ASC211 - Religion and Social Change
Unit details
| Year | 2025 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 3: Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 3: Anna Halafoff |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | Nil |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | 1 x 1-hour online lecture per week (recordings provided) 1 x 1-hour online seminar per week |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site. |
Content
Australia has long been a spiritually and religiously diverse continent, beginning with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditions and then later waves of migration from Asia, Europe and many other regions. Despite predictions of the decline of religious significance in modern societies, religion was catapulted into the public mind at the turn of the 21st Century, following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, related to both violence and peacebuilding. Due to processes of globalisation, many societies are also becoming increasing religiously diverse, and everyday religion and spirituality continue to play a role in many people’s lives related to personal and planetary wellbeing. At the same time, the public scrutiny of religious organisations, controversies related to conspirtuality and wellness movements, and an increasing number of people declaring themselves to have no religious affiliation, indicates that we are in a time of religious and spiritual complexity. This Unit will explore and critically evaluate understandings of religion and spirituality in Australia and globally, and the role of religious and spiritual movements in social change, wellbeing and risks.
Learning outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Analyse major sociology of religion theories and concepts on religion, spirituality, and social change, including an emphasis on Indigenous knowledges and decolonisation | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking GLO8: Global citizenship |
| ULO2 | Clearly communicate the findings and analyses of sociology of religion concepts and theories in written and oral formats to a range of audiences | GLO2: Communication |
| ULO3 | Critically evaluate theoretical approaches to religion and social problems, and current policies and practices of governments at local, state, national and international levels | GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: Essay | 1000 words or equivalent | 25% | Information not yet available |
| Assessment 2: Presentation | 1000 words or equivalent | 25% | Information not yet available |
| Assessment 3: Report | 2000 words or equivalent | 50% | Information not yet available |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for ASC211 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.