HSC Studies of Religion Question Thread

[jamonwindeyer]

Whenever you are able could you please give me some feedback on this Australia post-1945 question.

Hey maraduke! Welcome to the forums! sure thing, check the spoiler below, I've popped some comments throughout in bold:

Spoiler

For some Australians, God is no longer important. Religion does not seem attractive as the country is becoming increasingly secular.
With reference to the statement, account for the current religious landscape in Australia

Secularism in Australia has been on the rise due to a multitude of different reasons. I'd relate this to the religious landscape in a slightly more obvious way. Maybe, "The religious landscape in Australia has become increasingly secular for a multitude of different reasons.' In Australia, the increase of secularism has led to a decrease in traditional followers of religion in particular Christian denominations such as Anglican, Uniting Church, and Catholic. Any statistics as evidence here? Good chance to include Census data  ‘Religion does not seem attractive for some Australians’ this is due to the belief that many have seen the church being boring or even unfulfilling due to the changing attitudes of the public. Good. This changing attitudes has left many seek alternative forms of faith such as new age religions or completely ignore religion entirely. Any examples of new age religions? The rise of secularism can also be attributed to change of personal beliefs, especially over disagreements in the religion's beliefs such as creationism compared to the big bang theorist, as well as individual importance over the community importance, which is the traditional way churches and religions as a whole operate. I like some of your points, but I'm looking for more specific examples (Census data) to really prove the points you are making. Some of your arguments are just a tad broad.

I'd give this 3 (maybe 4) out of 5 in its current form, let me know if any of the feedback doesn't quite make sense!

[chloeannbarwick]

Would you say that Studies of Religion is a difficult subject? Like with the amount of content there is? Or is that just me? 

[Wales]

Would you say that Studies of Religion is a difficult subject? Like with the amount of content there is? Or is that just me? 

Honestly, it all depends on your teacher. I find it a loveable subject, I get to learn about all sorts of religions in depth But my teacher ISN'T great. I think the intrinsic value of the subject is high, you learn valuable things that make you more intelligent on a spiritual level.

In regards to HSC,

It's quite similar to English in a lot of ways. You write essays and short responses and have to include quotes or citations. Nothing too hard and definitely worth doing as a 1 Unit subject imo I'm not struggling and putting little effort into it at the moment.

[12070]

Okay, so I've got this hand-in essay on world peace and I have spent so much time on it but keep deleting paragraphs because they just aren't really flowing. I was just wondering if anyone has some really key beliefs/quotes/theologians that I can base my paragraph's around. This question has baffled me which not many SOR questions do but there is so much going on and so much to talk about that I feel like anything I write is not needed.

The task is attached below and any guidance (especially thesis points) would be greatly appreciated.

[jamonwindeyer]

Would you say that Studies of Religion is a difficult subject? Like with the amount of content there is? Or is that just me? 

I agree with Wales above - I think it is quite similar to English, in that you just memorise your evidence and that will be most of your study. That's not to say it is easy or hard, but if you are good at remembering stuff you will probably find it easier!

SOR is a very predictable subject. Lots of repetition in multiple choice, and although there is a lot of content, there are only a small number of ways they can really ask you to draw on that knowledge. If you are well prepared, nothing in the exam should be a surprise

[elysepopplewell]

Would you say that Studies of Religion is a difficult subject? Like with the amount of content there is? Or is that just me? 

I truly believe that with the right resources, you can revise/learn the SOR 1 unit course in one weekend. Two weekends for SOR 2. The reason I say this is because when we do SOR lectures, we can teach the entire core of SOR 1 in under three hours - every dot point. But that's because I've been able to prepare the slides for everyone, and then it's just a matter of receiving the information quickly. So, hypothetically, if all of your resources are in place because you've stayed on top of your study notes throughout the year, you could sit down and do the entire SOR 1 course in a weekend.

BUT, if you're not keeping up with the workload, or things just aren't sinking in to begin with, then it does take some time and effort. If wrapping your head around religions is difficult, then it will require more time. But hey, even if you do understand religions well, gathering the evidence for different arguments and aspects of study notes takes time and effort. It works wonderfully if your teacher is all over it (or if you come to the AN lectures where we do the research for you), but it won't work as smoothly if you're spending your time gathering the info, AND learning it.

[12070]

Can you please give me some advice on my first paragraph.

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. 

Outline how peace is expressed through the sacred texts of TWO religious traditions and demonstrate how this provides guidance for the attainment of world peace.

Principal teachings by Jesus Christ in the New Testament are imperative to connecting the Christian adherent to an inner peace and demonstrating how their beliefs transcend into attaining world peace. Peace is at the heart of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ as he is the son of God from whom all peace derived and is said to have acted in perfect righteousness and hence is commonly referred to as the ‘Prince of Peace’ (Isaiah 9:6). As Jesus models a life for peace, he is subsequently what adherents strive to emulate. Jesus constantly endeavoured to promote solidarity and foster greater tolerance reflected in ‘For Christ Jesus is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility.’ (Ephesians 2:14) Through his teachings it is evident that peace is a gift from God and it only through God that inner peace is obtained. This is reflected by the director of ‘TEAR Australia’ stating ‘I find my motivation for peacebuilding in the teachings of Jesus.’ This involves teachings such as Jesus’ Golden Rule; ‘Do unto others as you would have them do to you’ (Luke 6:31). Pope Francis similarly reiterates this belief in ‘We must… spread the love. Be poor among the poor. We need to include the excluded and preach peace.’ Thus it is evident in the New Testament that Jesus’ teachings on love, compassion, and acceptance act as a catalyst for solidarity as they have left continuous impacts on individuals today which allows the prosperity of peace to flourish around the world.

[f_tan]

How much should I be aiming to write for a 5 marker and an 8 marker?

[Wales]

How much should I be aiming to write for a 5 marker and an 8 marker?

Somewhere around a page I would assume for the 8 marker.

Maybe a long paragraph for the 5.

[elysepopplewell]

How much should I be aiming to write for a 5 marker and an 8 marker?

I definitely wouldn't spend more than a page on this! Obviously writing size and style comes in to it, and you've heard it before: use the lines on the page as a guide! In fact, I think that using an entire page for five marks might be taking it a bit too far, but any more than a page is a definite no - you'd be wasting time

[elysepopplewell]

Okay, so I've got this hand-in essay on world peace and I have spent so much time on it but keep deleting paragraphs because they just aren't really flowing. I was just wondering if anyone has some really key beliefs/quotes/theologians that I can base my paragraph's around. This question has baffled me which not many SOR questions do but there is so much going on and so much to talk about that I feel like anything I write is not needed.

The task is attached below and any guidance (especially thesis points) would be greatly appreciated.

Hey there!

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]

Outline how peace is expressed through the sacred texts of TWO religious traditions and demonstrate how this provides guidance for the attainment of world peace.

I love this quote - I think it's really applicable! You can pull on different little parts of it to suit your purpose, I think you struck lucky with this one! As for the question, it is double barrelled. Looking into your criteria as well, to achieve the top mark you need to prove that religious traditions are actually make the effort, which isn't required according to the question. So that's what makes it tricky, you need to:

-Outline how peace is expressed in two religions
-Draw on sacred texts
-How does this provide guidance for an individual (as per the criteria) but also collectively (as per the question)?
-Now prove the guidance is being followed and actioned.

Breaking it down like this, does it make more sense?

[12070]

-Outline how peace is expressed in two religions
-Draw on sacred texts
-How does this provide guidance for an individual (as per the criteria) but also collectively (as per the question)?
-Now prove the guidance is being followed and actioned.

Breaking it down like this, does it make more sense?

Thank you! Yes, this makes it a lot easier. There was just so much going on that I was a little lost. I'll tweak my current paragraph and hopefully get my essay ready for marking by Saturday/Sunday.

[12070]

Hey there!

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]

Outline how peace is expressed through the sacred texts of TWO religious traditions and demonstrate how this provides guidance for the attainment of world peace.

I love this quote - I think it's really applicable! You can pull on different little parts of it to suit your purpose, I think you struck lucky with this one! As for the question, it is double barrelled. Looking into your criteria as well, to achieve the top mark you need to prove that religious traditions are actually make the effort, which isn't required according to the question. So that's what makes it tricky, you need to:

-Outline how peace is expressed in two religions
-Draw on sacred texts
-How does this provide guidance for an individual (as per the criteria) but also collectively (as per the question)?
-Now prove the guidance is being followed and actioned.

Breaking it down like this, does it make more sense?

One last question, in SOR what are the markers looking for when it states 'how is peace expressed...' in english that would be techniques but I'm not sure on my thesis points for this question.

[CaitlinSavins]

Oh my lord please, please, help me.
I have to write an essay (due tomorrow...) answering the question "To what extent do the Hajj and bioethics demonstrate that Islam is a living religious tradition?" with reference to two quotes.
I currently have a thesis: "In the life of adherents, the Hajj and the application of ethics to biomedical issues extensively demonstrate that Islam is a living religion in the contemporary world." I'm ashamed at how uncreative this thesis is, but I am sososososo stuck. Someone please help.

[jamonwindeyer]

Oh my lord please, please, help me.
I have to write an essay (due tomorrow...) answering the question "To what extent do the Hajj and bioethics demonstrate that Islam is a living religious tradition?" with reference to two quotes.
I currently have a thesis: "In the life of adherents, the Hajj and the application of ethics to biomedical issues extensively demonstrate that Islam is a living religion in the contemporary world." I'm ashamed at how uncreative this thesis is, but I am sososososo stuck. Someone please help.

Hey Caitlin! Your best bet would be to add beliefs into the mix - I wrote a guide here. You would need to update the essay, but you'd essentially say:

"In the life of adherents, the Hajj and the application of ethics to biomedical issues extensively demonstrate that Islam is a living religion in the contemporary world, as they allow core beliefs to be applied in the adherents everyday life.

Again, you can't do this without adding a fair bit to your essay, but it is what I'd do!