STUDIES OF RELIGION FOCUS DAY 2015
RELIGION AND PEACE
The Syllabus
22 indicative hours
The focus of this study is the distinctive response of religious traditions to the issue of
peace.
Outcomes
A student:
H1
explains aspects of religion and belief systems
H2
describes and analyses the influence of religion and belief systems on individuals and
society
H3
examines the influence and expression of religion and belief systems in Australia
H4
describes and analyses how aspects of religious traditions are expressed by their
adherents
H5
evaluates the influence of religious traditions in the life of adherents
H6
organises, analyses and synthesises relevant information about religion from a variety of
sources, considering usefulness, validity and bias
H7
conducts effective research about religion and evaluates the findings from the research
H8
applies appropriate terminology and concepts related to religion and belief systems
H9
coherently and effectively communicates complex information, ideas and issues using
appropriate written, oral and graphic forms.
Content
The whole study is to be completed within the same TWO religious traditions.
Students learn about:
Students learn to:
The understanding of peace in TWO
religious traditions

peace expressed through sacred
texts for TWO religious traditions
drawn from:
– Buddhism – Sutta Pitaka,
Dhammapada
– Christianity – the New Testament
– Hinduism – Bhagavad Gita
– Islam – Qur’an and Hadith
– Judaism – the Prophetic vision of
peace on Earth



investigate the understanding of peace
and how it is informed through significant
writings within sacred texts for TWO
religious traditions drawn from:
– Buddhism – Sutta Pitaka,
Dhammapada
– Christianity – the New Testament
– Hinduism – Bhagavad Gita
– Islam – Qur’an and Hadith
– Judaism - the Prophetic vision of
peace on Earth
principal teachings about peace in
TWO religious traditions

outline the principal teachings about
peace in TWO religious traditions
the contribution of TWO religious
traditions to peace in the context of:

demonstrate how TWO religious
traditions guide the individual in
achieving inner peace

discuss how TWO religious traditions are
contributing to world peace
–
–
the individual – means of
achieving inner peace
the world – means of achieving
world peace
Taken from the BOSTES, Studies of Religion Syllabus Document
Attacking the Question
 Task or instructional words
 Words that relate to the subject area being studied
or topic words
 The limiting words
THINKING LAB
1.
Unpacking the Question
Section IV
(20 marks)
Allow about 35 minutes for this question.
In your answer you will be assessed on how well you:

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding relevant to the question

Incorporate significant aspects of religion to illustrate your answer

Communicate using language and terminology appropriate to the study of
religion

Present ideas clearly in a cohesive response
Question 1 (20 marks)
I call on religious communities, religious leaders and people of faith to confront hostility
… to reaffirm our common humanity, and to pave the way for greater tolerance and
solidarity among all groups … Together, we can realise the enormous potential of
religions to foster true peace.
BAN KI-MOON
United Nations Secretary-General
Religions for Peace World Assembly, 20 November 2013
With reference to the above statement, discuss how the principal teachings of ONE
religious tradition contribute to the achievement of world peace.
2014 BOSTES Studies of Religion 2 unit Examination Paper
2.
Mind map – what thoughts and ideas come to mind?
3.
How does this question fit the syllabus?
4.
Write a thesis statement in response to the question
Sample Response
5.
Write paragraphs – about what?
6.
Paragraphs
IDEA
Topic Sentence
Elaboration
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Evidence
Analysis
Link
 You will need more than one piece of evidence per paragraph so you
need to repeat the evidence and analysis process
 Don’t forget to link back to the question/thesis at the end of each
paragraph
Sample Paragraph
7.
Conclusion
Marking Guidelines
Section IV – Religion and Peace (Studies of Religion II only)
Candidates showed strength in these areas:

discussing how the ‘founders’ of religious traditions can be models for emulating peace

using sacred texts and writings to illustrate a religious understanding of peace

applying terminology specifically related to Religion and Peace.
Candidates need to improve in these areas:

using current examples

refraining from including ‘secular’ applications to world peace

recognising the distinction within a religious tradition between ‘principal beliefs’ and the teachings about peace

making appropriate and integrated use of a stimulus when it is provided.
Taken from BOSTES Marking Guidelines & Notes from the Marking Centre, SOR II Unit 2014
NOTETAKING
Organise your notes to reflect the syllabus and support your answering of questions.
Religious Tradition ______________________________
Evidence from Sacred
Texts
Understandings/Principal
teachings
Contribution to Inner Peace
Examples
Religious Tradition ______________________________
Evidence from Sacred
Texts
Understandings/Principal
teachings
Contribution to World Peace
Examples
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