religion – UWS BA ePDPs

Inclusion and Diversity

On the 30 January we looked at Inclusion and Diversity. We looked at these concepts and what their definitions were. We looked at the different attitudes towards inclusion and diversity, the benefits of the inclusion and diversity and also the potential barriers to inclusion and how to overcome these barriers. I feel that I did learn a lot in this session. I learned about the different levels of inclusion and why it is very important. I felt that I managed to cope with the main concepts and issues that were discussed in this session. I feel though that I could look back on a couple of the concepts such as the Equality Act (2010) and be able to refine my knowledge on that act. I feel that my knowledge of these areas has increased as a result of this session however I feel that there is a couple of areas that I need to work on and in order to improve these areas I will look back on my notes and the lecture.

Prejudice and Ideology

On March 6th we looked at Prejudice and Ideology. I found this to be very interesting and I feel like I learned a lot today from the lecture, the independent task and the tutorial. I learned the difference between prejudice and discrimination. I learned what sub cultures are and the vast amount of groups that this covers. I learned simply what prejudice is and what Ideology involves. I feel that I do understand the main concepts from today as I was able to follow majority of what was being said and I was able to contribute a lot to the discussions we were having. I feel that I need to look back on certain areas today that I felt I didn’t fully understand like the term secularisation and just other terms I could do with knowing better. My knowledge as a result of today has improved greatly in the areas we discussed however I feel like I could do with bolstering my knowledge. What I have learned helped me understand how prejudice impacts on both micro and macro worlds. One example is that your family can impact on how you view things while considering the micro world. In terms of the macro world the media can influence our prejudices based on what they write.

Society and Lifestyles Week 1

In brief, what have I learned from the lecture, independent task and tutorial today? Please be specific. In todays Lecture I learned many definitions of religion, religion from the inside and outside being the believers approach and the scholarly approach which we should write from in the exam. I also learned the many works of scholars such as … Continue reading Society and Lifestyles Week 1 →

In brief, what have I learned from the lecture, independent task and tutorial today? Please be specific.

In todays Lecture I learned many definitions of religion, religion from the inside and outside being the believers approach and the scholarly approach which we should write from in the exam. I also learned the many works of scholars such as Ninian Smart, Browislaw Malinowski and Emile Durkheim, and the views that they have towards religion. I know have a better understanding of religious diversity and the challenges that are faced.

2. Do I understand the main concepts and issues of the topics and areas I have learnt today? Where possible, how can I evidence this knowledge?

I wouldn’t say that I fully understand the main concepts and issues of this topic but I feel I will be able to build upon this through studying doing past papers putting what I have learned into practice.

3. Are there concepts and issues that I am struggling to comprehend? What can I do about that?

The concepts and issues that I am struggling with is how to link the theorist into each answer but also linking them into each different section that religion separates into. In order to improve with this would be to put this into practice or ask lectures for help to make this clear.

4. How has my knowledge in this area developed/increased today? Are there specific areas that require particular improvement? How will I address that?

My knowledge in this area developed today as I did not know how important religion is and how diversity is a big part of society today and in order to prove this theorist have to back this up in order for any argument to make sense. I will address this by trying pass papers to help me better my arguments but also build upon a structure to make my work clear.

5. If at all, how does what I have learnt today relate to my general understanding of how, using religion as an example, society impacts on lifestyle and vice-versa? Any possible career opportunities/aspirations as a future primary teacher on the things I have learnt today?

What I learned today that religion does take a big part in many people’s lifestyles within different religions people need time to pray in different areas at different times and as future teachers we will need to be able to understand, accommodate and promote this for individuals.

Societies and Lifestyles – Week 4 – 6/2/2017

Inclusion and Equality (Disability) This week we continued to build upon the knowledge we had gained from last week’s session on Equality and Inclusion. However, this week had more of a slant towards Inclusion and Equality for disabled people in the workplace and in society. We began by working with others to begin a […]

Religion, Culture and ‘Unchurched’ Spirituality

In this lecture, we focused on spirituality – which is something that isn’t familiar to me. I came to the definition that it is a belief which isn’t always associated with religion or church. The ‘unchurched’ nature of religion has materialised due to the decrease in religion and the decrease of its importance in todays society. In todays inputs, I learned that spirituality is self governing, very individualised to personal beliefs and gives individuals a belief of believing in something without belonging to a group. We then learned about criticisms of unchurched spirituality which broadened my knowledge on this topic. We learned that because spirituality does not have a church or place of worship – the effect it has on society is very limited. After this, I still found it difficult distinguishing the similarities and differences of religion and spirituality as they are both beliefs just practised in different ways. We also learned about social issues such as suicide and any deviation of any social norm can be solved by religion. This is because it gives individuals a sense of community and helps people in their time of need through food donations. After this lecture, I feel a lot more opened to different views of individuals around the world.

Religion, Culture and ‘Unchurched’ Spirituality

Throughout today’s lecture, tutorial and independent study; I have learned about unchurched spirituality and religion and social issues. Unchurched Spirituality: … Continue reading Religion, Culture and ‘Unchurched’ Spirituality →

Religion – 16/1/2017

It is impossible to say how many religions there are across the world from old age religions like christianity and buddhism to the increasing number of new ones evolving like the Jedi knights to humanists. This input really opened my eyes up to this and how religion is not as clear cut as it may … Continue reading Religion – 16/1/2017 →

Religion, Culture and ‘Unchurched’ Spirituality

Religion and culture are two aspects which influence each other, according to this input. We discussed religious culture as a form of identity and as a way of life. It is clear to see that a persons religion influences how they dress and how they act etc. The theories we looked at by Karl Marx and Max Weber showed the positive and negative aspects of being dependent on a religion. Karl Marx described religion as the ‘opium of the people’ (the drug that deadens the soul). The two theorists had opposite ideas about religion and its effect on the economy, population and society as a whole.

‘Unchurched’ Spirituality are the forms of spirituality which are not involved in a church i.e. people with beliefs not associated with any churches. The pros and cons of this were discussed. My opinion is that although there are negative aspects, unchurched spirituality allows people to express their beliefs and embrace their own spirituality rather than adapting to a religion which already exists.

Religion, Society and Diversity

In this input, we discussed the true meaning of religion and what it means to be religious. The believer’s approach and the scholarly approach were looked at in detail. Upon researching these aspects and discussing the pros and cons of having a religion, I believe that it is important and beneficial to some people as it gives them hope and, in some cases, a reason to live. However, in terms of religious cults, which we looked at in detail, I feel that some religions cannot be considered healthy or of any great help to believers in any way as it is having such a negative impact on them and leading them to believe suicide is the only option they have to be pure and be with God.

We also considered religious diversity as a positive and negative aspect in society. I believe religious diversity is important as it allows everyone to expand their knowledge of other peoples religion and helps them to learn to respect other peoples beliefs.

Overall, this input gave a really good insight into the good and bad of different religions as it showed the ways in which religion helps people but also how it hinders them.

Inclusion and Equality

On the 7 February we looked at Inclusion and Equality with a focus on disability. We looked at human rights, ways to promote equality, potential barriers to equality and how to overcome them. I felt that I learned that at least 15% of the world’s population has a significant, long term, physical or mental impairment that can and usually disable them from taking part in the usual educational, social and economic activity within their own community. I believe that I understood the main concepts, theories and ideas that were discussed. I was very vocal whenever we were having any discussions during the tutorial when we were made to think about these concepts and what they mean. I feel that my skills have developed in the fact that I have a better understanding of these issues now than say what I did when I was younger. One skill that I need to develop is being more vocal in the lecture itself. When we are in a tutorial I am good with speaking up but in the lecture I am completely different and almost don’t want to say anything just because there’s a lot more people in the lecture hall. To address this development I will try to build up my confidence so when it comes to the lecture I will be more willing to contribute vocally in the lecture.