Asian Religions in Societal Context

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

The subject explores the wide variety of Asian religious traditions, from examples of indigenous and folk traditions to analyses of the major world religions originating from Asia. Attention is given to Asian religion’s cosmologies and philosophy of life, their role as a normative foundation of culture and society, and their relevance to politics. Asian religion’s growing popularity in the West will be considered together with the growing influence of Islam and Christianity in Asia, charting historical processes of interaction between civilisations and the contemporary rise of global religions and identities.

Upon successful completion of this subject, students will be able to

• Identify and distinguish the characteristics of a range of indigenous religions and folk traditions across Asia;
• Compare the philosophy and cosmology of major world religions originating from Asia;
• Define the influence of Islam and Christianity in Asia, and the influence of Asian religions in the West
• Outline core values of Asian societies that are shaped by religious ideas;
• Demonstrate an understanding of how social science theory is used to characterise the role of religion in society;
• Identify the different trends in religion and spirituality and demonstrate how these are interlinked with a contemporary framework of modernisation and globalisation.

• Participation in weekly seminar discussions (10%)
• Class paper/presentation, 1500 words, due in week 5 (40%)
• An essay of 2500 words, due during the examination period (50%)

Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.

Materials (a course reader) will be supplied by the Institute.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

• Develop problem-solving skills including engaging with unfamiliar problems, and identifying relevant strategies;
• Develop analytical skills - the ability to construct and express logical arguments and to work in abstract or general terms to increase the clarity and efficiency of the analysis;
• Develop written and oral presentation skills and learning how to present material in a well- organised, well-structured, lucid and persuasive fashion;
• Learn to manage your time, balance competing commitments and set and meet regular deadlines.