Units / ATS1040
ATS1040 · Religions and society
2026 Handbook6 credit pointsLevel 1History
Last checked: 23 Aug 2026 UTCOverview
This unit is a general introduction to the study of religions, spirituality, and belief and non-belief, in the contemporary world. In particular, it introduces a range of theoretical and methodological approaches, and examines some of the pressing intellectual questions that are raised by (and for) religions, spirituality, belief and non-belief. Issues canvassed include: religion and colonisation; religion and environmental degradation; religion, gender and sexuality; religion and spirituality; religious responses to modernity; and religion, secularisation, and non-belief. The future of religions will also be discussed, in the light of the theories and methods introduced in the unit.
Areas of study: Islamic studies Religious studies
Offerings
The Handbook publishes no offerings for this unit.
Assessment
The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.
| # | Assessment | Type | Weight | Hurdle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 Pre-tutorial Moodle quizzes (All students) | Quiz / Test | 15% | — |
| 2 | Expository Exercise (All students) | Exercise | 10% | — |
| 3 | Research Essay (All students) | Written | 30% | — |
| 4 | Tutorial Presentation (on-campus students) | Presentation | 10% | — |
| 5 | Digital Presentation (online students only) | Presentation | 10% | — |
| 6 | Tutorial responses (All students) | Exercise | 5% | — |
| 7 | Final assessment (All students) | Written | 30% | — |
Within semester assessment: 100%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Requisites
The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.
Learning outcomes
- Students who have completed this unit will have an enhanced ability to critically analyse and evaluate the concepts employed in, and the doctrines accepted by, the world's religions, as well as to put forward ideas and arguments of their own in a clear and coherent way. ("Monash Graduates will be critical and creative scholars who apply research skills to a range of challenges, and communicate perceptively and effectively.")
- Students who have completed this unit will have an enhanced knowledge of theories of religion, and of key issues in contemporary studies of religion.
Workload
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.
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