Contemplation and the Self: Key Ideas and Practices in Buddhism and Hinduism (RELN3100)

Course overview

Many concepts and practices from Hindu and Buddhist traditions have entered popular culture and influenced the well-being industry and the therapies of modern psychology. Where did these ideas come from? And how did they develop, change, and come to be appropriated in contemporary practices and discourses? This course will explore key ideas such as sacrifice, karma and rebirth, the eternal self, the no-self doctrine, dharma, non-violence, the emanating Universe, yoga and meditation, devotionalism, non-dualism, and emptiness, as they developed in Buddhist and Hindu traditions, frequently in response or tension with the other. The approach will be to read primary sources from the rich history of these intellectual traditions and reflect on the influence of these ideas into the modern period.

Course requirements

Recommended prerequisites

We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:

RELN1000, RELN1080, or RELN1510

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

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

Aims and outcomes

This course aims to explore key ideas and practices in the Buddhist and Hindu traditions through their modern avatars. By investigating the ways in which these ideas and practices have changed through time and been adapted for contemporary contexts, students will be introduced to historical sources and method in the academic study of religion. Students will gain an advanced understanding of two of the world's most prominent religious traditions and will develop the capacity to think critically about religious ideas and traditions.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment details

Essay

Mode

Written

Category

Essay/ Critique

Weight

40%

Due date

24/04/2026 2:00 pm

Other conditions

Secure.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

Submission guidelines

Essays are to be submitted 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.

Weekly reflections

Mode

Written

Category

Reflection

Weight

20%

Due date

9/03/2026 - 25/05/2026

Reflections due by 14:00 on the Monday.

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

Submission guidelines

Reflections to be submitted via designated tool 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.

Extensions can be sought from the course coordinator in extenuating circumstances.

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.

End of semester exam

• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

40%

Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

6/06/2026 - 20/06/2026

Other conditions

Secure.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Course grading

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

Additional course grading information

Weekly Reflections Assessment Criteria

Your reflections assessment task will be assessed according to the following 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 reflection entries, as per course requirements. 

To achieve a grade of 7 (High Distinction, 85-100%), your reflection will provide an exceptional response to the set topic, 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 reflection will provide an advanced level of response to the set topic, 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 reflection will provide a proficient response to the set topic, 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 reflection will provide a basic response to the set topic, 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 reflection will show that your entry has 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 reflection 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 reflection 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

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 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 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. Alternatively, your essay may, in part, be well written and suggest human engagement and achievement but (whether actually developed with the help of AI or not) will (a) mostly exhibit the stereotypical and/or superficial understanding characteristic of generative AI text and/or (b) mostly fail, in a manner characteristic of generative AI text, to develop a sustained (multi-layered) argument: This grade is assigned for a total (sum of all the assessment components) in the range 45-49%. See assessment components for specific grading criteria.

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. Alternatively, your essay may suggest developing or higher achievement but (whether actually developed with the help of AI or not) will (a) exhibit the stereotypical and/or superficial understanding that is characteristic of generative AI text and/or (b) may fail to develop, in a way that is characteristic of generative AI text, a sustained (multi-layered) argument: This grade is assigned for a total (sum of all the assessment components) in the range 25-44%. See assessment components for specific grading criteria

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.

Failing Criteria and Academic Misconduct

Fabrication or misrepresentation of sources will result in an automatic maximum grade of 2 for this assessment, regardless of performance in other criteria. This includes but is not limited to: citing non-existent sources or attributing false quotes to real sources. Such issues demonstrate failure to meet the core learning outcomes for the course and may also be referred for academic misconduct

Exam

Your exam responses will be assessed according to the following criteria:

Multiple–Choice/One-Word Answer Questions

Students will be assessed on:

1. Ability to recall terminology and factual knowledge.

2. Ability to recognise the correct contexts for the application of factual knowledge.

Short Answer Questions

Students will be assessed on:

1. Ability to produce a succinct response to a directed question.

2. Knowledge of key themes or ideas.

3. Ability to employ relevant terminology, as required.

4. Clear and concise written expression, well presented.

Gobbets/Textual/Object Analyses

Students will be assessed on:

1. Ability to identify author and/or creator of the item.

2. Ability to explain the context of the item.

3. Ability to identify the key components, themes or features that allow critical appreciation. 

4. Ability to explain the significance of the item.

5. Clear and concise written expression, well presented.

Essay Questions

Students will be assessed on:

1. Ability to recognise key issues in the question.

2. Ability to structure an argument.

3. Use of evidence.

4. Engagement with academic scholarship and/or debates.

5. Clear and concise written expression, well presented. 

Unlike formative assessments undertaken during your course (such as book reviews and essays), exam answers are typically marked on right or wrong basis for multiple choice, single word and short answer questions. Individual exam essays and other exam questions are not awarded grades, but are assessed numerically (such as a mark out of five, or a mark out of ten). The overall grade achieved for an exam is arrived at by totalling the marks for the constituent elements of the exam.

To achieve a grade of 7 (High Distinction, 85-100%), your exam will demonstrate an exceptional grasp of terminology, factual knowledge, themes and ideas. You will demonstrate an exceptional level of understanding and rigour in argumentation in responding to short and long answer prompts, showing exceptional clarity of ideas, understanding of issues, organisation of material, and insightful and creative responses. Your responses will be directly relevant to the prompts. The written expression and presentation will be excellent and follow discipline conventions.

To achieve a grade of 6 (Distinction, 75-84%), your exam will demonstrate an advanced grasp of terminology, factual knowledge, themes and ideas. You will demonstrate a very good level of understanding and rigour in argumentation in responding to short and long answer prompts, showing very good understanding of issues, organisation of material, and a capable synthesis of ideas. Your responses will be directly relevant to the prompts. The written expression and presentation will be very good and follow discipline conventions.

To achieve a grade of 5 (Credit, 65 – 74%), your exam will demonstrate a proficient grasp of terminology, factual knowledge, themes and ideas. You will demonstrate a good understanding and rigour in argumentation in responding to short and long answer prompts, showing good understanding of issues, good organisation of material, and a generally capable synthesis of ideas. Your responses will be indirectly relevant to the prompts. The written expression and presentation will be good and largely follow discipline conventions.

To achieve a grade of 4 (Pass, 50 – 64%), your exam will demonstrate a basic grasp of terminology, factual knowledge, themes and ideas. You will demonstrate a basic understanding and rigour in argumentation in responding to short and long answer prompts, showing a basic understanding of issues and adequate organisation of material. Your responses will be indirectly relevant to the prompts with unclear links between the prompts and your answer. Your written expression and presentation will be satisfactory and follow discipline conventions. 

To achieve a grade of 3 (Marginal Fail, 45 – 49%), your exam will demonstrate an emerging grasp of terminology and factual knowledge that is underdeveloped and falling short of a pass. You will demonstrate a superficial and inadequate understanding in your responses to short and long answer prompts, showing poor argumentation and poor organisation. Your responses will be indirectly relevant to the prompts with unclear links between the prompts and your answer, offering tangential or unrelated information. Your written expression and presentation will be adequate and should attempt to follow discipline conventions. 

To achieve a grade of 2 (Fail, 25-44%), your exam will demonstrate a limited or partial grasp of terminology and factual knowledge that is deficient and incomplete. Your responses to short and long answer prompts will show a deficient understanding with no attempt engage meaningfully with the prompts. You demonstrate overall deficiencies in fundamental aspects of this course through limited or poor organisation and explanations. Your responses will be unrelated to the prompts, answering only vaguely or tangentially to the prompt. Your writing will be poor and/or inappropriate, and will not follow discipline conventions.

To achieve a grade of 1 (Low Fail, 0-24%), your exam will demonstrate that you have failed to meet the minimum learning requirements and skill acquisition for this assessment task. You will have demonstrate little grasp of terminology or factual knowledge. Your responses to short and long answer prompts will demonstrate that you have inadequately understood fundamental aspects of this course. Your responses will be unrelated to the prompts. Your writing will be poorly organised and/or poorly written and will not follow discipline conventions.

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).
• A word count that is within ±10% of the set length (word limit) is acceptable. Word count does not include footnotes; however, discursive footnotes are included in the word count. A word count that is outside these 10% will receive a proportionate penalty and will be graded against the grading criteria.
• 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 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 business days, will receive zero. In the case of a Blackboard outage, please contact the Course Co-ordinator as soon as possible to 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 bandwidth and speed is available. If you cannot be sure if 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 is cheating and constitutesﾠacademic 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.

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 for Students Policy and Procedure
• AI for Assessment Guide
• Recording of Teaching Policy and Procedure

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