RELS214 New Religious Movements

A study of new religious movements (NRMs) in the modern world.

This paper focuses on the history, membership and main features of various religious organisations, including Rastafarianism, ISKCON (the Hare Krishnas), Wicca, the Black Muslims, Marian Apparitional Movements and UFO cults.

Paper title	New Religious Movements
Paper code	RELS214
Subject	Religious Studies
EFTS	0.15
Points	18 points
Teaching period(s)	Summer School, Summer School
Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD)	$913.95
International Tuition Fees (NZD)	$4,073.40

^ Top of page

Prerequisite

36 points

Restriction

RELS 306, RELX 214, RELX 306

Schedule C

Arts and Music, Theology

Notes

May not be credited together with RELS 231 passed in 2007.

Contact

Dr Elizabeth Guthrie-Higbee: elizabeth.guthrie-higbee@otago.ac.nz

More information link

View more information on the Religion website: www.otago.ac.nz/religion

Teaching staff

Dr Elizabeth Guthrie-Higbee

Paper Structure

Assessment:

• One 2,500 word essay 25%
• Five online tutorial contributions 25%
• Two-hour exam 50%

Teaching Arrangements

Campus: Weekly lectures
Distance: Online discussion

Textbooks

A coursebook has been developed for this paper.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Interdisciplinary perspective, Scholarship, Critical thinking, Information literacy, Research, Communication skills.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the paper, students should be able to

• Demonstrate knowledge of the key concepts and ideas that lie behind the contemporary literature on new religious movements (NRMs)
• Be familiar with the dominant theories on the formation of NRMs, NRMs leadership and apostasy
• Appreciate the ethical issues and controversies that NRMs provoke
• Present analytical arguments in essay form on chosen topics

^ Top of page