Superdiversity and Secularism: Religious and CALD Literacy (DA1012Z)

Undergraduate, 18.0 points

Content

The fast pace of churn and change are creating an Australian society which is religiously and culturally superdiverse. Paradoxically, secularisation is simultaneously on the rise, and those identifying as ‘no religion’ – the ‘Nones’ – will soon almost certainly outnumber people of faith. In this unit, we critically examine the current and developing shape of secularisation, as well as the changing conditions of belief producing religiously plural younger generations. Taking a lived religion approach, we further investigate the growing need for critical religious and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) literacy, facilitating a deep understanding of diverse worldviews for leaders in faith organisations.

Unit code: DA1012Z

Unit status: Approved (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 1

Unit discipline: Mission and Ministry

Proposing College: Wollaston Theological College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Articulate a comprehension of religious and culturally and linguistic diverse (CALD) literacy.
2.

Demonstrate an understanding of superdiversity and its significance in working with both religious and non-religious cohorts.
3.

Assess the role of religious and CALD literacy for leadership and ministry in superdiverse societies.
4.

Describe from a “lived religion” perspective at least one religious or non-religious phenomenon, unrelated to one’s own personal background.
5.

Compare and contrast the shape and significance of diverse approaches to spirituality and/or wellbeing in superdiverse societies.

Unit sequence

No prerequisites required.

Pedagogy

The unit is offered as an intensive. Unit content is in seminar format with frequent interactive discussion sessions, tutorials, and group work, both in-person and synchronously. The unit can also be taken online asynchronously, with group assessments that enable cooperative learning.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Ammerman, Nancy Tatom. 2021. Studying Lived Religion: Contexts and Practices. New York University Press.
  • Dinham, Adam. 2021. Religion and Belief Literacy: Reconnecting a Chain of Learning. Policy Press.
  • Jackson, Darrell, Darren Cronshaw, and Rosemary Dewerse, eds. 2019. Reimagining Home: Understanding, Reconciling and Engaging with God’s Stories Together. Morling Press.
  • McCrindle, Mark, and Ashley Fell. 2022. Generation Alpha: Understanding Our Children and Helping Them Thrive. Hatchette Australia.
  • Moloney, Robyn, and Shenouda Mansour, eds. 2022. Language and Spirit: Exploring Languages, Religions and Spirituality in Australia Today. Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Possamai, Adam, and David Tittensor. 2022. Religion and Change in Australia. Routledge.
  • Seiple, Chris, and Dennis Hoover, eds. 2022. The Routledge Handbook of Religious Literacy, Pluralism and Global Engagement. Routledge.
  • Singleton, Andrew, Anna Halafoff, Mary Lou Rasmussen, and Gary Bouma. 2021. Freedoms, Faiths and Futures: Teenage Australians on Religion, Sexuality and Diversity. Bloomsbury Academic.
  • Vertovec, Steven. 2023. Superdiversity. Routledge.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Poster

Students design a poster on a particular unit theme or topic, describing and explaining its conceptual underpinnings, historical precursors, present form, and applications in and implications for contemporary society.

 1000 30.0
Audio recording or Podcast 1000 30.0
Essay 2000 40.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 18 Oct, 2024

Unit record last updated: 2024-10-18 16:34:10 +1100