Review of VCE Religion and Society
Summary of proposed changes to the study
design
General changes
The review process for VCE Religion and Society focused on:


improving clarity and consistency and removing ambiguities throughout the study design
updating the study to reflect trends in Australian society and recent academic thought

resolving duplication between Unit 3 Area of study 2 and Unit 4

creating a stronger distinction between Units 1 and 3.
Specific changes
Aspects of religion
The aspects of religion have been broadened to include spaces, places, artefacts and times.
Unit 1
Area of study 1 ‘The religious world’ has been split into two areas of study: ‘Religion through the
ages’ and ‘The nature and purpose of religion’. A study of religions in Australia has been retained.
Some key knowledge points of the current Area of study 3 ‘Religious identity and life experience,’
have been merged into the other areas of study. The opportunity to study new religious
movements and denominations of religious traditions has been integrated into the unit.
Area of study 1 includes a similar outcome to the current study but the key knowledge places
greater emphasis on the roles that religion has played and continues to play in society and the
factors that influence these roles.
Area of study 2 introduces students to the aspects of religion and particular issues concerning the
nature and purpose of religion.
Area of study 3 retains much of the key knowledge from the current Area of study 2 ‘Religious
traditions in Australia’ but now considers key factors that have influenced the religious composition
of Australia over time, as well as the role of religion in providing social infrastructure in Australian
society. Tensions that can occur between members of a religion have been introduced in relation
to the study of collective identity by religious traditions in Australia.
Unit 1: People, Religion and Spirituality
i.
ii.
iii.
Area of Study 1: Religion through the ages
Area of Study 2: The nature and purpose of religion
Area of Study 3: Religions in Australia
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Review of VCE Religion and Society
Unit 2
Area of study 1 retains the current focus on the nature of ethical decision-making.
Area of study 2 retains an examination of the ethical viewpoints, moral judgements, decisionmaking methods and links between at least two religious traditions. The study of philosophical
traditions that have influenced the understanding of ethics of religious traditions is introduced.
Area of study 3 retains a focus on the analysis and evaluation of ethical issues.
Unit 2: Religion and ethics
i.
ii.
iii.
Area of Study 1: Ethical thinking
Area of Study 2: Religion and ethics
Area of Study 3: Ethical issues in society
Unit 3
There are four changes to this Unit:
 The group of religions from which religious tradition/s can be selected for study has been
restricted to Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism.
 The link between the aspects of religion and meaning has been made more explicit.
 Area of study 1 has been split into two areas of study
 Area of study 2 of the current study has been removed, with aspects of the key knowledge
incorporated into Unit 4.
Area of study 1 retains the focus on the nature and purpose of religious beliefs, with expression of
religious beliefs becoming Area of study 2.
In Area of study 2 students study one or more religious beliefs and how they are expressed
through other aspects of religion. They consider the role these aspects play in engendering
meaning.
Area of study 3 retains the focus on life experience and religious belief, but has been nuanced to
consider adherence to belief. The focus is on an individual rather than individual or group, but the
individual can be selected for each religious tradition or denomination studied. The individual can
be a member at the time of the experience or a lapsed member who recommitted as a result of the
experience.
Unit 3: The search for meaning
i.
ii.
iii.
Area of Study 1: Finding meaning
Area of Study 2: Expressing meaning
Area of Study 3: Life experience, religious beliefs and faith
Unit 4
There are four changes for this unit:
 As for Unit 3, Religious tradition/s and denomination/s will be chosen from one or more of the
following traditions: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism.
 Continuity and change have been used to create a narrative for the unit
 One challenge is selected for study, either at a point in time or over a period of time.
 Students study both the stances taken and responses.
Area of study 1 is a general introduction to challenges to religions and the stances adopted by
religions in the face of challenges. This also includes an overview of specific challenges that have
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Review of VCE Religion and Society
been faced by a religious tradition/s or denomination/s from the past to the present and the stances
taken.
Area of study 2 focuses on a particular significant challenge, stances and consequent responses
and the impacts of these responses. The effect on continuity of the challenged aspects is also
considered. The selected challenge can be related to a particular time in the religious tradition/s or
denomination/s past or present, or a challenge which has recurred and is then studied over a
period of time.
Unit 4: Continuity, challenge and change
i.
ii.
Area of Study 1: The impetus for continuity in religion
Area of Study 2: Achieving continuity in religion
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Review of VCE Religion and Society
Outcome statements in some areas of study across Units 1 to 4 have been altered to reflect the
focus of the unit.
Units 1 and 2 Outcome statements
Current Study Outcome
Consultation Draft Outcome
Unit 1
Unit 1
Outcome 1
Explain the role of religion in society.
Outcome 1
Identify and discuss the roles that religion has
played and continues to play in society.
Outcome 2
Explain the expression of collective
identity of particular religious traditions in
Australia, and the interaction of these
traditions with other religious traditions and
wider society.
Outcome 2
Explain the aspects of religion and discuss the
nature and purpose of religion.
Outcome 3
Recognise and discuss the interplay
between the identity of members, as
individuals or as specific communities, and
their religious tradition.
Outcome 3
Discuss the presence of religions in Australia,
past and present.
Current Study Outcome
Consultation Draft Outcome
Unit 2
Outcome 1
Explain ethical decision-making in pluralist
society.
Unit 2
Outcome 1
Explain ethical decision-making in societies
where multiple world views coexist.
Outcome 2
Explain the ethical perspectives and moral
viewpoints upheld by at least two religious
traditions in pluralist society.
Outcome 2
Explain the ethical viewpoints and moral
judgements of at least two religious traditions
and the philosophical traditions which have
influenced them in societies in which multiple
worldviews coexist.
Outcome 3
Analyse and evaluate two or more debates on
contemporary ethical issues in pluralist society.
Outcome 3
Analyse and evaluate two or more debates on
ethical issues in societies in which multiple
world views exist.
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Review of VCE Religion and Society
Unit 3 Outcome Statements and Assessment
Current Study Outcome
Consultation Draft Outcome
Outcome 1
Explain the nature, purpose and
expression of religious beliefs
generally and for one or more than
one religious tradition.
Outcome 1
Outcome 2
Analyse the maintenance of
religious beliefs for continuity in
religious traditions.
Outcome 2
Explain how the expression of
beliefs in other aspects of religion is
intended to foster meaning for
adherents.
Outcome 3
Explain and draw conclusions about
the interplay between religious
beliefs and significant life
experiences.
Outcome 3
Discuss the interplay between
religion and significant life
experience.
Marks
Assessment tasks
allocated
40
Define the purpose of religion, and
explain the nature of religious
beliefs and their intended meaning
for adherents.
Total marks
30
For each outcome, one task
selected from the following:
Report
Essay
Case study
Analytical exercises
Structured questions
Extended responses
30
100
*School-assessed Coursework for Unit 3 contributes 25 per cent
Unit 4 Outcome Statements and assessments
Current Study Outcome
Consultation Draft Outcome
Outcome 1
Analyse how one or more than one
religious tradition responded to a
significant historical internal or
external challenge, and evaluate
the outcome for the religious
tradition/s.
Outcome 1
Outcome 2
Analyse the interplay between
religious beliefs and their
developed vision of religious
tradition/s for society in response to
contemporary challenge.
Outcome 2
Analyse how a religious tradition/s
or denomination/s has achieved
continuity in response to a
significant challenge, and analyse
the outcome for the religious
tradition/s or denomination/s and its
relationship with society.
Assessment tasks
40
Discuss the drive for continuity in,
and stances taken by, religion as it
is challenged.
Total marks
*School-assessed Coursework for Unit 4 contributes 25 per cent
© VCAA August 2015
Marks
allocated
Page 5
60
100
For each outcome one task
selected from the following:
Report
Essay
Case study
Analytical exercises
Structured questions
Extended responses.