ENTRANCE TO THE UNIVERSITY

Potential undergraduates must apply to the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre by late September of the year before anticipated enrolment. Application forms are available from QTAC at 33 Park Road, Milton, 4066 (07) 3368.1166, or from Enrolments at the Student Centre, Level 1, J.D. Story Building, UQ, St. Lucia., 4072.

BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE

The Bachelor of Arts consists of 48 units normally spread over a three-year period of full-time study (i.e. 16 units per year or 8 units per semester). Most subjects are worth 2 units, which represents 10 hours work per week (2-3 in lectures/tutorials and 7-8 in preparation and private study).

MAJOR/S IN STUDIES IN RELIGION

A major is an approved combination of courses with a total value of 16 units, of which 10 must be for advanced subjects. Within its 48 units the BA must contain at least two single majors (2 x 16 units) in different disciplines or one double major (28 units) in one discipline.

Intending Honours students should refer to the Honours Program.

TUTORIAL REGISTRATION

Tutorials will not start before the second week of semester and sign-up sheets will be made available by lecturers/tutors in the relevant classes.

ASSIGNMENTS

A guide to assignment writing is available from the School office: referencing should follow the guidelines of the MLA Handbook. Completed assignments should be handed in to your lecturer/tutor, or deposited in the locked box outside the School office. Corrected assignments can be collected from your lecturer/tutor. Cover sheets should be used (available from School office).No receipts are issued for assignments so please make a copy/photocopy of them before they are submitted. Assignments will only be held for six months after publication of results.

ASSESSMENT

The primary aim of assessment is to encourage, direct and reinforce student learning. Assessment processes may vary slightly from course to course and from lecturer to lecturer due to the variety of programs offered within the Department. The Department follows the standard University of Queensland criteria-based assessment process. This assesses your work on the basis of criteria set out in the outline handed out for each course and your work is graded on a scale of seven, as follows:

Grade 7	High distinction
Grade 6	Distinction
Grade 5	Credit
Grade 4	Pass
Grade 3	Conceded pass
Grades 2-1	Work which fails to meet set criteria

You have a right to have your work reassessed by another staff member, if you are dissatisfied with the grade given.

Grade Point Average (GPA): Every course you undertake contributes to your overall GPA. If, for example, you receive a grade of 7 for one course, 6 for two, 5 for one and 4 for another two, your GPA will be 5.3. Your GPA becomes an important factor if you are considering doing postgraduate work, To qualify for the Honours program, for example, you will normally be expected to have a GPA of 5.5 in Studies in Religion courses.

APPEALS

Students have a right of appeal to the Course Examiner against a mark or grade and should be informed why the mark/grade was given. If unsatisfied, the student may further appeal to the Head of Department. After consultation with the Course Examiner the Head may then appoint an additional examiner. The Head of Department will then determine the mark or grade in consultation with the original and additional examiners and provide a written statement to the student, giving reasons for the final mark or grade.

LIBRARY SERVICES

Orientation tours for new students are offered at all of UQ’s libraries during Orientation Week and the first weeks of Semester I. Librarians will assist you in using the many computerised facilities now offered by the University’s libraries: searching the Web and catalogues is explained at the Reference Desk in the SS&H Link and word-processing/printing may be done at the EI Centre, Level 2 Duhig South.

TEXTBOOKS/CONSULTATION HOURS

A list of textbooks and a current timetable showing classrooms will be posted on the notice-board outside the School Office at the start of each semester. Copies of these may also be obtained from the office. Texts may be purchased new at the UQ Bookshop, The Open Book at Milton, QU Books at Toowong or secondhand from the Student Union Bookshop. Staff consultation hours will also be posted outside the School office (Room E316 Forgan Smith).

GENERAL PROGRAM STRUCTURE

The Department of Studies in Religion offers courses grouped in three broad areas of study in each of which there is similarity of approach, context and aim.

1. Preliminary studies of world religions are grouped with courses which pursue the meaning and value of religious symbols, ideas and practices in human experience. The methods used are phenomenological and comparative.
2. Work in the history of specific religious traditions aims to provide a core of sound knowledge through critical investigation of the origin and development of some major religions and of their main documentary sources. The traditions treated in detail are:
   (i) those arising in the ancient Near East, with special reference to Judaism and Christianity; and
   (ii) those arising in India, with special reference to Hinduism and Buddhism.
3. Modern studies of religion present a more abstract and detached approach, applying the method of philosophy and the social sciences in the context of the contemporary situation. The topics discussed include the functions of religion, the ways in which religion can affect individual and social life, the nature and truth of religious beliefs, and the validity of religious claims regarding human behaviour.

SYNOPSIS (suggested majors)

All students are encouraged to do RELN1000. Students intending to do Honours in Studies in Religion should include RELN1000 in their Undergraduate Major. They should also complete at least 10 units in one of the following areas:
Note: Please check timetable to see which of the following courses are offered this year.