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Unit of study_
RLST3608: Apocalyptic Leadership and Cosmic War
2026 unit information
This unit introduces students to the specialised field that explores the relationships between religion and violence. Topics will include the examination of religious motivations for groups and individuals to commit violence and how to assess and consider improving responses from secular and religious authorities to it. A particular focus will be placed on the role of charismatic leadership in religious innovation and how and why this may mutate into social deviancy. Concepts of conspiracy and cosmic war will be addressed as we consider their contribution to violent motivation. Students will be encouraged to develop their own research project to examine these and other crucial themes.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Arts and Social Sciences
| Study level | Undergraduate |
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| Academic unit | Studies in Religion |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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12 credit points at 2000 level in Studies in Religion |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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RLST2620 |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. apply discipline theories to the study of violence
- LO2. comprehend the difficulties and pitfalls of examining and discoursing on difficult areas of contention within the field of the study of religion and of violence
- LO3. demonstrate effective strategies for examining cross-cultural issues as they relate to violence
- LO4. identify interdisciplinary approaches to examine the intersections of religion and violence
- LO5. examine pathways through traumatic study material
- LO6. reflect upon your own agency in relation to violence and religion.
Unit availability
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The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
There are no availabilities for this year.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 2 2026
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Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
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