Unit rationale, description and aim
Why has religion been a near-universal feature of human societies—and why does it persist, even in an age of secularism? This course explores the deep interrelationship between religion and politics. From the origins of religious belief in prehistory and the emergence of divine kingship to the rise of monotheistic faiths and the modern separation of church and state, religion and politics have had a complex and contested relationship. Religion has underpinned both periods of political and social stability as well as eras of violent conflict and conquest. Despite the rise in secularism and atheism following the Western European Enlightenment, religion has not vanished—rather, it has re-emerged in new forms, from Islamist movements to charismatic cults like Scientology and Falun Gong. The aim of this unit is to explore key questions in the interrelationship of religion and politics: what is the political function of religion? Why did it arise? What is its relationship with conflict? Why has it declined in some societies and not others? And what might its future be in an age of globalisation, identity politics, and spiritual fragmentation?
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Describe the nature and significance of religion i...
Learning Outcome 01
Critically discuss diverse perspectives on the nat...
Learning Outcome 02
Apply concepts, theories and methods used in the s...
Learning Outcome 03
Demonstrate the capacity to gather, analyse and ad...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
- The psychological roots of religion
- Religion in pre-state societies
- The era of divine kingship
- Religion and politics in the medieval world
- Sectarian conflicts through the ages
- The enlightenment and the rise of nationalism
- Secularisation and atheism
- Fundamentalism and religious extremism
- Modern cults
Assessment strategy and rationale
The assessment strategy for this unit is designed to support students in developing a nuanced understanding of the historical and contemporary intersections between religion and politics. Through a scaffolded progression of tasks—including oral discussion, independent research, and a final examination—students build core academic skills while engaging critically with the unit’s central questions.
This approach enables students to demonstrate their ability to analyse complex ideas, synthesise theoretical frameworks, and articulate persuasive arguments. Each task contributes to a cumulative learning experience that fosters intellectual independence, critical thinking, and historical insight, preparing students for advanced academic inquiry in political theory and religious studies.
Overview of assessments
Assessment Task 1: Oral Assessment In class oral...
Assessment Task 1: Oral Assessment
In class oral assessment and associated discussion.
20%
Assessment Task 2: Research Task Requires stude...
Assessment Task 2: Research Task
Requires students to do a research task on an assigned topic. Submissions should demonstrate thorough understanding of the subject matter, critical analysis of the relevant literature, and ability to incorporate and synthesise relevant conceptual/theoretical ideas.
40%
Assessment Task 3: Proctored Exam This secure i...
Assessment Task 3: Proctored Exam
This secure in-class or online assessment tests students’ knowledge, analytical skills, comparative thinking, and deep understanding of the course material. Tests may include short-answer and essay format questions.
40%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit offers two formal ways of learning and teaching. Lectures combine knowledge from social theory, case studies, and statistical research, a format that demands deep, integrated learning. Students explore real-world challenges and problems, a process that requires them to demonstrate their investigative, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Tutorials for this unit provide opportunities for active learning. Students will engage in activities including reading, writing, interrogating ideas, exploring case studies and live discussions. These activities, as well as promoting analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of lecture content, are designed to build skills appropriate to second-year study in Politics and International Relations. Furthermore, readings will deepen students’ knowledge of the various conceptualisations of religion and politics.
To achieve a passing standard in this unit, students will find it helpful to engage in the full range of learning activities and assessments utilised in this unit, as described in the learning and teaching strategy and the assessment strategy. The learning and teaching and assessment strategies include a range of approaches to support your learning such as lectures, tutorials, reading, reflection, discussion, webinars, podcasts, videos etc.