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Unit of study_

PACS6917: Religion, War and Peace

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Religion is frequently blamed as the cause of violent conflict and yet peace and nonviolence are considered central to most if not all religions. In this unit we examine historical and contemporary case studies to deepen our understanding of how religion may be used to promote violence and how religion and religious actors can contribute to building peace and social justice. Students will gain an understanding of different religious traditions and build an appreciation of the issues involved in working with diverse faith communities in the pursuit of peaceful conflict transformation.

Unit details and rules

Unit code PACS6917
Academic unit
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Wendy Lambourne, wendy.lambourne@sydney.edu.au
Guest lecturer(s) Lydia Gitau, lydia.gitau@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Eyal Mayroz, eyal.mayroz@sydney.edu.au
Vivianna Rodriguez Carreon, vivianna.rodriguezcarreon@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Final essay
Essay
55% Formal exam period
Due date: 10 Jun 2022 at 23:59
3500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Short assignment
Short essay
25% Mid-semester break
Due date: 22 Apr 2022 at 23:59
1800 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Participation Class participation
Class participation
10% Ongoing Ongoing
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Essay plan
Essay plan
10% Week 12
Due date: 18 May 2022 at 23:59
700 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

Participation in class discussions and evidence of reading will comprise 10% of the assessment for the unit. Ongoing reading is essential for understanding and contributing to weekly class discussions, as well as in preparation for completion of assignments.

Short Assignment – choose one religion as a focus to write a short essay exploring the underlying factors that combine to explain religious violence in a particular context.

Final Essay – research and write a scholarly essay analysing the role of religion in a particular conflict and/or the contribution of faith-based actors to building peace and social justice.

Assessment criteria

85-100%       High Distinction       work of an exceptional standard

75-84%         Distinction               work of a superior standard

65-74%         Credit                     competent or highly competent work

50-64%         Pass                       work of acceptable or satisfactory standard

0-49%          Fail                         work that fails to meet the learning outcomes of the unit to an acceptable standard

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to Religion, War and Peace Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 02 Tradition: Dogma and Discipline Seminar (2 hr) LO3
Week 03 From Christ to the Crusades and Just War Theory Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Sectarian Violence and the Troubles in Northern Ireland Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 05 War and Peace in Judaism Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Islam, the Abode of Peace and the War on Terror Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 War and Peace in Hinduism Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 08 Buddhism, Peace and Violence Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 09 Pacifism and the Peace Churches Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Faith-Based Peacebuilding and Nonviolent Activism Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6
Week 11 Forgiveness and Reconciliation as Paths to Peace Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Spirituality and the Essence of Peace Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Conclusion: Towards Peaceful Religions Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

Students are required to attend at least 80% of classes and to participate in live zoom or on campus sessions. If students are unable to attend any live zoom or on campus classes then they will be expected to contribute to the online discussion board for that week's session.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Required and recommended readings will be listed for each module on Canvas. Students are expected to complete required readings before each class. Recommended readings are provided for student interest to follow up and/or to support the completion of assignments. 

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Appreciate the role and significance of religion in influencing patterns of war and violence and the means of pursuing peace and nonviolence
  • LO2. Understand the sources and structures of war and peace traditions in the major global religions
  • LO3. Understand how different factors combine to promote religious violence
  • LO4. Appreciate the role of religion in determining the moral and ethical dimensions of war and peace
  • LO5. Appreciate the peacemaking potential of religion in theory and practice
  • LO6. Understand the contribution of faith-based actors to building peace and social justice

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This unit has been redesigned to focus on more contemporary issues since it was last taught 4 years ago.

Work, health and safety

Students who attend classes on campus are reminded to consult and follow relevant Health and Safety guidelines in relation to COVID-19, including the wearing of masks and social distancing. Students who are feeling unwell should stay home and instead attend classes live on zoom and/or listen to recorded lectures.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.