Studies in Religion offers courses grouped in three broad areas of study in each of which there is similarity of approach, context and aim.
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.
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. 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.
The Religion discipline teaches undergraduate courses as Introductory and Advanced levels. These are listed in the UQ Course Information handbook and also on the main UQ webpage. Not all courses are available each semester or each year. The list contains courses available during the current year, followed by the list of courses not on offer in the current year.
When planning your program, however, you should take care to ensure that you allow sufficient flexibility in your selections to enable you to vary your program subsequently if your interests change. In doing this, please take careful note of such aspects as recommended backgrounds for advanced courses and incompatibility between courses.
Members of academic and administrative staff are always willing to assist students in choosing courses so as to constitute a coherent program for a Studies in Religion major.
For details of times and venues, check the timetable on mySI-net.
Access to tutorial sign-on will occur after the first week of lectures. The first week of classes will be lectures only. Tutorials will commence in Teaching Week 2 or in some cases Teaching Week 3.
SEMESTER ONE
Undergraduate courses:
RELA2010 Introduction to Arabic or N.T. Greek or Sanskrit (N.B.: Arabic will not be offered in 2009) (A/Prof R Strelan)
RELN1000 World Religions (Dr H Farley)
RELN1001 Belief and Unbelief (Dr N Pembroke)
RELN1300 Meditation & Soul Journeys: Eastern & Western Spiritual Experience (Dr N Pembroke)
RELN2101 Psychology of Religion (Dr N Pembroke)
RELN2110 Trance, Shamanism, Body & Soul (Dr S Shaw)
RELN2116 Masons, Templars & Satanists: Secret Societies & Esotericism in the West (Flexible Delivery (Dr H Farley)
RELN2117 Religion and Society (Dr S Shaw)
RELN2301 Buddhism (Dr C Kang)
RELN2409 The World of Jesus and the Early Christians (Dr R Strelan)
RELN2410 The Bible: Fact or Fiction (Dr R Strelan)
RELN2510 A History of the Supernatural: Angels, Demons & Ghosts (A/Prof R Strelan)
RELN3001 Independent Study Unit (no lectures) (A/Prof Strelan)
RELN3500 Advanced Study of Religious Texts A (A/Prof R Strelan)
RELN3501 Advanced Study of Religious Texts B ( A/Prof R Strelan
Honours:
RELN6000 Methodology of Studies in Religion (Dr S Shaw)
RELN6001 Individual Honours Study Unit 1 (Full-time students) (Honours Advisor)
RELN6002 Individual Honours Study Unit 2 (Part-time students) (Honours Advisor)
RELN6003 Honours Research Thesis (Full-time students over one semester) (Honours Advisor)
RELN6004 Honours Research Thesis (Part-time students over two semesters) (Honours Advisor)
Postgraduate coursework:
RELN7001 Mysticism in Religion (Dr N Pembroke)
RELN7101 Psychology and Religion (Dr N Pembroke)
RELN7110 Trance and Alternative Spiritualities (Dr S Shaw)
RELN7116 Masons, Templars & Satanists: Secret Societies & Esotericism in the West (Flexible Delivery - no classroom lectures) (Dr H Farley)
RELN7301 Buddhism in India & East Asia (Dr C Kang)
RELN7600 Masters Thesis (Full-time students over one semester) ( P/G Coursework Advisor)
RELN7601 Masters Thesis (Part-time students over two semesters) (P/G Coursework Advisor)
Doctoral program:
RELN9003 Personal Spirituality & Pastoral Practice: (Flexible Delivery) (Dr N Pembroke)
SEMESTER TWO
Undergraduate Courses:
RELA2011 Advanced Arabic or N.T. Greek or Sanskrit (N.B.: Arabic will not be offered in 2009) (A/Prof R Strelan)
RELN1000 World Religions (Dr H Farley)
RELN1001 Belief & Unbelief (Dr N Pembroke)
RELN1300 Meditation & Soul Journeys: Eastern & Western Spiritual Experience (Dr N Pembroke)
RELN1301 Introduction to the Islamic Tradition (Dr R Marcotte)
RELN2011 Media, Film, Music and Religion (Dr S Shaw)
RELN2300 The Path of Yoga: Spiritual Traditions of India (Dr A Bowles)
RELN2310 Religion and Violence (Dr S Shaw)
RELN2510 A History of the Supernatural: Angels, Demons & Ghosts (flexible delivery - no classroom lectures) (A/Prof R Strelan)
RELN2512 A History of Western Magic: Magic, Meaning and Ritual (flexible delivery - no classroom lectures) (A/Prof R Strelan)
RELN3000 The Future of Religion: An Advanced Study of Contemporary Issues (A/Prof R Strelan)
RELN3001 Independent Study Unit (no lectures) (A/Prof R Strelan)
RELN3500 Advanced Study of Religious Texts A (no lectures) (A/Prof R Strelan)
RELN3501 Advanced Study of Religious Texts B (no lectures) (A/Prof R Strelan)
Honours:
RELN6001 Individual Honours Study Unit 1 (Full-time students) (Dr N Pembroke)
RELN6002 Individual Honours Study Unit 2 (Part-time students) (Dr N Pembroke)
RELN6003 Honours Research Thesis (Full-time students over one semester) (Dr N Pembroke)
RELN6004 Honours Research Thesis (Part-time students over two semesters) (Dr N Pembroke)
Postgraduate coursework:
RELN7011 Religion in Media, Film and Music (Dr S Shaw)
RELN7300 Spiritual Traditions of India: The Path of Yoga (Dr A Bowles)
RELN7310 Violence and Religion (Dr S Shaw)
RELN7600 Masters Thesis (Full-time students over one semester) (P/G Coursework Adviser)
RELN7601 Masters Thesis (Part-time students over two semesters) (P/G Coursework Adviser)
SUMMER SEMESTER 2009/2010
RELN3001 Independent Study Unit (Flexible Delivery - no classroom lectures) (A/Prof R Strelan)
RELN3500 Advanced Study of Religious Texts A (Flexible Delivery – no classroom lectures) (A/Prof R Strelan)
RELN3501 Advanced Study of Religious Texts B (Flexible Delivery – no classroom lectures) (A/Prof R Strelan)
RELN9001 Doctoral Colloquium B (Dr N Pembroke)