TRS5742 - Rites, Rituals and Religious Quests

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
a sympathetic understanding of ritual practices in the study of religions;
a critical understanding of the links between religious communities and their worship practices;
an ability to apply different theoretical approaches to religious behaviours and practices and to evaluate their relative merits;
an ability to independently research religious behaviours and practices using appropriate resources.

Content:

This module explores the variety of ways in which participants engage in religious traditions (mainly Christian, Jewish, Hindu, and Buddhist). Students will explore the following key themes (indicative examples are added below, but students may identify and select appropriate examples of their own):

- rites of passage (initiation, marriage, burial);
- pilgrimage & sacred sites;
- prayer and worship (Eucharist, mantra, liturgy);
- mysticism.

Religious traditions will be opened by exploring the living forms of a range of religions through investigation of collective religious behaviours, such as prayer and pilgrimage, and can include different mystical and shamanistic traditions.

Religious traditions will be opened by exploring the living forms of various religions through investigation of collective religious behaviours, such as prayer and pilgrimage, and can include different mystical and shamanistic traditions.

Learning and Teaching Information:

This module will be taught in 9, 2 x 2-hour weekly sessions, which will include both lecture-style presentations and student-led seminars. Students are expected to participate fully by preparing the reading, contributing to class discussion, and by taking the lead on introducing topics and reading for seminars. This will support the development of their presentation skills, as a public presentation is required for component 1 of the assessment. As component 2 is negotiated, research skills and essay development will form part of the class time. If possible and where appropriate, site visits will be included to support learning.

Seminars
Hours: 36

Guided independent study
Hours: 164

Further details relating to assessment
Both assessments must include academic discussion of the topic, but address the phenomena discussed from different perspectives.

Assessment 1: Presentations can be done individually or in pairs and will address the learning outcomes through consideration of pilgrimage and places.

Assessment 2: The essay will address the learning outcomes through consideration of rites, rituals and worship practices.

Students may also negotiate their assessment topic with the lecturer.

Assessment:

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Patricia Kelly
Level - 5
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered -

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