr) LO5 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
  • Lecture recording:  Lectures will be recorded and be made available to students on Canvas. 
  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

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

See Canvas Site

 

 

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. identify world religions and describe historical and theoretical relationships
  • LO2. conduct research using academically reputable print and online sources, accessed via search engines, library catalogues and databases
  • LO3. communicate in clear and effective prose, and using an academic referencing system correctly
  • LO4. demonstrate the ability to learn independently
  • LO5. demonstrate an informed and open-minded perspective about social, cultural, linguistic and religious diversity in Australia and the world
  • LO6. critically evaluate news media and popular cultural sources of information about religions and spiritualities
  • LO7. demonstrate oral communication skills by working in small groups in tutorial classes.

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

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

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered'.

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.