Religion and Science (RELN1115)

Course overview

This course examines the interactions between two of the most significant components of modern society: religion and science. The course first provides historical views on these two ways of understanding the world. It explores noteworthy religion and science events, including as the trial of Galileo and early religious responses to the theory of evolution. RELN1115 then tackles modern religion and science issues, including creationism, questions about life elsewhere in the universe, the psychology of religion, religion and health, the rise of contemporary atheism, feminist critiques of religion and science, as well as religion and the Big Bang Theory.

Course requirements

Assumed background

There are no prerequisites for this course.

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

RELN2115

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

RELN1115 lectures will be held in-person. External students can attend live via Zoom (link on Blackboard site), or watch recorded lectures in the week following each lecture.

Journal entries run from Week 2 for 10 weeks (10 entries).

Aims and outcomes

Thisﾠ course aims to cultivate a comprehensiveﾠ understanding of historical and contemporary interactions between science and religion, and to equip students with the tools to critically examine past and present science-religion discourse.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.

Assessment details

Weekly Journal Entries

• Hurdle

Mode

Written

Category

Notebook/ Logbook, Participation/ Student contribution

Weight

10%

Due date

Journal assignments begin in Week 2, for 10 weeks. Entries are due at 2pm on the day of the lecture.

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L05

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Submission guidelines

Each journal entry must be submitted within one week of lectures, and they must be submitted via journal Turnitin links on the Blackboard page.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

Late submission

You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.

Journal entries are worth 1 mark each. If late, 0/1.

Short Essay

Mode

Written

Category

Essay/ Critique

Weight

35%

Due date

30/08/2024 2:00 pm

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

Submission guidelines

The assessment must be submitted via Turnitin on the Blackboard page.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

• Late submission of assessment will incur a penalty of 10% of the marks available for the assessment item, per calendar day or part-day after the due date, for a maximum of 7 days, after which a mark of zero will be recorded.
• For further information, refer to my.UQ:   https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/applying-extension
• Extension applications must be via my.UQ –> Manage my program - > exams and assessment -> Applying for an extension. 
• Extension applications must be submitted at least 24 hours prior to the submission date, unless the medical or other circumstances are such that the student cannot reasonably be expected to have applied by the appropriate due date.
• Extension requests may take up to 48 hours to be assessed (not including weekends and public holidays).

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Research Essay

Mode

Written

Category

Essay/ Critique

Weight

55%

Due date

25/10/2024 2:00 pm

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

Submission guidelines

The assessment must be submitted via Turnitin on the Blackboard page.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

• Late submission of assessment will incur a penalty of 10% of the marks available for the assessment item, per calendar day or part-day after the due date, for a maximum of 7 days, after which a mark of zero will be recorded.
• For further information, refer to my.UQ:   https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/applying-extension
• Extension applications must be via my.UQ –> Manage my program - > exams and assessment -> Applying for an extension. 
• Extension applications must be submitted at least 24 hours prior to the submission date, unless the medical or other circumstances are such that the student cannot reasonably be expected to have applied by the appropriate due date.
• Extension requests may take up to 48 hours to be assessed (not including weekends and public holidays).

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Additional course grading information

Journal Assessment Criteria:

1. Degree to which set questions and topic have been addressed.
2. Understanding and engagement with set reading or other materials as required.
3. Clear and concise written expression, well presented.
4. Completion of journal entries, as per course requirements.

To achieve a grade of 7 (High Distinction, 85-100%), your journals will provide an exceptional response to the set topics, demonstrate exceptional levels of engagement with and understanding of the prescribed readings, and use very clear and concise expression with minimal, if any errors.

To achieve a grade of 6 (Distinction, 75-84%), your journals will provide an advanced level of response to the set topics, demonstrate very high levels of engagement with and understanding of the prescribed readings, and use clear and concise, largely error free expression.

To achieve a grade of 5 (Credit, 65 – 74%), your journals will provide a proficient response to the set topics, demonstrate high levels of engagement with and understanding of the prescribed readings, and use an effective standard of written expression.

To achieve a grade of 4 (Pass, 50 – 64%), your journals will provide a basic response to the set topics, demonstrate functional levels of engagement with and understanding of the prescribed readings, and use an appropriate standard of written expression sufficient to convey your ideas.

To achieve a grade of 3 (Marginal Fail, 45 – 49%), your journals will show that your entries have failed to meet the requirements for a passing grade, but that there is evidence of developing levels of achievement. You will have attempted to respond to the set topic, attempted to engage with and understand the prescribed readings. You will have used an appropriate a standard of written expression sufficient to convey your ideas.

To achieve a grade of 2 (Fail, 25-44%), your journals will show that you have provided an unsatisfactory response to the set topic, that your levels of engagement with and understanding of the prescribed readings are minimal, and that your expression is poor and/or inappropriate.

To achieve a grade of 1 (Low Fail, 0-24%), your journals will show that you have provided an unsatisfactory response to the set topic, that you have failed to engage with and understand the prescribed readings, and that your expression is poor and/or unsatisfactory.

Essay Assessment Criteria

Criteria: 

1.  Ability to construct a well-reasoned argument.
2. Depth and breadth of knowledge and understanding of central issues.
3. Ability to form a well-structured essay.
4. Engagement with academic sources and evidence.
5. Insight and/or creativity in interpreting texts or constructing a point of view or argument.
6. Capacity to produce a coherent and well-written essay using correct grammar and syntax.
7. Appropriately referenced, as per discipline conventions.

To achieve a grade of 7 (High Distinction, 85-100%), your essay should reflect an exceptional level of achievement. It should demonstrate that you have undertaken extensive, high-level research, that you are able to form a very rigorous, well-organised argument, and that your discussion is original and creative. It should also demonstrate that you are able to evaluate and organise data and/or evidence in a critical manner and that you have a sophisticated and insightful understanding of problems and issues. Your essay should be very well written, clear and concise, pay strict attention to discipline conventions and have minimal, if any errors in referencing, expression, grammar, spelling and punctuation.

To achieve a grade of 6 (Distinction, 75 – 84%), your essay should reflect an advanced level of achievement. It should demonstrate that you have undertaken wide research, that you are able to form a rigorous, well-organised argument, and that your discussion is coherent and convincing. It should also demonstrate that you are able to evaluate data and/or evidence in a perceptive manner, and that your understanding of problems and issues is perceptive and insightful. Your essay should be well written, clear and concise, follow discipline conventions and have few errors in referencing, expression, grammar, spelling and punctuation.

To achieve a grade of 5 (Credit, 65 – 74%) your essay should reflect a proficient level of achievement. It should demonstrate that you have undertaken the expected level of research, that you are able to develop or adapt convincing arguments and justify them adequately, that you are able to evaluate data and/or evidence in a proficient manner, and that you have a proficient understanding of problems and issues. The presentation and referencing of your essay will largely follow discipline conventions, perhaps have some errors in grammar, spelling and punctuation, and demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively.

To achieve a grade of 4 (Pass, 50 – 64%) your essay should reflect a functional level of achievement. It should demonstrate that you are able to apply fundamental concepts and skills, that you have undertaken a basic level of research and have the basic ability to evaluate data and/or evidence, to identify problems and issues, to offer insights and to develop routine arguments. Your organisation, writing, referencing, spelling and grammar will be adequate and use some of the discipline conventions to communicate appropriately.

To achieve a grade of 3 (Marginal Fail, 45 – 49%) your essay should reflect developing levels of achievement. It should demonstrate that you have a superficial level of knowledge of fundamental concepts and skills, that you have undertaken a basic level of research, made some attempt to evaluate data and/or evidence, to identify problems and issues, and to offer some insights. Your arguments, while underdeveloped, show your emerging ability to apply knowledge and skills. Your organisation, writing, spelling and grammar will be adequate, perhaps poor, and your referencing and use of discipline conventions poor/and or inconsistent.

To achieve a grade of 2 (Fail, 25-44%) your essay will reflect deficiencies in skill acquisition and in your understanding of the fundamental concepts of the course. It will demonstrate that you have not undertaken adequate research, that you are unable to evaluate data and/or evidence, to identify problems and issues, or to offer insights adequately. Your arguments will be unsupported and/or inappropriate, your organisation and writing will be poor and/or inappropriate, and referencing and use of discipline conventions poor/and or inconsistent.

To achieve a grade of 1 (Low Fail, 0-24%), your essay will reflect that you have failed to meet the minimum learning requirements and skill acquisition for this course. Your essay will demonstrate an absence of research, evaluation of data and/or evidence, and lack argumentation. Use of discipline conventions will be absent, poor or inappropriate, and written expression poor or inappropriate

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Additional assessment information

• Do not rely on Grade Centre in Blackboard. Look at your assessment grade and feedback in Turnitin.
• Failure to submit all major assessment items (those worth 15% and above) will result in a maximum grade of 2 (Fail).
• By submitting work through Turnitin you are deemed to have accepted the following declaration: ‘I certify that this assignment is my own work and has not been submitted, either previously or concurrently, in whole or in part, to this University or any other educational institution, for marking or assessment’.
• All students must ensure that they receive their Turnitin receipt on every submission of assessment items. YOU MUST CHECK THAT THE RECEIPT CONFIRMS THAT SUBMISSION HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL.
• A valid Turnitin receipt will be the only evidence accepted if assessments are missing.

• Without evidence, the assessment will receive the standard late penalty, or after 7 calendar days, will receive zero. In the case of a Blackboard outage, please contact the Course Coordinator as soon as possible so that they can confirm the outage with ITS.

• It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they are submitting assessment items on a device that is capable of the task, and that appropriate internet bandwidth and speed is available. If you cannot be sure that your device or internet will enable you to complete or submit an assessment task, you must come onto campus and use one of the University Computers in the Library or Computer Labs.
• Plagiarism, and asking or paying someone else to do your work is cheating and constitutes academic misconduct. See ECP Section 6.1
• Feedback against the assessment criteria in the form of comments on your script will be provided through Turnitin or on your script directly.
• For information on assessment remarks see: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/querying-result

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

You are encouraged to read as widely as possible and to access information and opinions wherever you find them. It is important that you critically evaluate the data and opinions, no matter the source.

Required learning resources will be made available on the RELN1115 Blackboard page.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.