I.M.C.C. Year 11 Religious Education
Religion and Life - ATAR Course
Semester 1 - Unit 1: The Place of Religion in Society
The nature of religion
The search for
meaning
- the relationship
between important
life events and the
questions people ask
about meaning and
purpose in their lives
- the concept of
religion and being
religious
Focus Questions
-- As indicated --
Current Content
Chasing God
*Refer to secondary
document
Web definitions:
spirituality vs.
religion
2AREL Student
resource 1.1-3.2
Suggested Content
Personal testimonies of individuals that have found meaning and
purpose in life through religion, i.e. Catholicism:
http://whyimcatholic.com/index.php/conversion-stories/atheistconverts/item/103-atheist-convert-jennifer-fulwiler - Jennifer
Fulwiler, From Atheist to Catholic
http://www.conversiondiary.com/2008/06/how-i-researched-myway-into-christianity.html - Jennier Fulwiler, How I researched my
way into Christianity
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/unequallyyoked/2012/06/this-ismy-last-post-for-the-patheos-atheist-portal.html - Leah Libresco, This
is my last post for the atheist portal
http://catholicdefense.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/hearts-of-fleshleah-libresco-on-her.html - Leah Libresco, Her conversion from
Atheism to Catholicism
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1F35ExQnVE - CNN interview,
Leah Libresco, Atheist to Catholic
Activity: Explain how important life events can lead people to find
meaning and purpose in their lives. Give examples of people that
have found meaning and purpose in their lives as a result of an
important life experience.
Week
1-2
The nature of religion
Religious belief and
practice
- the nature of
religious belief
- the key features of
one religions belief or
teaching
- the key features of
one religious ritual or
practice
Focus Questions
-- As indicated -*Refer to secondary
document
Current Content
2AREL Student
resource 3.3-3.5
Living Religion, pg.
232-241
2AREL Student
resource 13.1-14.16
Suggested Content
Student defined definitions:
What is meant by the term ‘belief’?
What are some examples of religious beliefs?
What is meant by a ‘belief system’?
What are some examples of belief systems?
What is an example of a religious ritual and/or practice?
What are its origins?
How does this ritual and/or practice find expression in a religion?
The Nicene Creed - this is what the Catholic Church believes in; these
are Catholic beliefs
Catholic Doctrine webquest http://www.ewtn.com.au/faith/teachings/index.asp
Assessment (Part A): choose one Catholic belief, identify its key
features outlining its biblical basis and key supporting evidence from
the Catechism of the Catholic Church and/or the Compendium of the
Catechism of the Catholic Church and other supporting
documentation (e.g. papal encyclicals, writings from the Early
Church Fathers, etc.).
Assessment (Part B): choose one Catholic ritual/practice, identify its
key features outlining its biblical basis and key supporting evidence
from the Catechism of the Catholic Church and/or the Compendium
of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and other supporting
documentation (e.g. papal encyclicals, writings from the Early
Church Fathers, etc.).
Week
2-5
The nature of religion
Religious structures
and processes
- the characteristics
of the major divisions
or denominations
within a world
religion
Focus Questions
-- As indicated -*Refer to secondary
document
Current Content
2AREL Student
Resource 10.5-10.6
Catholicism for
Dummies
Living Religion
Suggested Content
Outline/define key terminology:
Ecumenism
Denomination
Schism
The Schism between East and West:
http://www.catholic.com/tracts/eastern-orthodoxy
http://www.ewtn.com/library/HOMELIBR/EASTWEST.TXT
The Protestant Reformation:
http://www.ewtn.com/library/homelibr/heresy6.txt
http://catholic.net/index.php?option=dedestaca&id=3472
Suggested task: choose a historic split in Christianity’s history and
write a report outlining the causes, events leading up to it, and the
results of the split and its affect on Christianity today. Identify
examples where teachings/doctrines of the Catholic Church and
another Christian denomination differ.
Week
5-7
The influence of
religion
The place of religion
in society
- the place of religion
in Australian society
Focus Questions
Current Content
Suggested Content
Week
-- As indicated --
2AREL Student
resource - Appendix:
Australian Church
History
Key dates in Australian Catholic Church History:
https://www.sydneycatholic.org/about/key_dates_in_our_history.s
html
7-9
*Refer to secondary
document
http://australiancatholichistoricalsociety.com.au/timeline/timeline1.
html
The History of the Catholic Church in Australia:
http://ccb.vic.au.libguides.com/sfps
http://www.catholicenquiry.com/about-us/the-journey-of-thecatholic-church-in-australia.html
Suggested task: Outline and identify key dates end events of the
history of the Catholic Church in Australia. Identify some of the
struggles the Catholic Church in Australia endured during its
establishment in Australia.
The influence of
religion
Religion in historical
contexts
- one person, event,
or issue in the history
of a religion in
Australia
Focus Questions
-- As indicated -*Refer to secondary
document
Current Content
Suggested Content
Week
St. Mary MacKillop
What is known about this person?
What is significant about this person? What makes them important?
What makes this person important in the history of the Catholic
Church in Australia?
9-11
Sectarianism
The history of Catholicism and Protestantism in Australia, from the
Reformation in the 16th century, to sectarian violence in Northern
Ireland, and what separates Catholics and Protestants today (i.e. the
Catholic Church vs. Evangelical churches, e.g. Hillsong, etc.).
Suggested Task: Identify and research a person, event or issue in the
history of religion in Australia and outline the significance of this
person, event or issue regarding the history of religion in Australia.
The influence of
religion
Current issues for
religion
- the nature of one
current issue in
society to which a
religion seeks to
respond
- the response of a
religion to one
current issue in
society
Focus
Questions
-- As indicated -*Refer to secondary
document
Current Content
Suggested Content
Week
2BREL Student
resource, pg 66-86 ‘Morality and Justice’
Issue investigation
11-14
Research the issues of abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell
research, In vitro fertilization, surrogacy, capital punishment, same- Week 15:
sex marriage and:
revision
- provide a detailed explanation of a chosen issue with reference to a
case study
- outline the Catholic response to the issue referring to Church
teachings, i.e. encyclicals, papal letters, the Catechism of the Catholic
Church, the Bible, etc.
Suggested Task: Present to the class a detailed explanation of a
chosen issue which provides background information, a current case
study specific to that issue, and the Catholic Church’s response to the
issue.
Other activities
Glossary:
Quotes log:
Catholic P&Bs:
students are to keep a list of terms and words used in the course with definitions
students are to keep and update through the term a log with quotes of scripture, Church teachings, and other quotes relevant to
course content
students are to keep a detailed list of Catholic practices and beliefs which first of all details the difference between a practice and a
belief, then lists beliefs and their features, and lists practices and their features