The Religion and Life ATAR course provides students with opportunities to learn about religion and the interplay that occurs between religion, societies and people. Students develop an informed and critical understanding of this interplay by drawing from a detailed knowledge of one or more religions.

Every religion offers a system of beliefs and practices. In the Religion and Life ATAR course, students explore one or more religions and investigate the characteristics of religion, their origins, foundations, social influence and development over time. They analyse the role religion has played in society and understand the challenges and opportunities religions face.

The connections between religion and life occur in many areas of human activity. Religion motivates and influences how people interact with each other and the world around them.

Students employ research and learning skills that enable them to use a range of primary and secondary sources to investigate the interplay between religion and life.

The Year 11 syllabus is divided into two units, each of one semester duration, which are typically delivered as a pair. The notional time for each unit is 55 class contact hours.

Unit 1

The focus of this unit is the place of religion in society. It examines the responses of people to religion, in particular how people understand the response of religion to their concerns, needs and questions. Students develop the skills required for conducting an inquiry, processing information, and communicating findings about the interplay between religion and life.

Unit 2

The focus of this unit is religious identity and purpose. It investigates how religion shapes, forms and supports people in life. The unit also examines how religion impacts on and interacts with, groups in society. Students develop the skills required for conducting an inquiry, processing information, and communicating findings about the interplay between religion and life.

Prerequisite: A minimum of a B Grade in Year 10 Religious Education.

Pathway: Leads to Religion and Life (ATAR) in Year 12.

The Religion and Life General course provides students with opportunities to learn about religion and explores the relationships between religion, society and individuals. It examines the nature of religion and how it offers individuals and their communities an understanding of the world around them.

Students develop an understanding of ways in which people discover, understand and express their religious beliefs. They explore one or more religions and investigate the characteristics of religion, origins, foundations, cultural influences and development over time. They analyse the role religion has played in human affairs and explore issues of concern to religion.

Through the Religion and Life General course, students learn skills that will enable them to understand the role religion plays in society and in the lives of people. They use a range of primary and secondary sources and employ a variety of methods to investigate information. These methods include research, observation, analysis, and discussion.

The Year 11 syllabus is divided into two units, each of one semester duration, which are typically delivered as a pair. The notional time for each unit is 55 class contact hours.

Unit 1

The focus of this unit is religion as a human activity. It explores how people search for meaning in life and the characteristics of religion. Students conduct research and develop the skills required for processing information and communicating findings about religion and life.

Unit 2

The focus of this unit is the role religion plays in society. It considers the responses offered by religion to issues that exist in society. Students conduct research and develop the skills required for processing information and communicating findings about religion and life.

Prerequisite:  Nil.

Pathway: Leads to Religion and Life (General) in Year 12.