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    Overview

    Introduction to history, membership and main features of new religious groups including Rastafarianism, Hare Krishnas, Branch Davidians, UFO believers, and more. Critical analysis of ‘cult’ versus ‘religion.’

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

    About this paper

    Paper title Cults, Prophets, Apocalypse: Understanding New Religious Movements
    Subject Religious Studies
    EFTS 0.15
    Points 18 points
    Teaching period(s) Summer School (Distance learning)
    Summer School (On campus)
    Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,040.70
    International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
    Prerequisite
    36 points
    Restriction
    RELS 306, RELX 214, RELX 306
    Schedule C
    Arts and Music, Theology
    Notes
    May not be credited together with RELS231 passed in 2007.
    Contact

    elizabeth.guthrie@otago.ac.nz

    Teaching staff

    Dr Elizabeth Guthrie

    Teaching Arrangements

    The Distance Learning offering of this paper is taught remotely.

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

    Timetable

    Summer School

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught through Distance Learning
    Learning management system
    Blackboard

    Summer School

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught On Campus
    Learning management system
    Blackboard

    Lecture

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Monday 09:00-09:50 2-7
    Tuesday 09:00-09:50 2-7
    Wednesday 09:00-09:50 2-7
    Thursday 09:00-09:50 2-5, 7
    Friday 09:00-09:50 6
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