2014 STUDENT GUIDE - The University of Sydney

MAJOR IN
WORLD RELIGIONS
World Religions is the study of the history and ideas that characterise
the world’s largest and/or most influential religious traditions, both
historically and in the contemporary world. The Major proceeds from
the same two compulsory First Year units (RLST1002 A History of
Gods, Deities & Demons and RLST1005 Atheism Fundamentalism &
New Religions) that are required by the Studies in Relgion Major. World
Religions has a core unit in second year: WREL2001 World Religions in
Context. This is the compulsory methodology Senior unit of the World
Religions Major, and can be paired with another methodology unit (in
sociology or philosophy of religion, for example). Students balance
this methodological study with specialisation in two so-called ‘World
Religions’ by choosing two pairs from the units examining Buddhism,
Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Indigenous Religions. At least one of
these units must be at 3000 level, taking the study of that particular
religious tradition to an advanced, senior level.
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The Major in World Religions is administered from the Department
of Studies in Religion but is an inter-disciplinary program. If you are
interested in a Major in World Religions, please contact the Program
Coordinator, Professor Iain Gardner, iain.gardner@sydney.edu.au.
JUNIOR UNITS
These junior units introduce you to foundational knowledge and to
current debates in the discipline.
RLST1002
RLST1005
A History of Gods Deities & Demons
Atheism, Fundamentalism and New Religions
SENIOR UNITS
The compulsory core unit, WREL2001 World Religions in Context,
is paired with another methodology unit (in sociology or philosophy
of religion, for example). Students can also specialise in two World
Religions, by choosing two units of study from two religious areas
listed below:
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Buddhism
––
Christianity
––
Islam
––
Judaism
––
Indigenous Religions
To complete a major at least one of these units must be a senioradvanced
(3000 level) unit.