Offering Information
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Course Team
Mark Butlin
Marthy Watson
Summary
Exploring Good and Evil (Cults and Sects) provides an overview of some of the more popular or notorious cults and sects throughout contemporary society. This course presents an analysis of religious and spiritual ideas held by members of those groups. It provides an introduction into contemporary culture as well as … For more content click the Read More button below.
SynopsisIn the last 100 years, and especially since the 1960’s, the increase in new religions, cults and faiths has been enormous. Many of the followers are in their teens or early twenties. But they also come from all ages and backgrounds. In the contemporary world, religion has a significant influence on individuals and societies across the globe, informing significant global events, as well as the everyday detail of people’s lives. An understanding of some of the major cults and sects in our society is important in understanding other people’s psyche and cultures. These movements are studied in such a way that students acquire a sense of what it is like to belong to a particular belief system and how that influences the way in which the followers of that movement understand the world, act in it, and relate and respond to others.
Requisites
Course Pre-requisites
Other Requirements
Other
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, graduates will be able to:
1.
Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of relevant spiritual and religious concepts and theories;
2.
Demonstrate a broad familiarity with key concepts and ideas across a variety of cults and sects;
3.
Understand religious movements as lived by diverse people by considering their history, particular practices, individual beliefs, their understanding of the world and where the movement fits within that world;
4.
Demonstrate appropriate cognitive, literacy and communication skills, including spelling, grammar, punctuation and bibliographic referencing
Topics
1. Introduction to Good v Evil2. Contemporary Culture, Society and Spirituality3. Introduction to Cults and Sects4. Major Sects5. Common Cults6. Other Cults not so well known7. Comparative Analysis8. Conclusion
Assessments
Assessment due dates (as listed in Week Due) are indicative until finalised by the end of Week 1 for each Study Period (Offering). After Week 1, Assessment due dates may change with the approval of the Dean (Academic) or Delegate in limited circumstances. All Assessment due date changes approved after Week 1 will be communicated to students accordingly via Handbook and StudyDesk.