Religion, Society, and the Contemporary World (RELN3000)

Course overview

As the Level 3 Compulsory Course in the Studies in Religion Major, in this course students will explore contemporary issues related to religion and the academic study of religion, including issues of gender, sexuality, politics, and indigenous Australia. Assessments include Work Integrated Learning tasks inviting various formats at students' discretion, such as video, audio, essays, or policy proposals — even board games. Classes are seminar-based and student focussed, with an emphasis on discussion and interaction.

As the Level 3 Compulsory Course in the Studies in Religion Major, in this course students will explore contemporary issues related to religion and the academic study of religion, including issues of gender, sexuality, politics, and indigenous Australia. Assessments include Work Integrated Learning tasks inviting various formats at students' discretion, such as video, audio, essays, or policy proposals — even board games. Classes are seminar-based and student focussed, with an emphasis on discussion and interaction.

Course requirements

Assumed background

PREREQUISITE - RELN1000, RELN1510 or RELN1001 plus 6-units of advanced RELN courses.

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

RELN1000 or RELN1001 or RELN1300 plus 6 units of advanced RELN courses

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

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

Additional timetable information

RELN3000 runs as a weekly 2 hour seminar.

Aims and outcomes

The course aims to introduce students to current and potential future developments in religion and the study of religion. Half of the content of this course is provided by students through oral presentations. Students will be evenlyﾠ divided into 6 'research clusters', for which they will develop a Work-Integrated Learning focussed assessment, as well as a major essay. The six clusters will be:

1. Religion & Health
2. Christianity
3. Islam
4. Science & Religion
5. Asian Religions
6. Special WIL project team with partner organisation Metropolitan Community Church (MCC), Brisbane

The sixth member of this list is a new initiative, in which a group of students will work in consultation with the MCC to develop research projects that align with their interests.ﾠ

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment details

Oral Presentation

Mode

Activity/ Performance, Oral, Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia

Category

Presentation

Weight

10%

Due date

16/09/2024 - 21/10/2024

Presentation themes and times will be assigned early in the course.

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Participation in weekly seminars

Mode

Oral

Category

Participation/ Student contribution

Weight

10%

Due date

29/07/2024 - 21/10/2024

Participation is determined by active discussion on the course's themes, not by attendance.

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.

WIL Assessment: Assignment of varying format

Mode

Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia, Written

Category

Creative Production/ Exhibition, Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Essay/ Critique

Weight

30%

Due date

6/09/2024 2:00 pm

Other conditions

Work integrated learning.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

Submission guidelines

Via Turnitin on Blackboard. Audio and audio-visual materials via upload to Blackboard or on USB device.

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

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 3000 words

Mode

Written

Category

Essay/ Critique

Weight

50%

Due date

25/10/2024 2:00 pm

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

Submission guidelines

Via Turnitin on Blackboard.

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

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

Tutorial Participation Assessment Criteria

Your tutorial participation will be assessed according to the following criteria: 

1. Evidence of participation in discussions.

2. Evidence of preparation for the tutorial, most notably through completing the set readings.

3. Quality of contributions to discussions.

4. Fostering of group discussions, through courteous and respectful interactions with staff and students. 

5. Attendance is necessary to fulfill the above criteria, as per the course requirements, but marks cannot be awarded for attendance alone.

To achieve a grade of 7 (High Distinction, 85-100%), your attendance will be flawless and your participation exceptional. This grade reflects exceptional levels of preparation, mastery of course materials, and very high quality contributions to, and fostering of, group discussions. You should be able to engage with your peers very effectively.

To achieve a grade of 6 (Distinction, 75-84) your attendance will be excellent and your participation very substantial. This grade reflects excellent levels of preparation, knowledge of course materials, and high quality contributions to, and fostering of, group discussions. You should be able to engage with your peers effectively.

To achieve a grade of 5 (Credit, 65 – 74%), your attendance and participation will be good. This grade reflects proficient levels of preparation, good knowledge of course materials, and good quality contributions to, and fostering of, group discussions.

To achieve a grade of 4 (Pass, 50 – 64%) your attendance and participation will be satisfactory. This grade reflects adequate levels of preparation and knowledge of course materials, and an acceptable quality of contributions to, and fostering of, group discussions.

To achieve a grade of 3 (Marginal Fail, 45 – 49%) your attendance and participation will be unsatisfactory. This grade reflects irregular attendance and/or participation and superficial knowledge of course materials and basic levels of preparation. However, when in attendance, there is evidence of your ability to demonstrate developing achievement in contributions to, and fostering of, group discussions.

To achieve a grade of 2 (Fail, 25-44%), your attendance and participation will be very unsatisfactory. This grade reflects irregular attendance and/or participation, minimal knowledge of course materials, little evidence of preparation, and mixed to low quality of contributions to, and fostering of, group discussions.

To achieve a grade of 1 (Low Fail, 0-24%), your attendance and participation will be unsatisfactory. This grade reflects irregular attendance and/or participation, an no evidence of preparation, and little or no evidence of quality of contributions to, and fostering of, group discussions.

Oral Presentation Assessment Criteria

 Your oral presentation will be assessed according to the following criteria: 

1. Content and argument of the topic of the presentation.

2. Engagement with academic sources and evidence. 

3. Compliance with the stated time limit.

4. Evidence of preparation including powerpoint if required. 

5. Fluency, ease and persuasiveness of the presentation. 

6. Fostering of discussion and engagement of audience, as per course requirements. 

To achieve a grade of 7 (High Distinction, 85-100%), you will have presented a very fluent and exceptionally well-prepared talk that clarifies and explains your topic with a very clear and effective structure. You will have utilised both supplied and original materials to achieve a highly affective discussion that complies precisely with the stated time limit. 

To achieve a grade of 6 (Distinction, 75-84%) you will have presented a fluent and very well-prepared talk that clarifies and explains your topic with a clear and effective structure. You will have utilised supplied and original materials to achieve a very effective discussion that complies with the stated time limit. 

To achieve a grade of 5 (Credit, 65 – 74%), you will have presented a well-prepared, proficient talk that clarifies and explains your topic with an adequate and functional structure. You will have utilised supplied and original materials to achieve an effective discussion within the stated time limit. 

To achieve a grade of 4 (Pass, 50 – 64%), you will have presented a basic talk that addresses aspects of your topic but with some flaws in approach, structure and/or delivery. There may have been limitations in your use of supporting materials, and/or difficulties in meeting set time constraints. 

To achieve a grade of 3 (Marginal Fail, 45 – 49%), you will have presented a talk that has clear potential, but has only superficially addressed aspects of your topic. There will have been several flaws in your approach, structure and/or delivery. There will have been limitations in your use of supporting materials, and/or difficulties in meeting set time constraints. 

To achieve a grade of 2 (Fail, 25-44%), you will have presented a talk that was not adequately prepared or presented. Minimal effort will have been put into clarifying your topic, and your approach, structure and/or delivery will have been deficient or flawed. Major deficiencies will also have been present in utilising supporting materials and/or meeting time requirements.

To achieve a grade of 1 (Low Fail, 0-24%), you will have presented a talk that was not well prepared or presented. You will have not clarified your topic and your talk will have lacked an effective structure. You will not have utilised supporting materials and/or met time requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA FOR PODCASTS AND VIDEO DOCUMENTARIES:

Your podcast or video documentary will be assessed according to the following criteria:

1. Communication of a well-reasoned argument;

2. Demonstration of a depth and breadth of knowledge and understanding of the central issues;

3. Clarity of structure;

4. Engagement with academic sources and evidence;

5. Demonstration of insight and creativity in constructing a point of view or argument;

6. Capacity to produce a coherent and clearly-spoken podcast or documentary.

7. Appropriate referencing, as per discipline conventions, in an accompanying script.

To achieve a grade of 7 (High Distinction, 85-100%), your podcast or video documentary should communicate an exceptionally well-reasoned argument, demonstrate a deep understanding of the central issues, be clearly structured, deeply engage with the academic sources and evidence, display great insight and creativity, be extremely coherent and clearly-spoken, and be flawlessly referenced according to discipline conventions. 

To achieve a grade of 6 (Distinction, 75-84%) your podcast or video documentary should communicate a very well-reasoned argument, demonstrate a strong understanding of the central issues, be very well structured, engage with the academic sources and evidence, display good insight and creativity, be highly coherent and clearly-spoken, and be very well referenced according to discipline conventions.

To achieve a grade of 5 (Credit, 65 – 74%), your podcast or video documentary should communicate a well-reasoned argument, demonstrate an adequate understanding of the central issues, be sufficiently well structured, engage with the academic sources and evidence, display some insight and creativity, be coherent and clearly-spoken, and be well referenced according to discipline conventions.

To achieve a grade of 4 (Pass, 50 – 64%), your podcast or video documentary should communicate an identifiable argument, demonstrate some understanding of the central issues, have a basic structure, demonstrate a basic level of engagement with the academic sources and evidence, display some insight and creativity, show basic coherency and be clearly-spoken, and be adequately referenced according to discipline conventions.

To achieve a grade of 3 (Marginal Fail, 45 – 49%), your podcast or video documentary will have communicated a poorly-reasoned argument, have a weak understanding of the central issues, lack structure, demonstrated limited engagement with the academic sources and evidence, shown poor insight and creativity, lacked coherency and clear articulation, and failed to follow the basic discipline conventions on referencing.

To achieve a grade of 2 (Fail, 25-44%), your podcast or video documentary will have communicated a very weak argument, demonstrated little understanding of the central issues, shown a severe lack of structure, shown little engagement with the academic sources and evidence, displayed little insight or creativity, is incoherent and poorly spoken, and will have major flaws in the referencing based on discipline conventions.

To achieve a grade of 1 (Low Fail, 0-24%), your podcast or video documentary will have failed to communicate an argument, demonstrated no understanding of the central issues, lacked any structure, shown no engagement with the academic sources and evidence, displayed no insight or creativity, is incoherent and very poorly spoken, and the referencing will have failed to follow the basic disciplinary conventions.

Essay Assessment Criteria (History, Ancient History and Classics, Studies in Religion) 

Your essay will be assessed according to the following 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

• 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 ten 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

Reading material will be supplied by each presenter. Student presenters will also need to provide reading material to background their presentation themes. These readings need to be sent to the Course Coordinator at least 7 days before the class is to take place to allow students sufficient time to engage in the readings and seminar theme.

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.