HSC Studies of Religion Question Thread

[dancing phalanges]

Hey guys,
Only just read your great SOR article on mistakes to avoid Elyse and was just wondering, how many of the principal beliefs of Christianity should we be looking to tie into the practice, person and ethics? For example, the divinity and humanity of Christ is a tad complex one to deal with. Our teacher has recommended that since we go to a Catholic school it would be better to prepare for Judaism for Section 2 (which I have already done) hence now why I am stuck with Christianity - Judaism does look easier though to link to principal beliefs eg. Moral Law, Covenant (pretty easy stuff there)
What do you recommend in terms of links in Christianity?

And just another question - the 2014 CSSA trial question was 'Critically evaluate the contribution of ethical teachings to Christianity as a living religious tradition.' Does this mean only talk about ethics because previous questions say under choose from sexual ethics, bioethics etc. whilst that question didn't.
Thanks

[elysepopplewell]

Hey guys,
Only just read your great SOR article on mistakes to avoid Elyse and was just wondering, how many of the principal beliefs of Christianity should we be looking to tie into the practice, person and ethics? For example, the divinity and humanity of Christ is a tad complex one to deal with. Our teacher has recommended that since we go to a Catholic school it would be better to prepare for Judaism for Section 2 (which I have already done) hence now why I am stuck with Christianity - Judaism does look easier though to link to principal beliefs eg. Moral Law, Covenant (pretty easy stuff there)
What do you recommend in terms of links in Christianity?
Thanks

Hey! Simply (but probably not helpfully), as many as is appropriate. So for Islam, I found Tawhid very easy to incorporate, but Rusul, maybe not so much. So with Christianity - the nature of the trinity was quite easy for me with practice because it is symbolised in the sign of the cross. The humanity and divinity of Jesus Christ is an easier one for ethics, because it can be said how Jesus was the moral and ethical example in his humanity - but even when making ethical decisions, Jesus died for the salvation of Christians so that they may be guided even in poorly made ethical decisions. As for person, who is your significant person?

If you're still referencing the Ten Commandments, Beatitudes, etc...then you're not going to fall behind. But linking it really makes a difference!

[dancing phalanges]

Hey! Simply (but probably not helpfully), as many as is appropriate. So for Islam, I found Tawhid very easy to incorporate, but Rusul, maybe not so much. So with Christianity - the nature of the trinity was quite easy for me with practice because it is symbolised in the sign of the cross. The humanity and divinity of Jesus Christ is an easier one for ethics, because it can be said how Jesus was the moral and ethical example in his humanity - but even when making ethical decisions, Jesus died for the salvation of Christians so that they may be guided even in poorly made ethical decisions. As for person, who is your significant person?

If you're still referencing the Ten Commandments, Beatitudes, etc...then you're not going to fall behind. But linking it really makes a difference!

Hey Elyse, I'm doing marriage, Paul and sexual ethics And I also edited my post above just in regards to confusion over the 2014 question too if you wouldn't mind helping me out

[elysepopplewell]

Hey Elyse, I'm doing marriage, Paul and sexual ethics And I also edited my post above just in regards to confusion over the 2014 question too if you wouldn't mind helping me out

Sorry! I missed the edit:


And just another question - the 2014 CSSA trial question was 'Critically evaluate the contribution of ethical teachings to Christianity as a living religious tradition.' Does this mean only talk about ethics because previous questions say under choose from sexual ethics, bioethics etc. whilst that question didn't.

If it's the kind of question that engages a more broad term, like a living religious tradition, and it doesn't specify ethics, person, or practice, then you are definitely able to draw on whichever you think is most appropriate - if not all of them! But this one here has engaged just ethical teachings - which in my opinion, is an odd question because it's about the "teachings." So for an essay, to reach essay length, you'd need to use the ethical teachings in applications of the modern time, in order to talk about the way the religion "lives" today. or at least, this is how I would approach it!

[dancing phalanges]

Sorry! I missed the edit:


And just another question - the 2014 CSSA trial question was 'Critically evaluate the contribution of ethical teachings to Christianity as a living religious tradition.' Does this mean only talk about ethics because previous questions say under choose from sexual ethics, bioethics etc. whilst that question didn't.

If it's the kind of question that engages a more broad term, like a living religious tradition, and it doesn't specify ethics, person, or practice, then you are definitely able to draw on whichever you think is most appropriate - if not all of them! But this one here has engaged just ethical teachings - which in my opinion, is an odd question because it's about the "teachings." So for an essay, to reach essay length, you'd need to use the ethical teachings in applications of the modern time, in order to talk about the way the religion "lives" today. or at least, this is how I would approach it!

Yep okay sweet that's what I figured I'm just not sure with the principal beliefs whether with something like sexual ethics, the links I could make would be more clutching at straws than anything?  For Paul, however, could a good link to make be between the Christian principal belief in salvation and his teaching that humanity's sins are redeemed by god's grace through faith in jesus? thanks

[elysepopplewell]

Yep okay sweet that's what I figured I'm just not sure with the principal beliefs whether with something like sexual ethics, the links I could make would be more clutching at straws than anything?  For Paul, however, could a good link to make be between the Christian principal belief in salvation and his teaching that humanity's sins are redeemed by god's grace through faith in jesus? thanks

If the question doesn't lend itself to it, so be it! Don't force it of course, and some ethics will link easier to beliefs than others and that's fine. You'll still be linking to the other main beliefs of the religion, and the main teachings, so you'll still have a wholistic response. And that's excellent for Paul! Excellent!

[dancing phalanges]

If the question doesn't lend itself to it, so be it! Don't force it of course, and some ethics will link easier to beliefs than others and that's fine. You'll still be linking to the other main beliefs of the religion, and the main teachings, so you'll still have a wholistic response. And that's excellent for Paul! Excellent!

Haha okay sweet thanks heaps Elyse!

[Jess.martinuzzo]

Hey Elyse,
I was just wondering.
With structuring ethics, personality and practise - how do we structure an essay for it?
I plan to do Christianity for the essay - with Sexual ethics/Pope John XXIII and Baptism - but im a little unsure how i would structure a response.
For ethics you can do I paragraph on each ethical teaching - PreMarital sex, homosexuality, abortion etc.
And with the personality could you do a paragraph on each contribution and/or impact
But with Baptism, I have no clue how I would structure that, because between the variants there's not major differences.

Hope you can help,
Thanks, Jess.

[gh971]

Hey ATAR notes
Every time I hand essays into my teacher I always get the same feedback saying "needs more detail" however I am still a little confused by what this means? Is it about not saying everything I know but rather delving deeper into one or two points? Do you have any tips for writing great and detailed essays?
Thanks !!

[TheFreeMarketeer]

Hey ATAR notes
Every time I hand essays into my teacher I always get the same feedback saying "needs more detail" however I am still a little confused by what this means? Is it about not saying everything I know but rather delving deeper into one or two points? Do you have any tips for writing great and detailed essays?
Thanks !!

I think one really good way to demonstrate a breadth of knowledge is incorporating quotes or excerpts from books, doctrines, etc... that articulate the point you're trying to make.

Also, ensure your terminology is accurate and befitting.

[oliviamarie]

Hey! I was just wondering if you went into the exam with a plan in mind regarding which religious tradition you'd answer the 20 marker or 15 marker on? My teacher says it's super difficult to do that just because of the possibility of the question being broad or specific, but in saying that I think I'd like to have a game plan going in! Thank you!

[dancing phalanges]

Hey! I was just wondering if you went into the exam with a plan in mind regarding which religious tradition you'd answer the 20 marker or 15 marker on? My teacher says it's super difficult to do that just because of the possibility of the question being broad or specific, but in saying that I think I'd like to have a game plan going in! Thank you!

Our teacher has advised us to go in prepared for Judaism for Section 2 and Christianity for Section 3. This is because we go to a Catholic school and hence would have a better understanding of Christianity. As you said though it does depend on the question! You can always prepare essays/essay plans for both traditions that way you are still covered for short answer

[elysepopplewell]

In terms of which religious tradition you should do for each section...

I decided completely on the spot in the exam. I gave it some thought beforehand but I decided that I was comfortable with every part of the syllabus, it just depended on the way the question would spin it. Jamon wrote this really helpful SOR essay guide which is worth a read, but it also supports the idea of giving it thought beforehand but remaining flexible. If you go in with a plan that is thrown to the wayside when you walk in your risk panicking yourself! Flexibility is key.

Hey ATAR notes
Every time I hand essays into my teacher I always get the same feedback saying "needs more detail" however I am still a little confused by what this means? Is it about not saying everything I know but rather delving deeper into one or two points? Do you have any tips for writing great and detailed essays?
Thanks !!

Hey Grace! Have a look at the link in this comment (above) and let me know if you still have questions.

[defek]

Hey, any predictions on tomorrows paper?? - specifically the 5marker, judaism and christianity??

[dancing phalanges]

Hey, any predictions on tomorrows paper?? - specifically the 5marker, judaism and christianity??

I'm just guessing - I would say the essay question will be a wholistic one with reference to a quote. I think the short answers with be (from least to most marks) Outline the contribution of one significant figure, Describe one practice, How is the practice in question two significant for the community.
All guesses at this rate though