Lived Religion in an Uncertain World (ANTH30003)

Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

You’re viewing the 2023 Handbook:
Or view archived Handbooks
You’re currently viewing the 2023 version of this subject
Undergraduate programs will be delivered on campus. Graduate programs will mainly be delivered on campus, with dual-delivery and online options available to a select number of subjects within some programs.
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.

Overview

Availability
Semester 2
FeesLook up fees

What is religion? What purpose does it serve? How does it vary across cultures? Can you have religion without god(s)? Why is it growing rapidly in many parts of the world despite predictions of its inevitable decline? Are new forms of faith emerging to replace the old forms? In this subject, we explore the symbolic systems and ritual practices that help us all make sense of our place in the social world, the political order, the environment, and the cosmos. Drawing on classic and contemporary anthropological approaches to religion, we ask new questions about the ancient and novel religious traditions that seem to be flourishing in the uncertain world of the early twenty-first century. The subject involves interactive lectures and small group discussions. Assessments offer students the chance to learn from and with peers; to practice the art of writing concise, engaging, research-based analysis aimed at a broad readership; and to undertake hands-on ethnographic observation of religious practice.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject students should:



  • have an advanced understanding of the key concepts and theoretical debates that have shaped the anthropological study of religion;
  • have a clear sense of how those debates have shifted over time;
  • be sensitive to the broad range of perspectives that anthropologists bring to bear on religious phenomena (psychoanalytic, structural-functional, symbolic, socio-economic);
  • have an appreciation of the diverse manifestations of religious thought and practice in ethnographic settings as diverse as Africa, South America, North America, and Asia;
  • have developed an interdisciplinary and comparative perspective on religious phenomena that allows for in-depth analysis of contemporary religious practices;
  • be able to communicate in a variety of written and oral formats and to collaborate effectively in groups with people whose disciplinary and cultural backgrounds may differ from their own;
  • gain a broad understanding of anthropological approaches to religion;
  • build more in-depth knowledge of a particular religious tradition in its historical and contemporary diversity;
  • practice skills of ethnographic observation and writing;
  • practice writing clearly and concisely for a broadly educated non-specialist audience;
  • be able to orally summarise, critique, and reflect on the significance of anthropological research in small and large group settings;
  • provide constructive commentary on peer's research and writing;
  • establish good habits of reading and research through regular reflection.

Last updated: 14 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

ANTH30003 The Human Cosmos

ANTH30003 Myth, Ritual and Performance

Recommended background knowledge

Knowledge gained in completing any one of the following subjects is recommended but not required.

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
ANTH10001 Anthropology: Studying Self and Other
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
ANTH20012 Self, Culture and Society
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
ANTH20014 The Secret Life of Students No longer available

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 14 March 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Ethnographic observation (Peer feedback will be received by week 6)

  • 800 words
Week 520%

Article - First submission (This submission will not be marked; instructor feedback will be received by Week 10)

  • 1100 words
Hurdle requirement: Hurdle requirement: For the purposes of meeting this hurdle requirement, each submitted assessment must be complete and constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task. Submitting only part of an assessment (e.g. only the title page) or an assessment on an irrelevant topic will not meet this hurdle requirement.		Week 80%

Article - Revised article (This submission will be marked by rubric; minimal feedback will be provided)

  • 900 words
During the examination period50%

Self-assessed Weekly reflections (Approximately 200 words per week for a minimum of 8 of the 12 weeks)

  • 1600 words (equivalent)
During the teaching period30%
Hurdle requirement: Attendance at 75% of seminars.Throughout the teaching periodN/A

Additional details

Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.

Last updated: 14 March 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 2
    CoordinatorDebra McDougall
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours30 Contact hours - 1 x 2.5 hour seminar over 12 weeks
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period24 July 2023 to 22 October 2023
    Last self-enrol date 4 August 2023
    Census date31 August 2023
    Last date to withdraw without fail22 September 2023
    Assessment period ends17 November 2023

    Semester 2 contact information

    debra.mcdougall@unimelb.edu.au

Time commitment details

170 hours

Last updated: 14 March 2025

Further information

Last updated: 14 March 2025