Studies of Religion PHSC

Course: Studies of Religion

Course Description:

The Studies of Religion investigates the significance of the role of religion in society and, in particular, within Australian society. It recognises and appreciates the place and importance of Aboriginal belief systems and spiritualities in Australia. This course enables students who live in a multifaith and multicultural society to progress from a broad understanding of religious traditions to specific studies within these traditions. The course provides a focus on religious expression in Australia and, also, investigates religion’s place within the global community.

Assessment Schedule:

	Task 1	Task 2	Task 3	Task 4	Task 5
Nature of Task	Oral Presentation	Half-Yearly Examination	Research Project	Research and Essay	Yearly Examination
Timing of Task	Term 1 Week 11	Term 2 Week 5	Term 2 Week 9	Term 3 Week 7	Term 3 Week 9-10
Syllabus Components
Nature of Religion and Beliefs	5	5
Religious Tradition Study 1 - Hinduism	10	10
Religious Tradition Study 2 - Buddhism			15		5
Religious Tradition Study 3 - Islam				15	5
Religions of Ancient Origins				15	5
Religions of Australia Pre-1945				5	5
Marks	15	15	15	35	20

Task 1

STUDIES OF RELIGION PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT

TASK 1

THE NATURE OF RELIGION AND BELIEF

Weighting: 5%

Date Issued:

Date Due:

Outcomes: P1, P2, P6, P8

Rubric:

On this task you will be assessed on:

Your selection of relevant information from a variety of sources including at least 2 articles, 2 programs and 2 websites

Clear analysis of each text that examines the diverse characteristics of Aboriginal beliefs and spirituality

Clear analysis of each text that examines the nature of religion and belief systems

Use of appropriate terminology related to religion and belief systems

Ability to present information clearly and concisely

TASK

You are to construct a media file where you collect resources regarding the nature of religion and belief and Australian Aboriginal beliefs and spiritualities. For each of your texts you must complete a mini analysis where you will assess the value of the text in developing your understanding of the nature of religion and belief or Aboriginal beliefs.

Select one of your texts and analysis to present to the class. Your presentation should be approximately 2 minutes and include a brief explanation of the text and an analysis of how the text reveals, develops or challenges your understanding of the Nature of Belief or Aboriginal Spiritualities

Your media file must include:

At least 2 newspaper/magazine articles (1 for each of the 2 categories)

2 television programs (1 for each of the 2 categories)

2 websites (1 for each of the 2 categories)

Nature of Belief

Written Article

5	4	3	2	1	0
A highly developed understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs presented in a very clear and concise way.	A developed understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs presented in a clear and concise way.	Some understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs presented in a concise way.	Some understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs.	Limited description of the text displaying a limited understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs.	Non Attempt

Visual Text (Documentary or Program)

5	4	3	2	1	0
A highly developed understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs presented in a very clear and concise way.	A developed understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs presented in a clear and concise way.	Some understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs presented in a concise way.	Some understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs.	Limited description of the text displaying a limited understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs.	Non Attempt

Web Text

5	4	3	2	1	0
A highly developed understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs presented in a very clear and concise way.	A developed understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs presented in a clear and concise way.	Some understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs presented in a concise way.	Some understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs.	Limited description of the text displaying a limited understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs.	Non Attempt

Aboriginal Spiritualities

Written Article

5	4	3	2	1	0
A highly developed understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs presented in a very clear and concise way.	A developed understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs presented in a clear and concise way.	Some understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs presented in a concise way.	Some understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs.	Limited description of the text displaying a limited understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs.	Non Attempt

Visual Text (Documentary or Program)

5	4	3	2	1	0
A highly developed understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs presented in a very clear and concise way.	A developed understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs presented in a clear and concise way.	Some understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs presented in a concise way.	Some understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs.	Limited description of the text displaying a limited understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs.	Non Attempt

Web Text

5	4	3	2	1	0
A highly developed understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs presented in a very clear and concise way.	A developed understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs presented in a clear and concise way.	Some understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs presented in a concise way.	Some understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs.	Limited description of the text displaying a limited understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs.	Non Attempt

Comment

Marking Guidelines

Written

Each section will be given a mark out of 5 based on the following:

5	4	3	2	1	0
A highly developed understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs presented in a very clear and concise way.	A developed understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs presented in a clear and concise way.	Some understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs presented in a concise way.	Some understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs.	Limited description of the text displaying a limited understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs.	Non Attempt

Total: /30

Comment:

Presentation

In your presentation you will be assessed on your ability to:

9-10	Presents a sophisticated presentation which engages the audience and uses appropriate speech conventions
7-8	Presents a well developed presentation which engages the audience and uses appropriate speech conventions
5-6	Presents a sound speech which engages the audience and uses some appropriate speech conventions
3-4	Presents an elementary speech which attempts to engage the audience and uses some appropriate speech conventions
1-2	Presents an elementary speech which attempts to engage the audience

Comment:

Marking Guidelines

Written

Each section will be given a mark out of 5 based on the following:

5	4	3	2	1	0
A highly developed understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs presented in a very clear and concise way.	A developed understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs presented in a clear and concise way.	Some understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs presented in a concise way.	Some understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs.	Limited description of the text displaying a limited understanding of how the text relates to the nature of religion and beliefs.	Non Attempt

Total: /30

Comment:

Presentation

In your presentation you will be assessed on your ability to:

9-10	Presents a sophisticated presentation which engages the audience and uses appropriate speech conventions
7-8	Presents a well developed presentation which engages the audience and uses appropriate speech conventions
5-6	Presents a sound speech which engages the audience and uses some appropriate speech conventions
3-4	Presents an elementary speech which attempts to engage the audience and uses some appropriate speech conventions
1-2	Presents an elementary speech which attempts to engage the audience

Comment:

Task 2

STUDIES OF RELIGION PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT

TASK 2

Religions of Ancient Origin

Weighting: 15%

Date Issued:

Date Due:

Outcomes: P 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9

Rubric:

In this task you will be assessed on your:

Ability to demonstrate your understanding of a religion of ancient origin

Research preparation, organization, and application from a range of sources

Ability to respond to questions about your research and knowledge

TASK

Select one of the ‘religions of ancient origins’ from the list below to research and discuss in the form of a viva voce or interview with the teacher to be conducted during week 8.

Religions of Ancient Origin:

Aztec or Inca or Mayan

Celtic

Nordic

Shinto

Taoism

an Indigenous religion from outside Australia.

To prepare for your exam you should consider the following:

historical background

creation mythology/origins of the universe

principal beliefs

the role of supernatural powers/deities

rituals and ceremonies

festivals and celebrations

religions influence on their society

response to the human search for meaning

Task 2

STUDIES OF RELIGION PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT

TASK 2

BUDDHISM

Weighting: 15%

Date Issued:

Date Due:

Outcomes: P3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9

Rubric:

On this task you will be assessed on:

Ability to demonstrate your understanding of both the development and principal beliefs of a school of Buddhism

Presentation skills – speaking clearly and confidently

Understanding of both the unique and shared features a particular school of Buddhism

Integration of your visual support material into your presentation to illustrate your understanding of a school of Buddhism

TASK

You are to present your understanding of the development and principal beliefs of a school of Buddhism. You may choose from the following:

Theravada Buddhism

Mahayana Buddhism

Vajrayana Buddhism

In your presentation you must:

Speak for 3-5 minutes making direct and specific reference to the development of the school and its principle beliefs

Examine the unique features of the school you have selected as well as some of the similarities it share with other schools of Buddhism (see comparison tables)

Select images (10 minimum) to support your presentation and make specific reference to the images to illustrate your understanding of the school of Buddhism you have selected

Organise and present your images in either a flowchart, powerpoint, collage, etc.

Task 2

STUDIES OF RELIGION PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT

TASK 2

HINDUISM

Weighting: 15%

Date Issued:

Date Due:

Outcomes: P3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9

Rubric:

On this task you will be assessed on:

Your completion of a detailed report that provides information on each section

Your research and integration of information from a range of sources

Creation of a visual representation to illustrate and articulate the relevance of puja

You are to construct a report and Visual representation examining the tri-murti and their relationship with home puja.

TASK

Part 1: Report

The following must form the framework of the visual representation:

Name and describe the nature of each of the three major Gods and their Shaktis

What aspects of each of these Gods do you think their devotees would most value?

Select either Vishnu or Shiva and draw and label a family tree to illustrate the relationships between this God, his consort and his children.

describe the devotional practices or puja to this God as they might be carried out in homes

Explain the importance of these worship practices to the family.

Part 2: Visual Representation

Design a home shrine to Shiva or Vishnu labelling the objects included then describe the devotional practices or puja to this God as they might be carried out in homes.

Barrenjoey High School