| Unit name | Religion: Contexts and Perspectives |
|---|---|
| Unit code | THRS20214 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Shiri |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Department of Religion and Theology |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
Religious traditions are shaped by particular cultural contexts; they also express particular cultural perspectives; these contexts and perspectives change and develop with time and place. This raises questions about the intellectual assumptions we bring to the study of religious traditions.
Building on the first-year introduction to the study of Eastern religious traditions, this unit will examine particular aspects of one or more such traditions (Buddhism, Hinduism, but also Confucianism, Taoism or Shinto). This will help you deepen your understanding of the manner in which contexts and perspectives may be unique to a specific cultural context and tradition, while at the same time overlapping with universal concerns and patterns of beliefs. Through a series of lectures and seminars, you will examine and discuss tradition-specific questions, and be stimulated to problematised the received category of “religion”.
At the same time, this unit will train you to do advanced research in the study of religions, in preparation for your dissertation.
An overview of content
As part of this unit, you will be introduced to exciting new contexts and perspective relevant for the study of Eastern Religions. You will be stimulated to appraise leading scholarly debates at the forefront of the discipline and challenged to engage with a variety of primary source materials. Through dedicated workshops, you will also gain confidence in expressing your views in front of an audience, as well as in academic research.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
You will learn to work with visual, material, and textual sources, and train in academic reading and writing through dedicated exercises and tutorials. As part of this unit, you will work towards an original, extended piece of writing, which will allow you to showcase both your knowledge of the tradition studied and your enhanced writing skills.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:
Classes will involve a combination of long- and short-form lectures, class discussion, investigative activities, and practical activities. Students will be expected to engage with readings and participate on a weekly basis. This will be further supported with drop-in sessions and self-directed exercises with tutor and peer feedback.
Tasks which do not count towards your unit mark but are required for credit (zero-weighted)
Annotated bibliography, 600 words [ILO 3-4] (0%, Required for credit)
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Class presentation [ILO 5] (15%)
Essay, 3000 words [ILO 1-4] (85%)
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. THRS20214).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
