2014 STUDENT GUIDE - The University of Sydney

NDERGRAD
Camperdown/Darlington Delivery Mode:
Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit analyses the position of
religion in a range of films, such
as the presentation of Buddhism
in recent Western films (Kundun,
Little Buddha, Seven Years in Tibet);
the image of Christianity in ‘sword
and sandal’ epics (Ben Hur, Quo
Vadis); the role of film in familiarising
Western audiences with unfamiliar
religious traditions (e.g. ethnographic
documentaries); and the depiction
of post-modern religious concerns in
science fiction (Blade Runner, The
Matrix etc).
RLST2635
Sex, Desire and the
Sacred
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator:
Dr Jay Johnston Session: Semester 1
Classes: 1x2-hr lecture/week, 1x1-hr
tutorial/week Prerequisites: 12 junior
credit points from Studies in Religion
Assessment: 1x2500wd essay (50%),
1x1250wd tutorial presentation (30%),
WebCT presentation (20%) Campus:
Camperdown/Darlington Delivery Mode:
Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit examines relations between
sexuality, desire, gender and the
sacred as presented in the major
faith traditions, including their
esoteric currents, and in New Age
religion. It is designed to introduce
students to conceptualisations of the
self and divine and their interrelation,
and covers core philosophy of
religion topics such as ontology
and ethics. Topics include tantra,
the commercialisation of ‘sacred
sex’, eroto-mysticism, cults of
virginity and abstinence. Significant
attention is given to issues of cultural
difference and gender.
RLST3601
Rethinking Religion
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator:
Dr Jay Johnston Session: Semester 2
Classes: 1x1-hr lecture/week, 1x1-hr
tutorial/week Prerequisites: 12 senior
credit points from Studies in Religion
Assessment: 1x2000wd essay (30%),
14
Uppsala Domkirk, image: Don Barrett