Australian Spirituality (DS9035W)

Postgraduate, 24.0 points

Content

This unit will examine the ways in which spiritual yearning manifests itself in contemporary Australian culture. There will be particular focus upon signs of spirituality as they are revealed in the arts, Indigenous culture, volunteerism and the interpretations of religious experience in daily life. Students will examine the ways in which spirituality finds expression in a multicultural, multi-faith context. The unit will also examine some of the reasons for the decline in formal religious life whilst grappling with the reasons why spirituality is largely ignored by the secular mainstream.

Unit code: DS9035W

Unit status: Approved (New unit)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Spirituality

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Whitley College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Demonstrate an understanding of the nature and role of spirituality in Australian society
2.

Identify and analyse the role and nature of spirituality in Indigenous Australian cultures
3.

Critically reflect on the tension between indigenous cultures and non-indigenous cultures, based on sacred and secular assumptions and values
4.

Critically consider the process and history of secularisation in Australia and its impact on Christianity and other religions
5.

Demonstrate a critical understanding of the inter-relationship between emerging spiritualities and the multicultural and multi-faith complexity of Australian society.

Unit sequence

This unit may be taken within a post-graduate award. Students will have completed at least one foundational unit of study.

Pedagogy

Lectures, seminars and group discussion

Indicative Bibliography

  • Bouma, G., Australian Soul: Religion and Spirituality in the 21st Century (Melbourne: Cambridge University Press, 2006).
  • Grieves, V., Aboriginal Spirituality: Aboriginal Philosophy: The Basis of Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing (Darwin: Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health, 2009).
  • Hudson, W Australian Religious Thought (Melbourne: Monash University Publishing, 2016).
  • Lohrey, A., A Short History of Richard Kline (Melbourne: Black Inc., 2016).
  • Mackay, H., Beyond Belief: How we find meaning, with or without religion. (Sydney: MacMillan Press, 2016).
  • Paranjape, M. ed., Sacred Australia: Post-Secular Considerations (Melbourne: Clouds of Magellan, 2009).
  • Stanner, W. E. H., ed. Robert Manne, The Dreaming and Other Essays (Melbourne: Black Inc, 2009).
  • Tacey, D. Re-Enchantment: The New Australian Spirituality (Sydney: HarperCollins, 2000).

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

Essay 5500 words

 5500 75.0
Essay

Book Review 2500 words

 2500 25.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 30 Sep, 2019

Unit record last updated: 2019-11-13 09:07:58 +1100