Unit rationale, description and aim
Contemporary religious trends across the globe are rapidly changing. Although science and religion are sometimes seen as mutually exclusive disciplines, the psychology of religion plays a vital role in the formation of communities and the interaction of cultures - therefore understanding the psychological components of religion is necessary to fully understand human functioning and behaviour. In this unit students will learn about the scientific study of religion using psychological theories and methods. The aim of this unit is to explore how religious beliefs and practices are acquired and modified, and the role they play in an individual's life.
Campus offering
No unit offerings are currently available for this unit.Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Discuss current issues in the psychology and cogni...
Learning Outcome 01
Describe and evaluate research methods used in the...
Learning Outcome 02
Critically evaluate and discuss different psycholo...
Learning Outcome 03
Apply psychological models to the study of religio...
Learning Outcome 04
Apply this knowledge of religion and spirituality ...
Learning Outcome 05
Content
Topics will include:
- History of the Psychological Study of Religion and Spirituality
- Major Theorists and Approaches of the 20th Century
- Biological and Evolutionary Aspects of Religion and Spirituality
- The Cognitive Science and the Neuroscience of Religion and Religious Experience
- Religious and Spiritual development in Childhood, Adolescence, and Adulthood
- Attachment to God – Attachment Styles and Religion
- The Nature and Patterns of Spiritual Transformation and Conversion
- The Relationship of Religion and Spirituality to Moral and Altruistic Behavior
- The Psychology of Religious Coping and Psychotherapy
- Religion and Spirituality in Aging and Death
- Religion in the Context of Culture
- Issues Creating Conflict between Culture and Religion
Assessment strategy and rationale
In order to successfully complete this unit, students will need to complete and submit all of the assessment tasks listed in the table below. In addition to this, students must obtain an aggregate mark of at least 50% to pass the unit.
In order to best enable students to demonstrate unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes, standards-based assessment is utilised, consistent with University assessment requirements. A range of assessment strategies are used including: a learning portfolio which is designed to scaffold students’ understanding and application of the content of the unit; a theoretical paper to demonstrate students’ ability to discuss and consolidate research literature; and a research presentation and paper to demonstrate students’ ability to interpret and discuss research findings, and to consolidate and apply the content covered in the unit.
Overview of assessments
Assessment Task 1 Learning Portfolio The portfo...
Assessment Task 1
Learning Portfolio
The portfolio contains a variety of questions which allow students to demonstrate the progression of knowledge across the semester. It has been designed to scaffold students' understanding and application of the content of the unit
35%
Assessment Task 2 Theoretical Paper Students are ...
Assessment Task 2
Theoretical Paper
Students are to demonstrate their skill in locating and evaluating scholarly research and applying the APA referencing system to written work.
25%
Assessment Task 3 Research Paper and Presentation...
Assessment Task 3
Research Paper and Presentation
Students will prepare an APA style research paper to demonstrate their ability to discuss and consolidate research literature, to develop hypotheses and logical argument, to provide a description of the methodology of a study, and to interpret and discuss research findings. Students will give a presentation of the research paper, in the style of a brief conference presentation.
40%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit has the equivalent of three contact hours per week over twelve weeks which involves lectures and tutorials. This mode of delivery is designed to enhance discussion and engagement in the content covered in the unit. The lectures are to aid students with the acquisition and understanding of knowledge while the tutorials are designed to enhance application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation of that knowledge. To assist students in their self-directed learning, other learning resources are utilized including: online quizzes and activities; online forums; and lecture recordings.