Outline

Overview

This unit introduces students to the specialised field that explores the relationships between religion and violence. Topics will include the examination of religious motivations for groups and individuals to commit violence and how to assess and consider improving responses from secular and religious authorities to it. A particular focus will be placed on the role of charismatic leadership in religious innovation and how and why this may mutate into social deviancy. Concepts of conspiracy and cosmic war will be addressed as we consider their contribution to violent motivation. Students will be encouraged to develop their own research project to examine these and other crucial themes.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Studies in Religion
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	12 credit points at 2000 level in Studies in Religion
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	RLST2620
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Christopher Humphrey Hartney, christopher.hartney@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 August 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written work	Early Feedback A general discussion about your interest in apocalyptic leadership and cosmic war. Include a footnote if you can!	0%	Week 02 Due date: 14 Aug 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 21 Aug 2026	150 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Conversation	Personal Interview Week 5 This is a one-on-one interview to set your personal topic question for your research assignment. See Chris for appointment.	5%	Week 05 Due date: 31 Aug 2026 at 23:00 Closing date: 04 Sep 2026	Personal Interview	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Week 6 Research Project Workshop Student makes a brief report to class on progress of their research assignment.	5%	Week 06 Due date: 07 Sep 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 08 Sep 2026	5 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Methodology Review Student will submit a critical assessment of a methodology on Religion and Violence.	15%	Week 07 Due date: 18 Sep 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 16 Oct 2026	500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Film Review Assessing Depictions of Religion and Violence A critical film review on the topic of the apocalyptic and of cosmic war.	15%	Week 09 Due date: 09 Oct 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 06 Nov 2026	500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Major Research Assignment Scholarly examination of research question on the apocalyptic, on cosmic war, or more generally on religion and violence.	50%	Week 13 Due date: 06 Nov 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 20 Nov 2026	3000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Tutorial Participation Participation in weekly tutorials, your reaction to the readings and themes will be assessed.	10%	Weekly	Participation in weekly tutorials	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

You are required to submit all assessments for this unit or risk receiving an absent fail.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	听
Distinction	75 - 84	听
Credit	65 - 74	听
Pass	50 - 64	听
Fail	0 - 49	When you don鈥檛 meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the听Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the听Current Students website听for more information on AI in assessments, including听details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website听provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the听Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM)听which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the听Current Students website听for more information on AI in assessments, including听details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a听simple extension.鈥� The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can鈥檛 complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for听special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students,听听includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy听reflects the University鈥檚 commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	1. Defining religion; 2. Historical contexts of modernity and religion	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Nationalism, technology and anti semitism	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Basic theories: Sloterdijk and Cavanaugh	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	Sydney Jewish Museum	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Tariq Ali: clash of fundamentalism	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	The apocalyptic (and charismatic)	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Religion and payback	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	TBC	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	TBC	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Salvational violence: the crucifixion	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	The Pope vs. Juergensmeyer debate	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	Research workshop: Waco, Psychiatry, Hyde Park Memorial	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 08	On killing	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Grossman and Nussbaum	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Religious assassination	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Malcolm X and Huey Newton	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	Personal violence and the religious imagination	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Slavov Zizek: Violence	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	Literature religion and violence	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Selections from Variyar	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	Genocide: from Armenia to Australia	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Hinton and Tatz	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Unit summary	Lecture (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner鈥檚 Board. The Examiner鈥檚 Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours鈥� preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. apply discipline theories to the study of violence
LO2. comprehend the difficulties and pitfalls of examining and discoursing on difficult areas of contention within the field of the study of religion and of violence
LO3. demonstrate effective strategies for examining cross-cultural issues as they relate to violence
LO4. identify interdisciplinary approaches to examine the intersections of religion and violence
LO5. examine pathways through traumatic study material
LO6. reflect upon your own agency in relation to violence and religion.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all 爆料王 graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one鈥檚 personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered'.

Disclaimer

Important: the 爆料王 regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an .

爆料王

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

爆料王

RLST3608: Apocalyptic Leadership and Cosmic War

Semester 2, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links