THEO8318 Religious Pluralism in a Contemporary World GE

This topic provides foundational knowledge of the major beliefs and practices of several world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Chinese Religions, Judaism and Islam.

Students will reflect critically on religion today, particularly in contemporary Australia. Reference is made to primary texts (scriptures) and the experience of ordinary believers.

This topic aims to:

• Explore and discuss critically the beliefs and practices of several major world religions. From this students will develop an ability to engage respectfully and rigorously with them
• Evaluate critically the issues facing religions today in contemporary and pluralistic societies to enable deeper understanding of the challenges they face
• Engage in and evaluate historical and contemporary dialogue between these major world religions, with particular attention to dialogue between them and Christianity

1. Identify and evaluate the beliefs and practices of a range of historic and contemporary religious traditions
2. Critically reflect on the significance of the experience of 'ordinary' believers
3. Analyse the interaction of different religions, in historical and contemporary settings and the implications of this for pluralistic societies today
4. Communicate advanced knowledge and analysis of a range of historic and contemporary religious traditions, both verbally and in writing, appropriately to a range of audiences