WORLD RELIGIONS

INTRODUCTION

 

The study should involve imaginative, personal and critical evaluation combined with disciplined and adequate research. Use the language and concepts from within a religious tradition to examine and elucidate its beliefs, values and practices. Any kind of Reductionist approach that tries to explain religious phenomena by reducing them to the language and practices of either another religion, or the secular framework of psychology, sociology or history, for example is avoided. However, these Reductionists approaches may themselves be a topic for study.

 

With world religions the concern is not just with what the followers of a faith believe and do, but also with an understanding of why they do so, through an understanding of the form of life and world outlook which they constitute.

 

World religions must include critical evauations of, and frequent reflections upon, the meanings of religious beliefs in terms of their impact upon the lives, outlook and behaviour of the community of believers. So, for example, questions such as Was Mohammed the messenger of God?, or Did Jesus bar Joseph rise from the dead? are inappropriate.

 

Comparisons between aspects of two or more different religions are permissible, but candidates must take great care to ensure that the comparisons are on the one hand genuine, clear and specific, and on the other, a manifestation of sensitive and objective analysis. Comparison in religious studies means the comparing of ideas and practices, not the making of value judgements such as 'buddhist meditation is more effective than Christian prayer'. It is essential that the candidates demonstrate a clear, sensitive understanding. They should avoid explaining and evaluating one religion's belief and practices either in terms of those of another religion, or those of history, economics, sociology, and so on. The wider implications of, and connections between issues should be identified and explored.

 

The use of materials such as drawings, pictures and photographs should be encouraged where they appropriately illustrate the discussion/argument.

 

CHOICE OF TOPIC

 

Any of the world's religions, present or past, are acceptable, provided the issues discussed fall within the field of World religions. Interdisciplinary topics should be avoided. You should not write an essay of a confessional, evangelising, apologetic or purely descriptive nature. Students should always be aware of the rigorous objectivity when dealing with the truth claims of beliefs (or religions).

 

The following examples are meant for guidance only.

 

The role of creation myths in Maori religion is better than Mythology or Creation Myths.

 

Sufism: an alternative vision of Islam in comtemporary Britian is better than Misticism in Islam.

 

Is the Mormon church Christian? An examination of Mormon Baptism is better than Mormonism.

 

The changing face of Buddhist worship: an exploration of worship in contemporary Western orders is better than Buddhist worship.

 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

 

J	To what extent does the candidate achieve a balance between descriptive/narrative material and analytical material?
Achievement Level
0	Analysis of the descriptive/narrative material is entirely absent.
1	There is barely adequate analysis of descriptive/narrative material.
2	A fairly thorough analysis of the descriptive/narrative material has been attempted.
3	There is a thorough and extensive analysis of the descriptive/narrative material.

K	To what extent does the candidate treat the World religions topic objectively?
Achievement Level
0	Objectivity in the treatment of the topic is entirely absent.
1	There are infrequent signs of objectivity in the treatment of the topic.
2	There is an adequate degree of objectivity achieved in the treatment of the topic.
3	A very high degree of objectivity has been achieved in the treatment of the topic.

L	To what extent does the candidate show an awareness and understanding of the World Religions topic?
Achievement Level
0	Awareness and understanding of the topic are entirely absent.
1	There are infrequent signs of awareness and understanding of the topic.
2	Awareness and understanding of the topic are adequate.
3	There is a thorough and extensive awareness and understanding of the topic.

M	To what extent does the candidate manifest sensitivity in the treatment of the World Religions topic?
Achievement Level
0	Sensitivity in the treatment is entirely absent.
1	There are infrequent signs of sensitivity in the treatment of the topic.
2	There is adequate sensitivity in the treatment of the topic.
3	There is a very high degree of sensitivity in the treatment of the topic.

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