Review of VCE Texts and Traditions
Summary of proposed changes to the study
design
General changes
The minor review of VCE Texts and Traditions focused on:

Improving clarity and consistency and removing ambiguities throughout the study design

Accommodating the different approaches of each of the Abrahamic traditions when using
the exegetical methods of sociocultural criticism and literary criticism, particularly in
relation to Unit 3 Outcome 3 and Unit 4 Outcome 1.
Specific changes
Unit 1
The unit overview has been updated to include a definition of exegesis.
Area of Study 2 has been updated to broaden the cultural background of the text to
sociocultural, defined for this area of study as social, cultural and religious. The comparison
with similar literary narratives has been broadened to a comparison of similar literary texts.
Area of Study 3 has been updated to require the study of relevant scholarly commentaries
rather than debate. Commentaries can include but are not limited to discussion and debate.
Unit 1: Texts in traditions
i.
ii.
iii.
Area of Study 1: Exploring literary forms
Area of Study 2:Tthe formation and exegesis of text
Area of Study 3: Later uses and interpretations of sacred texts
Unit 2
Unit 2 now refers to ‘issues’ rather than ‘themes’ in order to distinguish this unit more clearly
from the specific meaning given to themes in Units 3 and 4.
Outcome 2 has been extended to include how the sacred texts have impact on society
today, to capture the demands of the area of study more fully. The key knowledge has been
updated to consider the type of authority currently attributed to a sacred text not only by a
tradition, but by society in general. It has now been made clear that social issues studied can
be sourced from within or beyond the tradition and the focus has been sharpened to society
today.
Unit 2: Texts in society
i.
Area of Study 1: Sacred texts in the past
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Review of VCE <Study>
ii.
iii.
Area of Study 2: Sacred texts today
Area of Study 3: Comparing religious traditions
Unit 3
In Unit 3, the references in the study design to a range of literary aspects have been
amended by using the term literary criticism. Sociocultural context has been defined to
include social, cultural, religious and political conditions, institutions and world views
important to the development of the religious tradition for area of study 1 and with historical
conditions added for Areas of Study 2 and 3. In Area of Study 1 the historical is treated
separately from sociocultural context.
In Area of Study 2 the term literary aspects now encompasses literary forms, structures and
techniques as well as issues involving the purpose, authorship and intended audience of the
set text.
Reducing the complexity of ‘nature of and challenges to exegetical method’ in Unit 3
Outcome 3.
Unit 3 Area of Study 3 a key knowledge and key skill point has been amended to analysing
and explaining the nature of exegetical method in general and at least two exegetical
methods – sociocultural criticism and literary criticism. Students will no longer study
challenges to exegetical method.
Unit 3: Texts and the early tradition
i.
ii.
iii.
Area of Study 1: The background of the tradition
Area of Study 2: Thematic and literary aspects of set texts
Area of Study 3: Interpreting texts – Exegesis (Part 1)
Unit 4
Unit 4 Area of Study 1 key knowledge has been updated to define sociocultural context as
the social, cultural, religious, political and historical conditions, institutions and world views
within which the text developed. The key knowledge has been amended to create a stem
‘the contextual placement of the passages for special study, including as appropriate to the
tradition:’ followed by a series of key knowledge sub points related to different characteristics
of context.
Unit 4 Area of Study 2 has been amended from a study of a ‘social’ theme’ to a study of any
theme, as one of the focus areas that can be selected for study.
Unit 4: Texts and their teachings
i.
ii.
Area of Study 1: Interpreting texts – Exegesis (Part 2)
Area of Study 2: Religious ideas, beliefs and themes
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Assessment
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 Statements
Consultation Draft Outcome Statements
Unit 1
Unit 1
Area of Study 1
Recognise and explain different literary forms and
analyse their role within a tradition’s scriptures.
Area of Study 1
Recognise and explain different literary forms and
analyse their role within a tradition’s scriptures.
Area of Study 2
Apply basic exegetical methods against the cultural
background in which the texts are located.
Area of Study 2
Apply basic exegetical methods against the background
in which the texts are located.
Area of Study 3
Discuss understandings and interpretations of
sacred text.
Area of Study 3
Discuss a range of understandings and interpretations of
sacred text
Current Study Outcome Statements
Consultation Draft Outcome Statements
Unit 2
Unit 2
Area of Study 1
Understand the origin and development of selected
texts that express a tradition’s relationship to its
society
Area of Study 1
Understand the origin and development of selected texts
that express a tradition’s relationship to its society
Area of Study 2
Understand the type of authority that a tradition
attributes to its sacred texts, and how these texts
affect the tradition’s understanding of its relationship
to society today.
Area of Study 2
Understand the type of authority that a tradition currently
attributes to its sacred texts, how these texts affect the
current tradition’s understanding of its relationship to
society, and how the sacred text impacts upon society
today.
Area of Study 3
Discuss the similarities and differences between the
ways sacred texts of two or more religious traditions
view a particular social theme.
Area of Study 3
Compare the similarities and differences between the
ways sacred texts of two or more religious traditions
present a particular social issue.
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Unit 3 Outcome Statements and Assessment
Current Study Outcome
Statements
Consultation Draft Outcome
Statements
Outcome 1
Identify and explain social and
cultural contexts that influenced the
early development of the religious
tradition.
Outcome 1
Identify and explain sociocultural
contexts that influenced the early
development of the religious
tradition.
Outcome 2
Discuss major themes of the set
text, and analyse its literary
structure and issues related to the
writing of the set text.
Outcome 2
Discuss major themes of the set
text, and analyse literary aspects
related to the writing of the set text.
Outcome 3
Apply exegetical methods to
develop an interpretation of some
of the passages for special study,
and discuss the nature of, and
challenges to, exegetical method.
Outcome 3
Apply exegetical methods to
develop an interpretation of some of
the passages for special study, and
discuss the nature of exegetical
method.
Assessment tasks
For Outcomes 1 and 2 one or
more:
Extended responses
Report
Short-answer questions
Textual commentary
For Outcome 3 one or more:
Exegetical tasks
Unit 4 Outcome Statements and assessments
Current Study Outcome
Statements
Consultation Draft Outcome
Statements
Outcome 1
Apply exegetical methods to
develop an interpretation of all
the passages for special study.
Outcome 1
Apply exegetical methods to
develop an interpretation of all
the passages for special study.
Outcome 2
Discuss a significant religious idea,
belief or social theme in the set
text, and analyse and evaluate how
related passages from the set text
have been interpreted within the
tradition at a later stage in the light
of the particular idea, belief or
theme.
Outcome 2
Discuss a significant religious idea,
belief or theme in the set text, and
analyse and evaluate how related
passages from the set text have
been interpreted within the tradition
at a later stage in the light of the
particular idea, belief or theme.
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Assessment tasks
For Outcome 1 one or more:
Exegetical tasks
For Outcome 2 one or more :
Essay
Extended responses
Report
Short answer questions