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Unit of study_

RLST2641: Myth, Method, Worldviews

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The academic study of religion with its distinctive history of scholarship and profile is presented through the study of core topics of contemporary interest. An essential theme is the study of myth from which engaging examples will be utilised in order to introduce foundational issues of method, theory and worldview appropriate to the discipline. Key research skills will be trialled through assessment tasks.

Unit details and rules

Unit code RLST2641
Academic unit Studies in Religion
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 1000 level in the Studies in Religion
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Iain Gardner, iain.gardner@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Ray Radford, raymond.radford@sydney.edu.au
Christopher Humphrey Hartney, christopher.hartney@sydney.edu.au
Jay Johnston, jay.johnston@sydney.edu.au
Carole Cusack, carole.cusack@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation Participation
Engagement and Preparation for class
10% Ongoing 1000 wd equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3
Assignment Essay
A choice of research essay questions will be provided
40% STUVAC
Due date: 02 Jun 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 16 Jun 2023
2000 wd
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Assignment Early Feedback
Reflection and Critical Evaluation of Learning Outcomes
20% Week 04
Due date: 17 Mar 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 31 Mar 2023
1000 wd
Outcomes assessed: LO3
Assignment Annotated Bibliography
Research bibliography and critical evaluation
30% Week 09
Due date: 28 Apr 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 12 May 2023
1500 wd
Outcomes assessed: LO2

Assessment summary

Write research essay

Annotated Bibliography

Early Feedback

Student Participation

Detailed Information for each Assessment can be found on Canvas

Assessment criteria

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Learning outcomes demonstrated at an exceptional standard

Distinction

75 - 84

Learning outcomes demonstrated at a very high standard

Credit

65 - 74

Learning outcomes demonstrated at a good standard

Pass

50 - 64

Learning outcomes demonstrated at an acceptable standard

Fail

0 - 49

When you do not meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory 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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

As per standard assessment procedures

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 myth Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 02 Gods and Their Enemies Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 03 Mythologies of Death and the Afterlife Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 04 Stone: Aniconism and Agency Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 05 Animal: Symbol, Sign and Spirit Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 06 Jade: Popular East Asian myth and visions of Anti-Colonial Heaven in Vietnam Block teaching (3 hr) LO3
Week 07 Self: The mythic Struggle of the Hyper Individual in the late Twentieth century ideas of the Secular Block teaching (3 hr) LO3
Week 08 Modernity Block teaching (3 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 09 Conspiracies Block teaching (3 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 10 Contemporary Mythology Block teaching (3 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 11 Do androids create Electric Myths (Online and video games) Block teaching (3 hr) LO3
Week 12 Future of Myth Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 13 Wrapping up Block teaching (3 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance and participation requirements as per Coursework policy

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

A full list of readings will be found on Canvas

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. Outline the history, concerns and practices of the academic study of religion
  • LO2. Practise core research skills appropriate to the discipline
  • LO3. Discuss diverse theoretical approaches to the study of myth

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 is the first time this unit has been offered

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.