§-Studies of Religion syllabus
NSW · NESA← Studies of Religion
Studies of Religion syllabus, dot point by dot point
Every dot point in the NSW Studies of Religion syllabus, with a focused answer for each. Click any dot point for a worked explainer, past exam questions and links to related points.
Buddhism Depth Study
Module overview →What are the ethical teachings of Buddhism on environmental ethics?
Describe and explain the ethical teachings of Buddhism on environmental ethics, with reference to the principal beliefs and sacred texts of the tradition
What are the principal beliefs of Buddhism, and how are they recorded in its sacred texts and writings?
Outline the principal beliefs of Buddhism and demonstrate how sacred texts and writings provide a record of the beliefs of Buddhism
How did one significant person or school of thought shape the development and expression of Buddhism?
Explain the contribution to the development and expression of Buddhism of ONE significant person or school of thought, drawn from the Dalai Lama
How is temple puja expressed in Buddhism, and what is its significance for the individual and the community?
Describe the significant practice of temple puja within Buddhism, demonstrating how the practice expresses the beliefs of Buddhism and analysing its significance for the individual and the community
Christianity Depth Study
Module overview →What do Christian ethical teachings say about bioethics, and how are they derived from Christian sources?
Describe and explain Christian ethical teachings on bioethics, and outline how these teachings are derived from sources of authority such as Scripture, tradition and the natural law
What are the principal beliefs of Christianity, and how are they grounded in its sacred texts and writings?
Outline the principal beliefs of Christianity and demonstrate how sacred texts and writings provide a record of the beliefs of Christianity
How did one significant person or school of thought shape the development and expression of Christianity?
Explain the contribution to the development and expression of Christianity of ONE significant person or school of thought, with reference to Paul of Tarsus
How is baptism expressed in Christianity, and what is its significance for the individual and the community?
Describe the significant practice of baptism within Christianity, demonstrating how the practice expresses the beliefs of Christianity and analysing its significance for the individual and the community
Hinduism Depth Study
Module overview →What are the ethical teachings of Hinduism on environmental ethics?
Describe and explain the ethical teachings of Hinduism on environmental ethics, with reference to the principal beliefs and sacred texts of the tradition
What are the principal beliefs of Hinduism, and how are they recorded in its sacred texts and writings?
Outline the principal beliefs of Hinduism and demonstrate how sacred texts and writings provide a record of the beliefs of Hinduism
How did one significant person or school of thought shape the development and expression of Hinduism?
Explain the contribution to the development and expression of Hinduism of ONE significant person or school of thought, with reference to Mohandas K. Gandhi
How is temple worship (puja) expressed in Hinduism, and what is its significance for the individual and the community?
Describe the significant practice of temple worship (puja) within Hinduism, demonstrating how the practice expresses the beliefs of Hinduism and analysing its significance for the individual and the community
Islam Depth Study
Module overview →What are the ethical teachings of Islam on sexual ethics?
Describe and explain the ethical teachings of Islam on sexual ethics, with reference to the principal beliefs and sacred texts of the tradition
What are the principal beliefs of Islam, and how are they recorded in its sacred texts and writings?
Outline the principal beliefs of Islam and demonstrate how sacred texts and writings provide a record of the beliefs of Islam
How did one significant person or school of thought shape the development and expression of Islam?
Explain the contribution to the development and expression of Islam of ONE significant person or school of thought, with reference to Aisha bint Abu Bakr
How is the Hajj expressed in Islam, and what is its significance for the individual and the ummah?
Describe the significant practice of Hajj within Islam, demonstrating how the practice expresses the beliefs of Islam and analysing its significance for the individual and the Muslim community
Judaism Depth Study
Module overview →What are the ethical teachings of Judaism on bioethics?
Describe and explain the ethical teachings of Judaism on bioethics, with reference to the principal beliefs and sacred texts of the tradition
What are the principal beliefs of Judaism, and how are they recorded in its sacred texts and writings?
Outline the principal beliefs of Judaism and demonstrate how sacred texts and writings provide a record of the beliefs of Judaism
How did one significant person or school of thought shape the development and expression of Judaism?
Explain the contribution to the development and expression of Judaism of ONE significant person or school of thought, with reference to Moses Maimonides
How is marriage expressed in Judaism, and what is its significance for the individual and the community?
Describe the significant practice of marriage within Judaism, demonstrating how the practice expresses the beliefs of Judaism and analysing its significance for the individual and the community
Religion and Non-Religion (Studies of Religion II)
Module overview →What is new atheism, and how does it challenge religious worldviews?
Examine the development and principal ideas of new atheism as a non-religious worldview, and evaluate its challenge to religious belief
Why has non-religion risen, and how have religious traditions responded?
Examine the reasons for the rise of non-religion in the contemporary world and analyse the responses of religious traditions to non-religious worldviews
How do religious and non-religious worldviews differ in the human search for meaning?
Examine the human search for ultimate meaning, the difference between religious and non-religious worldviews, and the response of new religious expression and non-religious worldviews to the search for meaning
Religion and Peace (Studies of Religion II)
Module overview →How do the sacred texts of Christianity and Islam guide adherents toward inner peace?
Demonstrate how the principal teachings about peace in Christianity and Islam, drawn from their sacred texts, provide guidance to adherents in achieving inner peace
How do Christianity and Islam understand peace, and how do their teachings and organisations contribute to peace?
Outline the principal teachings about peace in Christianity and Islam, demonstrate how the teachings provide guidance to adherents in achieving inner peace and world peace, and analyse the contribution of religion to peace
How do Christianity and Islam, through their teachings and organisations, contribute to world peace?
Analyse the contribution of Christianity and Islam to world peace, demonstrating how the teachings and the work of religious organisations guide adherents in achieving world peace
Religion and Belief Systems in Australia post-1945
Module overview →What is the nature of Aboriginal spiritualities as determined by the Dreaming, and how has dispossession affected them?
Discuss how Aboriginal spiritualities are determined by the Dreaming, and analyse the continuing effect of dispossession on Aboriginal spiritualities including the Stolen Generations and the importance of the Land Rights movement
How have religious traditions in Australia worked toward unity within Christianity and across faiths since 1945?
Evaluate the impact of Christian ecumenical movements in Australia and describe the importance of interfaith dialogue in multifaith Australia, including the relationship between Aboriginal spiritualities and religious traditions in reconciliation
How has the religious landscape of Australia changed from 1945 to the present, and what factors explain that change?
Outline changing patterns of religious adherence from 1945 to the present using census data, and account for the religious landscape in Australia today