THEOREL 208 : Special Topic in Theological and Religious Studies

Arts

2022 Semester Two (1225) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Study of a particular theme, religious tradition or set of texts from within the discipline of Theological and Religious Studies.

Course Overview

Religion and Religious Identity in the State of Israel
In this course we will examine the role of religion and religious practice in Israeli society. We will explore religious beliefs and institutions and attempt to make sense of Israeli and Jewish cultural systems. Following in the footsteps of the anthropologist, Clifford Geertz, we will examine clusters of symbols that represent values, ideas and lifestyles. We will discover how religious traditions have impacted social and political institutions such as the courts, education ministry and local economy. Students will take part in a weekly debate on topics such as Jewish identity, state versus religion, ethnicity, and education. We will examine religious values that gave birth to the evolution of a new religious fundamentalism in Israel and try and place Zionism and Messianic movements within Israeli politics.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: 30 points at Stage I from BA Schedule Restriction: THEOREL 308

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Arts

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical perspectives, methods and data used by anthropologists and religious scholars (Capability 1.1)
  2. Critically evaluate how that perspective can be applied to a range of issues to do with religious identity in Israel, New Zealand and around the world (Capability 2.1)
  3. Conduct research on topics to do with Religion and religious identity (Capability 3.2)
  4. Write coherently about topics to do with religion and religious identity (Capability 4.1)
  5. Improve general academic debating and presentation skills (Capability 4.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Discussions 30% Individual Coursework
Presentation 30% Group & Individual Coursework
Essay 40% Individual Coursework

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

Each week, you can expect 2 hours of lectures, 1 hour workshop, and 7 hours of reading and writing about the content per week.

On-line discussion weekly (500-700 words) 

Presentation (800 words)

Research essay (2000 words)

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

This course is not available for delivery to students studying remotely outside NZ in 2022.

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including tutorials to complete components of the course.

Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials will not be available as recordings.

The course will include live online events including tutorials.

Attendance on campus is not required for the test/exam.

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894, which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 09/11/2021 08:03 a.m.