Studies of Religion

1 unit for each of Year 11 and HSC

NESA Developed Course

What background knowledge do I need to study Studies of Religion?

There are no prerequisites for Studies of Religion.

The Year 11 course provides all necessary background information regarding the nature of religion and its expression in various major world religions along with Aboriginal spirituality. The Year 11 course acts as an introduction to spirituality, religious language and the different aspects of the meaning of life and death and concepts of divinity.

Nevertheless, the Religion and Ethics program in Years 7 to 10 at Pymble, provides girls with a deeper understanding of religious traditions, along with an introduction to philosophical and ethical concepts. This enhances their appreciation of the material studied in Studies of Religion and allows further study to be supported by background skills and knowledge.

Why study Studies of Religion?

Studies of Religion encourages students to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding of religion by exploring its significance throughout history and within contemporary society: the impact of beliefs, teachings, sources and practices on individuals and communities. Students will develop and express personal responses and informed insights on fundamental questions about identity, belonging, meaning and purpose.

The subject combines well with other humanities subjects and, if taken with the sciences, will give students a broad-based curriculum. Students who have studied Studies of Religion in the past have gone on to read a wide range of subjects at university – everything from physics to philosophy, mathematics to medicine, economics to English, as well as theology.

Course description:

The Year 11 course provides an understanding of the nature of religion and the expression of religious thought and practice in various belief systems. The variety of beliefs about the relationship between the divine and the human, the search for meaning and the ultimate goal of human life are explored. Students are introduced to Aboriginal spirituality and two of the world’s major religions chosen from: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism.

In the HSC course, the Foundation Study unit is a study of the history and societal changes in the expressions of religion in Australia from 1945 to the present. This study should demonstrate to students that people who share a religious view of reality have much in common and have an important place in Australian society and its environment. The relevance of religion to Australian culture is an integral part of this section of the course.

Following from the World Religion depth studies in Year 11, the same two traditions are studied in greater detail, specifically looking at significant people, ethical issues and significant practices within the chosen traditions.

Main topics covered:

Year 11 Studies of Religion: 1 Unit

Nature of Religion and Beliefs

Includes:

• The Nature of Religion

• Australian Aboriginal Beliefs and Spiritualities

Religious Tradition 1 (Christianity)

Includes

• Origins

• Principal Beliefs

• Sacred Texts and Writings

• Core Ethical Teachings

Religious Tradition 2 (Islam)

Includes

• Origins

• Principal Beliefs

• Sacred Texts and Writings

• Core Ethical Teachings

• Personal Devotion

Year 12 Studies of Religion: 1 Unit Religion in Australia post 1945

Includes:

• Contemporary Aboriginal Spiritualities

• Religious expression in Australia - 1945 to present

Religious Tradition Depth Study 1 (Christianity)

Includes:

• Significant People and Ideas

• Ethics

• Significant practices in the life of adherents

Religious Tradition Depth Study 2 (Islam)

Includes:

• Significant People and Ideas

• Ethics

• Significant practices in the life of adherents